My Stuff

Old Spinning Wheel restored

2012-02-14T14:50:00.000-08:00

This 9x12 started out as just a sketch. Half way through it, I decided to crank it up.
I like the play of light in this small painting.

Any suggestions?
Comment below....

Lighthouse Lookout

2012-02-12T19:06:00.000-08:00

Here's my latest addition to my blog. I kind of like this one,

so thanks for the instruction D. Nelson (a supreme artist).

Batten Down!

2012-02-06T16:30:00.000-08:00

This 9x12 acrylic/oil painting is my new addition to my blog.
It's a tricky method of painting and I hope to perfect it someday.

Any comments??

Use the comment box below. Thank you.

Crusing Cambodia

2012-02-04T20:33:00.000-08:00

This 14x14 oil painting is my latest effort.
The distant mountains shapes are typical
for some areas of Cambodia and Vietnam.

Any comments appreciated below.
Thank you.

Old Truck Museum

2012-01-19T19:17:00.000-08:00

My new addition to Rogues Gallery. Question: Should I finish this 11x14 painting? But, I kind of like the way it is, as is.

I need your comments. Let 'em rip.
Thank you.

Goodbye storm-Hello morning

2012-01-17T14:01:00.000-08:00

Adding another 9x12 oil painting to the gallery.
Comments below?....

My two bird friends

2012-01-13T15:10:00.000-08:00

These are my two new paintings (9x12). I hope they meet with approval. Okay, the Blue Heron is a repeat. But thanks for your comments.

More miniatures

2012-01-07T18:51:00.000-08:00

The lighthouse 2.5x3" oil painting, and The flowers, 3x3" are my new additions to this blog. I hope you like my miniature work.

Comments below...

Still life with pots and flowers

2011-12-23T14:15:00.000-08:00

And now, a smaller one (10x10) oil painting for your viewing pleasure. All available paintings are also for sale.

Got comments below?

Country style afternoon ..plus..Afternoon shore wave....

2011-12-20T17:12:00.000-08:00

Here are two paintings I finished, and reworked, and reworked. I figuered when all corrections were made, the paintings were considered done. Look at those colors!!

Big Blue Heron of North Carolina

2011-12-09T17:28:00.000-08:00

And still another oil painting added to my collection. I hope you enjoy the presentation.

Comments accepted below:

Quiet landscapes-interrupted

2011-12-02T14:56:00.000-08:00

And again, with a new 12x16 oil painting just completed, along with little sister miniature.

Comments below?

Still life with flower

2011-11-19T19:38:00.000-08:00

I'm at it again. Back to my roots with a
still life 12x12" painting.

Windmills of my mind

2011-11-16T18:53:00.000-08:00

And to add my latest 11x14 painting of these old, but still in use, wind power
devices.

Comments always accepted below....
Thank you.

On the Waterfront, Washington, N.Carolina

2011-11-15T11:52:00.000-08:00

Just completed this 11x14 painting of one of our local scenes.

I hope you like it.

Comments below ?

I found my beach

2011-11-01T15:00:00.000-07:00

Here is my latest 11x14 effort in producing art.
"Let's go for a swim."

Comments below...

Fishin' the Pamlico River

2011-10-29T20:36:00.000-07:00

Here is a small 8x10 acrylic/oil painting I finished in exactly 2.5 hours.
I'm not so sure if that's good or bad. If you have any ideas, or comments

I would appreciate them. After all, I'm still learning after 24 years of art work.

Just passing by...

2011-10-25T20:42:00.000-07:00

After 24 years of oil painting, I've decided to add
Acrylic paint as a base coat, after artist Dan Nelson
demonstrated the procedure. Here is my 16x20 (acrylic/oil)
effort in this new and exciting approach.

I hope you approve.

Comments below...

The Unvanquished / Afghan elder tribesman

2011-10-17T15:09:00.000-07:00

Still punching out oil paintings with this 11x14"one.
Seems like I'm always in a hurry to get my
paintings finished. Question: Is it finished?
Comments below....

Some old classics... and .... The Desert Dance

2011-10-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

Here are two new 8X10's for your viewing pleasure...I hope.

Suggestions or comments welcomed below.

My 2.5" by 3.5" oil miniatures added to the site.

2011-10-06T09:18:00.000-07:00

Santa Catalina Isl Ca.

2011-10-02T16:40:00.000-07:00

Continuing to update my blog site with new oil paintings.
Santa Catalina Island is 26 miles off the coast of Los Angeles.

