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Ring’s End Bridge 12x24 oil on board

This is the best-known landmark in my hometown

Darien CT

The charming stone house is no longer there

But the memory is

JUST FINISHED!

Dunlap Woods 18x24 oil on canvas

This view is from a little-known nature preserve in Darien

It’s scenic trails are literally off the beaten path

Making it a hidden gem of solitude and quiet

Sanctuary from the drone of leaf blowers

JUST FINISHED!

Night Rider 11x14 oil on canvas

This night scene is lower Manhattan near Wall Street

From a photo shared on Facebook

The painting is an homage to Edward Hopper

Painter of solitary moments

RECENT WORK

Five Mile River Sunset 20x30 oil on canvas

This is beautiful Rowayton Harbor at twilight

As seen from the mouth of Five Mile River

The harbor opens onto Long Island Sound and Green’s Ledge Light

And is hands-down the prettiest inlet in Western CT

I found this view on Facebook

The photo was posted by a friend who moved to Ireland

The sun is warm. The ocean is near. The road is empty

A perfect day

Irish Coast 11x14 oil on canvas

The Newlyweds 12x16 oil on canvas

RECENT WORK

I’ve known and admired this young man for his entire life

His name is Jake

And he’s the son of my dear friends Jack & Andrea

The bride he adores is Caitlin

She’s beyond lovely

This was their wedding gift

If you, or someone you know, might be interested in an original portrait …

let’s discuss a project

RECENT WORK

Sophia 9x12 oil on canvas

This is our niece

By selection not birth

She’s an excellent dressage competitor

And terrific young woman

A bit snarky. But we love that

BIG Yankees fan

Alex & JoJo 14x18 oil on canvas

RECENT WORK

This is our friend and tenant gardener Alex B

We share our garden and she shares her green thumb

Along with her crop of garlic, flowers, herbs, and vegetables

Always nearby is her faithful JoJo

They return each spring

Welcome as songbirds

RECENT WORK

Family Wedding 20x24 oil on canvas

My sister-in-law commissioned this portrait from my nephew’s recent wedding

The project was by far my most challenging and I thought she might have been a bit over-confident in my abilities

Fortunately, all the happy faces carried me through

If you, or someone you know, might be interested in an original portrait …

let’s discuss a project

RECENT WORK

Hallie & Joseph 16x20

This portrait was commissioned by a thoughtful groom-to-be

As a wedding day gift to his lovely bride

The scene is a happy memory from their engagement party

If you, or someone you know, might be interested in an original portrait …

let’s discuss a project

The Kiss 16x20 oil on canvas

This portrait was commissioned as a first wedding anniversary gift

That’s my nephew Jeffrey and his bride Christine on their wedding day

The rosy palette, beach path, and suggestion of a tall ship signify love, adventure, and moving forward together

If you, or someone you know, might be interested in an original portrait …

let’s discuss a project

This is golden hour on a tidal inlet in Darien

It was fall of 2020 during the COVID lockdown

And breathing fresh air was never more appreciated

Especially on this incredible day

Contentment Island in Fall 11x14 oil on canvas

GIFTED

Mike Vitti, Piedmont Club President 16x20 oil on canvas

This was a gift to one of Darien’s favorite people

Thanks to the hard work of Mike, his family, and many Club members, the Piedmont is doing great!

Stop in sometime

A Quiet Place 22x28 oil on canvas

Hiking

Fishing

Reading

Swimming

We all need our quiet places

Spring Orchard 16x20 oil on canvas

Stumbled on this beautiful old orchard while heading north on Oenoke Ridge in New Canaan, CT

The color of the day was chartreuse

The old fence was weathered and broken down. But still holding its line

I could relate

This rock off Nash Island in Darien is a favorite fishing spot of my cousin

The inspiration to paint it was fun times, calm water …

and the sleeping figure I see in its shape

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Kevin’s Island 24x24 oil on canvas

This is an homage to John Frederick Kensett

A Hudson River School artist

He painted Twilight on the Sound, Darien, Connecticut in 1872

150 years later this view is still magical

Twilight on the Sound 11x14 oil on canvas

This is a second study after John Frederick Kensett

He painted a few views from Contentment Island in Darien

Like Twilight on the Sound, this scene was painted in 1872

The year of Kensett’s passing

Passing Off of the Storm, Darien CT 6x12 oil on canvas

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Michiana Steps 20x24 oil on canvas

This is golden hour on Lake Michigan. Our friends Pix and Michael are on the left, my wife Mickey on the right

Martinis aren’t far off

Tilley Pond 13.5x19 oil on board

I was inspired to paint this familiar Darien scene for its timeless beauty

2015 looks a lot like 1965

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Portrait of Dad 16x20 oil on canvas

