Christie Art Studios

Autumn Pumpkin

2009-01-09T07:04:00.000-08:00

9 x 12
Acrylic on Canvas

This painting is an impasto style still life using vibrant colours. It is highly textured. I achieved this my using molding paste mixed into the paint.

The first time I saw a Van Gough painting I was struck by the thickness of the paint. It is almost two dimensional, heavy and textured with brushes and pallet knives. I wanted to try this and found I love the feel and look of thick textured paint and now most of my work reflects this.

"Autum Pumpkin" traveled with me to Crete and was sold there in my exhibition. I think it resides in England now.

Sold

Aptera House

2009-01-09T06:35:00.000-08:00

Our home village in Crete was Megala Horafia which means "Big Fields". However, the original village was called Aptera, and ancient Mycean Village on a hill top over looking the sea on one side and the mountains on the other.

The steep approach from the sea fortified the location used also by the Romans who conquered the inhabitants and built a city with an amphitheatre, large underground cisterns for grain and water storage, a mint for Roman coins, and a temple.

The existing village is built over the ruins and goats graze in Olive Groves the cover the sunken streets of a once vibrant city. This painting is typical of the local homes that dot the foot hills reaching up to the steeper slopes.

SOLD

Mother of God

2008-11-21T07:31:00.000-08:00

16 x 20
Acrylic on Canvas

I visited many Monasteries on Crete. The Christian Orthodox churches were embellished with wood carvings, high vaulted ceilings and tempera paintings of saints.

I have been experimenting with acrylic on canvas in place of the traditional egg tempera on clay board or plaster to create this painting of Mary. I have also added wooden carved corner and arch detail and clear stones to accent her gown neck line and halo.

The letters on either side of the figure stand for MHTHP TOY OEOY, which translates to Mother of God.

For Sale

Daisies on the Window Ledge

2008-11-21T07:19:00.000-08:00

16 x 20

Acrylic on Canvas

Huge bushes of daisies grew by our front door along the terra cotta tile entry way. They would last until the dry season in Crete. The daisy bushes were planted by Bobis for his wife Irini.

The garden was a place of tranquility and abundant growth. I miss it.

I placed this bouquet on the marble window sill, looking out to the open sea.

For Sale

Zambezi Flooding

2008-11-21T07:10:00.000-08:00

Acrylic on Canvas
16 x 20

A good friend of mine was home sick for the Zimbabwe region of Africa. I offered a gift to her of a painting of my impression of the Zambezi River during rainy season.

Although I have not been there, I learned that the river bed is sandy with low reed-lined banks. Rain flows down from the hills near-by flooding the river-bed that rushes toward the Indian Ocean.

I also learned that preservation of the river is an issue. High levels of evaporation and pollution threaten the water and animal life that depends on it. The miraculous Victoria Falls (locally known as “The Smoke that Thunders”) is fed by the Zambezi.

Artist's Lunch

2008-10-31T05:25:00.000-07:00

26 x 30
Acrylic on Canvas

Painted once for myself, a second copy was created as a commission that now resides in a good friend's house in Georgia. "Artist's Lunch" was featured in an exhibition in Greece in 2007.

Every one of my paintings is personal in some way to me. Articles chosen for this still life belong in my kitchen and were collected during years of travel. The wine belonged to someone else who was very disappointed to find I had added water to it to bring the level up, removed the label and then it turned to vinegar as I worked through the
weeks. I should buy him another bottle. Not for Sale

Blue Winter Sea in Crete

2008-10-31T05:16:00.000-07:00

16 x 20
Acrylic on Canvas

Known for hot sunny days, the island of Crete is cold, rainy and windy in the winter. Clouds roll in and hang on the mountain at the center of the island. People warm themselves by fireplaces at night as wind howls by. It is a dynamic time to view the sea from the rocky cliffs.

The tourist shops close in the winter leaving only the shops and restaurants that cater to year round residents.

Not for Sale

Geraniums in a Clay Pot

2008-10-31T05:07:00.000-07:00

20 x 24
Acrylic on Canvas

This was my first finished painting completed in 2000. I learned that I could produce something worthwhile.

The paint used in the pot is mixed with local sand from a Florida beach where I was living at the time. It gave the painting a rough texture that I have carried through other work since then.

Using soil from the locale where the painting was finished gives an organic and connected feeling to the work.

Not for Sale

Chania Window, Crete

2008-10-29T10:57:00.000-07:00

16 x 20
Acrylic on Canvas

This part of the city of Chania dates from 1497, and fronts on the inner harbor built by the Venetians. Windows set in walls 3 feet thick look over the narrow cobbled streets, with ledges crowded with pots, flowers and lines of laundry drying overhead.

Older members of the family enjoy the evening sitting outside the the front door, leisurly talking to passers-by, neighbors and friends.

Sold

Fruits of Our Garden in Greece

2008-10-29T10:51:00.000-07:00

20 x 24
Acrylic on Canvas

Our garden filled terraces looking down on the sea. Late in the growing season we picked olives, grapes, and filled our salad plates with veggies. The chickens and goats provided the rest.

This painting is dedicated to our good friends Bobis and Ireni who shared their home and garden with us.

Not for Sale

Back Door, Southern Italy

2008-10-29T10:44:00.000-07:00

16 x 20
Acrylic on Canvas

One of the agricultural regions of Italy is Campania on the southern peninsula. Small local farms grow much of the fruit and vegetables that grace the family table. Old traditions still dominate in a land of rich olive oil, home made pastas, and family gatherings.

Sold

Monastery on Crete, Greece

2008-10-29T10:23:00.000-07:00

16 x 20
Acrylic on Canvas

Sirocco winds sweeping down the mountains from the Libyan sea create high waves that pulse daily into the granite shores of the island of Crete.

Ancient villages and isolated Monasteries sit on the craggy cliffs looking out over the Mediterranean Sea.

Not for Sale