The Teeny Tiny Sketchbook

Duck is misbehaving.

2012-02-14T16:07:00.000-05:00

New York Hospital Queens - Pediatric Cardiac Exam Room

2012-01-26T02:43:00.000-05:00

Back to the Old Drawing Board.

2011-12-30T12:27:00.002-05:00

I left this old FIT drawing board out in the rain, then I wanted to see what it looked like with swans and a castle on it. The last one here is of the Cliffs of Moher, it's a gift for my mom.

Next I think I'll find something else left in the rain to paint on, like maybe the recycling bin.

Christmas Eve: Kids Bedroom Murals Delivered!

2011-12-27T11:19:00.003-05:00

New York Hospital Queens Exam Room

2011-12-27T11:17:00.002-05:00

Napa Valley in November

2011-11-28T17:49:00.001-05:00

Sterling Vineyard in Calistoga, California, Napa Valley. Acrylic on 1'x1' canvas.

Ronald McDonald Houses of the Midwest

2011-10-24T12:39:00.001-04:00

We traveled to Little Rock Arkansas, Joplin Missouri, and Springfield Illinois. We met wonderful staff and families at each of the houses. All in all, we painted 11 murals in ten days. It's good to be home.

Burn Unit Progress

2011-10-03T08:53:00.000-04:00

The room is finished. The door is not. The playroom doors aren't either.

NY Presbyterian Pediatric Burn Unit Progress

2011-09-29T09:39:00.002-04:00

This is a section of the ceiling inside the hydrotherapy room. A scary place where they do scary procedures for burn victims.

Finished painting of Little Cliff

2011-09-28T13:06:00.001-04:00

Eh.

The Teeny Tiny Sketchbook Goes to Business Meetings

2011-09-14T12:08:00.000-04:00

Kangaroos for ACLD, in progress.

2011-08-30T13:08:00.000-04:00

Baby Goat Story

2011-08-24T10:31:00.002-04:00

Lehigh Valley Hospital: Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit

2011-08-09T10:28:00.002-04:00

Before and After at UCP

2011-07-26T11:05:00.000-04:00

Progress

2011-07-20T13:18:00.000-04:00

Porch Swing

2011-07-18T08:46:00.000-04:00

In progress. Benjamin Moore paint on 16x20 canvas.

UCP Day 4, my giant tree!

2011-07-14T23:57:00.000-04:00

This tree is going to be a weeping willow. It doesn't know it yet.

"Doin' Good."

2011-07-05T09:58:00.000-04:00

Acrylic on masonite, IN PROGRESS. I am not done. This is a gift for Little Cliff for his graduation. My dad and Cliff used to talk constantly about baseball and Cliff's long-awaited high school graduation, so I decided to try to imagine what it would look like if my father was here now, and how nice it would have been to hear the conversation on Cliff's graduation day.

Today would have been my dad's 60th birthday, so I am missing him and will work on this later on. It needs a lot of work. I can't get the faces right but I will keep trying and see what happens.

Huntington Hospital Mural Dedication

2011-06-03T14:19:00.000-04:00

Hilarious

2011-06-01T12:22:00.000-04:00

It is ridiculously startling to open the newspaper and see your own huge face in black and white. It scared the heck out of me. I wonder how many others were as alarmed. I hope it made people scream in terror.

Newsday Article

2011-05-22T13:55:00.003-04:00

Huntington muralist recognized for work

By Erin Geismar

Photo credit: Erin Geismar

After her father died two years ago, Diana Fogarty wanted to do something to brighten the lives of hospital patients.

Fogarty, 31, of Huntington, said she spent a lot of time in hospital rooms while her father dealt with complications related to congestive heart and kidney failure, which eventually took his life.
“It was really important to me to improve that environment,” she said.

More: newsday.com/huntington
On Twitter: @eringeismar | @LI_Now

So she reached out to Splashes of Hope, a Huntington-based nonprofit organization which paints murals in hospitals to improve the patient experience, and offered her time and talent.

