KayaksColorful kayaks on a beach in Cuba, just after dawn.

I want to thank all of my friends who stopped by the "Suddenly Summer!!" show at the Virginia Perle Art Gallery last week in Toms River.  We had a very nice turnout, with lots of lookers and nice comments for all the artists.  The art was varied and amazing--from my colorful stuff, to Marc F.'s animals, to Virginia Perle's watercolors, to Barbara Warner's amazing jewelry (even my wife bought a neckless).  If you were not able to make it, the show continues until September, so you have no excuse not to come for a visit--even if you don't live in New Jersey!!

Into the fog.A foggy morning in Island Heights, as seen with a twisted, photogenic pier.

I also wanted to give you some more info about two other shows I will be involved in.  The Annual Photography show at the Ocean County Artists' Guild in Island Heights is accepting submissions tomorrow from 10 am to 3 pm.  I will be helping out for a while, so if you do come, please say hello.  The opening for that show is Sunday, July 5th, at 1 pm and continuing until 4 p.m.  The show continues until July 29th, so if you are in the area to see the work at the Virginia Perle Art gallery, you can stop at the Artists' Guild too.  There are four categories at the photo show--nature, manipulated, color, and black and white.  The work presented is always spectacular and very memorable.  I will have submissions in three of the four categories, so wish me luck!!  The winners will be announced on July 5th, starting at about 2 pm.  There is always a wonderful reception to go along with the opening--certainly worth a visit.

The third show I will be involved with will be at the Torche Galerie in Belmar. This is a great, New York-like gallery located at 500 Main Street in Belmar, which is a town which has one of the best, most vibrant arts scenes on the Jersey Shore (and that's saying something). The work there is contemporary, and different and in all mediums--drawing, watercolors, sculpture, metal, wood, plastic resin and photography, of course. Much of the work is abstract, but all of it is awesome and outstanding and it is by some of the finest contemporary artists working at the Shore. The gallery is run by woodworker Roddy Wildeman, who started as a carpenter and branched into being an artist, using lumber salvaged from the debris of Superstore Sandy.  His creations alone are amazing. So what is my work doing there?  Well, actually, some of my work is abstract and my pieces in the show (entitled "The Summer Exhibition"), capture the abstract designs in the objects we see around us every day.

EpiphanyThere is a sudden realization one gets when viewing this image. Can you figure out what it is?

 But don't take my word for it. Stop at the gallery.  The show starts on Saturday, July at 7 pm, and runs until the end of August. The gallery is open every day. The place is truly an amazing treat for the eyes.