GRIT (24x30") Finish

Finished and framed this (24x30") oil on linen painting that I titled, "Grit"...I posted the study not long ago.  This is my usual practice...I typically do a smaller (often (6x8") oil study to check drawing, composition, value, color, edges, etc to make sure it's all working.  When I think it will translate to a larger version, I may take that leap and give it a whirl.  Ya never really know, sometimes I'll think it's going to work as a larger painting and I'm dead wrong.  There are paintings wear I felt I wasted my time and should have simply been complacent with the study.  Anyhoot, I like this larger version of "Grit"...It's some of the richest color I've managed to paint in a while.  The Orange and Blues make this one sing.

Bucket Hauler (6x8") underpainting study

Here is the "Bucket Hauler", (6x8") oil on wood panel underpainting study for a larger version I did as a (16x20").  Funny, I did an underpainting for the larger version and meant to color it but thought it looked just fine in it's brown and white state.  I think they look like old photos at this stage.  Very nostalgic and pulls at my memory heart strings.  For me, this little study had some breakthrough take-aways like the simple abstract shapes of the background landscape.  I was looking at the backgrounds of some master painters and seeing how they handles foreground, middle ground and background...I was smitten by some of nineteenth century figure painter, George Clausens figure works and how if you took your hand and covered the main figure, the backgrounds seem so simple and devoid of detail...adding more visual importance the figure in the foreground.  Click here to go to Mathew Innis fine blog Underpaintings post about Claussen..note how simple some of those landscapes are as peripheral elements...astonishing work!

The Oarman underpainting

This is a 9x12" oil painting study I did on a masonite panel that I titled, "The Oarman".  The model is my good friend Johnny Hames again.  I used this smaller version to complete a larger painting with full color of the same title, you can see that (here).  
At the risk of sounding conceded, I will tell you that I like this little monochrome study just the way it is.  For this reason, I felt no need to add color (As I had done that with the larger version anyway).  For some artist, they cannot fathom the idea of doing a study first then working on another version of the same painting. For me, the smaller one is simply a study exploring values and design in an effort to achieve a larger, more finished painting.  On some occasions, I like the study enough to call it a completed work and will sometimes frame them.  Winslow Homer did over seventeen versions of some of his paintings, reworking compositional elements and exploring ways to push it or look at things another way.  I think thats a healthy way to proceed and push the limits of what a design can do...I will paint something if it's still in my head haunting me to resolve it another way.  For me, the process is a blast.  Sitting in my studio with music and simply painting is almost too much fun.

Sea Dog (5x7") oil on wood

"Sea Dog" (5x7") oil on wood

I thought I would post this small (5x7") oil on wood study I did of my brother Bobby that I titled, "Sea Dog".  I used this study to complete a much larger version at (20x40") that I titled "Old Salt", you can see that (here)
I learned that I love painting really small or really large paintings.  The large ones force you to stand back to absorb the breadth of the work in it's entirety, whereas the smaller ones require you to physically move in close, almost nose-to-nose with the art.  It's more intimate.  I heard someone refer to small paintings as almost jewel-like...the really good ones maybe.  For me, the joy comes in making them, getting up close and painting from my chair for the small ones and backing up ten feet or more in my studio for the larger ones.  Great fun.

Plein air painting with the Dirty Eleven

Todays post is cut and pasted from the blog of my good friend and mentor, Donald Jurney.  With his permission, I have simply reposted his post from a mid October outdoor painting outing trip with eleven scalliwags.  I must tell you that I derive great energy from being around other painters, I love the cameraderie, talking shop and all the nonsense that goes with it.  Donald invited not only some good natured fellows but some damn talented painters...I was in my glory and am looking forward to the next outing.  I wanted to post this simply as a record of the memory.  A thousand thank you's to my good friend Donald for putting this together and thinking of me.  You are indeed one of the good ones my friend....Here is the post as it appears on Donalds blog:

The Dirty Eleven

Riparian Fellowship

Eleven painting friends convened at Deer Island today, in the middle of the Merrimack River between Newburyport and Amesbury, Massachusetts, for some fresh air, laughter and, yes, some painting.  Thanks to Todd Bonita there were plenteous muffins and, thanks to Tom Bailey, a vat of hot java.

