Once Belonging to the Neanderthal

Fontmaure Jasper

Period: Middle Paleolithic Period 80,000 - 40,000 years ago

Provenance: Fontmaure, West Central France

Mousterian tools that have been found in Europe were made by Neanderthals and date from between 300,000 BP and 30,000 BP
Neanderthals evolved from African apes along a path similar to humans.
Their stone tools were sometimes finished well enough to show some aesthetic sense. It is here that I am fascinated. That leap. That cognitive ability to "see" an object and realize from that abstract thought.
A rock is shaped into a tool.
A blank canvas into a work of art.

These are studies for a series of larger paintings, reflecting on stone tools that once were in the hand of the Neanderthal.

From Fort Ave.

I love the smokestacks in the distance in Monet's "At Argenteuil".
Thinking about how quickly the landscape changes with time. I used to be able to see the harbor and the oil drums from my old studio window, within six months, new housing went up, along with roof top decks,and the view was gone.

This is "From Fort Ave." Measures 8" x 16", oil on primed paper.

That Was Then, This Is Then

One Summer I was noticing a willow tree, one that I would pass every day on my way to work. What an interesting tree. Willow trees are also quite prevalent in folklore and myths.
I cut a branch and fashioned a loop and hung it on my wall. Not but a day, lightening struck this old tree and split it in half.
The branch stayed pinned to my wall, the leaves turned yellow. I decided to paint it and title it,"That was then, This is then".
In Persian literature, the recognized adjective for 'willow' is lunatic (مجنون), and lover (or lovers' heart).


This painting is 40" x 60", price by request
oil on canvas

Sunny's corner

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Sunny is a Korean woman who has the most beautiful corner florist stand in NYC.
Her place is 6th st and 2nd Ave. I have been visiting her for 2 years. I bought a nosegay of tulips and lilac in 16 degree weather. My plan was to paint and then give one of the paintings back to Sunny. The painting found it's way to an Argentinean priest. Funny how a day goes.

These are small studies of a nosegay that Sunny fashioned.

Clementines From Spain

all sold

What a beautiful site, a Spanish Clementine, leaves still clinging, as if it were just picked. Found in a New York Grocery. Here is my attempt at trying to paint this fruit in under 10 minutes each. How to grab the color without thinking too much. Just a quick moment, indoors, smell of food on the stove, Berber music in background. Winter.

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