&t Paintings in Oil

Friday, November 13, 2009

Black Grapes


black grapes
oil on hardboard panel
5.5'' x 5.5"
It's funny how one of the most common themes in still life paintings, down through the ages, has been the grape, and yet I have never painted them. I'm not sure why. Plenty of other fruits, and lots of cherries, but no grapes. When I recently came across these beautiful black grapes at COSTCO, I knew I would have to give them a try. Those wonderful frosty blues, and hints of alizarin crimson were irresistible. Can't wait to do another. If you'd like to bid on this painting, you can participate in the auction by clicking here.

posted by James Neil Hollingsworth at 6:26 PM 9 comments

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Crackers and Milk


crackers and milk
oil on hardboard panel
5.5'' x 5.5"
One of the new subjects explored in my recent photography sessions, was saltine crackers. In and out of their translucent wrappers. I paired them here with a glass of milk. Back in the old days when I still consumed white flour, I loved to eat saltines, and wash them down with a glass of milk. Now that's a faded memory, but I still think they go together pretty well in a painting. If you'd like to bid on this painting, you can take part in the auction by clicking here.

posted by James Neil Hollingsworth at 4:53 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Flatware No. 2


flatware no. 2
oil on hardboard panel
5.5'' x 5.5"
One day during my recent week of photography, Karen's parents came by, and brought a box filled with old silverware. Thought we may like to have it. I spilled the box out on the kitchen table, then sorted them out to find the most photogenic pieces. I was looking for a new spoon to go with a coffee cup composition. When I saw the pieces laying there, I really liked how they looked all lined up, so I started taking pictures of them in various configurations. This is the first of hopefully many of these paintings. If you'd like to bid on this painting, you can take part in the auction by clicking here.

posted by James Neil Hollingsworth at 5:47 PM 3 comments

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Blocks No.4


blocks no.4
oil on hardboard panel
6'' x 6"
Another day of remodeling. It's kind of strange having other craftsmen working on our home other than me. I spent most of my free time during the first eight years we lived here doing all the remodeling myself. A leak in our master bath was the impetuous for this remodel, and with both of us painting full time, it was necessary to go to a contractor for this job. I have to say, it's wonderful experience watching people at work who really know their job. The tile guys came today, and it's been a joy to watch these artisans practice their craft. They began at nine this morning, and are still at it as I write this post (8:00 p.m.), and the room looks so good. Karen is really happy to finally have the bath she's waited for for so long. Getting back to some art of my own, tonight it's blocks. I've gotten so much positive response from this subject that I've decided to do another. Which is fine with me, because they are fun to paint. If you'd like to take part in the auction of this painting you bid by clicking here.

posted by James Neil Hollingsworth at 7:00 PM 2 comments

Monday, November 09, 2009

Autumn

autumn
oil on hardboard panel
5.5'' x 5.5"
I've been going in ten different directions for the last week or so. Karen and I are remodeling our bathroom, so we've been dealing with contractors, craftsmen, and its' subsequent disruption of our daily routine. Plus I've been helping Karen get ready for her December show at Dean Day Gallery in Houston. In the small breaks peppered through all of this, I've also been working to get some new paintings out there. The maple leaves above will be the first of five ebay paintings scheduled to be listed this week. I've also been working on three new paintings for Anne Irwin's "Small Works" show, also scheduled for the first week of December. Once all of these are complete, I'll be getting back to some larger pieces planned for Stricoff Fine Art. They send work to the L.A. Art Show each year, and they mentioned that they would like to send a couple of pieces from me, so I really need to get going. If you'd like to bid on the painting above, you can access the auction by clicking here.

p.s. I joined FaceBook this week, and I have to say that it's been a very warm experience, and a great place to find, and network with other artists.

posted by James Neil Hollingsworth at 6:57 PM 4 comments

Monday, October 26, 2009

Friends, Heroes and Strangers: Nigel Cox at GX



Nigel Cox is an artist living in London, and who is represented there by GX Gallery. We correspond from time to time. Lately we've been comparing notes on the progress leading up to our respective October openings. Nigel's show opened on Friday the 23rd, and was by all accounts a huge success. Attendance was, "full to capacity", and by the end of the evening he had sold nine paintings. All of the paintings shown in the image above. Karen and I are big fans of his paintings, and if you're not familiar with his work you should check out his blog and website. Congratulations Nigel on your well deserved success!
As for me, I've spent the entirety of the last eight days doing nothing but photography, and I'll probably spend a day or two more before I get back to painting. I have to say that I'm really itching to get back to the easel. It doesn't take more than a few days before that "need" to paint reaches the urgent state. I imagine I'll start with a group of ebay pieces, then get back to work for the galleries.

posted by James Neil Hollingsworth at 10:17 AM 1 comments

Saturday, October 24, 2009

My Interview with Jim Thalassoudis



Jim Thalassoudis an accomplished, and extremely talented landscape painter from Australia contacted me a few days ago to see if I would be interested in participating in an interview for his art blog, In the Real Art World. He wanted to spotlight the work from my current show at Anne Irwin Fine Art, and flesh out the post with an interview. I was more than happy to oblige. If you'd like to read the interview you can access the post by clicking here. Thanks Jim!

posted by James Neil Hollingsworth at 11:24 AM 3 comments