Jay's Paintings

Meet Willow

2011-10-22T08:37:00.004-04:00

I have a new little buddy, he is a soft coated wheaten. His name is Willow or "The Willowbeast", as I sometimes call him. I like the fact that he does not shed. He is cute, funny, stuborn and I think with a little training will be a great companion. Right now it is his will against mine, at this point I will call it a tie. He is great with people especially children and plays well with other dogs.

Church Door

2011-08-22T21:08:00.004-04:00

Here are 2 pictures of a church door I was asked to paint for a youth center. I started with cleaning the door and painting it with black gesso. I then painted the sky and let it dry. I painted the lettering 2 days later. Today I varnished it. I like it and hopefully the others will too. This was my first venture outside of my studio. I enjoyed the challange. I may have to do some more of these.

Letting Go 11in x 14in Oil on Stretched Canvas

2011-06-28T20:02:00.002-04:00

This is a painting that I did to represent a poem that I had written a few years ago titled, Letting Go”. The poem and the painting deal with love. Sometimes love is worth fighting for and sometimes you have no choice, but to let it go. The hard part is deciding which choice to make.
I hope you enjoy, “Letting Go”.

The Awakening 8in x 10in Oil on Canvas Board

2011-05-22T15:57:00.003-04:00

I believe there is a time in everyone’s life that a revelation comes to them. It is at this very moment that everything makes sense and they know for the first time who they are and why they exist. This painting captures that moment. The title says it all, “The Awakening”.
Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoy, “The Awakening”.

A Hundred Percent Chance of Rain 11in x 14in Oil on Stretched Canvas

2011-04-22T17:44:00.002-04:00

This is a painting that I finished today. I painted the sky first and I was looking for something cloudy and rainy. Then I stood back and thought to myself that I wanted the whole painting to keep this atmosphere. In the back of my mind I had already decided that in all these grey hues I wanted one object to pop out. What better than a red umbrella. Then I decided that I wanted a girl holding the red umbrella looking out over a choppy sea to add to the tone of the painting. Here is the finished product.
I hope you enjoy, “A Hundred Percent Chance of Rain.

Moon Dance 16in x 20in Oil on Stretched Canvas

2011-04-19T18:40:00.002-04:00

This is a painting I did at the end of 2009. I varnished it over the weekend and the colors seem to come alive. I love the ocean and I love the moon, so I decided to combine the two. I love how the moon seems to dance on the water. The more the water moves the more the light dances. I like the feel of this painting.
I hope you enjoy, “Moon Dance”.

Your Song 11in x 14in Oil on Gesso Primed Canvas Board

2011-04-12T20:25:00.003-04:00

This is a painting style I call Poetry Art. This is where I combine my love for poetry with my love for painting. It is created by painting oil paint on a gesso primed canvas board. I chose black and white because it gave me the feel of a sheet of music combined with the soft melody of black and white piano keys. The poetry is an original poem that I wrote a few years ago.
I hope you enjoy, “Your Song”.

Bodie Island Lighthouse 6in x 6in Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

2011-04-07T17:59:00.002-04:00

This is a painting of the Bodie Island Lighthouse. When I went to see it I saw a lot of artist doing plein air paintings of it. I settled for taking a picture and painting it later.

I love lighthouses and I see now that a lot of them are for sale and I could imagine myself living in one.

I hope you enjoy the painting.

Butterfly Promises 20in x 16in Oil on Linen Stretched Canvas

2011-03-29T20:30:00.003-04:00

This is a painting that I really enjoyed paining. I love the beauty and gracefulness of a butterfly. Butterflies are meant to be free and whenever I see them I stop and take a moment to enjoy the beauty it brings into my life. And if you stop to enjoy the beauty I promise you will find a reason to smile too.

This painting is in and Illusion’s floating frame.

I hope you enjoy, “Butterfly Promises”.

Dance Along the Light of Day 11in x 14in Oil on Canvas Board

2011-03-21T19:07:00.002-04:00

This is a painting I finished last night. The idea and title came from a song I was listening to, “Drops of Jupiter” by Train. This painting is my interpretation of those words.

I hope you enjoy.

