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On a Sunny Spring Day
Published on 2013-05-12 19:54:22
Today I walked through Central Park twice. It was a beautiful day, sunny and warm, a relief after the long, …Continue reading
Making Art Like a Little Kid
Published on 2013-05-05 20:57:45
Most people who work in the arts know one thing for sure: we’re our own worst critics. It’s easy to …Continue reading
Pinhole Portfolio: From Mansion to Museum
Published on 2013-04-28 20:40:18
Once upon a time, toward the beginning of the 20th century, wealthy citizens of New York City build mansions. Before …Continue reading
Finding the Balance Between Control and Chaos
Published on 2013-04-21 20:44:00
Sometimes I like to think that with fourteen years of experience, there’s no project I haven’t done. And then one …Continue reading
Inside Central Park: The Arcade at Bethesda Terrace
Published on 2013-04-14 20:27:04
One of the prettiest places to visit in Central Park is Bethesda Terrace. When the park was designed, the Terrace …Continue reading
How Do They Do That? Painted Woodgrain
Published on 2013-04-07 21:48:41
Apartment doors in New York City have to meet two criteria: they must be fireproof and self closing. A fireproof …Continue reading
A Quick Trip to Toronto
Published on 2013-04-02 16:58:02
Last Christmas, Tom gave me a gift of a long weekend in Toronto, Ontario, and last weekend, we made the …Continue reading
Pinhole Portfolio: Structures in Central Park
Published on 2013-03-24 20:49:54
One of the reasons that Central Park is so beautiful is because no new buildings are permitted within its perimeters. …Continue reading
Travel Sketchbook: Mapping it Out
Published on 2013-03-17 21:25:49
I’ve been keeping a travel sketchbook for twelve years now. No matter where I go, one kind of drawing that …Continue reading
An Excursion to Upper Manhattan
Published on 2013-03-10 21:22:26
When some people think of Manhattan, they think of Times Square or Central Park or the Theater District or the …Continue reading
So Many Stripes
Published on 2013-03-03 19:58:21
A painted finish that never goes out of style is stripes. Stripes can be bold or subtle, modern or traditional, …Continue reading
Paper Craft: Birds of a Feather
Published on 2013-02-24 19:26:15
When it comes to decorative and handmade papers, images derived from nature are used in abundance. Some papers are strewn …Continue reading
Pinhole Portfolio: Capturing the Castle
Published on 2013-02-17 17:37:36
Belvedere Castle is a charming little Gothic-style building in Central Park, perched on a rocky outcropping above Turtle Pond. It …Continue reading
Travel Sketchbook: A Field Guide to the Invisible
Published on 2013-02-10 16:56:54
A few months ago, we took a family vacation in Vancouver, Canada. My brother, Bernard, lives there, my parents flew …Continue reading
Among the Ruins: Visiting the Eastern State Penitentiary
Published on 2013-02-03 19:04:52
On a recent visit to Philadelphia, after wandering around the Old City, chomping our way through a series of tasty …Continue reading
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: From Brass to Silver
Published on 2013-01-27 19:21:13
An interior designer recently asked me to gild a mirror frame. The frame was brass, and he wanted a silver …Continue reading
Travel Sketchbook: Florence’s Boboli Gardens
Published on 2013-01-20 17:44:52
When we visited Florence a couple of years ago, we spent an afternoon wandering the paths of the Boboli Gardens, …Continue reading
All in the Family: The Needlework Continues
Published on 2013-01-13 20:19:21
A few months ago, I posted a story about my grandmother Oma’s needlework (you can find it here). My mother …Continue reading
When Is It Time to Give Up? On Using the Right Tools
Published on 2013-01-06 19:22:07
One of the hardest things to figure out when making art is why an idea isn’t working. There’s a certain …Continue reading
Sketchbook: Try, Try Again
Published on 2012-12-30 12:04:36
