A Day at the Met
Growing up in the Greater New York Metropolitan Area, AKA… Hudson County, NJ – and going to college in Manhattan, the city’s art institutions have always been a significant part of my life.
I remember my first visit to The Met as a kid. It's a vague, blurry memory, sometimes I’m not even sure if it is real - but there is one moment or one painting has always stayed with me: the first time I saw Adélaïde Labille-Guiard's "Self-Portrait with Two Pupils."
Adélaïde Labille-Guiard's "Self-Portrait with Two Pupils."
At the age of 8 or 9, my young mind was completely blown away by the realism, the detailed dress, the sheer magnitude at 83 x 59 1/2 in, and the fact that it was a woman painting herself and two students. I wonder if, somewhere in the back of my mind, that was the moment I decided I wanted to be an artist. Now, almost 30 years later, I still feel the same awe every time I step into The Met and see that painting along with the rest of their collection. Some works feel like old friends, familiar yet always revealing something new.
Ink & acrylic paint on cardboard, sketch.
Art, Inspiration, and The Met
In my latest painting, I wanted to honor this institution that has been there for me and my growth as an artist more than art school ever did. I come here when I'm feeling down, in search of inspiration, or when I want to puzzle through a technique. It is a safe space where I always leave feeling uplifted.
For this piece, I chose an ambitious 30x40 inch canvas, larger than any I've worked on in a while hoping to help me capture the grandeur. But, I did my first pass at this idea with a fast, expressive sketch on cardboard.
Initial sketch with oil sticks
Color experiment
Color experiment
Choosing the right color strategy was a challenge. I oscillated between surreal and realistic tones before settling on a middle ground. My preference leans towards high-chroma, vibrant, and saturated colors—not necessarily the colors that are there, but how my mind perceives them.
I am happy with the final piece, which took around two months to complete… and as any artist knows, the concept of "done" is elusive.
Finished piece
A Day at the Met, 30 x 40 inches, oil on canvas.
Interested in 'A Day at the Met' or other pieces in my collection? I warmly invite you to schedule a studio visit to experience the artwork in person and explore the stories behind each piece. Contact me to arrange a private viewing and immerse yourself in a world of vibrant expression and detail.