Comments and suggestions are accepted below.

The Upscale Neighborhood

2011-09-20T16:30:00.000-07:00

Here are my two painting. One is a simple sketch, then off to a larger final painting.

I hope you like it. If not, please tell me why.

Thank you for your time and courtesy.

See comment box below....

Wetlands Journey

2011-09-14T16:37:00.000-07:00

Inspired by my previous Miniature painting of this
scene, I've decided to make a larger 16x20 painting. I tried to cover-up most of the water flow with branches and some foilage. I'm not to
sure if it's what's wrong with this picture.?

Comments and suggestions welcome.
check box below...

Somewhere in Greece / Miniature Watershed movement

2011-09-09T14:37:00.000-07:00

I've been busy completing a couple paintings.
Let me hear your thoughts. Or should I continue
with my profession - being a plumber!

comments below...

Gray Day at Balsam Gap, N.Carolina

2011-08-04T15:36:00.000-07:00

Adventure time. Go for broke. My brain said, "Try a monochrome."
Well, here it is. Mars Black, Payne's Gray, and Titanium White.
From here.......................................................................... to There..

I've got to know your comments.

Southern Seascape

2011-08-01T21:04:00.000-07:00

And another 12x16 painting is added to the gallery.
I kind of liked doing this one. It turned out okay.
I guess.

Again, your comments are appreciated. See below.

Hey Guys-Watch this!

2011-07-25T16:00:00.000-07:00

I dedicate this 9x12 painting to all mothers who may have nightmares.

Comments below?

The River Wild

2011-07-17T19:49:00.000-07:00

This is my new 16x20 oil painting. I love to do water, but rocks
still give me heartburn. Got to get back to my palette knife and keep trying.

Comments or suggestions anyone?
                                                                      PS. This painting was sold even before
                                                                             the frame was completed.

         Thank you R & CL

Looking for the light

2011-07-11T14:33:00.000-07:00

I like my new 9x12 painting of this little landscape.

However, your likes/dislikes are always helpful, because it's always a learning curve. Hopefully the curve is UP!

Hey.. It SOLD!
Thanks for your comments below....

2011-06-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

I've added a couple on 2.5 x 3.5" miniatures
during my spare time.

Comments below ??

Monastery- Somewhere in Europe

2011-06-28T21:17:00.000-07:00

This is my 14X18 oil painting recently completed.

Again, I do appreciate any and all critiques on my work.
Thank you.

Comments added below ?

The Flower Farm

2011-06-16T06:53:00.000-07:00

This is my new 16x12 Painting.

I think it still needs a lot of rework. (?)

Your comments below are appreciated.

Close Encounter at Devil's Tower, Wyoming

2011-06-10T10:08:00.000-07:00

This 16X12 is my new updated painting.

Comments appreciated below.

SAFE....for now

2011-05-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

Here's my new 9x12 painting. I'm trying my hand with animals.
Tell me what you think.

Comments below appreciated.

Bill Davidson's Workshop, Beaufort S.C. 2011

2011-04-16T14:19:00.000-07:00

Here's my hard earned effort with new style and instruction.
A long way to go, to get 'loose' in impressionist oil painting.

Comments below?

2011-03-26T19:15:00.000-07:00

Fun Day at the Beach

Greengrass of Home >
(SOLD)

A String of Pearls

2011-03-04T13:14:00.000-08:00

This set of 6 miniatures were painted for

a European collector. I know she will like them.

Comments below....

2011-02-09T20:22:00.000-08:00

Castle Island >>>>>>>

My new 16x20 oil painting of a famous landmark here in eastern N. Caroline along the Tar/Pamlico River. (click

on painting to enlarge)

My new miniature:

(above)

Still Life with Red Bowl

2011-01-11T18:23:00.000-08:00

And still another in my Rogue's Gallery. It's a 16x20 commission of an older of my paintings. Last comment from customer,

"I love it." SOLD!

Your comments appreciated below.

Still Life with Fruit & glass

2010-12-27T13:33:00.000-08:00

This 9x12 oil painting is a recent redo of my first ever painting I did back in 1987. However, I now added the bottle.

Comments appreciated below.

Thank you.

Down by the Riverside

2010-12-25T12:45:00.000-08:00

A 9x12 oil painting completed just before Christmas 2010.

Comments requested below...

Thank you.

New miniatures

2010-12-01T10:13:00.000-08:00

Here are three of my new miniatures that are added to the line-up. Pier and Church are SOLD.

Comments?

