Time Flies!!!

"Himself" - Gouache in Moleskine -B.Grady 2012

 Whether gliding the wind currents or breezing the blue asphalt on his chic red motorcycle, he's always on the move!

Happy Birthday! to the Best Dad in the World!

Low Light Lily study

Lily Study, 5" x 7", Oil on Panel, Bridget Grady

There is a time of day in the garden, near dusk, where the  sun filters through the translucent flower petals that I just love.This type of back lighting takes a bit of planning. If you start the study at that time, you'll only have about fifteen minutes to catch it.This either means you have to be lightening fast or have a strong visual memory. (I possess none of these qualities at the end of a long hot day!). The obvious solution to this is to start the block-in ahead of time so that you can finesse the light effects on the petal forms.I started out with good intentions. Gathered up the paint box. Checked to see if I had a couple of clean brushes and prepare panel.I then got interrupted for an hour and by the time I got back out to the garden it was a whole different lighting situation. I only had an hour left to paint before dark so it became a low light speed painting study!Good practice for close values on the lily petals, getting down the essential visual information and keeping it loose none the less:).

Congrats! and DEEP Exhibition News

Trompe, Circa 1983?:)!,Oil on Panel, B.Grady

Congratulations! go out to Kim Barber on her acceptance into Paier College of Art. Kim recently attended some of the portfolio building classes offered at the studio in an effort to improve her drawing skills in preparation to apply to art school seeking a major in illustration.Her effort has paid off! Good luck to you Kim this coming fall!(And stock up on Coffee:)!!!)

Paier College of Art, located in Hamden, Connecticut is an excellent school for those art students who seek a solid foundation in traditional drawing and painting practices.I studied there for a few semesters in the early 80's. During that time I had the benefit of studying with Robert Zappalorti,  who I credit for teaching me to "See".
Thank You Mr. Zappalorti! 

The image to the left is a Trompe L'oeil piece I completed in his painting III class.(OMG was that really almost 30 years ago!?!).

Robert Zappalorti is represented by  Cavelier Galleries and is the author of  Drawing Sharp Focus Still Lifes. Definitely  Recommended.

Exhibition News!

Whites Woods, 57" x 57", Oil on Canvas, B.Grady

 I have been invited by Commissioner, Daniel Esty, to exhibit at the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. I will be exhibiting works based on the Connecticut landscape and wildlife. A selection of plein – air paintings based on  my current observations of the changing character of Hemingway Pond located off the Steele Brook in Watertown,  CT., and paintings from the “ Fragile Ecologies” series will be on view. I'll be in the company of  artists,Dianne Parmalee, Mike Amodeo, and Randy Orzano. The reception will be held Friday, June 20^th, from noon to 1PM, at 79 Elm Street, 3rd Floor, Russell Room, Hartford, Connecticut.
COME ON DOWN :)!

Hot and Hazy

View from Watertown Industrial Park, 3" x5", Gouache on Paper- Bridget Grady

 Managed to get out before the rain this morning and play around with some gouache. Hot and Hazy!

Connecticut Bobcat, Oil on Canvas, 20" x 20", Bridget Grady

We are slowly getting back on track at the studios after a very busy few weeks of show closing, art packing and shipping, And moving out of our old studios.I've been in that particular studio at the MRCO building since 2003?! My first studio there was 1993.So those of you who are painters who read this can just imagine the chaos:)! I've found rolls of work I forgot I did!
The new studios are getting some of their renovation work completed and we should be fully functional in a few weeks.

Jay Foster at the 35th Annual Lakeside Underground Parade

We have been having some fun though! Jay sat in with the Electric Bakery at the 35th Annual Lakeside Underground Parade.(Hopefully some video coming soon)!Lots of  bands(our friends "Pollen",being one of them) and great players(Mike O'Meara and Mike Nappi), jammed in the fields of glass artist Larry Lorenz.
Thank you Larry!



I've been invited to show at the DEEP (Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection) by commissioner Dan Esty. I'll be bringing the painting  of a Bobcat (above) up to Hartford this week. Along with some larger works,  I'll also will bee exhibiting a selection of the plein-air studies of Hemingway Pond I've done over the years.


Speaking of Hemingway Pond, I haven't reported back on the meeting that was attended on it's fate. Its just been a bit too hectic around here!I'll be putting more information up on that in the future once I have all the research together. The meeting was very informative and suffice to say the situation is not completely dire. Landscape painting will continue at Blue Horse Arts:). and perhaps an new project!

Anne Siems

In the meantime we have a lighter teaching and event schedule for July while we organize some new offerings at the studios.
There will be a Landscape painting workshop on Saturday. Partial tuition will be donated to the Steele Brook Greenway. Click here for more info and how to register. All levels of experience are welcome!

The painting to right is by Anne Siems from  the Plight of the Pollinators show and will be soon shipped to California. We'll be missing its presence in the studio along with all the other great work that was on exhibit.