You are Cleared for Take Off 6in x 6in Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

2011-03-09T19:17:00.001-05:00

This is a painting I completed tonight. I think ladybugs are a friendly kind of bug, unless they invade your home of course. :) I’ve watch them crawl up a blade of grass and seem to use it for a runway. So hence the title, “You are Cleared for Take Off”.

I hope you enjoy the painting.

OK a Few More Philly Flower Show Pictures

2011-03-05T19:29:00.001-05:00

Enjoy :)

A Few More Photo's From the 2011 Philly Flower Show

2011-03-05T19:25:00.002-05:00

Here are a few more pictures from this years Philly Flower Show.

2011 Philadelphia Flower Show

2011-03-05T19:19:00.004-05:00

I went to the Philadelphia Flower Show again this year. The theme this year was Spring in Paris and just like last year it did not disappoint. There were flowers from all over the world and many themes. The main center piece was the Eiffel Tower and small cafés. I hope you enjoy the small sampling of photo’s that give a flavor of the event.

Daisy and Her Little Friend 6in x 6in Gallery Wrapped Canvas

2011-02-26T08:10:00.004-05:00

Since spring won’t come to me, I thought I would bring spring to myself. This is a 6in x 6in gallery wrapped canvas. It shows a ladybug dancing on the petal of a daisy. It looks like spring to me.

I hope you enjoy.

Music of the Night 11in x 14in Oil on Canvas Board

2011-02-19T22:01:00.002-05:00

This is a painting I finished tonight. The clock shows quarter after one. The candles set the mood as the violin lays silent and the wine glasses are unattended. This is when love becomes music of the night.

I hope you enjoy, “Music of the Night”.

Night Watch 11in x 14in Oil on Canvas Board

2011-02-13T15:57:00.002-05:00

This is a painting I finished last night. It shows a raven sitting on a branch looking at the moon as an eerie mist come rolling in. The raven is a lone sentinel watching over the night.

I hope you enjoy.

Howling at the Moon 16in x 20in Oil on Stretched Linen Canvas

2011-02-10T19:54:00.001-05:00

This is a painting that I just finished tonight. It is the silhouette of a wolf howling at a pale blue moon nestled in an indigo sky filled with stars. The inspiration for this painting came from a poem that I wrote a few years back called Lone Wolf.

Lone Wolf

Solitude is my friend and protector-
Taking me far away from the pack
To a place where I reign supreme,
And unto myself find a peace
That is lost within myself.

I am the lone wolf-
Aloof and oblivious to mankind,
But I am one with my surrounding
That nurtures me and provides substance,
And allows me to thrive in my environment.

Harshness is the environment that I know best-
As life yields to life swiftly,
With the survival of the fittest as the rule-
And the loser finds peace first-
As the reality of fear grows cold.

Freedom is measured in days-
Not in years or lifetimes,
And the wind is my brother
That carries my mournful cries-
As loneliness stabs the dark night.

I hope you enjoy.

Rising Above Adversity 11in x 14in Oil on Stretched Canvas

2011-02-05T00:09:00.002-05:00

I am sure we all have adversity in our life at some time. This painting shows the human spirit at its best. When adversity comes our way we don’t give up, we find a way to rise above it.

Hearts in Bloom 9in x 12in Oil on Stretched Canvas

2011-02-01T21:12:00.004-05:00

What is Valentines Day without hearts? This painting shows the tree blooming with hearts from branches shaped like hearts. Then the heart shaped branches branch off so the tree continues to grow. You can never have too many hearts. I hope everyone has a very happy Valentines Day.

I hope you enjoy.

Twin Flame 11in x 14in Oil on Gesso on Canvas Board

2011-01-30T17:52:00.002-05:00

This is a painting I finished today. I call it, “Twin flames”. It is an 11in x 14in Oil painted on a black gesso primed canvas board.

Have you ever looked at a candle that has two flames? They start out as two flames and then become one. It looks like it creates a heart and burns bigger and brighter than they ever could alone. Isn’t that a lot like love?

I got the idea from a short poem I wrote a few years ago called, “Satin Song”.

