Gallery sign

Two more days until I get the keys to officially open my new Ogunquit art gallery for the first time on May 1. I'm too excited. Just got this photo of the gallery sign from Jeff at Stone sign in Portsmouth. Here is a link to the gallery web site: www.toddbonitagallery.com

4th annual, Free Outdoor painting picnic (Newcastle Commons, NH)

"Bucket Hauler" (16x20") oil on linen

FREE OUTDOOR PAINTING DAY OUT & PICNIC

Newcastle Commons, Newcastle, NH 

(Friday, April 25, 2014 10a – 3p)

A Student appreciation event and pot luck picnic

Join us for this fourth annual, outdoor, pot-luck, painting-picnic event in celebration of the beginning of spring and the outdoor painting season.   This is a pot-luck picnic, so please feel free to bring goodies and treats.  We will meet at the covered picnic tables next to the plein air painter sculpture in New Castle commons (very fitting).  This is a beautiful and scenic spot by the ocean, rocks, 2 lighthouses, beach and fields.  If you have never painted outdoors before but wanted to try it, this is a great opportunity to give it a go for the first time.  This is a non-judgmental, supportive group of like-minded spirits who share a love of art and working to better our craft and enjoy the process together.  Doing so outdoors by the ocean, makes it all that much sweeter.  Please feel free to bring a friend.

There will be a tools and equipment showcase where you can see and sample some out door painting gear options.  There will also be a free demo amongst the eating, drinking and socializing.  It has always been a low-key, casual and fun event and I sincerely hope you can join us. 

Thank you all for your continued support, friendship and fellowship in the arts.

Sincerely,

Todd Bonita

Lowells Legacy (20x40")

"Lowells Legacy"  (20x40") oil on canvas

I finished, signed, framed and sent this one off with Howard at the Camden Falls Gallery in Camden Falls, Maine.  It's always a good feeling sending off a painting into the world.  This is one of many of the hand made dories drifting off shore in Amesbury, Massachusetts at Lowells Boat shop.  The oldest handmade boat building workshop in the country.  I go down there from time-to-time to peruse possible subjects.  They have graciously allowed me to borrow a few of their boats and shoot with a model.  Good folks and a very cool and richly historical New England treasure.

Painting Demo at the SeaCoast Art Association, Exeter, NH April 13, (2-4)

"Summer, Brackett Road" (24x36") oil on linen

If you are free on Sunday, I am giving an oil painting demonstration at the Seacoast Art Association in Exeter, New Hampshire from 2-4,pm.  I love doing these events, always a good crowd of nice people interested in art and the process.  I will talk about the steps I use to complete a painting and demonstrate a grissailles under painting.  I have somewhat prepared in the fashion of Julia Childes in that I have several paintings in different stages and will "pull them from the oven" at the appropriate times to help tell the chronological story of my painting steps.  It's free to Art Association members but there is a fee at the door for non-members.  It goes towards the Art Association and is a great cause...they are a treasure in the community and the local art scene.  Should be a hoot, I hope you can make it for some art and laughs.  Here are the details:

Todd Bonita oil painting demonstration 
Sunday, April 13, 2014  from (2-4)

Seacoast Art Association

225 Water Street

Exeter, NH 

(603) 778-8856

Website HERE

Down East Trapper (27x50")

"Down Est Trapper" (27x50") oil on canvas

Finished and framed this good sized oil of a lobsterman and sent it off to the Camden Falls Gallery in Camden, Maine.  The model is my good friend Johnny Hames again.  To his credit, there is no better role player than him, he gets it.  Fun to work with a good friend too.  I had planned on adding color to this but was pleased at the underpainting or grissailes state.  Essentially, it's a monochromatic painting...I used Raw Umber, a little Ultramarine blue for the darks and white.

With my thoughts (20x40")

"With My Thoughts"  (20x40" oil on canvas

Just finished this (20x40") oil on canvas that i titled, "With my thoughts".  The guys from P.S. Art frames dropped off the frame just in time to pop it in.  They do amazing work, clean, solid craftsmanship.  I keep a lot of frames in my studio, different colors and styles.  When I finish a painting, I'll pop it in a few different frames to see if it compliments the work or detracts from it.  It's hard to not use the P.S. Art Frame guys, their frames almost always get my approval.  They cost more than the ready made frames I use but lordy-lord...they are works of art in their own right.  If you want your work to look it's best when it leaves the studio, for me, the frame is a huge part of the overall look.  I'm not getting a kick back by plugging them here, to tell you the truth, it effects my bottom line in a negative way every time I use them...cha-ching.  Check out their website HERE.
They are the Cadillac of frames, love these guys.
(p.s....did I mention that they drive from Rhode Island to hand deliver the frames each time...I live in New Hampshire but they make the rounds around New England regularly).