There was river fog to begin, but soon it brightened up, becoming a sunny day at 72 degrees. Here's a photo of the view downstream, toward the ocean.

And a photo of the assembled group...

L-R, Back Row: Barrett McDevitt, Stan Moeller, Frank Hyer, DJ, Tom Bailey. L-R, front row: Brent Rosko, Alastair Dacey, Chris Volpe, Todd Bonita, Nick Corvinus, Mike Dorsey

 

Barrett, Stan, a sliver of Tom, DJ....all hard at work

Todd, Frank, Barrett, Chris, and a sliver of Stan...all equally hard at work.

Mike, Chris, Tom, DJ, Brent?, and Alastair, discussing the meaning of life.

 

 

 

Todd demonstrating that real men aren't bothered by high tide

Mike

Barrett

Stan

Chris and Alastair

 

Tom

Frank

What's His Name

Nick getting his feet wet

Brent

Apologies to Stan and Tom, to whom I didn't say goodbye as I slinked off.
Thanks to Nick for his great photos.

We shall do it again.

Study for Grit (6x8") oil on wood

This is a small (6x8") oil on wood panel study I did of my good friend Johnny Hames.  He modeled for me and was a great sport at putting on fisherman's clothes and cooperating with my art directing nonsense...great fun working with my old chum.  It's common practice in my studio to use these small studies as reference for a much larger version.  These paintings can be so time consuming, I find if I can sort out composition, values, drawing and color on the small scale, then I stand a better chance at putting all of my gusto into the larger version.  I'll post photos of the larger 24x30" when it's complete.

Study for the "Dirty Oar" Grisailles

Above is a Grisailles painting of my friend and model, John Hames.  As you can see, this is at the underpainting stage, executed with raw umber and white oil paint.  It's usually at this stage that I will glaze and layer color, however, I felt it was complete...and honestly, I don't think I could improve upon it with the addition of color...I felt this way with previous paintings but never followed through.  After living with it in my studio for a few months, I was convinced, put a frame on it and called it done.  For this image I think it works.  This is, "Study for The Dirty Oar" (12x24") oil on linen.

The Oarman (24x30")

This is "The Oarman", (24x30") oil on linen mounted on wood panel.  The model is my good friend John Hames, love painting him.  This was picked up yesterday by The Bowersock gallery and will be part of an exhibition called "Elements" that I'll be part of with artist Darlou Gams and sculptor Steve Carpenter.  Friday, June 07, 2013, (7 - 9pm) 373 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA...I cant wait!

Old Salt

Framed and signed this large (20x40") oil on wood panel painting that I just titled, "Old Salt".  Mike from the Bowersock Gallery is coming to pick it up at my studio on Tuesday to take it down to Provincetown, Mass for my opening exhibition this coming Friday evening.  I've bubble wrapped about 14 other paintings for him and I'm excited at the prospect of another great show.  It's always a good time down there and this year, Alison will finally get to join me at one of my openings.  Please feel free to come by and say hello if you are on the Cape this Friday.
The model for this painting was my brother Bobby...he's a phenomenal character and I was thrilled to paint him again.  I worked hard at editing this painting and leaving out extraneous information...really tried to simplify the design and palette.
The frame is the wonderful custom work of Henry Karakula of P.S. Art frames in Rhode Island.  I love working with this company, always top-notch work and hand delivered...gorgeous finish with closed corners.  I think this one compliments the painting well.  I'll post more from the show this week.
All the best my friends. 

Bowersock Gallery opening next Friday in Ptown!!!

