I recently did a black and white series, experimenting with graphite powder, charcoal, acrylic and fixative.  Prior to this my studio was filled with oranges and greens reflecting the colors the wet summer has produced.  Last night, she said:  "all my clothes are black but today I bought a peach skirt".   This morning as I wrote my daily three pages, it occurred to me her statement reflected the wall in my studio.  And then I took a look at the major color in my closet..... 

Yesterday Chris and Mandy picked up a commissioned piece for Mandy's foyer.  She wanted an uplifting landscape with poppies which are her birthday flower.  The mourning dove and cardinal represent those that have passed.   Was so fun to do this piece and I am glad it will be seen by many who come through the front door. 

The mural shows the work done at at residency with Judy Greenwalds's art classes at Pittston high school.  They worked on designing and painting the "Welcome to Pittston" mural overseen by myself and Judy.   Judy Greenwald and Clark Riley were on the rooftop of the YMCA handing glued pieces of the mural to me and the mayor of Pittston, Jason Kush which we adhered to the wall.  Main Street Pittston, Pennsylvania is on track to have the most original artworks per square foot in the nation according to by past mayor Michael Lombardo.  The best picture is to come of the students on the rooftop with their creation as insisted by the overseer of all the great art projects, Rose Pizzuto.  It takes a village and there sure were so many people who helped - Hadley construction donated the lift and manpower.  Big Thanks to all! 

She liked the Vortex painting and the dragonfly painting. She loves nature and is in the field of helping people. She commissioned me to create a painting for her new office. This is what I came up with.  

Here's Gus, he's been memorialized on this 6' x 10' fence which is going to be one of many forming a courtyard at the SPCA.  In this space potential owners can meet their future pet.

Hardee's is a franchise that requires at least two murals which up until now, were done on the computer and enlarged. Thanks to Jim O'Connell of Resource Media, I was able to paint them.  Jim designed the images to represent what it means to live in Wilkes- Barre.  He also did final touches once they were hung.  The fours colleges: King's, Wilke's, LCCC and Misericordia are depicted as well as the Susquehanna River and lush northeastern Pennsylvania landscape. The historical buildings: The Luzerne County Court House, City Hall, and the Stegmaier Federal Building are just a few of the outstanding structures that grace our city and are shown with kids enjoying the River Commons.  Hardee's is located right off of 81 across from TGIF'S and is connected to a gas station all owned by Nick Patel. The comments so far have been so amazed that a Hardee's would have original art.  I'm thankful that they do and that I was a part of a new beginning. 

I want to feast my eyes 

I want to consciously realize

I want to be present for… 

I want to like myself more

I’m going to take it as it comesI want to feast my eyes 

I want to consciously realize

I want to be present for… 

I want to like myself more.

                         "Coming up for Air 2"

                       Acrylic, collage on panel

                               48" x 24" 

I’m going to take it as it comes. : )

It's raining.  This I know for sure, it's going to be one lush spring. 

Without the gray days, we wouldn't appreciate the sun when it shines, shines, shines .... and it will.  Always does. 

The almighty fox took a long gaze my way the other day gingerly sauntering away as my dog, Weez, went bezerk.  Animal sightings do not go unnoticed and I immediately look to see what they are telling me.   This is what I found.

 The symbolism of a fox sighting :

Seeing  the sun through the tunnel of darkness on my walk  sends calm and hope to my being. We have our share of gray days here in Northeaster Pa, so when the sun comes out it, everyone want to shout out "Hallelujah!."  Hence, the title of this piece - 40" x 40" on charmeuse silk. 

She said:   "I hadnt' seen one of these in a long time when your text came in."

There's something about ferns that intrigue me.  They seem to be the sort of 'oak tree of plants' with their sturdiness, beauty and quiet strength.  These two 30" x 40" acrylic and collage on wood titles 'Verdant 1 and 2' can be seen at Marquis Gallery in Scranton, Pa. 

For a couples first anniversary I was commissioned to do a painting that symbolized their love. Years later, after they had  breakfast nook  completed in their farm house I was asked to paint their kids when toddlers.  Their special talents, personalities, birth date and quotes from Mamma all snuck inside a 12" x 12" panel.  I smiled the entire time I did them.

This building which used to be both an orphanage and animal shelter got a 'redo'.  A contest was held for submissions to create a design which would capture the feeling of warmth and hope.  Katie Nork's design won and I was the painter.  Truly a group effort.  A lot of things need to line up for this sort of thing to come to fruition, the indian summer didn't hurt matters. : )

I

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I have openings the first and second Friday in September . I hope you will come because YOU are invited!

First Friday in Scranton, PA at Artworks Gallery with Sharon Cosgrove.  Second Friday - Kingston, PA  at Wyoming Seminary's new Rusty Flack Art Gallery.

Here are some snaps from Friday nights exhibit and reception at The Rusty Flack Gallery.  Viewers came from all over and I was touched at the time people  took to really look at the work.   I feel very honored to be the first exhibitor in this beautiful new space.  The portrait of Rusty Flack is a reminder of a generous man whose family has done much for our community.  The gallery is open Saturdays in September from 1-3 pm or by appointment - contact me This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Julie Strzeletz at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  Thank you. 

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Spending time in the woods renews and grounds me.  Here is a commission I recently did of three things I love  trees, birds and stone walls. 

Scranton had so much great energy Friday night.  Art with musicians at all the galleries and the Italian Festival.... people connecting through the arts.  It's magical. 

                        Me and Sharon with Herb Simon looking on......

                                Peter and Maureen Anania and Rosie

                           Looking in with Red Circle (Triptych) in the background

                              Viewers observing Sharon's gems

                          Sharon Cosgrove and John Bromberg (he gave us garlic)

The last two Fridays I have done a 'Paint and Sip' for Geisinger's fifty-five and olders.  It's open to the public, and very well received.  These ladies didn't 'sip' much as they were painting away replicating Gustav Klimpt's  Apple Tree and the following week Van Gogh's Cypress Tree with Wheat Field.  It takes a lot of couraget to do something new.   Hats off the the participants!!