St Elizabeth Seton school

Updating and creating a warm environment for Catholic School children. Most schools in general have an "antiseptic" type hospital feel about them . St. Elizabeth Seton school in Bellemore was no exception. When I was contacted by Joe Maniscalco, (head of the Father's Guild) to transform the 2 vast cafeterias and entryway. I had some very definative ideas about what I wanted to achieve. The principal, Leann Graziose, was a dream to work with, her only wish was to include the Noah's Arc theme mural in the foyer connecting the two cafeterias. The rest was up to me, she stated "if you see a spot that needs paint, knock yourself out" - so I did! The main entrance was treated with religious theme mini murals depicting the seasons of the church. I used a mosaic cross stencil and hand painted scrolls and leaves. Cafeteria one has an all out fun feast for the eyes mural depicting fantasy dragons, mermaids , princesses and space. Cafeteria two is hosting a Dali reproduction featuring butterflies and vast perspective. The Noah's Arc themed mural shows the Arc breaking through the wall of the school and the animals are strategically scattered through out the corridors. I believe the paintings have indeed created a fun and more creative environment for the children and I hope they enjoy them as much as I enjoyed creating them.

Cafe Gio gets a new look

The lovely resturant Cafe Gio located on Sunrise Highway in West Babylon recently had some new addistions added to its already cozy and inviting decor. Sal the hospitable and friendly owner asked me to decorate the large frames around two huge tray cielings overlooking the diningrooms. I handpainted scrolls in liquid gold leaf on a metalic copper plaster. The results look bright, interesting and very pretty. Cafe Gio, known for it's brick over pizza among other tasty dishes, also features a large wood sign over the main brick oven, I painted a mural with an old world style Italian chef and some pizza fixings here. If you are in the mood for some great food and a lovely atmosphere check out Cafe Gio

Summer Fun on Long Island

The best place to live in my humble opinion is Long Island. I do not think people realize the abundance of natural beauty this island has to offer. When a person has the luxury of exploring this gem of a place by sea, the wonders never cease. I was out jetskiing last week on the glorious great South Bay, the sun blaring, waves crashing in my salt stung eyes, wind blowing through my hair and all I kept thinking was this is the life!! I felt such gratitude in being able to experience this wonderful place, and cherish it as if it were my own backyard. The tide was real low, just south of the Robert Moses Causeway, we stopped and got of our skis. The water was a mere 18 inches tops. There were bushels of clams, crabs and sea snails everywhere. I picked up a coch shell the size of a football!.. Of course I brought it home to add to my collection. Then we headed over to Fire Island....whew was it hot! Figuratively and literally! Little didwe know ther area of beach we moored on was nude...Then we spotted a very naked man who looked exactly like Santa emerge from the surf..we new we either had to take it all off or head for the bar...Sangria won out and we will be happy to be keeping our tan lines thank you very much! On the way over to the bar we saw a family of deer in the grass just beneath the light house, what a place!! The lighthouse was crawling with people. Kismet is a quaint and lovely little place to beach comb, relax or just throw a few back. Our ride home was choppy, exciting and very wet! I love my little slice of heaven.

Painting outdoors in Plien Air....

Have you always thought you would like to pack up your easel, tubes of paint and head for the park or beach? I have passed people I see doing this and often wondered to myself is it more of a pain to lug all my stuff, or is it worth the trip. I have never painted in Plien Air, I have thought about it. I even envy people I see doing this, secretly wanting to sneak up on them and ...well, never mind that. I think I will try it. I have had a creative funk this summer, due to to the chronic fun I have been having, seems painting is more like work and i have been an absentee employee in the work force this summer. My dark skin color is a dead give away to my slacking abilities. I am going to paint in Plien Air, I saw a woman, from my jet ski last week, did I mention I was on my jet ski? Anyhoo, she was painting her little heart out on a canal over looking the Great South Bay, what a view! I admit it I was jealous for a second, before I sped away and sprayed her with my wake...no just kidding , really I am going to do this Plien Air, out door painting thing .

