3″x2″ visible painting size, 5″x4″ including frame. Easel stand shown is not included, since the frame has an easel back so that it can stand up on its own. It also has a hanging hook on the back if you’d prefer to hang it.
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I ran out of varnish and had to drive all the way to Norwalk CT to get the kind I wanted! I spend the remainder of the day varnishing paintings and then priming panels…..No painting for the weary!

So, today’s painting is an older work that I enjoy a lot, which has not been shown here. It’s a 3×2″ miniature painting of my friend’s boat out on the lake. The painting is already framed in this elegant, gold wood frame. It is the perfect accessory for a side table, coffee table, dresser top, or shelf.

8x10 and smaller, Available, Boats and Ships, Brewster and North Salem, Hudson River Valley, Jamie's Jewels miniature gems, Landscape, Peach Lake and Brook | No Comments »

8 x 12″, Pastels on Wallis professional sanded paper, unframed
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.
Available with custom ivory/gold double mat for a standard 16×20 frame for an additional $30.

Below is a picture of my setup, with the painting in progress.

9x12 to 12x24, Demos/Work in Progress, Sold, Still Life | No Comments »

Hudson River Splendor — Hudson River Quadricentennial Series No. 22
5×7″, Oils on Ampersand Gessoboard
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This is the gorgeous Hudson River view from Olana, home of Hudson River School artist Frederic Church. I was there one night when there was a stupendous sunset, and took as many photos as I could! This is a color study for a larger painting I’d like to do. It gave me a chance to see if the sky colors and values would work, and I’ve decided that they do!

Olana is one of my favorite places to paint, with this stunning overview of the river and the Catskill Mountains in the distance. On the right evening, the scene lights up like a torch.

In celebration of the Hudson River Quadricentennial, I am doing a special series of Hudson River paintings. This one is Number 22 of that series.

8x10 and smaller, Catskill Mountains, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Quadricentennial Series, Hudson River School, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Olana and Hudson NY, Sold, Sunrise/Sunset | No Comments »

11×14″, Oils on canvas covered hardboard
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

This painting was a composite of two photos. Often when I work from photos, I need to find several in order to satisfy what I feel is necessary to make a good painting. When I’m out on location, painting en plein air, I can always move trees, mountains, clouds, or other elements that lie outside of the “picture frame”. Even nature needs to be moved around a bit from time to time!

9x12 to 12x24, Landscape, Lighthouses, Sold, Sunrise/Sunset | No Comments »

10×8″, Oils on canvas
Email me at JamieWG@aol.com if interested in this painting.

This is a plein air painting that I did at New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. It was a beautiful day, and I set up in the courtyard garden facing the conservancy building. Just as I was finished setting up, an elderly couple came along. The man took a seat on the bench behind me, while the woman went off to further explore the gardens.

I lifted my brush to make the first stroke, and a strong voice behind me said, “Aren’t you going to draw first? I think you should draw first.”

I could see that I was going to have a critic on board for this painting. The woman had done a quick disappearing act, and already I suspected I knew why.

As diplomatically as I could, I explained to the man that I do my drawing with paint. He grumbled. And so, I began. Those who paint know that we generally start with the large masses and work to the details. I started laying in the dark foliage and the form of the building.

“What about the windows? You’re forgetting the windows! Put those in now!”

He continued to try to direct my painting, but I stuck to my methods. He became increasingly frustrated as I went about my work my own way. Finally his wife came back for him. The man turned to his wife, pointed to me, and said indignantly, “This lady didn’t want to paint the windows first.”

She asked me, “How is the painting going? Has he been giving you a hard time?”

“Well, I’m getting critiqued!” I replied.

She laughed and said, “I’m sure you are!”, as she helped him up and they went on their way.

8x10 and smaller, Available, Landscape, Plein Air--painted on location | 2 Comments »

12×16″, Oils on canvas covered hardboard
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

This is a late afternoon, early fall scene of the Shawangunkill River around sunset. This magnificent waterway courses through the town of Gardiner, New York, near New Paltz.

