Pittsburgh Paintings and Prints

"To cure sometimes, to relieve often, and to comfort always," is the mantra for front line medical people. I drew this year's Christmas card in honor of those ...who put their lives on the line in dealing with the virus--especially at the outset, when no one really knew what was happening and we did not have the support in place that we now have. A forgotten story is that, on 9/11, before the fire fighters went into the burning buildings, the Catholics among them knelt and were given last rights by a local priest--they knew exactly what they were risking. Here's to all who do their best to keep us safe! Careful driving today--patience truly is a virtue. You'll get there. MERRY CHRISTMAS! See more

"Covid Jack Flash.....It's a gas, gas, gas....." (a ragged, off the cuff, quick pic with my phone by Archie Carpenter)

An oil painting that I finished a while ago, "Carnegie Steel Mill , New Castle PA, circa 1920," (U.S. Steel) oil 20x40. Built where the Shenango River and Nesh...annock Creek meet, the plant opened in 1892, replacing the Crawford Iron & Steel Company., leading to the town being referred to as, "Little Pittsburgh." Carnegie's company eventually became the first billion dollar corporation, after he sold his interest to J.P. Morgan for $480million ($13billion in today's dollars). Manufacturing continued there for the next century to where Elwood Quality Steels Company resides there today. As technology has advanced, at the current plant, just 120 workers can now produce over 500,000 tons of steel each year from scrap, and 100% of the pollution is routed back into the mill! There are hundreds of great environmental stories like this around the country that you will not hear about on the evening news. Good news doesn't sell soap. And western PA still produces 65% of the volume of steel that it used to. Most is specialty steel. Due to technology, one worker can produce what 8-10 used to. I research these things, ongoing, due to my art work. The continuing, ever-unfolding story of the American experiment never ceases to amaze me (as always, fine art prints available) NOTE: I CAN BE HIRED TO TALK ABOUT MY PAINTINGS AND OUR REGION’S INDUSTRIAL HISTORY: See more

It was so nice to hear live music last Sunday as part of Piano Day in Pittsburgh. Thanks to owner, Nick Redondo, Joe Wingenfield, Jessica Lee and friends jazz...ed it up on a sunny day outside the Friendship Perk 'n Brew. Guitar by Mark Strickland, on Sax was Joseph Wingenfeld and pianist extrodinaire, Joe DeFazio, I did some improvisational rapid drawings in the sketchbook to capture the moment! (..and yes, there was a bird on top of the telephone pole..) A special Piano Day founder, Peter Stumpf. Like the old song says, "I Love a Piano"! Mark Strickland Allen Levine Mark Zucco Jackie Danko Hooper David Gurwin George Schill Frederick Carlson Henry White Gene Bernotas Carol Ging Erzen Doreen Smyth Ralph G Mazza Susan Deluca Danny Gochnour. See more

Vince's excellent adventure to New England to visit friends, including artist Dee JB at her cottage in Hampton Beach, NH, and we visited Mark Hayden, in Haverh...ill MA, a Copley Master painter, and I visited John Matta and Diana on their farm in New Milford CT on the way back. Dee and I sketched on the beach, did paintings and yes, even swam! The water was surprisingly warm for New Hampshire! I hit perfect weather, after the humidity left, like Pittsburgh. We also went to the Ogunquit Art Museum in Maine. And yes, she cut my hair. My painting is the blue one in the middle, with my ink drawings below and to the right. Dee's oils are left of that, with drawing underneath. We can not believe we've know each other almost 30 years. Dee had a sketchbook of mine from 2002, which I was thrilled she held on to--and I recall every drawing in it! And she called the pic of her, Mark and I, posted here, as a rose between two thorns. We met when we all took Daniel Greene workshops in NY state. To the very right, in gold frame, is Dan's pastel of Dee JB, and to the far left, is an oil of John Matta by Dan. Both own their portraits. The statue at the very bottom is a monument to the veteran's who lost their lives at sea, defended our freedom, and sits on the Hampton Beach boardwalk. Sean Matta Frederick Carlson Allen Levine Mark Zucco Jessica Lee Archie Carpenter Rita Ruscetti Bob Montello Ann Imes Natalie Shugars Salena Zito Brian O'Neill Roseann Laffey Parker Rosemary Skaggs Eric Mungai Christine Swann George Schill Philip Salvato Christine Swann See more