Well, another year has come and gone. Overall it's been a pretty good year. I've accomplished a few of my goals and set my sights on some new ones. I'm looking forward to the new year, 09, as each year seems to have it's own flavor and surprises.
             One of the galleries that I show with may be closing or severely downsizing their operations. Sandi Woessner of the Blue Door Gallery has been very supportive these last few years and I'm going to really miss showing with her. Sandi basically gave me my start. I remember I was working on a still life painting at the Long Island Academy of Fine Art and I was talking with my instructor about an outdoor show I was going to be doing and he said that he thought I had very sellable paintings and that I should go across the street and show my work to Sandi. Ten minutes later I was standing in the Blue Door gallery showing Sandi a photo album of my work that I had been carrying around with me. She chose two paintings to include in a Christmas show and they sold at the opening. I can't tell you what a boost that gave to my confidence and from that point on I adapted the attitude of a professional artist and began to show with other galleries as well. So I will always be grateful to Sandi and I will always be willing to show with her in any kind of exhibit she puts together, I don't care if it's in her kitchen.
            I've been making pretty good progress in my cast drawing class at the Grand Central Academy of Art and within a month or so I will be moving on to cast painting. I was a little hesitant to take the class at first because my instructor Nick Hiltner is about the same age as my son, a twenty something. I decided that if Jacob Collins chose him to teach the class out of all the possible Water Street grads, that was good enough for me. He has turned out to be a gifted and intuitive instructor with a range of knowledge beyond his years and his class has been helping my work outside of cast drawing to progress as well. So it goes to show that pre-conceptions can be defeating if you give into them, in this case I'm glad I didn't.
         I've recently started to work on a series of small still life paintings using a tighter technique than usual, getting myself ready for cast painting, and I'm pretty happy with the results. I still plan to do the more painterly one session paintings because I really enjoy them and they have taught me a lot about color. Interestingly enough the Argosy gallery just had a request for a bunch of my small alla prima paintings, so I also want to express my gratitude to Amy for all her support.
         This summer I'm thinking about taking a portait painting class with my former instructor Robert Armetta at one of the school's new locations in Glen Cove, Long Island. I think now with some classical drawing under my belt I will be ready to handle some of the more advanced concepts Robert was always throwing my way.
      So far, I haven't felt the effects of the recession. I guess that's because I've always felt like I was living from paycheck to paycheck so with my belt already pretty tight how would I notice the difference. Let's face it, art is a pretty expensive vocation and a good chunk of my money goes into it. Thank God I have a supportive wife who doesn't complain to often  about not going on vacation in Jamaica. Our trips are usually camping in Connecticut or the Adirondacks.
       Next year I just plan to do more of the same. I can't afford to hire models, so most of my portraits will be done when I take a class or workshop. I managed to sell quite a few landscape paintings so that's motivated me to get out this spring and do some more. I feel in many ways like the road is wide open and my journey is just beginning. Here's wishing for a happy new year and a quick end to the recession.