5×7″, Oils on canvas covered hardboard
$125.00 plus $10 shipping and insurance within the Continental United States. Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com for International purchases or with any questions.

I did a few tweaks on this one and also added the ducks. They didn’t understand why they were in the sketch and didn’t make it into the painting!

This is the painting I started yesterday on location at the Newburgh waterfront. Cold, cold, cold! I’m hoping for at least one warmer day next week! The island is Bannerman Island, home to some amazing castle ruins.

8x10 and smaller, Available, Bannerman Island, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Plein Air--painted on location, Winter and Snow Scenes | 1 Comment »

8×10, Acrylics on canvas covered hardboard
Email me at JamieWG@aol.com if interested in this painting.

This was painted from the boat dock during a recent trip out to Bannerman Island. Opportunities to go out to the island are so rare, and I truly cherish the painting time out there! The castle structures are exquisite. A winter storm brought down two large walls on the other side of this castle. 50% of the proceeds of the sale of this painting go to Bannerman Castle Trust for protection and maintenance of the castles on the island.

8x10 and smaller, Available, Bannerman Island, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Plein Air--painted on location, acrylic paintings | 2 Comments »

12×16″, Golden OPEN acrylics on canvas covered hardboard
Email me at JamieWG@aol.com if interested in this painting.

I stood out on a sand bar off Bannerman Island at low tide to take the photo from which this was painted. I also did a gouache sketch while I was out there on the sand bar. The tide came in before I realized it, and I had to wade back to shore!

8x12 to 12x24, Available, Bannerman Island, Fall, Golden OPEN Acrylic Paintings, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Valley, Landscape | No Comments »

16×12″, Golden Fluid Acrylics on sealed, primed hardboard
Email me at JamieWG@aol.com if interested in this painting.

This is a companion painting to Bannerman Archway to the Hudson, which I posted yesterday. Half the proceeds from the sale of this painting will go to Bannerman Castle Trust for stabilization and restoration of the structures on the Island.

8x12 to 12x24, Available, Bannerman Island, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Valley, Landscape | No Comments »

16×12″, Golden Fluid Acrylics on sealed, primed hardboard
Email me at JamieWG@aol.com if interested in this painting.

This painting of one of the arches from the famous Bannerman Castle is but a memory of what was. A huge collapse of the castle wall destroyed this magical archway to the Hudson River. I feel so fortunate to have been able to paint there and take photos while much of the structure was still intact. It is my hope that enough money can be raised to strengthen the remaining portions of the structure and preserve whatever is left. Half the proceeds from the sale of this painting goes to Bannerman Castle Trust for repairs of the castle.

8x12 to 12x24, Available, Bannerman Island, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Valley, Landscape | 1 Comment »

12×9″, Watercolor on Fabriano Artistico
Email me at JamieWG@aol.com if interested in this painting.

This was painted today from a photo I took on my last visit to Bannerman Island, which was just days before the recent major castle collapse. Half of the proceeds of the sale of this painting will go to Bannerman Castle Trust to assist their efforts to shore up the remaining structures and prevent further collapse of the magnificent ruins.

8x12 to 12x24, Available, Bannerman Island, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Watercolor | 1 Comment »

While out painting at Bannerman Island with friends two weeks ago, we were offered a show at Bannerman Island Gallery! The opening is this Saturday, November 14, 4-8pm. I’ll have some of my new fall works there, including the one featured below.

Available, Bannerman Island, Cold Spring and Garrison, Fall, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Quadricentennial Series, Hudson River School, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Plein Air--painted on location, Shows and News | No Comments »

7×5″, watercolor
Email me at JamieWG@aol.com if interested in this painting.

If you thought you missed my show at Bannerman Island Gallery….surprise! I’ve been asked to let the show run for another month! The solo show of my paintings, titled Hudson River Journeys, will run until the beginning of November. It is a celebration of the Hudson River Quadricentennial; all of the paintings feature the Hudson River from up in Athens, NY, down to the Palisades in Hastings and Nyack. Stop by to see the show on Friday, Saturday or Sunday afternoons, and enjoy the tour of the River. The gallery is located at 150 Main Street, Beacon NY. 50% of the proceeds of each sale go to benefit the restoration of Bannerman Island and its amazing, castle-like structures. The paintings are on a 10% off sale, and each purchase is accompanied by a gift from me of an 11×17″, hand-signed print of one of my paintings showing the overview from Boscobel in all its fall splendor.