In January of 2011, I decided to start the year with a sketchbook journal, intending to fill it with a …Continue reading
The City from Above
Published on 2012-12-23 09:03:27
It seems that no matter how long I live in New York City, one thrill never stops: seeing the city …Continue reading
How Do They Do That? Painted Strié Finishes
Published on 2012-12-16 17:36:11
A few months ago, I wrote about a variety of basic decorative painted finishes (you can find the post here). …Continue reading
Central Park’s Other Zoo
Published on 2012-12-09 16:51:26
Central Park has a charming little zoo near 65th Street, just off of Fifth Avenue. I love the sea lions …Continue reading
Paper Craft: Stitched Papers
Published on 2012-11-25 13:17:12
[I'm heading off on a business trip tomorrow, so I won't be blogging for a little while. See you in …Continue reading
November’s Portrait: Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep
Published on 2012-11-21 17:26:50
Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand …Continue reading
Learning How to See
Published on 2012-11-18 21:28:50
What inspires us to make art? How do we decide which tools to use? How do we learn? One of …Continue reading
How Do They Do That? Panoramic Scenic Wallpapers
Published on 2012-11-14 17:52:28
As in any field, in the world of interior design, trends come and go. There’s a special trend that I’ve …Continue reading
All in the Family: The Anatomical Drawings
Published on 2012-11-11 21:09:55
A few months ago, I wrote a post about my great-grandfather Karl’s evolution as a young artist toward his goal …Continue reading
Getting Under the Surface
Published on 2012-11-07 16:46:44
Something I’ve found helpful in my photography is returning to the same places over and over again. When I photograph …Continue reading
Meeting Amelia at the Catskill Animal Sanctuary
Published on 2012-11-03 08:10:42
For our fourth anniversary, Tom and I drove up to Saugerties, NY, about two hours north of NYC, to visit …Continue reading
Black and Green and Marbled All Over
Published on 2012-10-31 18:35:51
This is one of the most difficult marbling jobs I’ve ever completed. I’ve never done such a large amount of …Continue reading
Meeting the Matterhorn or Trying to Ski with a Camera Stuffed Down My Jacket
Published on 2012-10-28 18:47:01
A few years ago, it was my brother-in-law’s 50th birthday. In celebration, he invited a group of friends and family …Continue reading
Travel Sketchbook: Bon Appetit!
Published on 2012-10-24 15:34:47
It seems that when we travel, some of the strongest memories we return with are connected to the meals we …Continue reading
October’s Portrait: From the Beginning
Published on 2012-10-21 18:43:48
My nephew, Lukas, recently turned seven. Although I’ve documented the events of my sister’s life for the past 20 years …Continue reading
Paper Craft: On Safari
Published on 2012-10-17 17:25:17
It’s interesting how animal imagery permeates our lives in ways that we probably don’t even notice. As children, we learn …Continue reading
Before and After: Faux Oak Extravaganza
Published on 2012-10-14 21:57:49
When I came to New York to look for my first job long ago, my father gave me a piece …Continue reading
My New Old Camera
Published on 2012-10-10 19:35:13
When I first got a cell phone way back when, I thought it was silly that the phone had a …Continue reading
Visiting the Bridge of Glass in Tacoma, WA
Published on 2012-10-07 16:16:48
Recently, we took a short vacation to the west coast, first visiting my brother in Vancouver, then heading south to …Continue reading
Pinhole Photography: Getting it in the Frame
Published on 2012-10-03 16:55:34
One of the trickiest things to learn when shooting pinhole photos is how far away you need to be from …Continue reading
All in the Family: Inheriting the Paintbrushes
Published on 2012-09-19 20:38:22
[I'll be away on vacation for a short while. Look for my next post in October. Thanks!] One of the …Continue reading
Why Shoot with a Diana Camera?