9x12 to 12x24, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Sold, Sunrise/Sunset | No Comments »

16×12″, Golden OPEN Acrylics on canvas covered hardboard
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Visiting the Hudson River School show at the Thomas Cole Historical Site last Friday made me think about many of my own paintings of the Hudson River, and how our contemporary, plein air pieces fit into the grand scheme of things. The Hudson River School paintings are filled with details, and tell a story about man’s journey—past, present and future. In the years before paint tubes, it wasn’t so easy to transport paints and equipment out into the field. As I looked over those paintings, I recognized many bits and pieces of the locations. The artists would go out into the field and sketch these bits and pieces, then come back into the studio and combine them into a grand work with a foreground, middle ground, and horizon, incorporating figures and animals representing man’s mark on the landscape and his journey.

I look at the Hudson River as a theme that flows through my work. I think those of us who paint plein air have been heavily influenced by many factors through the generations. While there are ateliers and painting schools that teach the techniques of the Hudson River School painters of past generations, there are also those who have been heavily influenced by the Impressionists, and the immediacy necessary to capture a scene on location under the conditions of changing light. It will be very interesting for those in future generations to trace back through these Hudson River styles as a more direct painting approach evolved.

As for me, I plan to go out and continue to paint my favorite river. I suppose I will leave it to the art historians to determine how we fit into the spectrum of art history!

This is a scene painted from a lovely waterfront park along the Hudson River in Nyack, New York. It faces the Tappan Zee Bridge, which was just barely emerging from the fog as I set up to paint.

9x12 to 12x24, Available, Boats and Ships, Golden OPEN Acrylic Paintings, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River School, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Nyack Area, Plein Air--painted on location | 1 Comment »

6×8″, Golden OPEN Acrylics on 300 lb Saunders Waterford watercolor paper
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

Painting along the shoreline of the Hudson River has great therapeutic value! This was painted on location at sunset.

8x10 and smaller, Boats and Ships, Golden OPEN Acrylic Paintings, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Plein Air--painted on location, Sold, Sunrise/Sunset | No Comments »

There is a show of paintings by the Hudson River School artists at Cedar Grove, the Thomas Cole Historical Site. The show is titled River Views of the Hudson River School, and celebrates the Hudson River Quadricentennial. There are fifteen paintings in the show which feature the Hudson River and its surroundings, mostly in the Catskill area where the show is taking place! The paintings are on loan from private collections and will be in the show until October 11.

I’m going to try to see this show asap….maybe even tomorrow! To read more about the show and the Thomas Cole Historic Site, click here to visit their website. There is a PDF file there that you can download with lots of information.

Shows and News | 3 Comments »

5×7″, Oils on Ampersand Gessoboard
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

I’m doing a lot of small studies for larger paintings lately. This is a scene painted from a photo I took up at Garrison Castle, overlooking the Hudson River. It’s not surprising that Frederic Church of the Hudson River School painters selected this site for the Osborn family to build their castle in the sky!

This is a view straight up the Hudson River, where the currents are the most treacherous, and the river channel narrows and wraps around West Point Military Academy. Those are the buildings of West Point silhouetted in the painting in the foreground peninsula.

The scene is so complex, and takes in many of the most famous spots in the Hudson Highlands. You can see the point of Breakneck Ridge on the right, and Bannerman Island even further upriver. The mountain farthest back on the left is Storm King, and the Catskills are straight ahead off in the distance. The Hudson illuminates at sunset from this high vantage point.

I think this sunset view through the Hudson Highlands from above is deserving of a really, really big painting sometime in the not too distant future!

This painting is Number 21 from my Hudson River Quadricentennial Series, celebrating the 400 year anniversary of Henry Hudson’s travels up the river.

8x10 and smaller, Bannerman Island, Cold Spring and Garrison, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Quadricentennial Series, Hudson River School, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Sold, Sunrise/Sunset | No Comments »

Golden OPEN Acrylics on 100% rag board, framed
2″ x 1.75″ framed size
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.
Painting will be sent with miniature display easel and gold gift box.

You can click here to see more of “Jamie’s Jewels Miniature Gems”. If you don’t see one you like, consider commissioning one from your favorite scene! They make great gift items, and are budget-friendly original works of art.

This miniature sunrise is the perfect size to wear as a pin, or to set on the miniature easel where it can be admired. It is set in a beautifully detailed, classic gold frame. The quarter is there for size reference, so you can see what a tiny gem this is!