Fogarty, a graphic designer by trade who has always loved to paint and draw, is now one of the organization’s most active volunteers - spending evenings, weekends and even vacation time from work helping to “splash” hospitals around the country.

In recognition of her dedication, Fogarty was recently named Citizen of the Week by Citizens Bank, which sponsors a profile of the chosen volunteer on News 12 each week.

Fogarty was chosen the week of May 9, but didn’t see her own profile on TV because she was traveling the West Coast for three weeks, splashing hospitals in California and Oregon.

Heather Buggee, founder and executive director of Splashes of Hope, said she nominated Fogarty for the honor because of her selfless dedication to the organization, which she said has greatly impacted the amount of work the group has been able to accomplish.

In October, Splashes of Hope ventured into publishing by creating a coloring and activity book meant for children in the hospital. The book, “Friend on the Mend,” was designed by Fogarty and Buggee.
Fogarty is proud of the book because it was one more way Splashes was “really making a difference.”
Fogarty also designs many of the organization’s custom murals for specific children’s hospital rooms or bedrooms, if they are recovering at home.

“They give us a long and crazy list of everything they like,” she said. “And then I put everything in it.”
Buggee said it takes a “very special person” to be as dedicated to the work as Fogarty is. Fogarty said it’s easy to spend so much time at the organization when she thinks about how her work is helping someone in need.

“I hope very much that whoever is going to be looking at whatever I’m painting can be drawn into the world that I’m creating for them,” she said. “When they are going through something not so great they can use it as a way to be distracted.”

Tags: Huntington

Weird!

2011-05-19T14:51:00.000-04:00

Newsday.com video interview

Portland Mural

2011-05-17T09:29:00.002-04:00

UCSF

2011-05-04T18:56:00.002-04:00

St Charles Hospital Emergency Room Waiting Area, Port Jefferson

2011-04-14T11:57:00.001-04:00

Here are pictures of the mural in progress. It will be finished tonight, after we decorate each circle with seasonal details to match the pictures inside. I think my favorite is the winter scene, probably because it's really hot where we are painting. Tonight I will paint fall leaves around the ferry picture. And probably some other stuff too...

Last night we gave out 6 "Friend on the Mend" books to the little kids in the emergency room. It was nice to see them coloring in Dr. Roy Hamster and Alice Elephant! Also, one kid tried to pet the swan on the wall.

Muir Woods

2011-03-15T16:14:00.000-04:00

Acrylic on 3 1/2 x 4 masonite

Painting 1

2011-03-07T14:15:00.001-05:00

Acrylic on 2 x 2 masonite.

Good moments in Florida

2011-03-02T12:41:00.000-05:00

Naples, Florida Equestrian Challenge

2011-02-28T10:31:00.000-05:00

This is one of six paintings being installed today at the Naples Equestrian Center.

Characters and Caffeine

2011-02-04T21:31:00.000-05:00

Elliot the navigating skunk and Captain Lion were getting cranky and tired yesterday after Sarah spent all day painting them into existence. After the caffeine they perked up - but then went berserk and started singing sailor songs too loudly. We had to leave.

Splashing the LIJ Huntington Hospital Pediatric ER

2011-02-04T19:41:00.002-05:00

The Elizabeth Seton Panel in Progress

2011-02-01T07:40:00.000-05:00

At the open studio last weekend, I started the mural for ESPC. I would like to use the trees in the movie Tangled as reference for the right half of the layout, but I can't find a book on the art from the movie.

Layout for Elizabeth Seton

2011-01-27T14:52:00.000-05:00

Portrait of Uncle Eddie for Aunt Donna

2011-01-27T14:20:00.000-05:00

This is a portrait of my uncle. I did it in acrylic on a small board of masonite. I didn't have a good picture to go on, so I tried to remember as best I could.

Jessica's Bedroom Mural

2011-01-17T09:05:00.000-05:00

Sandy and I painted this for Jessica. She loves The Little Mermaid and pretty much everything else we tried to fit in there. On Christmas Eve I went with Heather, Sandy and John to install it in Jessica's bedroom. That was the best way I could think of to spend my Christmas.