Published on 2012-09-16 20:32:25
I’ve posted many photos shot with Diana cameras on this blog. I realize, though, that many people don’t know what …Continue reading
Marbling and Imagination
Published on 2012-09-12 16:47:33
This was a quick little job in the lobby of a Fifth Avenue apartment building. An access panel behind the …Continue reading
Travel Sketchbook: Visiting the Cathedral in Siena, Italy
Published on 2012-09-09 18:10:05
Two years ago on a trip to Florence, Italy, we took a side trip to Siena to see the beautiful …Continue reading
September’s Portrait: At Play
Published on 2012-09-05 16:47:06
I love creating a series of portraits that capture a moment. This is fairly easy to do when I shoot …Continue reading
Calling the Paint Doctor
Published on 2012-09-02 12:48:41
Now and then, I receive frantic calls for jobs that are described as “painting emergencies.” Once I’ve hung up the …Continue reading
Handmade Book: The Family Cookbook
Published on 2012-08-29 16:59:37
My mom is a great cook. A few years ago, I thought it was high time to compile a cookbook …Continue reading
Cruising on Down the East River
Published on 2012-08-26 20:34:13
Manhattan is bound by the Hudson River to the west, the Harlem River to the north and the East River …Continue reading
Paper Craft: So Many Marbles
Published on 2012-08-22 18:10:49
When I first began working with decorative papers, I was familiar with classic European hand-marbled sheets, the kind of marbled …Continue reading
Just Another Wimpy Vegetarian
Published on 2012-08-19 19:56:12
I’ve been a vegetarian for almost three years and it’s great, I love it. But some people seem to think, …Continue reading
Lions at Large
Published on 2012-08-15 19:02:48
New York City is crammed with people. If you take an early morning or late evening stroll, it will become …Continue reading
August’s Portrait: On the Job
Published on 2012-08-12 20:02:12
This is the only successful pinhole portrait I’ve ever taken. It’s a photo of me with two of my painting …Continue reading
Hooked on Featherweights
Published on 2012-08-07 16:01:49
When I work with decorative papers, the wind is my enemy. One moment, papers are neatly stacked in carefully sorted …Continue reading
Marbling on the Right Side of the Brain
Published on 2012-08-05 20:08:39
This marbling job was quick and fun. This beautiful fireplace surround was cut from an unusual black and grey stone …Continue reading
Pinhole Portfolio: The Lady Vanishes
Published on 2012-08-01 19:26:13
I love pinhole photography because of the complete lack of technical gadgetry. I’m out shooting with a cardboard box, how …Continue reading
All in the Family: Becoming a Master Craftsman in the late 1800s
Published on 2012-07-29 19:08:37
My great-grandfather, Karl, was a Master Painter and Gilder in Hof, Germany. Before he founded his own workshop, he studied …Continue reading
Once Upon a Time in the Deep, Dark Forest…
Published on 2012-07-25 17:15:40
Once upon a time, there was a little girl who loved to read. Her parents, devoted readers themselves, were pleased …Continue reading
Before and After: Gilding Carved Wooden Doors
Published on 2012-07-22 18:50:09
The term “gilding” usually refers to applying gold leaf to a surface. To make life easier, I use the term …Continue reading
July’s Portrait: Father and Son
Published on 2012-07-18 17:56:39
This is one of my favorite portraits of my nephew Lukas with his father, my brother-in-law Mike, taken on Manly …Continue reading
How Do They Do That? Chinoiserie Wallpaper
Published on 2012-07-15 19:37:18
Chinoiserie is a term used to describe a style of decor that is, no surprise, considered to be influenced by …Continue reading
Spirits in the Air… or Light Leaks? You Decide.
Published on 2012-07-11 15:29:43
Although Manhattan seems to made up entirely of stone, brick and cement, a few 19th Century wooden houses still survive. …Continue reading
On the Hunt: Transforming with Paint
Published on 2012-07-08 19:24:04
Like anyone, I love a good bargain. But there’s something even better than a bargain, and that’s a bargain transformed. …Continue reading
Paper Craft: Playing with Feathers
Published on 2012-07-04 14:28:25
Feathers find their way into my art as drawings, paintings and photographs. When I make paper bowls, it’s exciting to …Continue reading
What is Trompe L’oeil?
