Alot has happened to not only me, but to my art since leaving the New York City Police Department in 2006. There has been an introduction of "realism" into some of my latest works. There have also been awards and ribbons for some of my entries but none as significant as the Best In Show ribbon I was awarded at the 2011 Long Beach Fine Art Show. It was a wonderful weekend with friends and family dropping by. One such friend from "the job" stopped by. A local gal named Kate. I always loved her charm and wit. As Kate was eyeing my work she asked in her heavy New York accent, "Are deese pitchiz lithographs?" I said, "No, Katie, they're Giclee' Prints." "GICLEE' PRINTS!" she spouted mimicking me. Then she let me have it. "Five years ago you were kicking rats off your desk in Brooklyn North and now you're frickin' speakin' French?!"
Love you, Kate.

I was pleased to hear that this picture, titled Osprey Nest, was one of six selected in the Long Beach Art League's exhibit, "ANIMALS; Real or Imagined". This exhibit was juried by Professor Seung Lee of Long Island University's C.W. Post Campus. During Professor Lee's critique of the picture he mentioned that I must have an enormous amount of patience. I told him that in fact patience was the trait that I lacked the most. He then went into the theory of how opposites many times attract. That my impatience makes it possible for me to sit for a hundred or more hours creating a picture. Hmmm. I started to get what he meant. The fact that I CAN sit for hours at a time and focus on a small area which in turn becomes the big picture. It's kind of like longing for the ocean when I'm in the country, and vice versa. Or imagining the trees with leaves in the winter and bare limbs in the summer. You know what? To hell with it. I gotta go.

During an unexpected hiatus from the grueling dog eat dog world, my brother Chuck was most times trying to outsmart the magnificent striped bass. He was quite accomplished at this. There were times, however, where I actually witnessed him fight the fish in a textbook fashion only for the linesider to "spit the hook", wink at him, and amazingly flip Chuck "the bird" utilizing it's pectoral fin. For the record this happened only once and it was during the smoking of a Cuban MonteCristo given to us by a guru from Havana that told us to "Quarter this when we get to the right place."
He is also a master net handler. No fish were lost at the net. There was one fish though that would not fit in the net due to it's girth. Chuck immediately threw the net to the deck and incredibly reached over the gunwale and slid his hand into the gillplate of this enormous striper and wrestled it onboard. It was quite a sight. We both wished the guru from Havana was onboard.
What became known as "The Summer of Chuck" has since ended. He has rejoined the world of commerce and currently travels more than anyone I know. We talk or text practically daily and many times we revert back to that amazing Summer.

Now in these dreary Winter months I sit sharpening hooks and tying leaders while Chuck manages to find time to customize guitars. Bass season opens in April. It'll be hear before we know it. Anyone seen a little Spanish speaking man in a tie-dyed robe and sandals hanging around the docks on the South Shore of Long Island?

I wish I had a colored pencil for every time I asked the question, "Where'd you catch that cow?", and the answer was, "Off the Pink Hotel." Many a striped bass have been culled off the beloved Pink Hotel (now called Lido Towers) including a fine 37 pounder boated by myself with the help of my First Mate Bridgid during this past summer.
Even when the fishing is slow it is always a beautiful sight.

This piece was one of twelve selected to represent the Long Beach Art League's 2011 calendar by C.W. Post College's Professor of Art, Neill Slaughter. Professor Slaughter likened my work to that of Gustav Klimpt, of whom everyone in the room had been familiar with except for me. I have since looked at Klimpt's work and am now a huge fan. His Forest Of Beeches is magnificent! Mr. Slaughter also remarked that Saugerties was done "fanatically". I guess that's a good thing?!? I'll be looking forward to seeing the upcoming calendar in 2011. God willing.
Thank you Billy and Regina for the inspiration.