First Printing of Monkey Books & Puppets Sold Out!

2010-12-16T00:49:00.001-05:00

Yesterday at work we had a bake sale. Two of the women I work with, Pat and Ann, work very hard to make it a success each season. Every bake sale's proceeds are directed toward various non-profit organizations. They very generously decided to donate a portion of yesterday's event to Splashes of Hope. Thank you!

So while all the cookies and cakes and gingerbread houses and cookie lollipops were waiting to be sold all day, I hung out next to them with a table full of small monkey puppets. And books. And my computer. We sold ALL of the monkeys and the books! Thanks to everyone who bought one as a gift, and thanks so much to those who sponsored one or more for a local hospitalized child. They will be given to these kids over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in several area hospitals.

These books were the last of the first printing. We are now on the second print run for this book!

No, I will NOT be dressed as Vincent Van Monkey on Christmas! That's where I "draw the line".

Justin

2010-12-13T10:41:00.000-05:00

This is Justin. He was in Stony Brook Hospital when we gave him his mural. He and his family loved the painting, as well as some of the other kids that all came to see it. It's 4 feet high by 8 feet long and is painted with Benjamin Moore. We did the alphabet blocks on the bottom as an "I Spy", so that there's something that Justin loved coordinated with every letter.

Splashing the Gulfport, Mississippi Harrison County School Child Development Center

2010-11-18T12:02:00.002-05:00

Portrait for my Grandparent's 60th Anniversary

2010-11-02T10:41:00.002-04:00

Pencil on 24x36 charcoal paper.

"The Beautiful World of Suzana"

2010-11-01T11:21:00.003-04:00

I spent this weekend imagining this world with my niece Suzana. She is turning five next week and loves to paint and draw. We painted together for the whole weekend. The bluebird is named Suzana, after her, and is a character in the Splashes of Hope coloring book I just finished.

It is acrylic, 24x36 canvas. Suzana chose the title.

The Rose Brucia Educational Foundation

2010-10-27T13:03:00.002-04:00

http://www.rosebrucia.org/
Recently I did this backdrop for the filming the Rose Brucia Educational Foundation's Stranger Safety Awareness puppet shows. They have done over 300 shows so far, and now they are making a video. Please check out the website. This is an extremely important cause to me. I grew up next to the Brucia family; they are wonderful and I wish to help this cause in any way I can. Painted with Benjamin Moore paint on luan board, 5 feet by 3 feet.

Serious Art

2010-10-25T12:09:00.000-04:00

Very serious stuff here.

Dr. Roy Hamster at Work

2010-10-25T09:32:00.002-04:00

The Cover is Done! (Updated)

2010-10-22T13:03:00.001-04:00

The cover will wrap around the book. The right side will be the front cover. It is painted digitally using a wacom tablet and Photoshop.

Eliot

2010-10-21T08:51:00.000-04:00

Cover Draft: IN PROGRESS!

2010-10-19T23:33:00.002-04:00

Alice

2010-10-19T11:16:00.000-04:00

Duck

2010-10-19T08:23:00.000-04:00

Very Serious Self Portrait.

2010-10-19T08:13:00.000-04:00

Oh no! What's Eliot doing?

2010-10-15T13:31:00.000-04:00

Dr. Roy Hamster and Al racing down his art studio steps. Where is he going?

2010-10-13T12:37:00.000-04:00

The Coloring Book Project

2010-10-12T11:15:00.001-04:00

Here is Vincent Van Monkey. He's an artist and also an EMT. (Emergency Monkey Technician). Here, he is painting a mural on a hospital wall to cheer up his friend Alice the Elephant.

Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center Coloring Book

2010-09-20T23:44:00.006-04:00

Self Portrait

2010-09-20T15:42:00.000-04:00

I have not posted in awhile. That's because I've been hard at work on this painting of myself, posted here.

