"Victory View Vineyard"
There is gorgeous vineyard in Easton, NY whose name comes from the rich history of the area in the Revolutionary War era. Victory View Vineyard is a family-owned farm winery specializing in growing cold climate grapes and producing incredible wines. Owners and family friends Mary and Gerry Barnhart commissioned this painting which showcases the beauty of the area.
(completed July 2024)
"Academy St. TWO"
Almost a decade ago, a friend of mine commissioned me to paint her home as a scary haunted night scene. In moving recently, the painting was misplaced. So, she commissioned me yet again to paint the scene. As fate would have it, the day before she was scheduled to pick up the new painting, her husband found the original painting in storage. Coincidence, or are those witches and spirits at play??!! (A happy ending... both paintings found lovely homes.)
(completed May 2024)
"The Chateau Frontenac"
I have my sights set on someday booking a room in this "most photographed hotel in the world" located in Old Quebec City. It seems like winter would be the perfect time to take in its beauty.
(completed April 2024)
"The Fall of the Green Witch"
Recently, I got really lucky when Greenwich author Marie Grimmke asked me to paint the cover of her book, "The Fall of the Green Witch". Marie's story is fantastic, and she gave me the opportunity to create whatever I would like for the cover. It was fun to envision the main character and to have her come to life. If you'd like to read a romantic story that is also a well written murder mystery, pick up this book!
(completed January 2024)
"Frankenstein's Monster"
I get a kick out of painting fictional scary scenes, and Frankenstein is one of my favorites.
(completed November 2023)
"Moose Mountain"
The only time I have ever seen a live moose was in New Hampshire when I was about 7 years old. I can still visualize that huge animal as it sauntered across the road. This one deserves to be King of the Mountain.
(completed Aug. 2023)
"Washington County"
In this painting, I chose sites from around Washington County that I admire. Can you find some of these? Grandma Moses, Susan B. Anthony and her Battenville home, a Cambridge church, the Anvil Inn, the Greenwich building that sadly was lost in a fire, New Skete Manor, Cliff Mealy photographing an eagle, an Amish farm, a Salem home, the old railway station, the Cambridge Hotel, the Center Falls schoolhouse, a covered bridge, and lots more!
(completed July 2022)
"Leprechaun's Gold"
I wanted to create something magically uplifting which Ireland and leprechauns always do for me. Always look for that pot o' gold!
(completed April 2022)
"The Barn - Summer"
I thought it would be interesting to try painting the same scene in three different seasons.
(completed January 2022)
"The Barn - Fall"
The second in the series...
(completed January 2022)
"The Barn - Winter"
The third in a series of three...
(completed February 2022)
"Saratoga Racetrack"
Secretariat, Seabiscuit, and American Pharoah as well as the Queen of England can be found in this fun painting, my first attempt at horse racing.
(completed Oct. 2022)
"The Cottage Gardens"
Cottage style architecture is one of my favorites- I am going to incorporate some of it into my future gallery.
(completed May 2023)
"The Cabin - Summer"
The first in a series of three. Those bears are in search of a treat, and it looks like they will find it!
(completed October 2022)
"The Cabin - Fall"
2nd in the series...The bees are gone, so the bears are heading in search of other adventures.
(completed November 2022 )
"The Cabin - Winter"
The third in a series of three...those bears must be hibernating!
(completed December 2022)
"Rio De Janeiro"
Pele is in this one, my favorite soccer guy.
(completed March 2023)
"Paradise Island"
Wishing for warm sand in the middle of winter...
(December 2021)
"Japanese Garden"
I thought I would try painting some Japanese architecture and a garden, both firsts for me. Our friend who lives in Japan, Satomi, was helpful with advice on possible ideas that I could include in the painting. The koi fish were a fun addition...someday I may build a koi pond for myself.
(completed October 2021)
"Vermont's Changing Leaves"
Very few views can beat the beauty of the changing leaves that we experience here in the northeast. Everywhere you look, colors are bursting out, calling for us to move down the road and be amazed by even more foliage.
(completed July 2021)
"Dracula's Castle"
I find castles to be fascinating. Some day I would like to visit this place, which really exists in Romania. Hopefully, no vampires will appear!
(completed May 2021)
"Holy Night"
After seeing all of the greatest artists' religious paintings and sculptures during a trip to Italy, I was inspired to paint a setting with Jesus at his birth.