Satin Song

Somewhere in the night
Lovers play a satin song
Of red or maybe white,
Both the color of flames-
Twin flames that intertwine
Scorching feelings remembered
Long after the night is consumed.

I hope you enjoy.

Drizzling Stars 11in x14in Oil on Stretched Canvas

2011-01-28T23:39:00.001-05:00

This painting is a little different. I incorporated my poetry with my painting. I didn’t have room for the complete poem in the painting, so here is the whole poem. I still have a ways to go to bring the poems and paintings together in oils, but it is a start.

Drizzling Stars

The night drizzled stars,
The kind that falls silent-
Without a single whisper
Of a wish to guide them,
Tiny prisms of living fluid crystals,
Bending light with the symmetry
Of their concave and convex design-
Each one unique in design,
But staying true to form,
Until wiped from the eyes.

“Drizzling Stars”, was written in 2005. I have written poems about placing stars in the eyes of the one I love and receiving the stars as they were placed in my eyes. Stars are a thing of beauty and love can be viewed as no less. In this poem I saw the tears as stars falling silently from the eyes. The tears were catching the light as they fell and made tiny stars until they disappeared. But unlike the stars that fall from the heavens, there will be no wishes made on these stars.

Lonely 11in x 14in Oil on Stretched Canvas

2011-01-24T20:16:00.001-05:00

Is there anything lonelier than seeing the silhouette of a bird perched against the vastness of the endless sky? The lonely call to its mate goes unanswered as the sun fades and the coolness of the night falls silent.

This is an oil painting 11in x 14in on stretched canvas. The colors of the sky are shades of gold with a hint of yellow orange and permanent rose.

Thanks for stopping by:

Love Remembered 16in x 20in Oil on Stretched Canvas

2011-01-08T12:53:00.001-05:00

For many years I have written poetry under the name of Poet’s Soul. I am going to start a collection of paintings and include my love of poetry.

In this painting I show the full and empty wine glass, the rose left unattended, the last glimpse at a sunset and even the first star of the night to make a wish upon. The interpretation of the painting rest solely in the heart and mind of the beholder. I hope you enjoy.

Violin 8"X10" Oil on Canvas Board

2010-12-30T16:12:00.003-05:00

This is a painting I finished today. A friend of mine plays a violin that was made in 1757 I believe. I was told to take it and paint it, but no way. A picture would work just fine.

Island in the Sky 8in x 10in Oil on Canvas Board

2010-11-29T17:30:00.003-05:00

Some times I like to take a poem that I have written and paint a picture to match the poem. I finished this painting today. I like what I have created. An island floating in the sky. I think it would be the perfect romantic getaway.

Serenity 11in x 14in Oil on Canvas Board

2010-11-01T20:50:00.002-04:00

This is an oil painting I just completed tonight. I titled it, “Serenity”, because this is a bench that I visit in Tyler State Park. I love the way the two big trees make a natural arch over the bench. Last week as I sat there surrounded by the beautiful colors of fall and looking at the way the sunlight illuminated the leaves put the need inside of me to capture the experience in a painting.

I often sat there and watched the ducks and geese swim in the river, as I listened to the sounds of nature. I collect my thoughts there that sometimes seem to float down to me like the leaves that splash color upon the landscape.

It is my hope that through this painting I have shared a part of this serenity with you.

Bucks County Playhouse 8in x 10in Oil on Canvas Board

2010-09-01T19:16:00.003-04:00

This is an 8in x 10in original oil painting of the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, PA. It was built in the late 1700’s and operated as a mill. In the 1930’s it was bought and turned into the Bucks County Playhouse. I have seen many excellent plays there over the years and was saddened to hear it is going to be auctioned off. It is my hope that this historical site survives as a playhouse for the entertainment of many generations to come. Since New Hope is an art community in its own right, my hopes remain high that it will endure.

Butterfly Reunion 8in x 10in Oil on Canvas Board

2010-08-03T20:42:00.003-04:00

This is an oil painting that I just finished of a butterfly bush with very content butterflies savoring the flower’s sweet nectar. I have a butterfly bush next door and it is a beautiful sight to behold when it is in full bloom and the butterflies come to call.

