This is a painting of a candy seller and her daughter.
Sometime ago, there were only a few migrants with young children wrapped around on their backs, selling candy from one New York City subway station to another. Then, the migrants arrived in thousands. Just in 2023, more than 100,000 migrants have arrived in New York City, and more to other cities. Unable to find legitimate work, migrants are struggling.
Why did they leave everything behind and crossed the southern border? Faced with undeniable danger or the fantasies of utopia hidden beneath the complicated U.S. policies and politics, migrants have risked everything and traveled the dangerous path to cross the U.S. southern border.
Today, securing the U.S. border is prioritized among other world crises. Many Americans don’t agree on securing the border. Some welcome the migrants, some don’t. Caught between these two ideas are real people who have become political pawns as the 2024 presidential election looms.
I have been painting bigger than ever this year. It’s one thing to painting something small and let it be cute and all, but I think when painting portraits, a painting brings a whole new feeling when it is life size.
Portrait of Paul, which I had been working for the past 3 weeks. A painting for a competition that I had been working on for some time. And this portrait of Steve, which I worked on it after completing Paul’s Portrait.
I had initially painted the entire painting with raw umber, and I thought about stopping there, but with two 20 minute sessions remaining, I decided to put colors. The images shown were taken after each 20 minute sessions.
There are many ways to begin painting with oil, but I like to simply begin painting, drawing with oil, rather than spending whole lot of time using charcoal or pencil.
I might make a composition sketch and/or color study, but when I am ready, I simply begin to paint and adjust as I go.
More than ever, I have grown to enjoy painting fast, but for the mostly, I spend about 2 to 3 weeks on a painting. It’s fair to say that I enjoy painting slow, too.
In progress, after 12 hours of painting.
Two weeks later
January 19, 2024
Three weeks later
After intense 2 weeks of painting, I focused on fine-tuning the painting. Although the photo doesn’t capture all the changes, this portrait has gone through multiple surgeries this week… can you spot all the changes from the previous week?
Title: Composition One – 30 inches x 30 inches – El Capitan
The League’s Annual Art Sale is a rare opportunity to bring home the work by current League students at affordable prices.
Composition One – El Capitan
For the past several years, I have participated in showing—and selling—my paintings at the Art Students League. Throughout the year, I dedicate my best waking hours painting live models, but I get out of my way to paint at least one Plein Air Painting for the League’s Holiday show. All of my Plein Air Painting at the Holiday show have sold and found their home.
This summer, I visited a few national parks, including Yosemite National Park. I arrived there in the evening, so there wasn’t that I could see, but driving into it in the darkness, there it was, El Capitan, dressed in black and holding the night sky. During the day, I hiked up to it for a close examination of the rock formation. Then I looked up, standing in front of the giant granite wall that dominates the west end of Yosemite Valley—this is what I saw, a beautiful rock that is full of light and shades from the heavens.
December 6, 2023
Bird-of-Paradise
December 7, 2023 — The following painting is now showing. Thank you and congratulations to the collector of ‘Composition One’.
December 7, 2023
There are many ways to paint, but one of the best way, in my mind, is to paint as fast as one can from life. Another great way, is to paint slow. It takes time to be comfortable with all the movements and all, but it’s a beautiful way to see the world in a whole new way.
Bird-of-Paradise – 18 inches x 14 inches
This painting was completed in 2 sittings, and I love vibrant colors on this. I have wanted to show this painting in a show one day, and it’s on view for first time.
Maria Del Mar
Maria Del Mar – 11 inches x 14 inches
December 8, 2023 — Thank you and congratulations to the collector of ‘Bird-of-Paradise’.
Happy to inform you that this portrait was created from 100% reality, and wasn’t created by some computer program. Obviously, there is only one ‘Real’ and original and tangible copy. Painting from life is not for everyone, but only for those that can stomach the reality.
December 8, 2023
La Rosa de Maria #5
December 20, 2023 — Thank you and congratulations to the collector of ‘Maria Del Mar’.
December 20, 2023
Cornrows in Harlem
December 21, 2023 — One of my favorite paintings is now on view at the League.
Cornrows in Harlem — 20 inches x 16 inchesDecember 21, 2023
Gallery Hours
Monday – Friday: 10 AM – 9 PM Saturday & Sunday: 10 AM – 4 PM
Many of my portraits from life are executed over consecutive days and weeks. This one, however, was done in just a few hours, and is one of my favorite from this year.
Related Things To Do in NYC
Speaking of painting from life, If you are in NYC, go see the Met Exhibition, Manet/Degas. There are some exceptional paintings from both painters.