I'm thinking ... Monet

2010-11-13T21:19:00.000-08:00

I hope you like my new one hour miniature painting.

I titled this one, I'm thinking ... Monet.

But in reality, it all came out of my own head.

Good or bad. You can let me know by leaving

a comment below. Thank you.

This miniature was SOLD last week in November.

Still Life with Fruit

2010-10-27T14:22:00.000-07:00

And still another enhanced miniature that took

less that 2 hours to complete.

Is this my new and improved direction??

Comments accepted below.

Fun with Sunflowers

2010-10-25T08:22:00.000-07:00

Now I know what I can do with my 2 small brushes.

Yeah, this is FUN.

Comments below...

Hillside trees

2010-10-23T20:56:00.000-07:00

Hey, this is getting to be FUN.

Birds hitching a ride

2010-10-18T20:15:00.000-07:00

Here's a small 11x14 oil paint I just completed.

Don't ask me why I painted purple sea water.

It just happened. Is it that bad???

Comments accepted below...

Red Fish House, Ann's Cove, MA.

2010-09-08T13:48:00.000-07:00

This 16x20 painting took me 3.5 days (and many breaks) to complete.

I repainted the foreground houses several times. I hope the finished product is okay.

Your comments are accepted.

It's so Peaceful in the Country

2010-09-08T13:38:00.000-07:00

Here's an 11x14 oil painting I did between writing, and doing my laundry.

Original title was, 'Country Livin', but I remembered an old song by Ray Coniff's

band back in the fifties, so I changed it with the title above.

Comments accepted below. Thank you.

Twlight on the River/ My Miniatures

2010-09-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

It's so peaceful in the country.

PS. All paintings are for sale.

... and please take care of ...

2010-07-08T21:31:00.000-07:00

Outside of the title, I'll leave the rest up to you.

Paddlin' the Pamlico

2010-06-29T07:11:00.000-07:00

If I keep painting and writing, I'll keep me off the streets. Stay busy even if it's not worthy or profitable. Shut off your phone, lock your doors, and stay focused.

And that's my Tip for Today.

Lonely are the Brave

2010-06-23T18:38:00.000-07:00

Here's an 11x14 small oil painting just completed.

I used a palette knife except for the two brave ones.

Hope you like it.

Comments? Check below.

Storm's a-comin'

2010-06-12T17:43:00.000-07:00

Again, another small painting to keep busy.

I'm thinking about doing a much larger project.

Comments below, good or bad apprciated.

A Boat, a Bird, and Breakfast

2010-05-16T20:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick 9x12 small oil painting I did to keep busy.

Arizona Feast

2010-05-16T19:53:00.000-07:00

Surprise! I liked the Treat so much, that I painted a larger canvas on the same theme.

So, whatda ya think?

Arizona Treat

2010-05-07T14:36:00.000-07:00

May's addition seems a lot better. Somewhere in Arizona. I hope you like it.

Comments appreciated.

Thank you.

Beach Boys and Birds

2010-04-11T20:35:00.000-07:00

SOLD

St. Simons Island, Georgia

2010-04-03T07:01:00.000-07:00

A weekend with Ken Wallin's workshop helped me produce these 3 paintings.

Green Mile River

2010-01-22T09:03:00.000-08:00

I'm at it again. Here's my oil painting of what I call, the Green Mile River.

Comments, good or bad, always appreciated.

(see below)

Enchanted Desert

2010-01-13T07:48:00.000-08:00

Here's another painting I just finished. I do hope you like the scene.

Comments below?

Trinidad Lighthouse, California

2010-01-07T15:03:00.001-08:00

Just finished my latest oil painting of the Trinidad Lighthouse.

I hope you all like it. Comments and suggestions always accepted.

The Masters..C.Monet & V.Van Gogh

2009-12-16T07:47:00.000-08:00

Adding to my list of works, here's my latest.

Self portraits of two Impressionist Masters.

I hope I did them justice.

Oil painting workshop

2009-11-14T09:28:00.000-08:00

Under the tutelage of Impressionist Artist/Painter, Ken Wallin, I was able to produce these 3 paintings during his instructional workshop. Thank you Ken.

Comments welcome below.

Low tide morning

2009-08-27T14:57:00.000-07:00

And yet another oil painting of mine and added to my wall space.

The painting was from a photo. I'm going to get into 'plein air' mode and see the landscapes first hand. Best to paint right from nature.

I hope you like this one.

Comments below?

Flowers of Clara's room

2009-07-16T11:54:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick oil painting done to enhance a wall in Clara's new room.

