A painting in the works coming on strong

A few months ago I crashed the hard drive of my computer and lost all my saved images. So today I was re-photographing many of them and I ran across this one.

This painting is one of my favorites. I painted it some time ago and have retouched it and cropped the original to improve the image. So far this is the result. I may do a little more yet before I consider it finished and then show it again.

The atmosphere and glow I find truly captivating. You can see the firelight on her arm and face. A woman reclining on a chaise lounge with her feet up. One hand under her head and one rest on her abdomen. She gazes into the glow of a fire on the hearth and lets her tension and concerns melt away for the evening. She thinks with pleasure about how far she has come and what path she will take next in life.

Oil on canvas. I have not yet titled or finalized the image size.

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Plein Air in Rochester and Honeoye Falls, New York

Here I am with a small group of painting friends in late summer paint at the former Ketchum-Deshon House circa 1840 in Brighton, NY where I live with my family.

Richard Ketchum is the listed owner with his family in the mid 19th century. An architect lived here in 1940 and accomplished some upgrades, particularly interior trim and woodwork. he also put a concrete floor in the basement and added a recreation room.

In 1947 the home was sold to Ruth Deshon who had lived on Seneca Parkway in the city of Rochester's, Maplewood neighborhood. Her daughter Nancy is one of the childern who grew up here. Nancy attended school at the University of New Mexico where it is said she founded the "Boots and Saddles Club", a recreational riding club. She eventually became a writer and lived in Hawaii for a time before returning to this home to care for her mother.


I have been living here since 2003 and slowly repairing the house and gardens. It is a pleasure to live in such a wonderful old farm house. It is listed as a Brighton town landmark.

The top picture is me painting, then Todd Ryan, and finally Josi Etter. Also present and taking the pictures is Richard Thomas. Unfortunately we did not get his picture.

Todd has a blog of his work and has participated in many shows in the Rochester area.


Josi and I are discussing art trade secrets here at left. Note our serious demeanor. Josi recently was a participant in a juried show at the Rochester Memorial Art Gallery. Her piece was quite striking.

Richard has been a life long artist and I have collected several of his pieces.

And me... well you know enough, with a little more each time.



To the left is a shot I took of the scene I am painting in Honeoye Falls, NY. Here is a satellite view. The brick building with the tower is the old 19th century fire station. It was about 15deg. F and quite cold standing next to the old mill falls with the mist blowing over. I joined Corinne Avery from the GVPAP who hosted this fun time. I need to do a few touch ups to the painting and then I will show it to you.

As a final note, Chris Kolupski (the fine artist currently holding the "Before & After" show at the Framing Edge) is scheduled to be featured on the front page of the Living Section C of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle this Sunday February, 24, 2008. Take a look and I hope you enjoy it. So far two paintings from that show have sold to a collector from California.

I hope your weekend is wonderful.

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"Rochester Market" by Gordon van Vliet

"Rochester Market" is a departure for me in painting style. I consider it nearly uni-tonal in that all the tones are toward the mid-range without much separation. It makes an interesting exercise.

It was windy and cold that autumn day in Rochester, New York. There were lots of people walking by and traffic too. I only had a moment to notice them and decide which ones to put in. The truck was there for 15 minutes or so unloading.

I like the sign commanding, "STOP!", take a moment and notice the beauty of your surroundings.

Painted on canvas and measuring 11" x 14" and painted in oil as usual. I decided to offer this here to my readers first. $79.00 + $6 shipping USA or $20 Intl. NY state residents add 8.25% sales tax. If it doesn't sell then I will offer it on Ebay for this as a minimum. I hope everyone enjoys it.

I am painting there on Saturday again if it is not too cold. Here is a link to a satellite photo. Back in the early 1980's I used to work in the old Noah's Ark building as it was know. One day a train derailed and a box car came right through the wall about 5-10 feet into the building. Very exciting day and luckily no one was hurt.