(completed March 2021)
"Fourth Lake Gathering"
This painting, commissioned by extra special friends, is close to my heart. My family has spent time at this camp complex every summer for as far back as I can remember. A gorgeous setting combined with wonderful friends equals good medicine for the soul. By the way, I put myself in the kayak if you are wondering. (completed December 2020)
"Victorian House - Summer"
For my "3 in a Series" this year, I chose Victorian houses as my theme.
Here's the first one...
(completed December 2023)
"Victorian House - Fall"
and the second...
(completed January 2024)
"Victorian House - Winter"
And the final one I could also use as the yearly Christmas card.
(completed December 2023)
It was a pleasure to be commissioned to paint this inviting home in a neighboring village..
(completed April 2021)
"Wild West"
I had a great time creating this Wild West scene, including Hal Ketchum from my home town playing guitar, and my dear mom as the bartender.
(completed Feb. 2021)
"Fish Tank"
Something is fishy about this painting...I wanted to try painting something different , vibrant ,and colorful. This ended up being a lot of fun to create. (completed June 2020)
"O'Donnell Hill"
Here's one of the most beautiful vistas in Washington County - it makes one feel as if you are on top of the world. As the gateway to Vermont, it is just the beginning of the views of gorgeous mountains that lie ahead.
(completed May 2020)
"Cupid's Fountain"
Just a whimsical scene to mark the beginning of spring, full of flowers and young lovers.
(completed April 2020)
"Mexican Fiesta"
Pure happiness resonates from this joyful Mexican scene. I wanted to try some Mexican architecture as well as dancing people and a friendly donkey. Looks like a place I would like to visit one day...
(completed August 2020)
"Santa's Helper"
OK, I have to admit that the most popular person in our home is Lily, our dog. Person? Well, she has so many human charactristics that we consider her to qualify as such. I am sure that she has aided Santa over the years; she is just that type of person...ur...dog.
(completed March 2020)
"Times Square 1930's"
The history of NYC really intrigues me; this painting required a lot of research on my part. Most of the buildings shown don't exist anymore. My Great Grandpa Callahan , who hauled stones to the Empire State Building as it was being built, is included in this painting. It seems that he deserves the recognition for his part in building this great city.
(completed February 2020)
"C.T. Male"
I was excited to create this paining, commissioned by C.T. Male Associates in Latham, NY. I am very familiar with this building since this is where my dad has worked since I was a baby. The fine folks at this engineering, architectural, and environmental firm have always encouraged my art career, which makes them very special in my eyes.
(completed October 2019)
"Trolls of Norway"
Trolls have mystified and intrigued me ever since I hopped onto the Norway ride in EPCOT at a tender age. Here's my vision of how I might run into a troll if I were ever fortunate enough to travel to Norway. Mr. Troll might look intimidating, but I think we could strike up a friendship eventually. Or at least I might convince him to let me cross the bridge..
(completed August 2019)
"Ready, Set, Go"
My extended family's annual Easter egg hunt has been a tradition since even before I was born. It has always been a great time with the older cousins charging around, trying not to knock down the unsteady toddlers in the pursuit of treasure. Everyone always seems to get a nice bounty of candy and other goodies. My Aunt Carol's home is in the background, but the rest came from my imagination.
(completed June 2019)
"Claire's Pondering"
I dedicate this to my mom, who also acts as the manager of my art business. She has shared many tales of growing up on the farm with 7 siblings. To escape the chaos as a young girl, my mom would head down to the pond with the family's St. Bernard, Heidi, to watch the ducks. My much beloved grandmother, Janet, passed away at an early age, but her influence on all of her children remains to this day. So, she is looking down from one of the clouds above the farm she loved.
"Gingerbread Land"
Just a happy Christmas scene with gingerbread men and ladies snowball fights, snow angel creations, and daring sled riding. I hope this makes you want to get a taste of the icing trees and scrumptious house!
(completed January 2019)
"Africa"
It was time to bring out my wild side with this painting of Africa which includes over 60 magnificent animals, including my favorite- the gorilla. I had to stretch my imagination a bit in order to bring together so many of the images that came to mind when I imagined life on this captivating continent.
(completed December 2018)
"Ha'penny Bridge"
A recent vacation to Ireland inspired me to recreate the beauty of Dublin in the evening. The Liffey River meanders through the center of this beautiful city; its bridges are all unique and fun to cross. The Ha'penny pedestrian bridge was built in 1816. Ireland is one of my most favorite countries with friendly, helpful people and incredible scenery.
