Two new sketches as we get ready for a north east snow storm.  The one sketch is of a cat who was enjoying a drink today from our birdbath and the other is a furniture study of a kitchen chair.  I also recently went down to New Brunswick to pick up my watercolors that were in an exhibition.  I've hung two of them up to enjoy and remind myself of summer days.
  My brother's coming back home today to stay for the three day weekend.  I haven't seen him since he took a Christmas vacation with his girlfriend to Hawaii.  He's bringing me back some cool stuff like a really nice ukulele and some Hawaiian shirts.  Hawaii would be really nice right about now...stay safe in the storm everyone. 

  I love the whole process of creating a work of art, but I also love the other processes involved with painting.  I love framing and hanging the piece because it really gives me a sense of accomplishment when I sketch my ideas out and then they become a reality.  I've made my own frames in the past, which is also something I enjoy doing.  This painting wasn't made as a commission, but it was a painting that I'd been wanting to do for a long time.  I painted it over the course of two mornings and let it dry before I varnished it with Gamvar and framed it.  
 Today, I sketched out where I wanted to hang it and measured out the space.  I love working with my hands and using tools so it's all part of the fun.  I guess there's an aspect of interior design also.  Now, the painting is hanging across the room, on the same side from where the original clock hangs.  I love the way it looks and I'm going to enjoy looking at it for a long time.   

  Merry Christmas!  My brother just sat for a charcoal portrait today so I framed it and gave it to him as a gift.  Enjoy your holidays everyone!

  I had a great time at the Ridgewood Art Institute yesterday for the reception of the 2017 Instructors' Show!  I took photos of my pieces to share, but check out the exhibition if you're in northern NJ.
​  My class at the Ridgewood Art Institute meets every Wednesday from 3:30PM to 5:30PM.  It's an oil painting class for young people (ages 8-17) and focuses on figure painting, portraits, pet portraits and animals. Anyone interested in attending can stop by the class or contact me at easantoli@gmail.com  More information about the class can be found HERE!