My father Charlie Saverine

This began as an underpainting but I’m happy I stopped

All the warmth is in his eyes

Pippy’s Garden 20x24 oil on canvas

This was a familiar scene to anyone who grew up in Darien from the 60’s to the 90’s

That’s Joe D’Arrigo, “Pippy” as he was known to most

His large garden stood just off Maple and Gardiner Streets

Small and weathered, Pippy would tirelessly tend his garden from spring to fall, even in later years

It was an annual wonder

Pippy also bravely served in Korea as a young man

Having the distinction of being the last American in the DMZ when the Chinese charged across the border

A NY Times dispatch hailed our neighbor as “the first American hero” of the Korean War

Jeff’s & Christine’s Wedding Gift - 15x19 oil on board

I painted this for my nephew Jeffrey and his lovely bride Christine

Their wedding was on Cape Cod in 2022

It was a spectacularly beautiful October weekend and the couple was surrounded by loving friends and family

But not their Lucy, devoted companion of many years

She had passed not long before

My wish was that they always be together

Clouds I & II - 24x24 oils on canvas

Saw these amazing Mammatus clouds one fall evening as I was leaving work in Darien. They really did look like this.

Clouds I & II paired set

I spent many happy days next to Papa Joe’s Ristorante Italiano when I worked at Noroton Gallery, and later at my shop Darien Art & Frame

The locals know them well but that’s Joe seated, Biagio standing, and their birthplace Isola di Ponza in the background

Don’t know who took the original photo, but I instantly liked it’s old world formality

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Riveccio Brothers 16x20 oil on canvas

Mickey on the Block Island Ferry (detail)

I painted this as a birthday present to my wife in 2020

It was my second attempt at watercolor

Capturing Mick is all about the hair

These 11x14 oil portraits were commissioned by a wonderful couple in Darien, CT

They are Peppy (B&W) and Max (Hawaiian shirt)

If you, or someone you know, might be interested in an original portrait …

let’s discuss a project

Leila’s Margarita 11x14 oil on canvas

A friend and loyal client commissioned this painting

As a Christmas present for her employee who likes Margaritas

Her only instruction was to make it fun

I tried to make it appetizing too

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Uncle Tony 24x24 oil on canvas

This portrait of my godfather Tony Kucis was done in 2018, a year before he passed

I wanted to paint him as I would remember our visits. Talking with him in his favorite chair with his beloved Mitzie at his side

I gave the portrait to my cousin Wendy. The light of his life

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Hygeia House, Block Island 12x18 oil on canvas

One of my first paintings

This was done on a beautiful sun baked afternoon in front of a badly decrepit Hygeia House overlooking New Harbor

The building was eventually resurrected as a B&B in the late ‘90’s

My art director wife insisted work was finished

And of course she was right

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Block Island View 18x24 oil on canvas

I painted this view of Old Harbor from the deck of what was then The Cushman House

Through the 90’s we rented here the second week of September with three other couples

Families with kids were back to school

It was heaven

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The Cushman House, Block Island 8x10 oil on canvas

This is a view of our rental from Mansion Beach on a windy day

There are lots of those in September

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Olive Meets Santa 16x20 oil on canvas

I knew I would paint this scene as soon as I saw the photo

My sister Barbara had taken our grand-niece Olive to meet Santa for the first time, and her look of wonder is priceless

Santa in this case was Darien’s own Joe Warren. As close to the real deal as you’ll ever see

Thanks Joe

Lulu 16x20 oil on canvas

This was another photo I wanted to paint at first sight

This time taken by Grandma Holly during her girls weekend with my grand niece Tallulah

I’m so proud of all my nieces

And the strong, confident young women they’ve become

Don Sigovich was a fine art printer

And a fine gentleman

He passed away in 2019

As I toasted Don’s life-size photo at the bar of his crowded memorial, I knew this was a painting I had to try

Is this not a guy you’d like to hang out with?

I’ll miss him forever

Toasting Don 11x14 oil on canvas

Cemetery Pond 20x24 oil on canvas

This subject was inspired by my childhood summers at Spring Grove Cemetery. (not as weird as you’re thinking) It was actually a good fishing spot back then

What I miss most from this scene is my mother. Jenny. She would be waiting patiently in the car from this very vantage point

Over and over I would promise “one more cast”

And she believed me

It’s also fitting that this painting follows my tribute to Don Sigovich because he once cheerfully described the green as “bilious”

I love that

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This garden on the corner of Salem Straits in Darien was in full bloom when Mickey and I drove past one Mother’s Day

We didn’t actually see anyone

But I like to imagine this happy scene if we had

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Mother’s Day 30x40 oil on canvas

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Pear Tree Point in Spring 18x24 oil on canvas

A friend asked me to paint this as a gift for a couple who would be moving from Darien. The gazebo was their favorite spot