(completed July 2018)
"Playtime"
It was fun to paint this happy scene that was commissioned by a sweet family in Massachusetts. Although their children are now adults, the couple chose to go back to a simpler time filled with snowballs and snowmen and all things snow. I'd love to jump into this painting and throw a few snowballs myself! (completed November 2017)
"Trick or Treaters' Night Out"
I can imagine every small town in America looks about the same on Halloween evening...kids roaming the streets, filled with excitement in their creative costumes, grabbing handfuls of sugary treats. This day holds lots of great memories for me, beginning with my purple Barney costume...
(completed October 2017)
"The Lively Midway"
For anyone who looks forward to the County Fair each summer, this painting is for you. I hope that it brings memories of the sights, smells, and sounds of the midway. For those of us in the area, it is at the Washington County Fair that we all eat way too many french fries, fritters, and maple milk shakes, and then jump on the rides, visit the cow barns, take in a show, and most of all catch up with friends.
(completed September 2017)
"Belle Vue"
Painting this scene was sort of a fortunate mistake...My mom told me that O'Donnell Hill would be a beautiful scene to paint. So, I drove over that way to take some pictures, and mistook this scene for the one that she had mentioned. The family who owns this awe-inspiring property is the Bells, hence the title, "Belle Vue".
(completed June 2018)
"Christmas Creatures"
You guessed it- time for another Christmas card...this time I challenged myself by including several animals that I had never painted before. They are all busy getting their Christmas tree decorated on a crisp winter night. The deer seems to sense that someone is approaching. Wouldn't it be incredible to come upon this in real life? You never know!
(completed April 2018)
"New York 1950"
And it is back to the city- N.Y.C.'s Central Park. I chose to paint a 1950's version so that the taller present day sky scrapers would not block the view of the park's green spaces. Of course, the architectural challenges spiked my interest. Someday I'll have to count how many windows I painted. This painting received an award in the National Society of Painters in Casein & Acrylic Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club on 5th Avenue. Painting all of those windows was worth it! (2018)
"Balloons Over Cambridge"
A balloon festival is held every year in the neighboring village of Cambridge, New York. The combination of the brilliant blue sky, the historic architecture of the village's buildings, and the vibrant colors of the balloons all combine to create a beautiful sight.
(completed June 2017)
"Sunrise Farm"
There are few settings as satisfying as a crisp morning on the farm with the animals beginning to stir, eager for their first meal of the day. This scene evolved from many images swirling around in my mind of life in the rural area where I reside. Of course, my favorite farm animal would have to be 'ole Mr. Goat, always inquisitive and possessing an unmatched joie de vivre. (completed May 2017)
"42nd Street"
It is back to the city for me...NYC...and to my favorite street, 42nd Street. On top of that, I have added my favorite pizza shop in Manhattan, Bravo's. I have been known to find my way to this shop 3 or 4 times in a single weekend. (completed February 2017)
"Greenwich Lighted Tractor Parade"
One of the largest events in my hometown of Greenwich, NY each fall is the
"Lighted Tractor Parade" featuring local farmers and businesses driving their tractors, wagons, and combines down Main Street. Each tractor is lit up with thousands of Christmas bulbs and many provide holiday music, making for a truly magical event. The small village draws thousands on people to this special festivity. I took the liberty of including many friends among the crowd of spectators. This painting won the Windsor & Newton Award at the 63rd Annual Exhibition of the National Society of Painters in Casein & Acrylic at the Salmagundi Club on 5th Avenue in Manhattan. (completed January 2017)
"Neuschwanstein Castle"
As my followers probably know, architecture is my favorite challenge as an artist. This time I chose my favorite castle in the world, Neuschwanstein Castle in southern Germany. Known as the "fairy tale castle", it gave me lots of challenges with its turrets, stonework, windows, and other unique features. I also decided to shake things up by painting it from a different perspective than it is usually shown in. (completed November 2016)
"House on Kenyon Road"
It is always hard to lose special people in our lives, and such was the case with the recent passing of our beautiful 94 year old friend, Dorothy. Kindness,generosity, and strength were all part of her very fiber, and she demonstrated those virtues daily right up until the end of her life. When Dorothy's granddaughter asked me to paint the family homestead, I was honored to do it in memory and honor of a person who demonstrated for me how to make this world a better place. (completed October 2016)
"Barn in Battenville"