Margarita Night 8in x 10in Oil on Canvas Board

2010-07-11T17:36:00.000-04:00

I painted a nice, cool and inviting margarita. It is a nice treat from time to time to help chase away those hot day blues. I painted it on canvas board primed with black gesso.

Fire in the Sky 11in x 14in Oil on Canvas Board

2010-07-11T17:34:00.001-04:00

We have been experiencing record breaking heat here in PA. So I decided to paint something that would radiate the feeling of heat. When I look at this painting, I can feel the heat.

Phalaenopsis Violacea Orchid 8in x 10in Oil on Canvas Board

2010-06-28T21:35:00.003-04:00

This is a painting that I just completed. Orchids come in so many sizes, shapes and colors that it would take a lifetime to paint them all, and you would still have only scratched the surface.

This orchid is called Phalaenopsis Violacea. It is a beautiful delicate orchid that I painted in oil on a 8in x 10in Pintura canvas board.

Lily Pond 10in x 8in Oil on Canvas Board

2010-06-05T12:56:00.002-04:00

This is a painting that I did for Robert and Betsy Taylor. It is the lily pond in there back yard. I finished it today and will give it to them in a week or so.

Dawn at the Cape 14" x 11" Oil on Canvas Board

2010-05-30T19:49:00.000-04:00

Dawn at the Cape 14in x 11in Oil on Canvas Board

This is a painting of a lighthouse that I just completed. I call it, “Dawn at the Cape”. The peaceful approach of the dawn is my favorite scene whenever I go to the shore. It holds the promise of a new day and all the possibilities that come with it. I hope you enjoy, “Dawn at the Cape”, as much as I enjoyed painting it.

Lighthouse (Approaching Storm) 16' x 20" Oil on Canvas

2010-05-16T18:46:00.002-04:00

This is a painting that I finished today. It is oil on a 16” x 20” stretched canvas. I tried to capture a lighthouse as a storm was approaching. I used a sharp contrast of light to bring out the highlights that would soon disappear as the storm overtook the area. I hope you enjoy my painting..

Oceanside View 8" x 10" Oil on Canvas Board

2010-05-01T22:31:00.002-04:00

I was walking on the Ocean City, NJ shore when I came upon these pilons. There standing on the pilons were two seagulls. When I went to take the picture I saw a sailboat coming into view. I waited a few seconds and caught the moment. I decided to try and paint the scene.

Jim Beam Decanter 6" x 8" Oil on Gesso Primed Ceramic

2010-05-01T08:36:00.001-04:00

This is a painting of a Jim Beam decanter. It is 6” x 8” oil on a gesso primed ceramic tile. I thought it would be a cool idea to be able to display the painting with the subject. I may do more of these. I have a lot of the Jim Beam decanter bottles I bought at flea markets.

Willow Hill Covered Bridge 8” x 10” Oil on Canvas Board

2010-04-05T21:41:00.002-04:00

This is a painting that I just finished. I love going to Lancaster, PA and I have a fondness for Covered Bridges. To me, covered bridges are a look into the past and a glimpse into a bygone era. I find it pleasant to visit the past and imagine how it was during that simpler time. I hope you enjoy my painting.

Can't See the Forest for the Trees 16" x 20" Oil on Stretched Canvas

2010-03-13T21:54:00.002-05:00

This oil painting reminded me of the old say, "You can't see the forest for the trees". I tried to create that illusion.

Philadelphia Flower Show 2010

2010-03-07T20:42:00.004-05:00

I went to the Philadelphia Flower Show today. It was a beautiful show and I took many pictures. Here is a sampling of the show. If you ever get a chance to attend it will be a wonderful experience.

At the Barn 8" x 10" Oil on Ceramic Tile.

2010-03-01T19:45:00.001-05:00

I love to walk around the countryside and take pictures of old barns. There are a lot of old barns in VA. The old tobacco barns are my favorite. I guess it is because they are a product of a bygone era. This painting is a red barn that I liked. It wasn’t nearly as old as the old log and mud tobacco barns, but I thought it had a peaceful feeling to it.

