Fort Tryon Park and the Cloisters

Last week I was invited to go to the Medieval Fair at Fort Tryon Park. I never went to a medieval fair, so I was curious and excited. A lot of people in costumes and lyre music, not to mention that it was at Fort Tryon Park, which in my opinion is one of the most beautiful parks in NY.
The park is in Washington Heights and has an incredible view of the Hudson, and the GW Bridge. The park is also important because inside of it is the Cloisters museum.
The Cloisters museum is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it was built in the 1930's. The building is enormous and it's made up of several French abbey churches and monasteries all from the gothic period. These buildings were literally taken apart brick by brick and shipped over to NY and put back together. It's incredible that we have this in New York.
 I posted a painting I did from my last visit here. This time I painted it from outside the Cloisters, in the park.

-R

Lyndhurst Mansion

Over the weekend I visited some amazing places in NY. The Hudson Valley is full of beautiful mansions and properties. I got to visit the home of FDR, the Vanderbilt's mansion, Boscobel, Lyndhurst and a few others. I will post some photos of these places soon.

One of my favorite places was the Lyndhurst mansion in Tarrytown, NY. It is a beautiful gothic-revival mansion started in 1838. It was designed by the famous Alexander Jackson Davis, who designed many other impressive private homes in NY.

It was somewhat daunting to paint this place, since gothic architecture is so ornate, but I attempted to paint it anyway.


I walked over to the east side of the building and set up on the foot of a hill and tried again. I like the second painting a little better,but I'll post it next time.

-R

Roslyn and WC Bryant

William Cullen Bryant building in Roslyn. I would write some more but I have to do some research on this area before I write about it. Anyway this beautiful building is across the street from the NCMA and I plan on making my regular painting visits so be prepared for more Frick, Bryant building paintings.


-R

Boscobel Manor

Yesterday I got a chance to visit Boscobel Manor in Cold Springs, NY. Boscobel is a domestic Federal style building constructed in the very beginning of the 19th century.
It sits on a large piece of property looking over the Hudson River. On the property there is an herb garden, a rose garden and other interesting buildings. There are also sculptures throughout the property.

This is a quick sketch of the main facade:


I did a couple of sketches besides the facade, this one is the east side of the house with some of the foliage:


I also walked around the town of Cold Springs visiting the antique shops. I stopped and did a sketch or two, I'll try to post one later on today.

All in all the Bosobel trip was fun. I will definitely return for more painting and exploring.


-R

A small piece of the NCMA

Here is one of the three paintings I did while visiting the Nassau County Museum of Art.


-R

Painting the home of William Cullen Bryant

I decided to take a short painting trip on Long Island. I know there are a lot of nice places to paint, but I decided on the Nassau County Museum or Art. If you follow this blog you know that I go there often, I go to the exhibitions and I also enjoy painting there. The main building is a beautiful American Beaux-arte piece of architecture and the grounds are huge and filled with sculptures. The property also has  hiking trails, an art studio a beautiful garden and pond. So it's jam packed with things to paint. I brought my lightweight easel and my travel painting supplies. I did about three paintings, although I wish I had painted more, but time didn't allow it. The paintings aren't the best I've done, but anytime you paint outside it's worth it. I gain so much from painting plein-air, it teaches you to think more about your color choices and it really pushes you to react to what you see in front of you. I'll attempt to paint at the NCMA again next week again.

-R

Flushing Meadows Park

Long overdue sketch of a place I visit often.



-R

Sagtikos Manor in ink

This is a black ink drawing of the Sagtikos Manor. This house was constructed in the late 17th century and throughout the years received many additions, this is what it looks like today.


An interesting fact, George Washington actually stayed here during his tour of Long Island.


-R

Sagtikos Manor

Today was a good day to paint. I decided to head to Sagtikos Manor in West Islip, Long Island. They had a special plein-air painting event where artists were allowed to set up easels all over the property and paint. There was a registration and with said registration you could attempt to sell your work at an auction held in the main building. Sadly I missed the registration, but I went to paint anyway.


I didn't get to bring my easel, but I always carry my sketchbook and a travel watercolor set. This is the carriage house, which is on the property along with a garden, sculptures etc.

It was a nice day of painting perhaps I'll return tomorrow for the last day of the event, I might even bring my easel.

-R

A nice church in Woodstock

I got to visit Woodstock, NY for an entire day. If I had to choose a word to describe Woodstock, I think it would have to be relaxing. Everyone is very laid back. The town is clean and very friendly.

I had a good time walking around and going to all the mom & pop shops. I even found a well stocked art store called Catskill Art & Office Supply. I bought a sketchbook I never saw before and I also invested in a wooden brush case for some new brushes I bought myself for my birthday. So all in all Woodstock was great, I would love to go back again.

Besides shopping, walking around I got a little painting done. This is a church that's on Tinker street. I sat and painted for a little before going to eat some delicious mexican food down the block. As usual the photo doesn't do the actual colors justice, but you get a pretty good idea. I'm happy with this sketch.


Thank you Woodstock.

-R

The Arch of Titus, Roma.

This is the beautiful Arch of Titus in the Roman Forum. I did a sketch or two when I was in Rome and I decided to do a small painting.


The color looks a little off, but I'm also taking the photos for this blog with my iPhone instead of scanning.

I'm pleased with the outcome in person.

-R

Fort Myers

One of the nicer places I visited was Fort Myers. The beach is amazing, the sand feels like flour and the people are friendly. This is a painting of some of the houses on the beach. It started raining not too long after I finished this painting but I stayed on the beach anyway.


-R

House in Delray

House in Delray across the street from the beach. I wish it was mine.


-R

A small piece of the Southampton courthouse

This is a small corner of the courthouse in Southampton. I was waiting for a friend to pay a ticket, and while I waited I decided to paint a little.


-R

Church in Valley Stream

Sunset in Valley Stream.


-R

Goya at NCMA

I had the opportunity to visit the Nassau County Museum of Art over the weekend to see the Goya exhibit. Goya's "Los Caprichos" a set of of 80 etchings were on display. I am very familiar with Goya and his work, but I never had the chance to see these etchings in person. They are very delicate, dark and very ominous in certain aspects. Goya made these etchings as a social commentary on Spain, specifically on the monarchy and the clergy. I took notes and did some drawings copying some of his etchings. This is one of the most well known images from the group, and also one of my favorite. This is plate number 43, it's titled: El Sueño de la Razon Produce Monstruos.

Besides the wonderful Goya etchings, the grounds at the NCMA are beautiful, the property is enormous. The weather allowed for us to walk around and explore a little. The museums used to be the house of W.C. Bryant, and it's a very well designed American Beaux-Arte mansion.

If you're ever in Long Island you should attempt to visit this under-rated museum. They always have interesting exhibitions and you get to see a beautiful garden, and the property is littered with interesting sculptures.

-R

Painting for a friend

A friend and colleague of mine commissioned this painting. I think she's giving it to someone as a present. Anyway, it's finished and I'm happy with it. I hope she is as well.


-R

Arezzo, Italia

Il duomo Aretini.


-R

Santa Maria Novella

The famous Florentine church; Santa Maria Novella, in ink.



-R

Last page of another sketchbook

I finally got around to finishing another sketchbook. This is a house in Belleville NJ.


I painted this house before but I think I dedicated a little more time to this version.

-R