"The Keepers House" (10x20") oil on wood

I'm very excited to report that The Bowersock Gallery in Provincetown, Mass will be hosting an art opening this coming Friday, June 7.  I'll be exhibiting about 14 new painting along with fellow seacoast artist Darlou Gams, who's work I've loved since I moved to New Hampshire back in 2004.  I'm excited!  I love this gallery, Ptown and Steve and Mike who own the gallery.  It's always a good time and a good showing.  My show from last year completely sold out.  This year, Alison will get to join me as we have arranged sitters for our little ones.  Above is "The Keepers House" (10x20") oil on wood panel...which was in my studio...I touched it up and reframed it with a new frame company I absolutely love, Frontrange Frames out of Colorado...top notch work and very cool to work with.  Life is good my friends..Hope you are all well.

Button Factory 26 Annual Open Studios

It's already here!!!  Good lord father time!!...The Button Factory studios annual Open artist studio event  begins this Friday evening, November 30 from 5-8 pm.  It's the 26th annual (6th for me personally)...Come down and say hello, I have wine, cream soda and goodies.  There are over 70 artist in the building with their doors open and art displayed...bring your checkbook, you cheapskate!...hehee.  I actually get some Christmas shopping done here myself, there are some very creative characters in this building.  It continues Saturday and Sunday from 11-5 each day.  I'm in studio #224, second floor, take a left, I'm the last studio at the end.  I hope to see you.

All the best,

Todd Bonita

Kennedy Gallery opening, Friday, November 30, 2012

"Midsummer Storm, Great Bay, New Hampshire" (6x8") oil on wood

This small oil study started as a plein air painting not far from my house in Greenland, NH. and was completed in my studio.  This will be part of a show I'm participating in with my good friend and fellow painter, Chris Volpe at the Kennedy Gallery in Portsmouth, NH this Friday night.  Both Chris and I will exhibit about 15 small paintings each, most of which are inspired by living by the sea.  Here is an article feature from todays Fosters Daily. 

The show will be part of Portsmouths Art Around town first Friday art walk.  Please feel free to come and say hello.  Alison and my mom will be there, Patty is bringing her world famous Baklava.  I'm looking forward to seeing some old friends and having some wine and laughs...hope you can join me.

Living by the Sea.  

Paintings by Todd Bonita and Chris Volpe

Friday, November 30, 2012  (5 - 8pm)

Kennedy Gallery

41 Market Street

Portsmouth, NH

Father - Son Plein air painting in Woodstock, Maine

Max Bonita plein air painting in Woodstock, Maine

 I had a blast this weekend on a very special Father and Son trip up to Woodstock, Maine.   Painting, swimming, fishing, boating and treasure hunting with my five and a half year old son, Max.  Here he is slaying an 18x24" canvas....you can see his drawing of a hamburger already laid in.

Me in heaven.

A cheap stogie complimented my dram of Taliskers on a perfect painting day.  Photo taken by my good friend and painting buddy Chris Volpe, who brought along his five year old son Max too.  I'm closing my eyes rite now and I'm there again.

Bowersock Gallery, Provincetown, MA opening

Bowersock Gallery postcard for Fridays opening with Darlou Gams n me.

Steve Bowersock and Mike from Bowersock gallery in Provincetown have done it again.  Those guys are awesome gallery owners and are flawless at all those little details that make them so successful at hosting supportive and well attended art exhibitions.  Last night was my opening for a two person show at the gallery with fellow seacoast artist Darlou Gams.  I was a fan of Darlous the first time I saw her dreamy landscapes in Portsmouth in 2006 and I'm honored to show with her for this second time.   The show went very well and a bunch of paintings found new homes and I met some wonderful art lovers and saw some old friends.  It was a perfect evening.

Steve Bowersock and myself at my Friday night gallery opening.  I opted for the hand in pocket look while Steve took a huge risk with the thumbs up...never a good idea but it didn't seem to effect the really awesome night we had.

The show opened Friday evening and will be up through July.  Bowersock gallery represents my work all year round so if you cannot stop in while this show is up, feel free to pop in any time throughout the year to see what I have on the walls.