Oil Portrait Week 3

2010-08-12T13:13:00.001-04:00

Last night I made some progress on this portrait of Lauren. I struggled a little when I was not sure what steps to take next, or how to approach thinking about the steps to take next. I became confused when trying to determine what colors to mix for the shadowy areas. The instructor James showed me the work of an artist who successfully leaves the grisaille and paints only into the lit areas of the image. I did that with the right side of her face, and I think it works.

I have a lot to learn about painting with oils, and about painting in general. I don't let it overwhelm me like it used to, though. Instead, I allow myself to let go of caring what the end result is. No pressure! It works!

I suppose that method would not work during a commissioned piece; but right now all I want to do is learn how to paint and how to gain confidence in mixing colors and knowing where to put them.

Betsy the Caterpillar

2010-08-11T23:08:00.004-04:00

Half-Finished Painting for Cassandra

2010-08-10T10:14:00.000-04:00

This acrylic painting has been in the works for a long time. I need about 2 more hours on it. Cassandra is more than a year old now. I promised it to her before she was born. So luckily Cassandra has no memory of that, but I hope will enjoy this landscape of fairies and tiny animals hanging out around her name.

Who wouldn't like that?

Oil Portrait on Paint Palette

2010-08-10T10:05:00.000-04:00

Flight to Chicago

2010-08-10T10:02:00.002-04:00

Heather Buggee of Splashes of Hope is nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award

2010-08-06T12:20:00.001-04:00

NEW YORK POST, Print Edition August 6th 2010:
A Long Island artist has a picture-perfect approach to brightening the landscape for hospitalized kids -- she does it one mural at a time.

   Heather Buggée's Splashes of Hope is a nonprofit that employs a team  of mostly volunteer artists to help her design and paint cheerful murals  for bare hospital walls, doors and ceilings. 

  The goal is a  child-friendly environment to help stimulate healing by soothing,  entertaining and distracting kids, and taking their minds off "sometimes  painful procedures and scary medical equipment," said Buggée, 40, who  was nominated for a New York Post Liberty Medal in the Lifetime Achievement category by Splashes of Hope board member Richard Schwarting. 

Dennis Clark
BRUSH AWAY TEARS: Liberty Medal nominee Heather Buggée paints cheerful murals in pediatric wings.  

  This year, Splashes of Hope unveiled its largest-ever project --  127 murals with Queens-based scenes in the pediatric inpatient and  pediatric intensive-care units at New York Hospital Queens. 

   "Being in the hospital is always stressful and scary for a child and  their family," said Alisha Rappaport, child-life director at the  Flushing hospital. 

  "To have something that can brighten up their time like these murals makes a huge difference in the healing process." 

My First Oil Portrait: Week Two Progress

2010-07-29T06:40:00.001-04:00

These photos are taken on my cell phone, so the color and quality are both compromised here. Next week I will remember to bring a proper camera.

This is Lauren, the model at Wednesday night art class. She sits perfectly still. I know that is what models are supposed to do - but she does it very well. Last week I blocked in the shadows using burnt umber. Last night, I learned how to start using tone, a little about mixing colors (a scary subject for me), and how to approach the painting in general. With charcoal, I worry only about structure and values. It's a whole different feeling painting with color. It's almost like comparing the difference in thought process you have to have when designing a printed page, to the way you must think for an interactive, moving design.

I love the way the oil paints feel moving around the canvas. I can't wait to keep practicing.

A Splashy Dinner!

2010-07-28T13:17:00.000-04:00

Last night for my birthday I dined with the wonderful Splashes of Hope team. The best part of yesterday was being able to officially present Motorola's generous donation to them at dinner. I consider myself a very lucky person to know them and to be a part of the cause, and I was glad to spend the first night of this next year with those who have significantly impacted my life during the last year.