I do hope she likes it. I tried to get some of Mom's 'soapy' tea roses in but I couldn't achieve to right color.

I just winged this whole thing together.

Comments below?

Grandpa & Grandson

2009-07-09T10:13:00.000-07:00

And still another palette knife painting I started and completed a couple days ago. But it took a lot of rework throughout the oil painting session using knife, brush, and finger. That left eye drove me nuts!

Anyway, I hope you like it.

Comments below??

Ice Station Rescue

2009-07-04T09:06:00.000-07:00

Here's my new oil painting.

If you can suggest another title, please go ahead and leave a comment below. Thank you.

Developing wetlands

2009-06-17T18:23:00.000-07:00

SOLD

Another attempt

2009-05-12T15:10:00.000-07:00

Here's another boat and another try at Impressionism. So, okay I'll keep my day job, but I'll stay with this oil painting thing. Why quit now after 22 years at it?

Care to comment below?

Learning from artist/painter - Ken Wallin

2009-04-22T09:08:00.000-07:00

My three days of painting and learning from a great Impressionist artist-Ken Wallin, proved that I needed to rethink my ideas of Color, Value, and Light. Here is what I accomplished in those few enlightening days, which proves I have a lot to learn.
(Link> www.wallingallery.com)

My fiction

2008-12-26T13:46:00.000-08:00

October 08, I woke up from a vivid dream. I quickly jumped out of bed and wrote out the entire first chapter of my dream. Later I added the character names and places. It began as a short story and ended with 11,633 words on Christmas day. I see it as a long, short story having nothing to do with Christmas or good tidings. Actually, it's classified as a Novella.
Title: The Ring Conspiracy.
Now am presently working on a new story, 'The Candlelite Conspiracy.'

The Last Song Bird

2008-10-18T09:28:00.000-07:00

Here is my 4 days (not 3 hour) painting. It's a simple subject, but I cannot understand why it took me so long to complete. It seemed the foliage kept competing with the main focus of the

colorful bird. Color intensity was my problem, and it took time, and rework again to get it to where I was satisfied.

Also initially, I had two rainbows, one in front of, and one behind the bird. I had to paint them out.

So, what do you think?

DESPAIR

2008-09-28T14:10:00.001-07:00

This is another one of my three hour paintings.

But took another hour making adjustments.

I wish I could take more time to make my paintings better.

And NO, this is not a self portrait.

2008-09-28T13:57:00.000-07:00

"With masterful skill, Matt Barbani once more draws us into the turbulent and passionate affairs of Alex Marzoni. His style and range of notable characters resembles literary giant, Howard Fast, in its fast delivery of rough-and-tumble intrigue and adventure."

Angela Silverthorne, author of Promises Seeded Inside

See his action/adventure novels, The Transformation Formula, and the sequel, Part II, Paradise Lost.

French/Spanish/Italian farm..Still life with Arab tea pot

2008-09-02T14:34:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of paintings I completed years ago.

The Sea Horse

2008-07-26T14:27:00.000-07:00

I completed this little 8x10 painting is under 3 hours. I probably paint too fast and don't get all the details in the finished picture. However, I do NOT want my paintings to look like photographs. It's an oil painting and I want to depict it as such. Some of my fellow artists say, I should add this...and eliminate that...Fix here..etc. etc. But then, the painting wouldn't be mine.... My stuff.

Either way, I hope you all like it.

A weird tree

2008-07-15T15:19:00.000-07:00

Here is another painting I knocked out today. Actually I started it yesterday in 2- 2hour sessions.

I need help in finding the name and location of this weird, brute. Anyone have a clue??

I finished it up today after seriously observing the final work. In Art, it's always difficult to say, "It's done." Something stirs your feelings when you can't put it to rest. Only when you can honestly say, "Aw right, leave it alone", can you then relax and be satisfied. It may not be perfect, but in the artist's eye is where contentment puts you at ease. Hope you like it.

My first Painting

2008-07-11T13:38:00.000-07:00

Here is my very first oil painting done sometime in mid 1987. After painting the 'shot glass' next to the fruit, it all looked out of whack/distorted/some thing's wrong. The painting just didn't sit well with me. I then asked my daughter, Laura, what she thought about it. She studied it and also agreed it didn't look right. After knocking our heads together, she suggested to lengthen the shot glass. I tried it, and as you can see from the finished painting, the taller glass made the picture gel. In the event that I may not have thanked her, I do it now. "Thank you Laura." Love, Dad. XXXX

Yesteryear

2008-07-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

Here is one of my first paintings. I used a black-white old photo from this town, Figeac, France. The painting was accepted in several 'juried art shows', but never sold. I'm kind of glad it remains in my possession. I actually stood under that very same arch many years ago. However, the background small house is gone, and now a new apartment building takes its place.

