I turned 47 last year and I realized my kids had grown up and my wife had a career. What did I have?- a lot of free time. The past 17 years had been filled with work, family and sharing all my kids interests. I was very busy during those years, I had let go of art and exercise, things which had defined me. So at this mid point in my life, I decided to reconnect to painting and physical fitness. (Instead of a sports car and a mistress).

This was a very "self" focused task. I decided to step outside my comfort zone and try Yoga. There is something very peaceful about a room full of very happy females. Yoga allowed me an hour and a half every Saturday to just relax and enjoy the "MOMEMT" and to let go of all worries.

My first painting of the series is a tribute to all the women that practice yoga, "My Yoga Mona". This marked the first painting that I did not finish in a single sitting. I just worked on it when I felt like it. I had painted Mona numerous times before but had never got the smile and eyes correct. This time I did. Thanks Yoga! This piece is 24'x 48'x 1'on stretched canvas.

The next painting "Skulls and Apples", was my first attempt at a still life. On a recommendation from a friend, I studied CeZanne, took objects found in many of his paintings and just went with it. I also used some glazing techniques for the first time. I entered this piece in the December 2008 CNote art show at Junctionville Studios and it SOLD! This is the first non-commissioned piece I have sold.This piece is 24'x 48'x 1'on stretched canvas.--SOLD 12.15.08

Still on a high from the sale, I did "Message and a Bottle". Continuing the skull theme and glazing, the message is that your true passions/inspirations can remain "intoxicating" for a lifetime. I used an acrylic transfer from a graphic I created in photoshop for the lablel on the bottle. Even with yoga, I still don't have the patience for lettering.This piece is 24'x 48'x 1'on stretched canvas.

Jerry Garcia, Thinking over the past few months, the Grateful Dead song "Truck'in" and the lyric, "What a long strange trip it's been" just kept playing in my head. Naturally this painting was inspired by the "ultimate" traveler, Jerry. I used a combination of graphite, acrylic washes and glazes to complete this work. This piece is 24'x 48'x 1'on stretched canvas.

The pears represent "friendship" and are for the friends at the MYM gym that helped me get back into shape. The Pears marked a new direction in my painting. I figured out that painting is based on what we feel- not what we see. This piece is 24'x 30'x 1'on stretched canvas.--GIFT 12.24.09

"There will always be a Chair for you at my Table" is a new approach to painting for me. I decided to tackle a subject matter I had tried, without success in the past. I used acrlyic paint, glazes and a palet knife and tried to sculpt the chair instead of paint it. The results were the best Van Gogh chair I have painted. This piece is 24'x 48'x 1'on stretched canvas.

The three olives, my second still life, represent Health, Peace and Hope, my wish for all. This piece is 6'x 12'x 1'on stretched canvas.--SOLD 07/25/09

It was now April of 2009; I had sold a painting and lost 40lbs. I had been at this for 10 months and was enjoying every moment. In the spirit of 'trying" new things- I painted flowers for the first time. I entered these in the May 2009 Agora Art show and they SOLD! This piece is 26'x 30'x 1'on stretched canvas.--SOLD 5.16.09

"Smoke 'em if you got 'em" is all about taking a break. I needed to slow myself down because my actions were starting to negatively effect people who were important to me. This piece is my version of a the Fabian Perez painting, "Man in a White Suit". This piece is 24'x 48'x 1'on stretched canvas.

Whata Dance", started in May of 2009 would be the last painting in this series. It represents the beauty and the strength of the last year. I struggled to finish it over a period of 3 weeks. After a long run on a Sunday- I thought it was finished. I picked it back up again in late July and continue to work on it. They say a painting is done until the artist gets bored with it.

This piece is 36'x 48'x 1'on stretched canvas.

"In the Moment" left me a better painter and in great health. Greg-