Amish Trip

2010-02-21T18:12:00.002-05:00

I spent the weekend in Lancaster, PA. The Amish countryside was beautiful in the snow setting. It was a wonderful trip and a wonderful way to spend the weekend. I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed being there and taking them.

Remembering 8" x 10" Oil on Ceramic Tile

2010-01-08T00:34:00.004-05:00

I was thinking of a poem I wrote and wanted to do a painting that went along with that poem. This was my attempt.

Such Is Love

I have filled my crystal chalice
With the rarest of vintage wines,
I have held it up against the sunlight
And marveled at its true beauty,
I have slowly savored its sweetness
And embraced its sensual essence-
Until I was intoxicated with pleasure,
I have held the empty glass
Remembering its unique bouquet,
Such is love.

Poetry Art - 8.5"x10.5" Watercolor on 140# Paper

2010-01-02T10:56:00.006-05:00

I call these two pieces poetry art. It was a way to combind my poetry with my art.

I used 140# cold pressed paper. I used the printer to apply the poem. I then stretched the paper and taped off the area to be painted. After the paintings were completed and the pieces were dried I removed the tape and took a pen and went over the poem again.

You Are is a painting from a photo I took at Core Creek Park.

Empty Nest is a painting from a photo I took at Falls Lake.

The 4 Seasons 16" x 20" Oil on Canvas

2010-01-01T09:52:00.004-05:00

This is a 4 painting collection called the 4 Seasons. I did these a couple of years ago. I tried to combine reality with abstract.

12-31-2009 Walk in the Park

2009-12-31T11:48:00.003-05:00

I woke up this morning to a fresh blanket of new snow. It seemed so appropriate for this to happen on the last day of the New Year. It was like the slate being wiped clean and leaving the future ready for what is hopefully a journey filled with laughter and beautiful memories.

I grabbed my camera and walked over in Tyler State Park and took some pictures. I hope you enjoy and have a wonderful New Year.

Awaken 20" x 16" Oil on Canvas

2009-12-29T13:21:00.002-05:00

This is another painting I did for my daughter a few years ago. I took a picture of it when I went to her house for Christmas.

Thankful 6" x 8" Oil on Ceramic Tlle

2009-12-28T12:53:00.001-05:00

I was watching the birds on one my bird feeders during the big snow storm a few days ago. This cardinal looked so thankful for some food, as the snow came down and started laying down a blanket over everything. I took a picture of him and tried to capture the moment. The evergreens in the background had started collecting snow on some of the branches. It was a pretty scene.

A View from the Past 16" x 20" Oil on Canvas

2009-12-28T12:48:00.000-05:00

This is a painting I did for my daughter. She said she wanted a red barn with a window. I really added the paint to this one to get the weathered paint effect. I also used the palette knife to add the thickness of paint I was looking for. I placed a couple of trees in front to give it a little substance. I gave it to her at Thanksgiving. It was hanging on her wall at Christmas.

Core Creek 10" x 8" oil on Canvas

2009-12-19T23:38:00.000-05:00

This fall I was walking around Core Creek Park. When I saw the white dome of the building shinning in the sunlight and the way the leaves and shrubs caught the sunlight, I took some pictures. After downloading the pictures I knew I would have to try and paint it. So this is what I came up with.

Schofield Ford Covered Bridge 10" x 8" Oil on Canvas

2009-12-19T23:31:00.000-05:00

I walked down to the Schofield Ford Bridge at Tyler State Park and took some pictures in late spring this year. Since the bridge is not painted it was a challenge to capture the true color, because it took on the colors of the wood, sky and surrounding forest.

Red Barn 10" x 8" Oil on Canvas

2009-12-19T23:24:00.000-05:00

This painting is a red barn that I painted for Kim and Mike Farson. I went walking around taking pictures of the barns on their farm in Virginia. I will give it to them on Christmas. I hope they like it.

Leaf Study 8" x 6" Oil on Ceramic Tile

2009-12-19T23:14:00.001-05:00

I went out in the yard and picked up a few leafs to paint. I was also experimenting with painting on ceramic tile. I put 2 coats of gesso on the tile and then painted over top of it. It made an interesting surface in which to paint.