Here is a closer view:

On my monitor, this is about actual size. Depending on the size of your screen and your resolution, it may show larger or smaller for you:

I think this is one of the best miniature paintings I’ve done, so I’m pretty excited about it!

8x10 and smaller, Brewster and North Salem, Golden OPEN Acrylic Paintings, Jamie's Jewels miniature gems, Landscape, Peach Lake and Brook, Sold, Sunrise/Sunset | No Comments »

Yikes….I think I’m going to be very, very careful from now on when painting at the top of Kaaterskill Falls! The park rangers say that accidents like this happen every year. It is so tragic. From the top of the falls, the sides are very sheer. Climbing down there is extremely dangerous. It’s unfortunate that they cannot prevent people from attempting to ascend and descend the falls.

New York – NYSP SP Catskill Accidental Death Investigation
By admin • Jun 14th, 2009 • Category: News

Mullins had been hiking with one other person and was descending the slope when he slipped on loose shale and mud. Mullins fell approximately 60 feet off of a cliff and struck rocks below the trail. An autopsy was performed at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany and the cause of death was listed as multiple traumas due to the fall.

Shows and News | No Comments »

6×8″, Oils on canvas covered hardboard
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

The DEC said that we couldn’t build a pond along the stream in the woods, but the beavers kindly did it for us! I set my stool out there yesterday and enjoyed listening to the frogs and birds as I painted this. Occasionally, a duck would come in for a landing, plunking down into the water.

I used my little 6×8″ Guerrilla Painter Thumbox. I love that thing! With the palette extension on, there is enough mixing space for 5×7, 6×6 and 6×8 paintings.

Palette:
Rembrandt Transparent Oxide Red underpainting
Cadmium Yellow Lemon
Cadmium Red Medium
Ultramarine Blue
Viridian
Ivory Black
Titanium White

8x10 and smaller, Catskill Mountains, Greene County, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Palenville and Catskill, Plein Air--painted on location, Sold | No Comments »

5×7″, Oils on sealed, primed hardboard
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

This was yesterday’s sunrise over the Hudson River, painted on location in Nyack.

8x10 and smaller, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Quadricentennial Series, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Nyack Area, Plein Air--painted on location, Sold, Sunrise/Sunset | No Comments »

6×6″, Oils on sealed, primed hardboard
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I painted down in Nyack this morning. The skies were mostly overcast, but periodically there would be a break of brilliant sunshine that flooded the landscape with bright light. One of the Tall Ships was sailing off in the distance. I think it was the Mystic Whaler. It didn’t make it into my painting, but was a wonderful accompaniment to my morning by the shore!

These are the same trees that have those beautiful purple blossoms in spring. I was so sorry that they were no longer blooming, but I did put some hints of the violets into them as a hint of what they are.

8x10 and smaller, Available, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Quadricentennial Series, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Nyack Area, Plein Air--painted on location | No Comments »

8×10, Watercolor on Fabriano Artistico 140#cp
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I’ve been so eager to work with watercolor this week, perhaps because of all the rain we’ve been having. This is painted from a photo of a tree out on a peninsula on the lake here at home. I loved the reflections of the colors and tree in the water, and the large, brooding clouds way above.

8x10 and smaller, Available, Brewster and North Salem, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Sunrise/Sunset, Watercolor Wednesdays | 2 Comments »

9×12, Oils on canvas covered hardboard
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This painting was done on location while the Onrust was docked in Newburgh. It is Number 18 of my Hudson River Quadricentennial Series, in celebration of Henry Hudson’s voyage up the Hudson 400 years ago. This beautiful replica ship was constructed in New York by 250 volunteers! You can read more about the recreation of the Onrust here.

Leave it to me to forget my camera when I went to paint this on Monday. Even though I have a note saying “CAMERA” posted on the door to the garage, I often forget to take it along. The painting needed a little studio finishing, which I had to do from memory, plus I used the watercolor painting I did that day.