Available, Bannerman Island, Hudson River Paintings, Shows and News | No 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 »

12×12″, Golden OPEN Acrylics on canvas covered hardboard
$375.00 plus $20 shipping and insurance within the Continental United States. Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com for International purchases or with any questions.

This painting was again done from the castle balcony. Breakneck Ridge was far, far in the distance, but I liked the way this square crop of the scene worked out with the weaving of the Hudson River, and Bannerman Island balancing the composition on the far left. I wished I’d had my binoculars with me while I was painting! The shadows on Breakneck Ridge are so dramatic late in the afternoon. This painting didn’t get finished until almost sunset.

8x12 to 12x24, Available, Bannerman Island, Cold Spring and Garrison, Golden OPEN Acrylic Paintings, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River School, Hudson River Valley, Landscape | No Comments »

8×10″, Golden OPEN Acrylics on Saunders Waterford 300lb cp
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

This is an afternoon scene painted on location from The Castle in Garrison, overlooking the Hudson River and the sharp curves around West Point. What a location! Breakneck Ridge was occasionally thrown into deep shadow by clouds overhead. I thought it very dramatic! The light is quite different from the morning view that I posted yesterday.

8x10 and smaller, Bannerman Island, Cold Spring and Garrison, Currently In Gallery, Golden OPEN Acrylic Paintings, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Plein Air--painted on location, Sold | No Comments »

SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.
I was able to get permission to paint at the old Garrison Castle today. I stood out on an upper floor balcony, with a straight shot above West Point, upriver, through the Hudson Highlands and beyond. You can even see Bannerman Island next to Breakneck Ridge from here. The river does a complete, tight “S” curve at this point between West Point and Constitution Island. It must be quite the navigational nightmare for a large ship. It is a staggeringly beautiful view.

It started out as a sunny day, but quickly changed over to cloudy, and then the rain showers moved in. (The photo above, painted toward the end of my session, was clearly after the light had changed!) This is a very complex scene, with layers of hills and mountains extending all the way through the Highlands, to the cliffs of the Shawangunks, and even to the Catskill Mountains beyond the Gunks. Plus, all those buildings at West Point! The shifting weather made a tough scene even harder. I had to pack it in before I could finish. There’s not too much left to do on this; I’ll either finish it from a photo I took, or else try to get permission to return.

Here it is in its current unfinished state. It’s 12×16″, oils on canvas covered hardboard. I’ll post it again when it’s finished.

8x12 to 12x24, Bannerman Island, Cold Spring and Garrison, Demos/Work in Progress, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River School, Landscape, Plein Air--painted on location, Sold | 4 Comments »

2×2.75″, Golden OPEN Acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas, easel included
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

This tiny gem of a painting features Bannerman Island Castle glowing in the afternoon light. It towers above the Hudson River and is one of the most awesome sights in the Hudson Higlands. Access to the island is restricted to public tours, so I consider myself very lucky to have been able to go out there to paint for Bannerman Island Gallery, and take photos to paint from too.

This painting will be available exclusively through the Bannerman Island Gallery beginning on Saturday, November 10. Part of the proceeds from the sale of this painting go to the upkeep and restoration of Bannerman Island Castle, structures, and grounds.
Bannerman Island Gallery
150 Main Street
Beacon, NY
For gallery hours, sales and information, contact gallery owner Neil Caplan at 845-234-3204, or email Neil at NeilCaplan@aol.com.

8x10 and smaller, Bannerman Island, Golden OPEN Acrylic Paintings, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River School, Hudson River Valley, Jamie's Jewels miniature gems, Landscape, Sold | No Comments »

2×2.75″, acrylic on gallery wrapped, stretched canvas. Easel and gift box with gold bow included. (Quarter in photo is for size reference only.)
$100 at Bannerman Island Gallery

This is the perfect holiday gift item for Hudson River School lovers and admirers of the Hudson Valley. Steeped in history and mystery, Bannerman Island and its structures, situated in the middle of the Hudson River within the Hudson Highlands, are always interesting subjects!

