Marie-Louise McHugh Paintings

My Father died on April 29

admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:26:00 +0000

As I was sitting next to my father’s deathbed for 5 days, I had plenty of time to reflect on our life together and all he has done for me, given me and the wonderful things that I experienced thanks to him. An image out of my past also emerged in my head. As a teenager I was quite fascinated by Ferdinand Hodler (1853-1918) one of the most important 19th century painters. He was born in Bern, Switzerland and later lived in Geneva. He painted numerous paintings of his dying lover Valentine Gode-Darel. A small sketch in particular has stayed with me ever since (http://les-artistes.tumblr.com/post/808295140/ferdinand-hodler – just scroll down the page) The Dying Valentine Gode-Darel. So simple and poignant.
It took me quite some time to start sketching and I did so with mixed feelings at first. Was this disrespectful? In the end it was just very sad.

My Dying Father, digital iPad painting

Welcome Little Gavin Alexander

admin — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 02:13:27 +0000

I really love working with the new”ArtRage” app. Feels like using real paint. Fun little sketch:

iPad digital painting

ArtRage….. I just discovered this new App

admin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:48:24 +0000

Finally an App that lets me feel the paint and blend colors on the canvas. I just discovered this one thanks to an article in Macworld magazine. It takes some getting used to and this is only my first attempt. The feel is quite different from other apps I have “painted” with. I truly feel that for a painter, this app is an improvement. You judge…

Easter at Mary’s
Digital iPad painting

Amedeo Modigliani

admin — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 22:16:36 +0000

Recently, while discussing early influences with friends, I decided to go through some of my paintings and remember what artist had made an impression on me, early in my art making.
I came upon this little painting: “Reclining Nude”.
I vividly remember discovering nudes painted by Amedeo Modigliani, in my late teens and being transfixed by his way of painting magnificent nudes very simply. Modigliani said so much with very few marks and details. Of course I do not paint like him but when I paint nudes, his work is always in the back of my mind.

Oil on canvas, 10″x20″

Other influences in my figurative work are Balthus and Lucian Freud. More about them later.

While reading Richardson’s Picasso biography I realized that Modigliani, Brancusi and Picasso where working in Paris at the same time and that they knew each other and probably influenced each other too.

Sweet Dreams Little Gavin

admin — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 03:50:13 +0000

iPad Digital Painting

March 1st Opening at Phoenix Gallery

admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 03:25:00 +0000

It was a very nice show. The work on the left is of John Hampshire. On the right, some of my work.

In My Studio

admin — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:24:11 +0000

In My Studio, oil on canvas, 60″x36″

Birds

admin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:20:03 +0000

I miss the beach!

Birds, digital iPad painting

Last week of the show at the Phoenix Gallery

admin — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 21:03:46 +0000

Just a reminder that the show at the Phoenix Gallery, 210 Eleventh Avenue(@25th st.) in Chelsea, NYC will close on Saturday the 24th of March. Should you plan to visit the New York City ARTEXPO don’t forget to also go to Chelsea and stop at the Phoenix Gallery.

Flowers, oil and gold leaf on Canvas, 16″x20″

Amish Girls on the Beach

admin — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 02:29:40 +0000

So colorful!

Digital iPad Painting