I was told they cried when they opened it

Which made me happy

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Dad as a Young Ballplayer 18x24 oil on canvas

My father was a star athlete in his beloved hometown of Darien

They called him The Bull

This was probably the mid 1950’s and his team was sponsored by Saint John RC Church

Where he would be seen every Sunday

Until he passed at age 94

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After Hokusai 18x24 oil on canvas

It’s fitting this painting follows my father’s baseball portrait

He joined the Army and shipped out in 1946

As Dad tells it, his military service was marked by two things

Playing baseball in Japan

And being seasick the whole way there and whole way back

But at least the war had ended

And his life of service would continue at home

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Front Walk in Spring 7x9 oil on canvas

I’m guessing this was done shortly after my wife gave me my first oil paint set for Christmas

Late 80’s

It was a beautiful spring day with rays of late afternoon sun and the smell of fresh leaves and grass everywhere

I was painting from a low chair off the driveway

The combined effect of solitude and result was pure bliss

Still is

 
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Andrea McCauley on Champion Tilbert 20x30 oil on canvas

My friend Jack commissioned me to paint this portrait of his wife Andrea who is an expert Dressage instructor

She’s seen here riding her beloved Tilbert

He passed too soon but not before they won a lot of ribbons

The perfect pair. Moving as one

This painting was a gift to my cousin Rick on his 50th birthday

His girls went everywhere with him and are seen here on Mansion Beach during one of our annual Block Island weeks

Mabel is lying down and disinterested. Molly upright and alert

Both in perfect character

They were fun on the beach

But not on the sofa

Molly & Mabel on Block Island 18x36 oil on canvas

More gifts to friends

It seems I have a soft spot for people who lost pets

Each of these dogs was very special to their human

From l. to r. are Maddie who was companion to my friend Jay; Hobie to my friend Mick; and Nero to my friend — Cousin Joe

They and their owners are special to me too

This was a gift to my friends Belinda and Steve on the day they baptised their first boy

It was also my baptism into portrait painting

Hard to tell here, but this kid was enormous. I used to call him The Amazing Colossal Baby

He’s grown now, literally — to about 6 feet 7

And he’s one of the brightest, cleverest young men I know

Although he may still believe I’m Batman

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Wylie 14x18 oil on board

My wife and I made many trips to Maine to visit my cousin’s family during the 2000’s

Who wouldn’t

Their converted barn was very unique when they bought it, but my cousin and his wife have an incredible way of turning their homes into funhouses

In every sense of the word

Strange artifacts and huge stuffed animals occupied every corner; and rigorously observed traditions like our New Year’s Gingerbread Competition always had a special theme

Gluten-free of course

Thank you Rick, Beth, Sophia, Ricky, and Lily for all those great times

Leaving Kennebunk 16x20 oil on board

This painting was inspired by the hedgerow of stately Emerald Aborvitaes across from Cherry Lawn Park

Much the same as the green giants I painted in Leaving Kennebunk

It seems the sun works a special magic on these plants

Turning them into magnificent gems

As their name implies

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Across from Cherry Lawn, Darien 12x18 oil on board

This is another homage to the perennial wonder of spring

When even old timers bloom

The setting is Arrowhead Way in Tokeneke (Darien)

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Spring Maple 18x20 oil on canvas

Love & Hate 12x24 oil on canvas.

In 2014, Pope Francis released two doves from his Vatican window as a call to end the killing in Ukraine

One of the peace symbols was instantly attacked by a crow

Stunned onlookers in St. Peter's Square watched anxiously, hoping the dove would survive. It did

The event was widely reported

In 2022, the symbolism was re-enacted when Russia’s malignant dictator savagely attacked his peaceful neighbor

Now we watch anxiously with hopes that Ukraine will survive

The endless story of Love & Hate

Charlie’s Mural, 8’x12’ acrylic on wallboard (details)

It was the 90’s when my sister Barbara asked me to paint a mural on her son’s bedroom wall

And every minute was exciting because it was complete trial and error

But the best part was that my mom would come by nearly every day

Marveling at her son’s amateur efforts

As only a mother would

The sea life theme was a nod to my nephew

Charlie was only twelve when he made the local news for pulling a massive striper from the channel of the Darien Boat Club

A fish nearly as big as him

Florence Griswold Summer Garden oil on miniature palette - detail

Florence Griswold Summer Garden; oil on miniature palette - detail

My Florence Griswold Museum 2020 Holiday Palette

 

It was a great honor to be accepted to the Museum’s permanent collection of miniature holiday palettes

Each holiday season the Museum decorates Christmas Trees in the main galleries with over 200 palettes by artists from around the country

The trees are a lot of fun for kids and adults

Promise

Visit Florence Griswold

As you can see, I’m not finished

Please visit again

And maybe consider owning something you like

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THANK YOU for sharing your time to make it to the end