Thank you Splashes of Hope and Motorola for the opportunity to help

2010-07-26T13:23:00.001-04:00

Click here for the article

A Room With a View In Oakland

2010-07-20T22:39:00.000-04:00

Painting the Mural in Oakland

2010-07-20T22:33:00.002-04:00

The Japanese Garden in Pasadena

2010-07-20T22:32:00.000-04:00

Mural in Oakland, view from the right

2010-07-19T16:51:00.000-04:00

ICON6 Illustration Conference in Pasadena, CA

2010-07-19T13:12:00.000-04:00

Last night I arrived home from attending the ICON6 Illustration conference in Pasadena. It was a fantastic experience. I met a lot of intelligent and talented illustrators, and participated in many conversations about the industry and our future in the illustration profession. One especially "interesting" conversation I had took place on the terrace of the hotel bar, with a certain Hungarian children's book illustrator. More on that soon. That exchange deserves its own special post.

I will write more soon, but wanted to quickly summarize my two week adventure on the west coast as inspiring, with beautiful scenery filled with laughter, light and wonderful new connections.

Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods, Sonoma (CLOSED)

2010-07-10T23:55:00.006-04:00

Who knew that California's wine country actually CLOSES? We didn't. So we drove all the way there and they kicked us out of Cline Winery. However, there happened to be a wedding going on. We awkwardly lurked suspiciously nearby, hoping to crash the party, but instead we crashed and burned. They kicked us out of that too. We DID find leftover green grapes and ate them illegally and happily.Heather wanted the sunspoiled Brie, but Sandy and I managed to force her not to take the Brie.

Muir Moods: DISAPPOINTING. Just kidding. It was enchanting and wondrous, and we hiked many miles through this magical forest. The redwoods are stunning. What struck me most was the light filtering through the trees. I've never seen anything like it.

Driving over the Golden Gate was a visual experience to remember. We stopped at the vista point and hung out for awhile.I will post pictures soon.

Tonight we will be going to the Haight-Ashbury area of San Francisco. More on that soon. I will be sad to see Sandy leave tomorrow morning. I will miss her. A lot.The three of us work very well together and I enjoy their company . We have had many laffs this week. I spelled that wrong on purpose.

Thank you to whomever is reading my blog, I really appreciate the time spent. Please comment if you want. Especially you, John R. AND MOM!!!

Oakland Children's Hospital Mural is DONE!

2010-07-10T13:45:00.004-04:00

This week we finished the mural in Oakland Children's Hospital Radiology department. The staff and doctors were all happy to have us there, and seemed to love the artwork we created on one of their walls. The mural measures 14 feet wide and about 6 feet high. As we painted, we interacted with some of the children passing by. Look for the boy in the wheelchair, his name is Tobin and he was delightful! He sat with us for a couple of hours hanging out while we painted, so I painted him into the mural. Despite the tense atmosphere outside OCH this week, we had an incredible experience meeting these children, doctors and staff; knowing we have made a difference in their daily lives.

Oakland Children's Hospital

2010-07-03T10:42:00.000-04:00

On Monday, July 5th, I am flying to Oakland California with two other Splashes artists to paint in the children's hospital there. We will be there till the 9th, then will explore San Francisco a bit. After that I will be making my way south to Pasadena to attend an illustration conference. I will update this blog with photos of the mural, so please check back! I will return to New York on July 18th.

Thanks, Motorola

2010-07-01T17:26:00.000-04:00

Recently I learned I won an award at work. The CEO and the Motorola Foundation chose me as a recipient of the Motorola CEO award for Volunteerism, as a first year volunteer. I am really surprised and honored to find out about this. My manager and co-worker nominated me - I have to say, I love the people I work with! I appreciate their encouragement and support in my efforts to help, outside of Motorola. Additionally, they are making a donation to Splashes of Hope. This is a good thing. It will help bring color, cheerfulness and joy to kids and families who really need it, and I am thrilled to be a part of that.

This week the response to the announcement that went out has been really nice. Everyone is so supportive and glad to hear about the work that Splashes of Hope does. See their website at www.splashesofhope.org - I am in there a few times.

Extreme Makeover Home Edition: Splashes of Hope

2010-06-28T13:10:00.004-04:00

This week, the Splashes of Hope team of artists and volunteers participated in the building of the Lutz home in East Setauket, NY. We managed the Kids Tent, where all the children who came to the site painted and signed murals that will be given to the family. We painted construction hard hats that were signed by the cast and auctioned off to raise money for the Lutz family. We worked closely with the Extreme Makeover design team and crew on creating special effects inside the house. We were the artists tasked with creating "Ty's Special Project"!