This painting will be available exclusively through the Bannerman Island Gallery. Part of the proceeds from the sale of this painting go to the upkeep and restoration of Bannerman Island Castle, structures, and grounds.
Bannerman Island Gallery
150 Main Street
Beacon, NY
For gallery hours, sales and information, contact gallery owner Neil Caplan at 845-234-3204, or email Neil at NeilCaplan@aol.com.

8x10 and smaller, Bannerman Island, Currently In Gallery, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River School, Hudson River Valley, Jamie's Jewels miniature gems, Landscape | No Comments »

5×7″, Golden OPEN Acrylics on Fabriano Artistico hot press 100% rag watercolor paper
Email me at JamieWG@aol.com if interested in this painting.

This was painted on location at Bannerman’s Island along the shorline by the Wee Bay. Zack, who works on maintaining the grounds there, told me he’d just cut down brush in this area, and it might make for a great painting location. He was right! The skies had cleared a bit by then, so I even had some sunshine at last.

8x10 and smaller, Available, Bannerman Island, Currently In Gallery, Hudson River Paintings, Landscape, Plein Air--painted on location | No Comments »

Acrylic on Fabriano Artistico hot press 100% rag watercolor paper
Double matted ivory/gold to 8×10″ and framed
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

Available exclusively through:
Bannerman Island Gallery
150 Main Street
Beacon, NY
For gallery hours, sales and information, contact gallery owner Neil Caplan at 845-234-3204, or email Neil at NeilCaplan@aol.com.

Here is another plein air painting from the wonderful Bannerman Island. This is the view downriver from the castle residence ruins at the peak of the island. It is quite a striking Hudson River view from up there! The skies were threatening and overcast, but it didn’t rain. When the little tug boat and huge barge went by, I snatched the opportunity and painted them in. They are so tiny next to the enormous mountains!

Here’s a photo of my setup on top of the castle ruins, before I started painting. I love using my little, featherweight pochade box for these small works. It’s about the only way to get around the island and paint.

A portion of the sale of this painting goes to Bannerman Castle Trust, which maintains the island and its structures, and undertakes renovation projects there. They also conduct guided tours to the island by boat, which can be booked through the gallery. Public access is not otherwise permitted because the structures are too dangerous.

8x10 and smaller, Bannerman Island, Currently In Gallery, Hudson River Paintings, Landscape, Plein Air--painted on location, Sold | No Comments »

Golden OPEN Acrylics on Fabriano Artistico hot press 100% rag watercolor paper
Double matted and framed to 8×10″

Available exclusively through:
Bannerman Island Gallery
150 Main Street
Beacon, NY
For gallery hours, sales and information, contact gallery owner Neil Caplan at 845-234-3204, or email Neil at NeilCaplan@aol.com.

There has been a lot of interest in my acrylics on watercolor paper, so Bannerman Castle Trust took me out to Bannerman’s Island by boat to paint more for the gallery! It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it. *big grin* I always have the time of my life when I go out there to paint, and this time was no exception!

To give you an idea of how tough it can be to get around parts of the island, here’s a picture of where I was when I painted this painting. I had to lug my equipment up the slope, and then down this side, then back up again. I initially set my chair where you see it here, but then moved it down to where I took this picture from, for the better vantage point closer to the water.

A portion of the sale of this painting goes to Bannerman Castle Trust, which maintains the island and its structures, and undertakes renovation projects there. They also conduct guided tours to the island by boat, which can be booked through the gallery. Public access is not otherwise permitted because the structures are too dangerous.

8x10 and smaller, Bannerman Island, Currently In Gallery, Golden OPEN Acrylic Paintings, Hudson River Paintings | No Comments »

2.75×2.75″, Acrylic on stretched canvas, easel included. Painting will be gift boxed.
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

The castle remains on Bannerman’s Island tower above the Hudson River like something out of a movie. While plein air painting on Bannerman’s Island, I took lots of photos of the views and castle ruins to work from in the studio. This is a view of the Armory side entrance from the path above. The painting is a diminutive 2.75″ square, and sits perfectly on the easel to liven up any spot in your home with a piece of Hudson River history. The canvas edges are painted gold as shown below, for the gem-like quality that these miniatures evoke.

Although small, these minis take as much time to paint as their larger counterparts. I love the way they look and the charm of the small scale.

