Fala

Fala, a Scottish terrier, was FDR's beloved sidekick throughout the latter part of his White House years. The President was given this loyal pooch by his cousin, Daisy Suckley, who raised and trained Fala at her Rhinebeck estate, Wilderstein. This glorious home on the Hudson is now a historical site. Along with other local  artists, I was asked to decorate a cast-iron Scottie-dog to be auctioned off at a fundraiser for Wilderstein. I thought collage might be a fun way to connect the elements of this story together. 

I applied collage elements all around Fala

          

 collaged details of the history, locale, and natural setting of Wilderstein

 

Creating this piece helped me hone my exacto-knife and Modpodge skills...

This is the original cast-iron Scottish Terrier I started with...

This piece will be included in a silent auction on at Wilderstein's Summer House Party, July 8th 2023  5:00-8:00 PM (330 Morton Rd, Rhinebeck, NY). You can RSVP on their website, or call 845-876-4818 for more information. Enormous thanks to my friend and Wilderstein board member, Robin Cherry, for including me in this project. 

 

Fala having an intimate moment with my sweet pooch, Dolly.

 

   Thanks for viewing!

Grand Cru Beer and Cheese Market

I created this custom print for my friends at Grand Cur Beer & Cheese Market in Rhinebeck NY, They offer an amazing selection of beers - many of them brewed locally. I was asked to integrate various brewery labels into this storefront scene. Although technically challenging, it was very rewarding to find the right balance in this picture. If you’re ever in Rhinebeck, I highly recommend Grand Cru for their amazing selection of beer, wine and cheese. Custom prints of this image will be available there soon!

Detail # 1

Detail # 2 The Grand Cru mascot happens to be a French bulldog!

More Living Local art

Here are more pieces from my Living Local Exhibit, which is up at Taste Budd's Cafe in Red Hook, NY  (until January 31st). You can read about and view more work from this show here. They're all pieces depicting my amazing community. If you're in town, please check em' out!

Equis Gallery, Red Hook, NY

Samuels Sweet Shop, Rhinebeck, NY

Holy Cow, Red Hook, NY

Sipperley's Grog Shoppe, Red Hook, NY

                                     You can check out more cool stuff at my new site!

More Living Local Art

Here are more pieces from my Living Local Exhibit, which is up at Taste Budd's Cafe in Red Hook, NY. You can read about and view more work from this show here. They're all pieces depicting my amazing community. If you're in town, please check em' out!

Hotel Tivoli, Tivoli NY

Del's Dairy Creme, Rhinebeck, NY

Living Local Exhibit

With eyes cast towards my Hudson Valley community, I painted some little pieces dedicated to it’s many charms. They’re up at Taste Budd’s Cafe in Red Hook through January. As an introvert, I live a little too much in my own head - contemplating big thoughts, ideas, and dreams. Given this, it’s very easy to take my environment for granted. I consistently come back to the theme of community in art - because it reminds me of all the wonderful things right before my eyes. Drawing local landmarks is a way of contemplating why they are so special. For the viewer, I hope these pictures bring out some nice memories, and frames these places in a fresh light. If you live in the area, I hope you'll check out the exhibit!

Migliorelli Farm Stand, Red Hook, NY

Upstate Films, Rhinebeck, NY

St. Christopher's Church, Red Hook, NY

Traghaven Whiskey Pub, Tivoli, NY

The Chocolate Factory, Red Hook, NY

Ward Manor at Bard College, Annandale, NY

Holy Cow, Red Hook, NY

Tivoli Mercantile, Red Hook, NY

Thanks for visiting. You can check out more cool stuff at my new website!

Wilderstein

I drew the Wilderstein estate in Rhinebeck, NY for their organization’s annual silent auction. This house, which is situated on the Hudson River, was built in 1888 for the Suckley family. They were famous for their close friendship with Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt. They gave FDR his beloved black terrier, Fala, who was his loyal sidekick towards the end of his presidency. Quality prints of this piece are available here!