To summarize a five day long surreal and chaotic experience, it was a nonstop, hot and humid, exhausting and thrilling event to be a part of. What struck me the most was how hundreds of people in the community gave so much of themselves to this family. I've never seen anything like it. The house was built beautifully in only four days.

Our team totally pulled it off. Heather, Stephanie, Liz, Gretchen, Mellisa, Rebecca, me, Paul and Fabio all had lots of fun. Another fellow volunteer Splashes artist Sandy Romano was away this week. We missed you a lot, Sandy!

I would like to say thank you to Splashes of Hope for allowing me the opportunity to participate in something of this caliber. It was a true learning experience, and I am grateful to be a part of this team.

Cole and His Mural

2010-06-14T14:18:00.003-04:00

Yesterday we installed Cole's mural. He seemed to love it. This photo was taken right before we carried it up to his room, and screwed it into the wall. He helped carry it, and also helped hand the tools over to hang it. He told us his favorite part was the crab. Then he asked us where the lobster was, and that just happened to be the ONLY item Sandy and I decided to leave out! So I told him the lobster is inside the treasure chest, and he seemed to accept that.

Cole's Mural is Finished

2010-06-05T23:35:00.003-04:00

Sandy and I finished Cole's mural today. It is scheduled to be installed next weekend, June 14th. It was wonderful to work alongside Sandy once again. We had a great time putting this together! We seem to work quite well as a team. Oakland, California here we come!

Pastel Sketch Hanging in Hampton Bays Starbucks

2010-05-27T21:49:00.005-04:00

Final Charcoal Portrait

2010-05-27T12:26:00.001-04:00

To my Mom, World Traveler Extraordinaire

2010-05-25T11:17:00.003-04:00

Hi Ma, I know I told you I would post an image of my painting in the Hampton Bays Starbucks, but it turns out it's too large for the wall there. So, I am re-doing it! Check back on Thursday. But in the meantime, check out my new business card.

Mural for Cole

2010-05-19T12:19:00.003-04:00

This is four year old Cole and my good friend Sandy. I met Cole on Sunday night. He is a funny, energetic little boy who found it amusing to make his T-Rex attack my leg over and over while we were discussing the details of his mural. Cole asked for lots of fish in the picture (he knew the names of fish I have never even heard of) and also a T-Rex, and Spiderman possibly scuba diving inside of a giant shark tank cage. I will post pictures of the painting Sandy and I are doing over the next two weeks, to be installed in Cole's bedroom.

Mount Sinai Coloring Book

2010-05-17T11:40:00.003-04:00

I am in the early stages of a coloring book for Mt Sinai Hospital in NYC.

Mothers Day Cards: Pen & Ink

2010-05-11T16:16:00.001-04:00

Continued Thoughts on Charcoal

2010-05-10T10:51:00.002-04:00

Thoughts on Charcoal Pencil

2010-04-30T22:33:00.003-04:00

This is a very low resolution shot taken by my cell phone at the end of class last week. This past week, I filled in more of the subtle values. But while I was doing it I spent about a half an hour convinced I had wrecked the drawing by creating a mess of varied light grays in her cheek - but after working carefully to smooth it all out, it started coming back together again.

My thought is this: there always seems to be a moment while working on a drawing, where it seems absolutely doomed. Where I am certain the piece will be a disaster. But I have found that with focused patience, the moment passes and I once again feel okay about the direction I'm heading in.

Pen & Ink Sketch

2010-04-30T22:28:00.001-04:00

Welcome, Readers of Dan's Papers!

2010-04-16T13:52:00.002-04:00

To see more of my artwork, scroll down or click the Portfolio Images link. Thank you!

Click here for the cover

Click here for the article

Article about the Art Auction and Gala

2010-04-14T15:29:00.004-04:00

Click here to read a nice article about the event.