8x10 and smaller, Bannerman Island, Hudson River Paintings, Jamie's Jewels miniature gems, Landscape, Sold | No Comments »

5×7″, Golden OPEN Acrylics on Fabriano Artistico rag watercolor paper

The Garden Club has been very busy dressing up the island with gorgeous annuals and perennials. This flower and vegetable garden below the residence castle has an exquisite view downriver. I painted it on location the other day in a vertical format, but I like this horizontal a lot better compositionally.

8x10 and smaller, Bannerman Island, Currently In Gallery, Golden OPEN Acrylic Paintings, Hudson River Paintings, Landscape | No Comments »

5×7″, Golden OPEN Acrylics on Fabriano Artistico (100% rag watercolor paper)
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

I’m starting to work from the photos I took at Bannerman’s Island on Friday. This was the very beginning of the excursion, as the boat circled the island before approaching the north shore. It’s a beautiful morning view as the light strikes the structures, and the still water made for vivid reflections. Someday I’d like to do a large painting of this scene. The large structure is the Bannerman Armory. The small structure on the right is one of the towers in the water, which was to be part of a large entrance bay to the island.

8x10 and smaller, Bannerman Island, Golden OPEN Acrylic Paintings, Hudson River Paintings, Landscape, Sold | 2 Comments »

10×8″, oils on canvas covered hardboard
Not currently available as this is my color reference for other paintings from the island, but paintings of this scene in any size/medium may be requested (Email me at link at top of this page)

This is a second oil sketch that I did on location on Bannerman Island in the Hudson River yesterday. It was a real challenge with time consraints on such a complex subject. This is the remains of the castle residence at the peak of the island.

I tried to walk around the island as much as possible during the time I was there, both to take photos to work from and to do some paintings/sketches on location. I’m pleased with this one in many ways, and look forward to doing some more from this area of the island with this color reference and my photos. I may or may not go back into this painting and bring it to a more finished state.

Bannerman Island, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Not Currently Available, Plein Air--painted on location | No Comments »

8×10″, oils on canvas covered hardboard

Bannerman’s Island and the castle-like structures there are amazing sites in the middle of the Hudson River. They are a plein air painter’s dream. The island is currently owned by New York State, and access is prohibited except by special arrangement. A huge series of explosions on the island nearly leveled the buildings. The remains are barely standing and very dangerous—hence the need to limit access to the public. Today, Bannerman Castle Trust took me to the island for a day of plein air painting. I have a show at the Bannerman Island Gallery in October and will be selling some paintings of scenes on the island.

This is one of the oil sketches I did there today. It is the armory where Francis Bannerman kept his stash of munitions. I painted it sitting on the dock before it was time to leave. (It still needs a few tweaks to finish it up; I had to pack up to leave when the boat was ready to go!)

I’ll be keeping this one for awhile as a color reference so that I can do many more paintings from the photos I’ve taken and this plein air piece. Those will be for sale and I’ll post them as I do them. If you’d like a painting of this scene, please email me and let me know what size you’d like, and what medium you want it painted in.

Tomorrow and Sunday I’ll be posting other paintings that I did out on the island today, so stay tuned!

Bannerman Island, Hudson River Paintings, Landscape, Not Currently Available, Plein Air--painted on location | 3 Comments »

SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.
5×7″, Gouache on hot press watercolor paper

Bannerman’s Island is supposedly haunted, treacherous to reach by boat due to strong currents, and covered with poison ivy. Although it is off limits to the general public, that description makes you wonder why anybody would want to go there anyway! The island has a fascinating history, and the last owner built a huge armory castle along the shoreline, with a residence castle at the peak of the island. He began constructing towers in the water to form a grand entrace, and sunk all kinds of debris around the perimeter to deter trespassers. A huge fire gutted the structures. Some of them are held up only by the poison ivy vines growing up the sides.

You can imagine the thrill I got when I was asked to go by boat out to the island to do a painting for an auction to benefit Bannerman Castle Trust, the organization charged with renovating the exquisite structures. I jumped at the chance. I took some pictures along the way, knowing that painting there on location was not something I’d be able to do again very soon!

I had hoped to return to paint there again this year, but wasn’t able to arrange the date. This is a small gouache painting on Arches hot press watercolor paper, done from one of those photos I took on my expedition.

8x10 and smaller, Bannerman Island, Sold | No Comments »