When The Sun Came Out

 I like to walk. Sometimes living it the country actually limits your ability to walk, (no shoulder, pick-up trucks driving fast, dogs, etc). I can find some interesting things really close to the house. This is a small painting, only 12"x12"

Can you see the little postcard through the easel? Much of my influences come from Abstract Expressionist painters

Scolding Crow

Picnic House

Picnic House 

9"X5" acrylic on Paper

I was born in the Bronx, NY in 1950.  By 1955 everyone was making plans to get out of there.
The Cross Bronx Expressway was then a huge trench that was being cut into the end of my street. Bryant Avenue was made into a dead end, with us on the wrong side of it.
There were many problems in the Bronx, but all of it was of little concern to me, I loved it. I played on the sidewalks, rollerskated and went to the Bronx Zoo, all the time.
If you did want to leave, you had two choices; go to NJ or Long Island. My parents chose NJ and we moved to Winfield Park in 1957.
Winfield was a conveniently located community, within computing distance to Manhattan for my Dad. My parents did not want to lose their NYC connections, family and friends, etc..
I started to enjoy this new place. It had a woods and a river that nearly surrounded the town. This wooded area was all County property. During the WPA era they had built ball fields, parks, bridges and dams (waterfalls), and these picnic houses, throughout the system. Winfield had two picnic houses and waterfall.
My two paintings are of the same picnic house that still stands, next to a little-league baseball field that is gone. Most kids in town spent some time in and around these structures. Teenagers found them an ideal dry place to hang out, just far enough way from adults.

 

Carved Beech (Picnic House)

9"x5" Acrylic on Paper

Both of the paintings are gifts.
The first painting is actually payment for an Astrology chart that my friend Forest M. did for me in 1971. He did a great job on the chart and I never got to return the favor till now.

The second painting is for my friend Leo L.  Leo's nickname then was "Buddy" and it is his named carved into that tree, though long grown over, I was still able to see it and then enhance it. He was one of the older guys in the neighborhood and was also my summer camp councilor one year. In High School, Leo was really big, 6'8". He was an excellent guy to have as a friend... especially if there was any trouble.

First New Web-site

www.gliubizzi.com

My friend Alex and I launched my web-site last week and as with all challenging projects, things happen to make it go... easier (?), so my computer fries the video card. UGH! $$$, and of course, 6 months past apple care. 

Oh Well! We were unstoppable and here it is. I still want to tweek it a bit, but I am happy. Please visit when you get a moment, I posted a link in the sidebar

Complaining Crow

10" X 10" pencil in sketchbook

Owl Study

10" X 10" pencil in sketchbook

I am beginning to think about a new painting. 

I have a murder of crows in the neighborhood. A small group that hangs out behind my house and then they all get together up the road, about a half mile away. Most of the time I see them harassing the Redtail hawks that live across the field, but somethings they go crazy, just inside the woods and when I can get close enough to see what is exciting them, it is usual an owl. This can be the best time to see an owl. We have several kinds and I have spotted Barred Owls and Barn Owls, Screech Owls  and everyone's favorite The Great Horned Owl. The Great Horned Owl is here, but not a common visitor to my property. They like sycamore trees and the small stream about a 1/4 mile behind the house. I can hear their distinctive hoot.

Little Christmas Gifts

 Holly and I get to go to a big, sit down, Christmas dinner for 30. My group has allot of grown children living their lives on their own now, so it is really nice to all be together and sharing the event, later in the afternoon, after all the phone calls and presents.
Our host, Annie and Murdock did an amazing job with Turkey and Duck and everyone else was assigned a side dish. We also do a Secret Santa event. This year a couple of friends (guests) asked me to produce small paintings for their two gift assignments and I was happy to do it since I knew the receivers.
Above is "ManFriday", my friend Diana's Lurcher and below is Wes's Gloves. Wes is a Dressage rider and coach. The paintings are 6"x 9" acrylic on paper.
Both are slices of bigger images that were in my collection.
I do not think that Diana's hand was the original focus, but became most important and Wes's hands were everything.

The Glorious Mr. Handsome

There are many people in my area that free-range their chickens and as you drive around you can often catch a glimpse of one or several scratching by the side of the road. 

My friend, Diana has a small flock and I noticed that they like to hover on the edge of the woods and the field. Diana has lost many to Fox and Coyote and Hawk, but does not get too upset about it, knowing that the Vixen is also in the woods with hungry kits to feed. 

What I have seen is this back lit rooster that made him rather hard to spot. I have always been interested in camouflage and the behaviors that go with it.  Maybe I will do a post on that next.

Mr Handsome is a Black Maran hybrid owned by my friend Ilana. I took several dozen photos at her farm one day and as I reviewed my work, one rooster seemed to always appear in many of my shots. Later when I showed her a drawing, she identified Mr. Handsome for his ability to be an attention getter.

Oil on Canvas 36" X 36"

Oil on Canvas 36" X 36"

Morning Roo

Sky No Clouds

Sketchbook, Study

Another Sketchbook Rooster

Sketchbook Roosters

From The Sketchbook

Sketchbook work with a pencil