Going Once, Going Twice, SOLD! Splashes of Hope Annual Art Auction and Gala: 2010

2010-04-10T09:03:00.005-04:00

Last night was one of the most incredible nights of my life.

I met nine year old Kinsee Whiteaker, the little girl for whom I painted the first mural I've ever done with Splashes of Hope. She and her mother were flown to New York from Memphis, Tennessee to attend the Gala last night at Land's End in Sayville. Kinsee was honored as a "Young Splash Star" and was presented with a painting as recognition for her courage and strength. She has been fighting hard against a rare form of leukemia for almost a year now.

I sat with singer and songwriter Melissa Baker, who wrote and recorded a song for Kinsee based on the mural I painted. I had the opportunity to watch her perform the song for Kinsee last night. After that, Kinsee made a thank you speech in her beautiful southern drawl thanking Splashes of Hope, myself, and Melissa. Her words opened hearts and sent tears streaming down the faces of hundreds of people.

The best moment of my whole life was the moment that Kinsee thanked me in front of four hundred people, and spoke about why she liked the painting I gave her. I poured my heart into that painting back in December with the goal of inspiring her and comforting her. It seems I succeeded in that goal, and I now consider that one of my greatest accomplishments.

Shortly after her speech Kinsee was not feeling well and had to leave. I admire her for the strength it took to attend the event last night. I am grateful I got to thank her in person for the opportunity she presented me with.

The live auction was very exciting. I had never attended one, nor have I ever donated a painting to one. My painting was the 16th lot in the auction, and that meant I had to deal with the stress of waiting for it to go up. So FINALLY it did, and I watched the number climb higher and higher, and everyone was clapping and cheering.. and it kept going up! It sold for $2700! It was the second highest of the night! This money goes to fund more murals for children who are sick.

Soon there will be pictures of the event posted on their website: www.splashesofhope.org

Wednesday Night Art Class

2010-04-08T07:13:00.003-04:00

Well, here's my first official blog entry. I have posted a good amount of my work completed over the past ten years or so. I sincerely wish that I knew how the heck to organize my work in some sort of chronological order - if anyone knows how to do this, please let me know. For now, know that the first image I posted is ALL the way down and is also the most recently completed.

I have come to love these Wednesday night classes in Riverhead. I have been attending since the fall of 2009. There are all ages, all different points of view, and everyone is consistently supportive and willing to learn from one another.

James Daga Albinson is the teacher. He seems to have a unique ability to pull everyone together week after week, in conversation, important artistic insights - and never without laughter heard from every corner of the charming and old wooden studio space we meet at in Riverhead, New York.

Last night was the first art class in awhile. We began a semester of portrait drawing and painting, and I think the model will be great to draw. She has pink hair and well-defined, interesting features. This will be my second portrait, and I left last night with a sense that I have made progress since the last one. I was better at knowing what to look for, and quicker to get that information on the paper. I felt a difference!

2004: Pencil

2010-04-08T07:04:00.000-04:00

Meet Gilhooley, the Saint Bernard.

2002: Sculpture

2010-04-08T07:02:00.000-04:00

2008: First Pastel Study

2010-04-08T06:36:00.002-04:00

2008: Pastel

2010-04-08T06:35:00.000-04:00

Pastel illustration.

2008: Pastel Study

2010-04-08T06:33:00.000-04:00

Pastel study of Cold Spring Pond.

2009: Charcoal Illustration

2010-04-08T06:30:00.001-04:00

This is an illustration of my father reading The Night Before Christmas. He's holding the 1962 Grandma Moses edition.

2000: Oil on Panel: 8 x 10

2010-04-02T11:13:00.000-04:00

1999: Pencil on Paper: Live Model Sketch

2010-04-02T11:11:00.000-04:00

2004 Pencil on Bristol: Leroy the African Grey Parrot

2010-04-02T11:05:00.001-04:00

Splashes of Hope Mural for LBJ Hospital Pediatric Unit in Houston, Texas

2010-03-31T15:29:00.002-04:00

Splashes of Hope Mural for Kinsee

2010-03-31T15:28:00.002-04:00