Star Island plein air painting

Plein air painting on Star Island, NH (Isle of Shoals).

A small group of artist friends took a day boat from Rye, NH to Star Island today to paint in the footsteps of Child Hassam.  It was my first time visiting the Isle of Shoals and as I predicted, I was smitten.  Completely charmed by this rustic and nearly desolate island.  Despite the 94 degree temps by noon, and the kamikaze seagulls, there was no whining or moaning.

Chris Volpe banged out two plein air paintings today

This is my good friend Chris putting the hurt on a 16x20"canvas.  Its been fun watching Chris evolve, reinvent and blossom into a plein air painting maniac who is steadily developing his own unique artistic voice.  His consistency with plein air keepers is astonishing lately.   Chris Volpe's web site

Donald Jurney making it look easy-peazy

The joy of watching Donald make it look so easy every single time, painting after painting, is often contrasted by the reality of how far the rest of us have to go!  I'm still in awe of his brilliance.  Check out Donald Jurney's web site

 This is Mary Graham.  A helluva landscape painter...A thousand thank yous Mary for lending me a painting umbrella today, I would have shriveled into a raisin otherwise.  Check out Mary's web site here. 
Great bunch of painters...good times!!...We under stayed our welcome and in all likelihood will return again.

Plein air painting workshop, New Castle, NH

This is Rich, one of fifteen courageous artist who braved the 73 degree, sunny, with the most pleasant breeze off the ocean day of plein air painting today at Newcastle Commons in NH..  This is the second week of a new plein air painting workshop I'm teaching that begins the process outdoors, sketching and painting.  We then take our outdoor notes indoors for the last three weeks and develop a studio painting from our collective field gathering.  These first three Tuesdays we spend six hours outdoors at the Newcastle commons.  We are having an absolute blast and the work is looking strong.  This class is currently filled, but the positive grumblings have presented the possibility of a similar workshop in September.  Please visit my website and click on classes for updated workshop information.  If you wish to be notified of upcoming classes, please shoot me an email or phone call and I'll be happy to put you on my list. 

Quietly Hoping

Remember me?...This is "Quietly Hoping".  It's oil on linen...(A new and wonderful surface for me), I love this particular linen...it's Claussens 13 single primed.  I think I'm in love.  This is part of a show I'm part of at The Bowersock Gallery in Provincetown, opening reception this Friday evening at 5pm.

Shanty

This is "Shanty", oil on wood panel (11x14"). This started as a class demo a year ago and sat in my studio pleading for its completion. I'm beginning to be surrounded by almost finished paintings...can't help it...I get to a certain point and something new and exciting gets my attention. I need to get better at completing things that I started before I begin something new...at least find a better balance. There is some good in starting new things when your energy and art spirit is soaring. This painting is going to be on the walls of the Gallery at Camden Falls in Camden, Maine. I hope 2012 is good to you so far.

Reach for the Sky

"Reach for the sky pardna"...That might have been a slightly better title...who knows?...great fun painting this toy cow poke though. This is another antique toy painting I did exclusively for the Bowersock Gallery in Provincetown, Mass and now their new location in Mount Dora, Florida.

Thank you

Just a note to say thank you for coming out to the Button factory artist studio event and for your support throughout the year, it was another great one. I'm sincerely grateful for your patronage, support of the arts and encouragement. I'm excited about 2012 and anticipate another fun and creative year. There are three gallery shows already scheduled; Gingerbread Square gallery in Key West in March, Bowersock Gallery, Provincetown this summer, Camden Falls Gallery, Camden, Maine in September. I'm also looking forward to my 4 day outdoor painting workshop on Monhegan island in August and a number of other events I'll disclose as the year progresses. My sincerest thanks to you all. Merry Christmas and happy holidays,
Todd Bonita

Thanks to Jeff Dachowski from Dachowski Photography in Manchester, NH for these incredible shots of our little ones, Max and Kate. He knocked it out of the park. Best photographer on the planet. See Jeffs blog here: Dachowski Blog