Sketching the Benin Bronzes at the Met

Sketching the Benin Bronzes at the Met

On a recent Friday as the pandemic lockdown was lifting, I spent the day sketching at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  On my list was the Benin Bronzes, spectacular sculptures which bear the stigma of colonial plunder, and have a dark and bloody history that belies...
Sketchbooks I Have Known and Loved

Sketchbooks I Have Known and Loved

When I first started sketching I was overwhelmed with sketchbook choices. I remember going into New York Central Art Supply and getting totally confused with the variety of books with different size, thickness, color of paper, binding, textures, recommended usage, and...
Painting the Historic Bridges of the Catskill Mountains

Painting the Historic Bridges of the Catskill Mountains

Few places match the mystique and gentle beauty of the Catskill Mountains.  Dotted with old barns and lush with winding streams, the Catskills are a lovely place to paint and enjoy fresh air only two hours from New York City. Thus far I painted four historic bridges...
Adrian Hill: War Sketcher, Art Therapist, Artist

Adrian Hill: War Sketcher, Art Therapist, Artist

Adrian Hill (1895-1977) was an artist and author who recognized and promoted the value of art as a tool for healing, and established principles that we can use today in times of the Covid pandemic.  Born in London, he entered art school at the age of 17 shortly before...
My Art Library:  Sketching Before Urban Sketchers

My Art Library: Sketching Before Urban Sketchers

Before the explosion of the Urban Sketchers movement that began in 2007 there was very little published on this topic. On a recent visit to Los Angeles I stopped by my favorite art bookstore, Hennesy & Ingalls, and discovered some treasures I’d like to...