Nursery Decor

I have noticed in recent months people asking me for a simpler style in thier babies nursery decor. Over the years, I have done everything to character murals, to theme rooms consisting of firehouses to galaxies in a nursery. In recent months the challenge has been to create a room theme that is a more elegant and lasting feel for the baby. Nuetral colors utilizing textures, such as plasters, can be quite elegant and striking. Stripes, or harlequin diamonds are another approach. For girls the new color scheme is pink and chocolae brown. A great place to get inspired is Posh Tots, this catologue is chock full of great ideas, items and unique furnishings for a nursery.

Collaborating with fellow artists

Last month i had the distinct pleasure of being asked by my good friend Jeanne Schnupp, of "Jeannie's Designs" to corraborate with her on a magnificent wood floor she was commisioned to finish. I had done a similar floor about a year ago, and was happy to share my experience on that job to help her project run smoothly. The floor was stripped by a pro floor finisher and Jeanne and her partner set out on the arduous task of marking off all the boxes. Next I came to help her hand taping, and scoring each box that was to be stained. We scored each box with a straight razor to ensure minimal bleed in the stain, bare wood, that has no conditioner, or sealers on it is highly susceptable to stain, so we took this extra pre caution. Next we off loaded of chip brushes and stained away for a full day. The last step was a light stain to be doneby the floor guy, and a coat of poly. The results are a spectacular dramatic diamond pattern that really enhances the area of this sprawling ranch in the North Shore of Long Island.

Inspiration in our daily day to day tasks....

Mural painting is something that feeds my family, through diligent efforts and smart planning. I find fun, challenging and interesting projects. Lately I have been finding inspiration for my murals and fine art painting in my daily routines. Last Sunday I spent a lovely day at the local dog park, located just east of the Robert Moses Causeway, I went armed with my camera, and a bottle of water. 87 photos later I had found inspiration for shadow, sky, sea and landscapes. Just the beauty of walking through dense trees, and looking up, gave me wonderful photos of the sky surrounded by leaves. Inspiration is only a short walk and a sunny day away!

Avon Walk for a Cure

This week I have signed up for this charitable and worthy cause. Because of the inspiration from my good friend Jeanne, who does this walk every year, i have decided to join her. The walk it self is 39 miles through New york City and the proceeds go to Breast Cancer Research. I am hoping to reach my goal of 1800. I have begun training this week which can't be a bad thing, getting out , walking in the beautiful spring weather is good for mind, body and soul. Plus my dog is not complaining about the extra time out! To find out more about the walk, to donate or to join hit the link above.

Westbury Gardens: an artists delight

A recent trip to Westbury Gardens on mother's Day with my family was met with ture awe and delight. This beautifully manicured oasis in the heart of Old Westbury is a rrare jewel on the island's north shore. We started our tour in the sprawling mansion, the handpainted wallpapers, and ornamental plasters greeting us in every room. The exotis marbles on table tops and surrounding fireplaces made me itch to break the "no photographs" rule. The most impressive 2 inch slab of solid lapis in the main foyer begged me to touch it despite the many "do not touch" signs. Yes the mansion is a decorative artist's paradise, every room had something to make me stop and stare! The outdoor gardens were just lovely my favorite being the reflecting pool surrounded by the wisteria trellis'. We packed a picnic lunch, brought a football and had a relaxing day on the great lawn. There was quite a few artists with easels propped up in various little corners of the grounds. If you are an artist or just appreciate an abundance of beauty , why not plan a day here and bring your easel.

Art in the Park

The Amityville Artists Circle is sponsoring it's annual Art in the Park event on May 16, at the Nautical Park on Ocean Ave. and Merrick Rd. The event promises to be a fun and inspriring day full of art, demonstrations, and entertainment. I will have a booth this year and plan on showcasing some of my newer paintings as well as doing a few demos myself. I will be dmonstrating fresco techniques, as well as japanese marbling. for info call 516 541 8782 see you there!