Some day, I'll return this painting to France and hope it finds its final resting place with the people who love it. Au revoir for now.

Another new painting

2008-06-27T15:45:00.000-07:00

Here's one of my latest painting I titled, 'Monet's Garden.'

Father's Day 2008

2008-06-16T07:48:00.000-07:00

Father's Day was a great day. I heard from my oldest son Jeff, and got a call from my youngest son Ron. Life was good to me yesterday as I also received a card from my daughter Laura who lives in France. I think of all my children and grand kids all the time. Here's love and happiness to you ALL, no matter where you are or what your doing.
May God bless you and keep you safe.
Also on this Father's Day, I started and completed this new oil painting I call, "The Big Kahuna". I hope you all like it.

Midnight Wave

2008-06-05T11:02:00.000-07:00

I'm at it again. This compulsion to paint, and paint. Here is my latest June quickie. It's an oil painting, half palette knife, half brush. Started it at night and finished it the next morning.
Comments?

2008-06-01T10:29:00.000-07:00

Here is the 'Baobab' tree of Africa, Australia and

Madagascar. Some of these trees may hold as much

as 120,000 gallons of water to hold off the dry season.

Truly a wonder of nature. (click picture to enlarge)

Our new piers

2008-05-20T14:34:00.000-07:00

Although the last hurricanes didn't do a lot of damage to our wooden piers (2), the past weather accumulated to the state of wear and tear on our old piers. The south pier really took a beating, and was on its last leg (sort of speak). A community vote agreed that the two piers needed replacing at a cost of 2K dollars per home owner. (And that's what community living is all about). Our new and improved concrete piers with wooden pilings were completed and everyone should realize an improvement in his/her property value. The new piers looked so good that I decided to make a painting of the project. I think the painting turned out okay, nothing special, but it gives a general view of the construction,and the boats tied up. Of course, my boat, The Laura B (in the foreground) no longer lives here as I had to sell it due to 'lower back' problems on this old body. Here's a picture of that painting just recently completed.

2008-05-04T10:36:00.000-07:00

Well, here I am finally off my duff, and ready to report on my trip to see my daughter Laura, Clara my grandchild, and even my ex wife, Nicole. I drove up (5hours) to visit them from France on their yearly vacation. I was wonderful to see and touch base again after a year when I flew out to see them. Baby Clara is entering that "terrible two's" age when she, and all children try to assert themselves into our lives. It's a learning process, that's sometimes painful, but always a delight to see them progress. A short week was not enough time to spend with them as we drove around our old haunts in and around Vienna, Virginia. Wow! That town has turned into a small city with all the city problems of progress and frustrations that go along with growth.

Thank you Laura and Nicole for bringing Beautiful Baby Clara along. Too bad Antoine couldn't come with you.
With a little luck I'll try to make it to France by Christmas time.

I arrived back here in little Washington, NC where I could breath deep, clean, Pamlico air and slow down the frantic pace that comes with city life. I got back to my paintings and will show off a couple here on the blog.

2008-03-24T21:46:00.000-07:00

Another one of my older paintings.

2008-03-23T16:59:00.000-07:00

This is my copy of an unsigned painting that was is my parents house as far back as I can remember. I always loved that painting, and finally did my own.
My title: See Naples and Die.

2008-03-23T16:53:00.000-07:00

If you're interested in Art, here are a couple of my oil paintings.

2008-03-16T15:54:00.000-07:00

I can't wait till the first week of April 08, when I make the road trip from Washington, N. Carolina to Vienna, Virginia. My daughter, Laura, ex wife Nicole, and MY grandchild Clara will be visiting friends for a short vacation stay. They will be flying in from Paris, France via their home in the Loire Valley in northwester France.
It's been a year since I've visited them in France and I'm anxious to see how a belle baby has grown into a most beautiful child. I guess it all starts with a beautiful mother, father, grandmother, and of course, her most handsome grandfather Barbani. Well, I use to be good looking when I was young. Hey, we're all handsome folks when we were young.

Here I am (much younger) Getting ready to hunt Jaguar with a hand-held spear in Mexico. See, handsome....but maybe a little crazy!