Published on 2012-07-01 20:51:35
As a simple translation, trompe l’oeil is French for “deceive the eye.” When it comes to decorative painting, many surface …Continue reading
Water, Water Everywhere…
Published on 2012-06-27 16:27:49
Is it because of summer? Those hot days approaching, the promise of a salty sea? This week I pulled out …Continue reading
Paper Crafting with Italian Florentine Papers
Published on 2012-06-24 15:38:28
Some of the prettiest papers that I use for my paper craft work are Florentine decorative gift wrap papers, rich …Continue reading
Now You See It, Now You Don’t
Published on 2012-06-20 16:49:18
My decorative painting clients are obsessed with details. They examine every square inch of a room to make sure it’s …Continue reading
Out and About Shooting Pinhole Photos
Published on 2012-06-17 16:28:19
Now and then, I manage to leave Central Park to shoot elsewhere in the city. Architecture is always challenging, especially …Continue reading
All in the Family: Needlework
Published on 2012-06-13 18:59:59
My mother was cleaning out an old trunk recently and gave me three sets of pillowcases embroidered by my grandmother, …Continue reading
June’s Portrait: The Ugly Duckling
Published on 2012-06-10 20:14:04
… became a beautiful swan who lived on the Lake in Central Park. Who knew? Diana camera, gelatin silver print, …Continue reading
The Red Centre: Visiting Uluru
Published on 2012-06-06 21:14:53
When I visited Australia a few years ago, I was excited to take a trip to Uluru, a 500-million-year-old sandstone …Continue reading
Start at the Beginning: Basic Decorative Finishes
Published on 2012-06-03 20:33:25
It’s fun to post photos of challenging glazing projects like marbling fireplaces and wood graining doors. But almost all complex …Continue reading
Art and Perseverance
Published on 2012-05-30 15:07:37
Recently, a fellow blogger introduced me to podcasts by Brooks Jensen of LensWork Daily, a photography website. My favorite podcast …Continue reading
Handmade Book: The Story of Little Roo
Published on 2012-05-28 11:51:32
About four and a half years ago, I decided it was time to adopt a cat. My previous cat, Oscar, …Continue reading
On Painting Faux Marble
Published on 2012-05-23 17:02:59
Marbling is a fairly common request. It seems like an old-fashioned finish, and I have to admit that when it’s …Continue reading
May’s Portrait: Lukas and the Alligator
Published on 2012-05-21 20:14:08
Okay, I’m going to fess up right now and let you know that my favorite portrait subject is my gorgeous …Continue reading
The Towered Buildings of Central Park West
Published on 2012-05-16 18:07:10
When I first started my decorative painting business 13 years ago, I compiled a list of the buildings that I …Continue reading
Travel Sketchbook: Weird Animals of Australia
Published on 2012-05-13 15:52:04
Australia has some pretty unusual animals. With their unique talents, odd names and tendency to want to kill you, it’s …Continue reading
Entranced by Trees
Published on 2012-05-09 14:36:56
Do you know how it is when you see a whole bunch of your photos together and suddenly you notice …Continue reading
How do they do that? Chiyogami paper
Published on 2012-05-06 19:13:29
When I first started paper crafting, one of the papers that mystified me was Japanese Chiyogami paper. How could something …Continue reading
Before and After: Faux Oak Door
Published on 2012-05-02 17:39:21
This is a typical painted wood grained door project. In NYC, all exit doors (in this case, a door leading …Continue reading
Setting up an artist’s work space in my apartment
Published on 2012-04-29 13:52:39
I live in a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan, so needless to say, space is tight. I run my decorative painting …Continue reading
Diana camera portfolio: from Madonna to Medusa
Published on 2012-04-25 17:16:28
One of the things I’ve discovered while wandering around NYC is stonework and statuary. It’s everywhere: hanging out on street …Continue reading
What I saw at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi
Published on 2012-04-22 21:05:36
One of the techniques I’ve learned as a decorative painter is imitating “pietre dure,” which is a decorative art that …Continue reading
On the hunt for marbled papers in Florence
Published on 2012-04-19 16:00:28
When I travelled to Florence, one of the things I was on the hunt for, other than the perfect gelato, …Continue reading
April’s Portrait: Lukas and the Penguin
Published on 2012-04-17 12:45:34
We took a family trip to the Cotswalds in the U.K. a few years ago, and stopped by a bird …Continue reading
Painting a Martin guitar
Published on 2012-04-15 19:50:15
Martin Guitar asked me to paint a guitar in Brazilian Rosewood, a wood that they once commonly used to build …Continue reading