For the past two days, I have been painting in the lounge of Midtown hot spot, BUtterfield8 NYC. Lately, I have been inspired by a great many artists – friends and famous alike. There is much room for exploration in color and mark-making, and this piece focuses on both.

Setting up shop, right away, I realized the low lighting would set the atmosphere, and challenge the creation of a palette.

Beginning the piece, sans Sharpie… something new for me.

Laying out the picture – at first, I wasn’t sure which composition to choose, so I took a photograph and held it up to the canvas for guidance.

Nearly all laid out in Hooker’s Green.

Splashing in some of the warmer tones… cherry wood walls, floors and paneling.

Further adding in the rich, dark tones.

I want this picture to feel like the space, not necessarily look like the space – thinking Van Gogh’s Night Cafe, and any one of Lautrec’s interiors; sans people.

More lights, trying to understand how the ceiling factors in.

A lovely, ugly green to fill in all of the whites – my moment of zen, a white free canvas.

Exploring lighter tones, beginning to get lost in the fading light.

Action shot courtesy of my lovely lady.

Again, rocking the new hat. Also, discovered another adjustment factor on my easel – I love this thing.

It’s time to call it a night, thank you for the hospitality BUtterfield8, appreciate the chat Dixie.

Staring me down from the bathroom, a challenge, “can you finish me?” I think so canvas, I think so.

Day two began with some deep red outlines, to help “parse the data” and get things in order.

Beginning to make sense of the upper portion of the canvas with a variety of warm greys.

Within the first hour, I realized an outside inspection of the piece was required to identify the true colors – here, a layer of deep burgundy helps ground the picture.

A round of vibrant blues to capture the light reflections.

Getting close, I cannot remember the last time that color purple found its way into my work.

And the final. Without over-analyzing my own work, I will usurp a quote from a good friend of mine, David Pringle, on this picture: “You really captured a feeling of warmth and class there. I am fascinated in your ability to do that.”