Kickstarter

The year 1614 saw the founding of a Dutch fur trading settlement on the southern tip of Manhattan which would be called "Nieuw Amsterdam" (New Amsterdam) in 1625. Dutch colonial Director-General Peter Minuit purchased the island of Manhattan from the Canarsie, a small band of the Lenape, in 1626 for a value of 60 guilders (about $1000 in 2006); a disproved legend says that Manhattan was purchased for $24 worth of glass beads.

New York served as the capital of the United States from 1785 until 1790. It has been the country's largest city since 1790.

New York became the most populous urbanized area in the world in early 1920s, overtaking London, and the metropolitan area surpassed the 10 million mark in early 1930s, becoming the first megacity in human history. -Wikipedia

New York City is a subject without end, and it takes on new meaning when observed through the eyes of a native. Born and bred on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, I remember the old neighborhood when it wasn't so nice; we're talking West Side Story here. Much of the charm has gone from the mom-and-pop-shop days, and there is a very different vibe going on.

From on-the-spot thumbnail studies and photographs I will produce larger canvasses in the studio that show my own view of the city that has been my home all my life. A traditional oil technique will be used to depict familiar and not-so-familiar sites, and a work-in-progress report will be sent along the way. Prints of the finished paintings will be made at the end of the project, and I estimate that one large painting and maybe a smaller canvas can be completed during the project along with their studies and photographs.

This is a traditional art project, and the costs involved are mainly related to materials and cost of living, so the goal for for the funding is reasonably low. When the light is right I will be at work on location with paints and camera; then it's back to the cave for many days of work. At the end of the process some of my best work will emerge, and the backers will receive printed copies of the paintings produced and, of course, my whole-hearted thanks.