Below is my portrait of Fala, the Scottish terrier which the Suckley family gave to FDR. This little fella was a loyal sidekick to the president until the end of his life.

Wilderstein

As haunted house season is creeping up, here's a new piece I drew at the spooky Wilderstein mansion last week. It was drawn on an old map of Rhinebeck, NY, and is  included in an exhibit of locally themed drawings which are on display at Taste Budd's Cafe in Red Hook. If you live locally, please stop in and take a peek!

Heroin on the Hudson

Heroin use in the Hudson Valley has spiked dramatically in recent years. This story for About Town addresses this serious issue in Dutchess County (where I live), and lays out ways in which local officials are confronting the problem. The author also interviews a 21 year Rhinebeck resident - who tells a cautionary tale about how he fell into the clutches of heroin - and how he eventually kicked the habit. Below are some sketchbook ideas for this story:

Thanks for viewing. You can see more B & W work here.

Works on Paper Opening

I had a wonderful time attending the Works on Paper opening on Saturday evening - at the Atwater Gallery in Rhinebeck NY. Over thirty talented arts were represented in this show, which is up until February 13th. I revieved great feedback for my Flounder drawing, which was drawn on butcher paper. If you're in the area, I hope you'll take a peek at this fun exhibit. 

 You can view more from this series, which I call Food for Thought, here.

Or you can see a variety of my personal work here. 

Works on Paper Exhibit

I'm thrilled to be displaying this piece in the upcoming Works on Paper exhibit, at the Atwater Gallery, Rhinebeck NY. This group show's opening is Saturday, January 18th (5 - 8 pm). If you live in the area, please stop in for a glass of wine - and say hello!

I had fun building this shadowbox for the drawing , which doubles as a very shallow aquarium.

You can view more art from this series, which I call Food for Thought, here.

Rhinebeck at Home

In this modern age, many retired senior citizens are choosing to live more independent lifestyles. Instead of moving to a retirement (or assisted-living) community, they're staying put - in the comfort of their own homes. These seniors are creating support networks; helping each other out with shopping, errands, laundry, learning computer skills, and socializing. This drawing for About Town is about one of these successful networks - in Rhinebeck, NY.

Here are the ideas I submitted:

Thanks for viewing. You can see more B & W work here.

Atwater Gallery Exhibit

 

I'm thrilled to be included in a group show at the Atwater gallery in Rhinebeck, N.Y.  The six pieces I submitted are part of a series called World Tour. The drawings were inspired by a dilapidated old atlas. You can read the story behind them here, or see the full collection here. This exhibit will be on display today through May 18th, 56 E. Market Street, Rhinebeck, NY.

Inspired by Robert Smithson's Sprial Jetty

Veiled Societies

Weathervane, Massachusetts

Lovers, Italy

Ford, Cuba

some framed World Tour drawings

A special thanks to Doug Shippee for the opportunity 

to exhibit my work at his fine gallery.

You can purchase beautiful prints of these prints here.

Deep Down Local

 

This portrait appeared on the cover of About Town, a publication that's geared towards my Hudson Valley community. It accompanied an essay which asks "How long must you live in a community before you can be considered a true local? " five years? ten years? a lifetime? generations? That's a tough one to answer, but I certainly find illustrating local themes helps me feel more connected to my home turf.

This accompanied a story about Mohican Indians who once inhabited my town.

About Town's editor, Paul De Angelis, has been assigning me with fun projects for over thirteen years. It's been rewarding to collaborate with area writers, and learn about the history of my town.  The drawings posted here all incorporate local maps into their content. I hope you enjoy them. More importantly, I hope you enjoy a meaningful connection to your community!

This accompanied a story about a local burglary crime-wave.

If I ever get lost, this local map comes in handy.

This cover image accompanied a story about the 300th birthday of Germantown, NY.

Here's a link to About Town.

 I'm curious if you feel like a true local in your community?

You can view my new illustration website here!