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Wednesday, April 29, 2015

My Pal Gary


Welcome.

This was one of my illustration assignments for The Country Club Magazine back in 1988. One of my 'favorite hits' group. It was about 15 x 20 inches on watercolor board painted with gauche.
I like the gestural work that I was playing with on his right arm and of course white picks up so many nuances of color it's a veritable rainbow on that sleeve but still looks 'right'

The article was by Grantland Rice, a reprint about keeping your cool when the pressure is on in a golf tournament. Keeping your nerve as it were. I asked Gary if he would pose for me. I got that old stiff collar piece which was detachable and the old hickory golf club, my classic boater hat and we were set for a head and shoulders shot. It was a laugh because it was summer and he was wearing the equivalent of board shorts for pants! This was shot in Central Park in July....

Gary was instrumental in getting my career started as well as my confidence as an artist who gets paid. We met by chance in Boston and he organized my exodus to New York and Westport where I honed my art, graphics, copy writing, publishing, photography, advertising and communications skills.

He had lots of talent, charisma, smarts, style and a sense of humor that paved the way for a pr career that had him owning homes in Laguna Beach, California and Westport, Connecticut at 28 years old. He got me many plum projects and although I have thanked him many times I do so again here because as I have taken the time to appreciate those who have meant the most to me in my art and life the one's that shine this bright are few and far between.

Here's to you brother. Thank you.

More to come....

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2015

Friday, April 24, 2015

The Homecoming.



Welcome.

Thank you to all of you who spend time with my works of art. We artists often work in an isolated and concentrated environment and knowing that our effort is appreciated and enjoyed gives me an extra little boost of energy to keep on going.

This little sweet one is oil on canvas 11 x 14 inches. When I first moved to Florida I was not inclined to view this as an appealing scene, after all who wants to see construction fencing around something in my picturesque seascape? I later learned and isn't learning fun? I learned they they are pens for keeping all humans from stepping on the spot where the sea turtle eggs are laid and will hatch giving them a moment of protection before they hatch and run the gauntlet to the sea. I believe it is the work of conservationists BSTP who are also counting the hatch each year so that we have some record of the how the turtle population is doing and contribute to health and welfare as well as protecting them. It is within the jurisdiction of Florida Fish and Wildlife.

I feel an intimate connection with the sea and it's inhabitants. It is my home. It is my sensibility, my delight and when I spot a seaside cottage warming in the cool morning of the rising sun while I am walking my stretch of beach it gives me a true sense of peace. 'Reborn', you might say...a homecoming, much as the loggerheads that return each year to bring their brood into the world of sand, sea and sky. 

If you are interested in purchasing this work of art or any others that are available for sale please contact me at alanlovesart@gmail.com for more information.

More to come.....

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2015





Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Back to the Garden Revised.....



Welcome.

Now. I think that suits my sensibilities a bit more. Originally I wanted this piece to have this floating, flying feeling over the plain looking out towards Fort George Island. I was very interested in the space and that fallen tree along with the light. I had a couple of wood storks over at the level of the tree when I submitted this piece for The St Augustine Nature and Wildlife Exhibit. Here is where the inventiveness comes in.

I liked the birds originally because the white of their bodies was a nice focal point. However, I truly wanted one of the species that frequents this venue to be flying in the landscape. Also the scene in person has only one palm tree in the view, no birds and no clouds, the two spots of blue low tide puddles were just wet mud. 

I am not sure if I am ever 'satisfied' with my work but often the painting is finished when I can neither add nor subtract anything that will enhance it's completeness. But this one kept nagging at me! I had it behind dome other paintings for a while and even had a friend try to pull it out for a potential client to look at which I halted immediately.

Going through my reference files I came across a series of this great blue heron in flight...Eureka! I'm delighted that I never gave up on it.

This is 38x46 inch oil on canvas. $5,500.00 plus shipping and handling.

Contact me @ alanlovesart@gmail.com if you are interested in this work.

More to come.

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2015

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Heading to the beach.....


Welcome.

I can't speak for anyone else but when someone asks me, "Wanna head to the beach?" You won't have to ask me twice. These were a couple of happy teenagers at the end of Hopkins St. in Neptune Beach Florida USA. It was after class I am sure, at least on this day and the scene was so perfectly simple and uncomplicated.

This is one of my favorite paintings that I have done in the past year (meaning April to April)

I enjoy making gestural marks to describe an object, a plane, or a shape. The composition in this one is just right on the money. The color is rich and balanced in harmony.

Happy thoughts.

This oil painting on gallery wrap canvas is 14x18 inches.

If you are interested in purchasing it you can contact me or Monty Belafonte at alanlovesart@gmail.com for pricing, shipping and delivery information.

If you have not been to zazzle.com please do! You can go there and search for sunnybeachman and purchase some of my watercolor art on t shirts, mugs, phone holders and cards and of course many products that are useful for home or office. And might I add for all of you who have made purchases in the past year from my store there. Thank you!

More to come.....

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2015

Monday, April 6, 2015

Rounding The Bend Fort George Island


Welcome.

Apparently this area was a playground for the rich and famous at one period in history. This is a spot around the corner from the Ribault Club and down the road from The Kingsley Plantation in Jacksonville Florida USA.

The lush wild coastal marshes here give me a grand sense of freedom breathing the fresh air and looking out over the wide vast open spaces. I am a seeker of untraveled roads and coves that are hidden until you stumble upon them. Whoever lives in that house likes it pretty remote because after I left this spot I hopped in my ride and followed the winding roads that led to it. Best to shop at the market for a month if you intend to live tucked away like this. Yet, well worth it when you can get up, walk down your dock and see an unspoiled vista or better yet sail in it!!

This is an 11x14 oil on gallery wrap canvas. I wanted to play with some rich impasto with my brush applications and still have a feeling of edge, elegance and refined finesse. My aim was to achieve an understated fresh and crisp boldness with color, design and saturation.

The painting is available for $1,200.00 US plus shipping and handling. You can contact me or my rep Monty Belafonte at alanlovesart@gmail.com to make the connection for delivery and payment if you are interested in a purchase.

More to come....

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2015 USA

Friday, April 3, 2015

First Light Dutton Reserve


Welcome.

Ok, everybody that gets up at dawn raise your hands! Now everybody that does it because they love the sunrise and the light and the quiet and peace raise your hands!!!!!

My once upon a time fishing buddy Alex always asked me to let him know when I was getting up at the crack of dawn to go fishing (rainbow trout fishing on the Saugatuck) because he wanted to come along. I often asked if the time frame was ,"too early?"  and he just smiled and replied, "It's easy to get up early for something you love."

Soothing, I guess that's the word I would use describe these types of scenes and why I choose them. Relief from the chaos and finding a serenity with which to move forward in the 'must do' of the day versus what I choose to do, where I spend my time and where I invest it for my spirit.

This is a diptych measuring 12 x 28 inches oil on canvas it is the North East corner of Dutton preserve a Florida State Park near Mayport Florida USA in the spring.

It is available for $1,200.00 US plus shipping and handling unframed, the edges are not painted at present but can be. If you are interested in purchasing you can contact me or my agent Monty at alanlovesart@gmail.com for scheduling, payment and delivery.

Happy Easter, happy spring and as always.... more to come.

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2015