This painting was commissioned several years ago, but I never quite got around to painting it...now I am so happy that the commissioner persisted. This barn and its beautiful setting are in my neighborhood - we inhabitants of Washington County, NY sure have a great place to live! (completed September 2016)
"The Nature of Vermont"
Driving across the Massachusetts Turnpike recently, boredom led my mind to wander, and into my head popped the vision of my next painting...a scene from one of the most beautiful states that I know, Vermont. Of course, there had to be magnificent mountains, rock outcroppings,, and a mama bear and her two cubs thrown in for good measure. (completed July 2016)
"Nubble Lighthouse at Sunset"
Almost every summer since my first visit when I was a month old, my family has taken a journey to the Nubble Light House in York, Maine. Of course, the stop over would not be complete without without partaking in a delicious meal at Fox's Lobster House. That's the place where I developed my taste for lobsters... (completed 2016)
"Calma Venice"
It was time to travel again, so this scene of Venice, Italy became my next creation. The architecture in this beautiful city is appealing to me, along with the pizza! (completed February 2016)
"A Merry Village"
Christmas time brings the annual request from my mom for a holiday scene for our family Christmas card...I combined several of my favorite pieces of architecture into a brand new community that Santa seems to have located. The church is European, and the mansion includes elements from old Westbury, L.I. Happy Holidays! (completed November 2015)
"Witchcraft Lake"
The fall season sparked my imagination...it was time to revisit my dark side. It is the first time I've created skeletons and werewolves. I guess you could say I am branching out, ha. (completed October 2015)
"London Evening"
I have always thought that London was awesome, although I hadn't had the opportunity to visit it yet. I wanted to make the painting include a personal level, which the tea shop does with a memorable British man that we met in France long ago, and a British singer that I admire. This painting won an award in The Artist's Magazine Art Competition in 2016 (completed July 2015)
"Lovable Vermont"
Here's my newest Vermont scene, complete with a pesky rabbit in the garden. I am happy to say that this painting won two different awards this year. (completed March 2015)
"Les Lumières Romantiques de Paris"
Ever since my trip to France, I have been fascinated by the spirit that takes over Paris once nighttime falls. It is a feeling that I had never felt before as I wandered the dark streets and was mesmerized by the lights of the city. (completed January 2015)
"Frosty Hills Sunset"
The holidays have arrived again, and the painting that I did this year for the family Christmas card includes local landmark Willard Mountain in the background where I learned to ski many moons ago. Wishing all of you a great holiday season. (completed November 2014)
"Frightful House on Academy Street"
My most recent commissioned piece required some haunting vision in order to revamp this normally charming home into a frightful autumn scene. (completed 2014)
"Lawrence's Camp"
This commissioned piece required a long kayak expedition across some fairly rough water deep in the Adirondacks, but it was well worth the effort to get this result. (completed September 2014)
"Emerald Ireland"
I was fortunate to be able to participate in a trip to Ireland in March with a group of faculty and students from SUNY Adirondack. It is such a friendly, beautiful country. Here is my lasting impression of Ireland. (completed May 2014)
"Toronto Twilight"
Moving across our northern border, this painting is of the beautiful city of Toronto. "Toronto Twilight" took me mega time to complete with all of its intricate details. I think it was worth it in the end; hopefully you agree! (completed March 2014)
"Countryside Christmas"
It was time to create another family Christmas card, so out of my imagination sprang this quiet country scene. "Countryside Christmas" is a tribute to my grandmother, Louise Houston, who passed away in August. She can be seen sitting in her favorite chair, watching Frosty create his magic. I'm hoping that 2014 is a magical year for all of you. (completed November 2013)
"Sunshine in Miami"
With cold weather headed our way again, this painting, entitled "Sunshine in Miami", may inspire you to head south for a bit. (completed October 2013)
"Boston Spirit"
Ironically, I had begun painting this before the attack at the Boston Marathon. In honor of the victims and the city of Boston, I added "Boston Strong" in the sky. (completed June 2013)
"The Bridge to San Francisco"
From Maine, I decided to head all the way to the Pacific coast for my newest painting, entitled "The Bridge to San Francisco" (otherwise known as the Golden Gate Bridge). Bridges fascinate me, and this particular one with its bright dressing is especially magnificent. Mr. Morris at GCS encouraged me to paint the George Washington Bridge years ago...I promise that it is still on my "futures" list! (completed March 2013)