Studio Tour, South Orange and Maplewood

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Radish Duo : color pencil

Alas - a previous engagement with a nephew in need of a squashing prevents me from attending this year's Studio Tour. I am sorry I won't be able to check out my friend Sarah Petruziello's brand spanking new studio, or to catch up with Jennifer' Takahashi's new large paintings,  smile at Florence Wint's fabulous new collages or enjoy Joy Yagid's latest photos

Maybe you can take my place this year

Sunday June 5 11-5pm www.studiotoursoma.org/ Advance Tickets/Maps are available now

But even though I will not be posing as an honorary Maplewoodian this year, I will have work at two of the venues in downtown South Orange, perhaps making me an Honorary Orange-i-tang?

I would like to thank Ben from the very popular Kitchen a la Mode for clearing some space to show my kitchen and foodie flavored still life drawings and paintings. And when you are done there, take a hop over the road for a slurp of fresh squeezed lemonade at Stony's and sample the landscapes of  local artists Annette Kushen, Denise Hardie, Elaine Durbach and yours truly of course.

June 3- 6 Kitchen a la Mode 19 South Orange Avenue, South Orange, NJ 07079-1716 www.kitchenalamode.net/

Summer 2011 Stonys 10 Sloan St South Orange, NJ 07079 www.stonysburgers.com/

Come for a Squelch at the Mayapple Festival

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Spring Forest : hand embellished giclee print

The Weather Channel promises me that there will only be a 30% chance of scattered showers this Saturday. That's better than the 100% chance of rain forecast for the next 3 days. So if you have raging cabin fever by Saturday, then pull on your wellies and come out for a squelch through the woods to see what has sprung up - I'd hazard a guess at some wicked mushrooms.

I am going to try sacrificing a tomato again, as it worked so well last weekend, but I would grab an umbrella just in case!

Saturday May 21st Art Fair 10 - 4 pm

Guided Hikes Hike to Washington Rock 10am  Stroll to Hemlock Falls 1pm Wildflower and Forest Preserve 3 pm

Live Music Millburn’s Dean Russo, acoustic guitar, 1 - 1:30 pm West Orange’s Dean Shot, blues combo, 1:30 - 2:30pm Headliner: Livingston Leo, 2:30 - 4pm

Location:

Essex County South Mountain Reservation

Summit Field (across from the dog park)

Crest Drive

South Orange, NJ

(map)

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Summer Tomatoes Sacrificed

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Tomatoes Marching | 6x12" | oil painting | SOLD

Oh Most Caprious God of Weather I have sacrificed the juiciest red tomato in your honor Please bow your head in acceptance of this gift and send us a little sunshine today to illuminate our art fair And remind us all that summer really has arrived

(and if you could possibly send a few art lovers in need of a tomato painting by way of Caldwell, NJ that would be pretty sweet too!)

Saturday May 14, 10 – 5pm Art on the Avenue Bloomfield Avenue Caldwell, NJ

If the weather god rejects my juicy offering ... Rain Date : Sunday May 15

Slurp some Juicy Fruit this Weekend

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Grapefruit Spoon - 20" x 16" oil painting

Stop by Caldwell, NJ this Saturday to see the largest of the grapefruit paintings from this Spring's painting frenzy

You can enjoy lots of original art from local New Jersey artists and hopefully a little warming Spring sunshine - fingers crossed! (If it does rain on Saturday, stop by on Sunday instead!)

My new juicy oil paintings, many fresh from the easel this year, will be exhibited in my booth

Stop by for a Slurp!

May 14 10 - 5pm Art on the Avenue Bloomfield Avenue Caldwell, NJ

Snow Goose Miniature Show

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Across Sunset Pond, miniature color pencil landscape

I have been browsing through the Snow Goose Gallery's annual miniature show, and it seems some Celebratory Pie may be in order!

A mellow reminder of a summer's evening in Maine is off to a new home, to fuel some lingering daydreams or maybe to stir a few fragrant memories

You too can browse through the whole show online, and see if one of the mini treasures stirs something in your soul

http://thesnowgoosegallery.com/new_page_2.htm

May 1 - June 12 19th Invitational Exhibition of Fine Art Miniatures The Snow Goose Gallery 470 Main Street Bethlehem, PA www.thesnowgoosegallery.com/

Flowers for Mothers Day

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Presby Iris Gardens

Drop by the Preby Iris Gardens this weekend to sample the delightful show prepared by Mother Nature, then step inside to enjoy a gallery filled with small works of art inspired by her handiwork. Each piece of art will be under 12" and afforabley priced - a neat little package of beauty to brighten up any spot in your home...or as a last minute surprise gift for Mum

If you are in need of a mini garden retreat for your own summer daydreams, then check out my wee color pencil miniature landscapes included in the show

Reception : 6-9pm Friday May 6 May 6 - 10 Art in the Garden Presby Iris Gardens 474 Upper Mountain Avenue Montclair, NJ

Pink Grapefruit, Segmented

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small oil painting of pink grapefruit segment

I am still loving painting these delicious juicy pink grapefruits. It was good fun to paint the opaque dusty soft flesh, as well as the translucent segment with the light shining through, making it glow in the last of the winter sunshine

Pink Grapefruit, Segmented 6" x 6" oil painting

buy this mini painting on etsy

Pink Grapefruit Diet : still on track

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Pink Grapefruit, Split and Segmented, oil painting on paper  |  SOLD

Grapefruits are lovely squashed globes - never quite spherical until you unwrap them. I love that shucking noise they make as you split them apart, the delicate layer of skin tearing to reveal the juicy pink segment beneath and setting your taste buds tingling in anticipation

Still getting those delicious wafts of grapefruit permeating the studio - it makes a lovely change from molding trash I must say

"Pink Grapefruit, Split and Segmented" signed, original still life oil painting on paper by Jo Bradney

image : 10” x 9” mat : standard 20" x 16" * easy to frame yourself *

For sale on Etsy

Pink Grapefruit Seduction

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Pink Grapefruit, Undressing, small oil painting on paper  |  SOLD

I am fed up with waiting for the tangerines to go mouldy so they can feature in the next Carbon Footprint, so in the mean time I am treating myself to a burst of pink grapefruit. If they get their act together and time it just right, maybe they can all be in the same picture - a fuzzy citrus extravaganza

This is that seductive first spiral, when you dare to imagine that just this once you might get the whole peel off all in one go. Right before it breaks as usual Grapefruit skin is just too thick to create a slinky spiral The zetsy perfume wafting through the studio right now is quite seductive too.

"Pink Grapefruit, Undressing" signed, original still life oil painting on paper

image : 10.5” x 9” mat : standard 20" x 16" * easy to frame yourself *

For sale on Etsy

What Does a Cookie Know? Carbon Footprint #43

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Cookie Consultation - charcoal still life drawing  |  SOLD

Despite multiple consultations, that darn cookie did not foresee last week's technical *hiccup* that crashed this blog. Maybe I was unwise to eat those Misfortune Cookies after all

So here is a belated wish that your Year of the Rabbit delivers multiplying health and happiness and breeds many creative opportunities

"Cookie Consultation" charcoal 12" x 10" For sale on Etsy