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"Late Show Lights Out" by Gordon van Vliet

From the Monday Night Figure Series, by Gordon van Vliet

Here is a painting from the figure group on Monday nights at the Steve Carpenter Studio. I love painting with the artists on Monday night. Models don't come in better physical shape than this young man either. Just look at the great mahogany tones in his skin and feel the latent power.

From the title you can guess what is going on. He is close to sleep while listening to the late night ramblings of Dave Letterman, Jay Len or Conan. These guys help numerous people on our fair planet get to sleep and all cheaper than pills.

It is painted from life, not a photo reference. Gordon generally paints at least one painting a week and sometimes daily painting.

Thank you for looking. Artist retains all copyrights of the artwork.

Oil on canvas, it measures 10.25" x 8.25" Retail $169.00
Not a "daily painting", but close. If I ramp it up, I can be there again. If you are interested in framing, Michael can help you at The Framing Edge.

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"West from the Porch", by Gordon van Vliet

This image is painted on paper from my sons notebook. I forgot my canvas so it was the best I could do. I tell you... I love the medium. The paint soaks in the first layer and drys almost immediately, then progressive layers give more working time with the oil paint.

I am painting under the water works canopy at Cobbs Hill, a granite structure about 100 years old, looking westward at the end of the day. This water works controls the city of Rochester's largest reservoir. Click here for a satellite view from Google.



"West from the Porch"
oil on paper, 9" x 11.5"
$129.00 + 6.00 shipping in the USA.
Add 8.25% if NY state resident for sales tax.

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"Toward Full Awareness" by Gordon van Vliet

"Toward Full Awareness" by Gordon van Vliet
15" x 18.5" oil on paper
$279.00 mounted with 1"professional black wood frame.
Shipping $9.00 in continental USA
NY state residents add 8.25% sales tax.
Other framing on request. Email with questions or if outside USA.

I purposely separated the head, shoulder and arm from the right shoulder and chest in the background. I liked the composition that way. It looks like someone who is dead asleep awakening and coming "back to life". From sub-conscious to full awareness.

This is the second time I have painted on paper. It acts so much different than working with the medium on canvas or board. The paper absorbs the oil very quickly and fixes itself, so you can move it around. The oil behaves in many ways like water color. All in all a nice change to mix things up a bit.

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"Man or Mountain" by Gordon van Vliet

Today I am posting one of my paintings for the first time in quite awhile. This on is from my Monday night adventures painting from live models at The Steve Carpenter Studio.

A great and varied group of artists that I thoroughly enjoy meeting and painting with.

"Man or Mountain"
Oil on canvas 9.5"x11.25" $239.00 mounted with 1"professional black wood frame.
Shipping $9.00 to Continental USA.
NY state residents add 8.25% sales tax
Email me if interested.

The idea for this piece comes from the old adage, "Is he a man or a mouse?" Well this fine young man looks meaner than a mouse, so I thought is he a mountain of a man, or simply a man or average? We all judge by looks and often can be deceived. So a closer look is many times warranted.

So in fact, in this painting. Notice the mountains in the background, then look closer. In fact, this gentleman wore a coat of many colors and what you see is his outstretched arm. He is comfortable in his pose, but underneath he sizes you up as you, in turn, consider him.

Or available by phone and credit card through:


Click on Me

Baytowne Plaza, 1900 Empire Blvd.
Webster, NY 14580
585-787-2150
Mon., Wed., Fri. 10-6
Tues., Thurs. 10-7
Sat. 10-4

see also:

BEFORE AND AFTER
a show of oil paintings
by Christian Kolupski
Click

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Getting Ready for Valentine's Day

Today I bring you a friend's painting. It is from his series, "Before and After" Here we have an after shot entitled, "Kiss UnWrapped". I find it appropriate for the holiday upon us. It is available through The Framing Edge.

I have been painting and will one day soon show some of my recent work. Lately I have been getting my new store going. Cheers.

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