9x12 to 12x24, Available, Boats and Ships, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Quadricentennial Series, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Plein Air--painted on location | No Comments »

5×7″, Watercolor, double matted in ivory/gold to 8×10″, framed in antique gold/black, Price includes mat and frame
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Today I went to see the Tall Ships as they docked in Newburgh, NY. They are on their way up the Hudson River in a Quadricentennial Celebration. Leave it to me to forget my camera. Ouch! But at least I had paints and sketching materials with me. The Half Moon and the Onrust were there. I settled in to paint the Onrust, and I’ll try to do the Half Moon later in the week at one of the other stops it will make as it journeys northward. You can read more about the recreation of the Onrust here.

I started out with this little 5×7″ watercolor, and also did an oil painting that I need to finish up in the studio, hopefully tomorrow. I’ve double matted and framed this painting in a lovely ivory/gold double mat, and a black and gold wood frame. Price includes mat and frame as shown below. It looks soooo much better in real life than in the photo!

Here is an image of the painting alone:

I hope to have the oil painting completed to show tomorrow!

8x10 and smaller, Available, Boats and Ships, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Quadricentennial Series, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Plein Air--painted on location, Watercolor Wednesdays | 5 Comments »

8×16″, Oils on sealed, primed hardboard
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The other day, I saw these boats all lined up along the shoreline here by the lake and couldn’t wait to get out and do a wide-format painting of them. The clouds broke for a few hours today, so I dashed out during my window of opportunity. With rain this morning and more rain coming in later, I lucked out with a perfect midday break in the weather.

9x12 to 12x24, Available, Boats and Ships, Brewster and North Salem, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Peach Lake and Brook, Plein Air--painted on location | No Comments »

5×7″, Golden OPEN Acrylics on Fabriano Artistico hp watercolor paper, beautifully double-matted in ivory/gold to fit any standard 8×10″ frame (mat included in price)
Paypal buttons are temporarily disabled. Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com if interested in this painting.

This was painted from the Waterfront Park along the Hudson in Athens, NY. I actually went there hoping that one of the Tall Ships would be there that will be parading up the Hudson next week. Unfortunately, no ship was there, but these red benches looking out over the river under the Chestnut Tree captured my attention. Without a ship, they became the focal point of my painting. Two women came along and sat down on one of the benches, chatting and gazing out onto the water, so I popped them into the painting too!

8x10 and smaller, Available, Boats and Ships, Golden OPEN Acrylic Paintings, Greene County, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Quadricentennial Series, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Plein Air--painted on location | 2 Comments »

6×8″, oils on canvas-covered hardboard
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I went to my friend Marcia’s house for lunch the other day. Next door to her, there’s a fabulous view with a red barn and distant mountains. It was very overcast in the morning, and raining later in the day. However, in between there, while I was painting, the weather was picture-perfect! Somehow I got that ideal window of opportunity. I knew the wet weather was supposed to move in, so I just did this little one. It started to rain just as I was finished and packing up to leave!

8x10 and smaller, Available, Catskill Mountains, Greene County, Landscape, Plein Air--painted on location | No Comments »

8×10″, Golden OPEN Acrylics on sized archival matboard
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My friend Nancy and I went up to the top of Kaaterskill Falls yesterday morning. We didn’t expect it to be so cold and blustery out there on the ridge at the mountaintop! We weren’t dressed for those kinds of conditions. We thought we’d been there for hours because we were so chilled, but when we asked a passing hiker what time it was, we learned it was only 9:39am!

Back in the days of the Hudson River School painters, there was a dam constructed near this site. Tourists would pay to see the falls (from the bottom), and water would then be released from the dam for a spectacular display. The dam is no longer there, but there was still plenty of water rushing over the edge while I was painting!

For this venture, I used the foamcore pochade box I made. It weighs almost nothing, fits in my backpack, and even holds four wet panels. When I’m painting in the Catskills, I know I can always find a rock or fallen tree trunk to sit on, so instead of a stool, I carry a very light closed cell foam cushion in my backpack. They can be found in gardening centers; they’re actually made for gardeners to kneel on as they work.

8x10 and smaller, Available, Catskill Mountains, Golden OPEN Acrylic Paintings, Greene County, Hudson River School, Landscape, Plein Air--painted on location | No Comments »

6×8″, Oils on sealed, primed hardboard
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Our back yard along the brook is too wet to mow this time of year. The sweet Forget-Me-Nots take over there and create an exquisite mass of tiny blue flowers beneath the Purple Martin house.

