One of my customers has written a really wonderful poem about my shop/gallery. I'm so flattered!

It is Food

Where I work there is work.

There is banter, there is tedious conversation,

 there is rant, and certain despicable attitudes.

But down the block ia a shop----art & antiques.

I go there for lunch. It's an Asian pear

to my palate. It's citrus to my senses.

The owner is an artist. I savor linseed

and turps. Pigments are sustenance.

Green grow some lilies-o...

and so edible, the colors, that light

on the marsh, the weathered silver fence,

the foam encircling the beach rock.

How can we live without the brush's

glaze? How does the world survive

without the artist's hand.

Robin Shepherd

The Scituate Art Association has accepted "Hanging out" into it's annual juried show. In addition, I was informed that painting was sold before it could even be hung (it will still be exhibited for the show). Artwork will be on display at the Front Street Gallery in Scituate from April 20th to May 2. The opening reception and awards ceremony is April 23rd from 6-9pm. Gallery hours are Tues.- Sat. 10-5, Sun. 1-5

I'm thrilled to offer artwork by many of the South Shore's finest and most renowned painters at my gallery/shop, Class Art and Antiques. This week I'll introduce 3 of the dozen artists, I represent. Please be sure to check out there websites and stop by the shop to see their current work on display.

Patricia Isaac , a graduate of Mass. College of Art, who spent nearly 30 years as a former art instructor and art director for K-12 in Rockland, Ma. Pat's Website

Stephen Boczanowski, a graduate of Tufts and the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts with a Masters from Mass. College of Art, who has spent 30 years as art coordinator K-12 in Marshfield, Ma. Stephen's Website

Robert Beaulieu, a graduate of the Paier School of Art in Hamden, Ct.,  who has also studied at the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts was president of the Scituate Arts Association from 2005 through 2008. Bob's Website

Well, here's a classic luminist style image of a marsh scene  I've recently finished. It was  a beautiful day at the beach in Wells, Me. and we (Ron, his Mom, and I) were going to dinner. They went in and ordered and I went outside to take pictures. Eventually, dinner arrived and I was still taking pictures, so Ron had to come out and get me. The colors of the marsh and sky were outstanding and I particularly liked the added bonus of the moon in the sky. Work on this piece went quickly and it was finished in a matter of hours. Many artists do prints of their best artwork, but I do paintings from my best photographs. I think the challenge is to make it better than the photo and as close to life as possible. Plein air painting certainly helps with this. Shouldn't a good photo  or image be contemplated, studied, and then be brought to life? What do you think?

Congratulations Jim!

Class Art and Antiques recently sold five of Jim's Giclee prints to HGTV for their 2010 "green" home. They've chosen three pieces from his "Underfoot/ Overlooked" series to be featured in the master bedroom. A virtual tour of the property plans to be launched on April 1st, if you'ld like to check it out.

More of Jim's artwork can be seen at his website: pixpainter.com

If you're wondering what to give your lover on Valentine's Day, one of the best gifts would be an original artwork. I accept commissions to paint custom artwork of your favorite photos or images. Prices vary upon size and can range from as low as $100 for an 8" x 10". The last two paintings I've done are commisions and the clients couldn't be more thrilled with the outcome.

This is an image of a danish girl's confirmation. The original photo was approximately 2" x 3". I scanned it at high resolution and enlarged the image to 8" x 10" . Then I used that image as the basis for my painting.

Well it's 2010 and I'm excited to announce the birth of my blog.

My shop/gallery Class Art and Antiques at 62 Court Street in downtown Plymouth has officially been open for 10 months now. Business isn't quite booming, but sales are definitely picking up. This new blog will cover  news that I feel will be of interest to readers including art related topics, shop/gallery news, as well as personal inspirations, artistic struggles and triumphs.

This morning, I picked up "Bending Boughs" which unfortunately wasn't accepted into the Duxbury Art Associations Winter Juried show. So, it looks like I just have to work harder and wait for another opportunity.

This week I sold two more original  8" x 10"'s which brings my total to 11 pieces sold since the beginning of December. I've really enjoyed creating these paintings, and I'm excited  other people will  enjoy viewing them. Three 8" x 10"s are still available for anyone who's interested.