I wanted to create a picture which celebrated the spirit of those who suffer from disease, specifically breast cancer, and who do so with courage and dignity. When it came to title the piece I could only think of my Magee who would purchase any product, in any store, at any time, so long as it had a pink ribbon adorning the label. Brilliant marketing strategy. I would always tell her that she was a "sucker for a pink ribbon". Perfect title! A Sucker For A Pink Ribbon.
Brother Chuck suggested donating a print to Hewlett House, home of the 1-in-9 Foundation, a non-profit organization which benefits those fighting the fight against ALL cancer. (Check them out at www.1in9.org). Now I didn't think it would be proper for the original A Sucker For A Pink Ribbon title to grace the walls of this 300 year old house, so I renamed it simply "Pink Ribbon". When the picture was presented to Geri Barash, the executive director of Hewlett House, she suggested having a contest at a local elementary school to rename the picture. The contest was won by a sweet third grader with the present title "Beads of Love". I like it but the picture will always be A Sucker For A Pink Ribbon to me. God Bless.

On a side note, this picture was selected by the Long Beach Art League to be "Miss October" for their 2010 calendar. Contact me if you are interested in one.

Trying to steer clear of roadbumps and navigate a steady course as this heavy hearted summer comes to a close. I know I was not in it alone but the upcoming FinnFest 2009 which will be held on the first Saturday of Autumn the 26th of September at Nickerson Beach Park in Lido Beach, NY has allowed me to channel what positive energy I have left.
Go to www.FinnFestLB.com to find out more. Hope to see you there.

On July 09, 2009 at 12:14 in the afternoon, color as I know it has become somewhat faded. I pray that with time it will return to it's near original sharpness and vividness.

The Long Beach Fine Art Show was a total pissa! Alot of friends and family dropped by my booth to shoot the breeze, have a cup of coffee and the ever burning cigar. My display was erected and set up by brothers Chuck and Billy and carefully broken down by older brother Rich. I could not have done it without them. Nor could I have managed without the assistance of my favorite redhead, Bridgid. Thanks.

There was a good amount of positive feedback and many pieces went. The show was topped off with a First Place ribbon and a cash award. A terrific way to spend both St. Anthony Day and Flag Day.

There is still the West End Artist Guild exhibit in the lobby of the Jackson Hotel which runs through the summer and the newly opened space in the West End Library. Both locations boast artwork from local artists. While at Ever's Place Gallery By The Sea there is a mix of local and world renowned artists. Stop in and browse and tell Scott that I sent you.

Stay loose and keep coming back.
-Marck

What's up kids? I want to thank everyone who came to the reception of my exhibit in Chelsea and also those who visited during the three weeks it was up. The curator, Arlene, had commented to me that there were some real unlikely gallery-goers who truly spiced up the night. When I told her that many were active and retired NYPD she freaked out. Not sure but I think she may have been interested in a couple. She has since e-mailed me asking if I would be interested in returning for another show next year. I may just have to take one for the team. You're welcome in advance and I think you know who you are.

The Long Beach art scene is certainly flourishing. Ever's Place Gallery by the Sea nestled in the West End has really made a name for itself. Scott Evers, the owner of the gallery, has been instrumental in sponsoring many fund raisers and wonderful exhibits at the gallery. Two of my pictures are currently hanging for the themed show 'The Sixties'. Stop by and have a cup of coffee with Scott.

Also new to Long Beach is the creation of the West End Visual Artists Guild's own impromtu gallery space inside the lobby of the Jackson Hotel. The Jackson has been a staple of Long Beach and it is a testament to Old World charm. It is open to the public and there is a variety of artwork on display, including three of my own.

Long Beach, Long Beach, Long Beach. Blah Blah Blah. Some say it's the 'center of the universe'. A local LB poet refers to it as 'Bellevue with a liquor license'. Whatever you might think it is where the action is for sun, fun and art. If you are in the area on Saturday June 13 and Sunday June 14 stop by the JFK Plaza outside of City Hall for the 15th Annual Fine Arts Fair. I will be displaying my work there and as in years passed you can find my spot by simply looking for the plume of cigar smoke. Come on by.

-Marck