8x10 and smaller, Available, Brewster and North Salem, Flower Gardens and Flowering Trees, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Plein Air--painted on location | 1 Comment »

I did it! I know I’m way behind the times, but I finally got onto Twitter. You can follow me by clicking the “follow” button on the JamieArtist widget on the left sidebar <---- . Hopefully over the next couple of weeks I'll be able to figure this thing out. I'm hoping this keeps me more in touch with everybody as I run around my crazy life!

I didn't paint today, as I'm getting ready for my Rhinebeck show. The Opening Reception is June 5 from 5:30-7:30pm, at 6423 Montgomery Street, Second Floor, Rhinebeck, NY. You’re all invited! Come see Hudson River Valley landscape paintings done by four members of the juried, international Daily Painters group. There are 167 artists in the group, and four of us who are within a couple of hours of Rhinebeck are gathering ourselves and our work together to meet and greet our viewers. Come join us for a wine and munchies celebration with great art. Here is the front of our post card for the show. Can you pick out which painting is mine?

Shows and News | 3 Comments »

12×16″, Oils on Raymar canvas panel
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One more amazing day along the Hudson River at Nyack Beach State Park….I was surprised to find the Royal Paulownia trees still in full bloom. Everybody was out walking along the path with smiles on their faces in the warm breeze.

9x12 to 12x24, Available, Flower Gardens and Flowering Trees, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Quadricentennial Series, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Nyack Area, Plein Air--painted on location | No Comments »

6×8″, Oils on canvas covered hardboard
Paypal buttons are temporarily disabled. Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com if interested in this painting.

I went to paint by a lake in Newburgh, New York with some friends from the Lower Hudson Valley Plein Air Painters. This little boat by the shoreline beckoned me. I sure he was disappointed that he attracted an artist instead of a fisherman!

8x10 and smaller, Available, Boats and Ships, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Plein Air--painted on location | 1 Comment »

12×16″, Oils on Raymar canvas panel
Email me at JamieWG@aol.com if interested in this painting.

I got to Nyack very early yesterday morning, while the sun was still very low in the sky. It glowed at the horizon, and struck the face of the Palisades cliffs head on. The purple Royal Paulownia trees were blooming all over the base of the cliffs. I had to walk a half mile along the path with all my painting gear, but as soon as I arrived at this location, I knew I’d met my muse for the day!

9x12 to 12x24, Available, Boats and Ships, Flower Gardens and Flowering Trees, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Quadricentennial Series, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Nyack Area, Plein Air--painted on location | 1 Comment »

6×8″, Oils on sealed, primed hardboard
Paypal buttons are temporarily disabled. Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com if interested in this painting.

While painting this yesterday in Nyack in the cold and intense wind, many people stopped to chat and admire the painting. One woman, after commenting on the diversity of the New York landscape, said, “I love New York! I love the Hudson River, the fall colors, the skies, and even the snobby New York City folks!”

Aside from any snobby New York City folks (and I haven’t encountered many!), I have to agree with her. So, I named the painting I Love New York. It’s hard to beat a view of Paulownia Trees along the Hudson River with dramatic skies!

8x10 and smaller, Available, Flower Gardens and Flowering Trees, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Quadricentennial Series, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Nyack Area, Plein Air--painted on location | No Comments »

10×8″, Oils on Raymar canvas panel
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

My plein air painting buddy, Sue, wanted to go paint at Nyack Beach State Park this morning. Conditions were freezing cold, very windy, and overcast. I was honestly not thrilled about this idea, but didn’t want my friend to have to go alone. I packed my winter coat, a thermos of coffee and lunch, and hit the road at 7am.

Imagine my joy upon arriving there and seeing these exquisite Royal Paulownia Trees along the path beside the Hudson River as it wound through the park. (I confess that I didn’t know what they were, but I asked the Park Ranger!) We didn’t get much sunshine, but the skies were a lot more interesting than just those silvery, heavily overcast days. I’m so glad I went. In fact, I’m going back tomorrow!

8x10 and smaller, Flower Gardens and Flowering Trees, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Quadricentennial Series, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Nyack Area, Plein Air--painted on location, Sold | No Comments &#