An estimated 600 art lovers visited M Gallery of Fine Art, Sarasota, FL, for the opening of my and Sadie Valeri’s (pictured, left) still life painting shows. The culmination of months of painting and preparation, the event was fantastic. The food, wine and conversations – and sales – made it a joyful celebration of art. The Show runs all March. Most of the paintings in the show can be seen by clicking on the M Gallery Show tab above.

I cannot thank M Gallery owner Maggie Kruger and her staff for the gracious hospitality that they extended to my wife, Penny, and I at the opening, and the entire weekend. We met some incredible artists and art lovers, ate magnificent meals, and felt right at home.

If you anywhere near Sarasota Florida give yourself a treat and go to M Gallery of Fine Art. My work is in the company of some of the finest artist realist painters working today.

Related posts:

1. M Gallery of Fine Art Show Opens March 5
2. "Orange" Accepted to OPA Show

Meyer Lemon | 16 x 12 | Oil on Linen on Birch Panel

Straight from our garden, the Meyer Lemon is not like your normal store-bought lemon. Its skin is not as yellow. They are closer to gold but not quite orange. Their juice is sweet with a hint of orange through the tartness. The truth is I am infatuated by their look, especially when washed by the southern light from our kitchen window. Even though our tree is loaded with these wonderful fruits in the winter, they remind me of warm summer days.

With hundred of lemons harvested every years we are always looking for new lemon recipes. You can only eat so many lemon bars. Suggestions are gladly received.

Meyer Lemon will be at the upcoming show at M Gallery of Fine Art, Sarasota, FL. For availability and price, please Crystal Wagner 914 954-8774 or write to info@mgalleryoffineart.com .

Related posts:

1. Still Life Show Rollout: White Asparagus
2. Still Life Painting: Chardin, Vermeer and Friends
3. "Petite Déjeuner de Pain"

White Asparagus | 12 x 16 | Oil on Linen on Birch Panel

This bunch of white asparagus is from one of those wonderful markets in Paris. When we visit Paris we always stay in hotel where there is no kitchen. We cannot cook meals while there. In addition to that we generally find shopping for most things boring. So why do we spend so much time strolling the outdoor markets? Because they are gorgeous! No one displays the luscious beauty of fresh produce better than the French. The displays are usually very simple but  so very tastefully done. And the vegetables and fruit are touched with that certain mystery that comes with true beauty.

White Asparagus will be at the upcoming show at M Gallery of Fine Art, Sarasota, FL. For availability and price, please Crystal Wagner 914 954-8774 or write to info@mgalleryoffineart.com .

Related posts:

1. Still Life Show Rollout: Meyer Lemon
2. Being Seasonable: Pumpkins
3. "Petite Déjeuner de Pain"

American Art Collector magazine’s March issue has a nice preview article for my show at M Gallery. My show opens jointly with Sadie Valeri and should be an exciting demonstration of two distinctive approaches to the art of still life. As American Art Collector puts it “For artists Michael Lynn Adams and Sadie J. Valeri, even the most simple of objects can spark beautifully uncommon inspiration.”  Sadie and I will be at the opening reception on March 5. I hope to see you there. The show runs through the end of March.

M Gallery of Fine Art | Sarasota, FL

Related posts:

1. M Gallery Opening
2. M Gallery of Fine Art Show Opens March 5
3. Still Life Show Rollout: White Asparagus

Related posts:

1. Still Life Show Rollout: White Asparagus
2. Still Life Show Rollout: Meyer Lemon
3. M Gallery of Fine Art Show Opens March 5

Hello, my name is Michael and I am an art book bibliophile.

I admit it. I love books. So the other day I posted a list of three books – my studio essentials – to my Facebook Profile page. Several artists friends contributed more great books to the list. This is what we have so far. They are all linked to Amazon for you to learn more about each.

I have arranged them in broad categories of Instruction, Inspiration and Business. The truth is they are all inspiring and instructional.

Please add the books you have to have in your studio:

INSTRUCTION
Alla Prima: Everything I Know About Painting by Richard Schmid
Hawthorne on Painting Mrs. Charles W. Hawthorne
Gruppe on Color: Using Expressive Color to Paint Nature by Emile A. Gruppe
Composition of Outdoor Painting by Edgar A. Payne
Carlson’s Guide to Landscape Painting by John F. Carlson
An Artist Teaches: Reflections on the Art of Painting by David Leffel
The Practice and Science of Drawing by Harold Speed
The Natural Way to Draw: A Working Plan for Art Study by Kimon Nicolaïdes
The Creative Call: An Artist’s Response to the Way of the Spirit by Janice Elsheimer
Artist’s Manual: A Complete Guide to Paintings and Drawing Materials and Techniques by Angela Gair

INSPIRATION
Beauty: The Invisible Embrace by John O’Donahue
The Art Spirit by Robert Henri
Maxfield ParrishMaxfield Parrish: Master of Make-Believe
Beyond the Visible Terrain: The Art of Ed Mell
Desert Dreams: The Art and Life of Maynard Dixon, Revised Edition
Art & Fear: Observations On the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by Ted Orland
Still Life With Oysters and Lemon: On Objects and Intimacy by Mark Doty
Vision in Motion by L. Moholy-Nagy

ART BUSINESS
I’d Rather Be in the Studio! by Alyson Stanfield – ArtBizBlog.com

THANK YOU! – Frank, Bob, Margie, Gaye, Linda, Constance, Paulann and Monica.

Related posts:

1. Richard Schmid – In Praise of a Great Painter and Teacher
2. To the artist community: Thank you!
3. Still Life Painting: Chardin, Vermeer and Friends

Vermeer, Chardin and Friends | Oil of Linen Panel | 10 x 8 inches

I cannot tell you how excited I about my upcoming show at M Gallery of Fine Art in Sarasota, FL. The opening is March 5. The show focuses on still lifes, including florals. I should have about 20 works there. Many new. “Vermeer, Chardin and Friends” will be there.  Some paintings are still on the easel. If you are in the area for the opening or anytime in March – the show runs all month – please stop in.

Related posts:

1. Solo Show and Workshop in March
2. American Art Collector Previews Show
3. Does Art Matter? Listen to Milton Glaser!

Happy Holidays to everyone who has been following my little blog. Thank you for your support, comments and for pushing me to do my best work. For me, the art is all about you. I wish you a wonderful 2010.

My deepest thanks goes to my beautiful wife who has given so much of herself to make it possible for me to paint. I love you more than I can say.

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2. I Love M. Graham Oil Paints
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Second Spring - Oil of Linen Panel - 12 x 16 inches

Los Angeles is not always paradise. Where we live the streets are often too crowded, the summers are furnace hot. Fall, commonly referred to as fire season, brings a few days – sometimes weeks – of dry, hot Santa Ana winds which blow with hurricane force.

But one thing, a huge thing, LA has going for it is what I think of as its second spring. In nearly every other part of the country fall means leaves are turning, the grass is dying and winter is clearly on its way. It is now December and our grass is still green and our garden is a cloud of soft cream, pink and blue. Bougainvillea is in glorious deep magenta bloom. Hummingbirds feed on the flower nectar and Monarch butterflies stop to visit as they migrate from Mexico to northern California.

Two weeks ago I brought these roses in from the garden. Washed with early morning sunlight, the lure to paint them was too strong to ignore. I offer them to you as a gift of the season – our second spring.

Related posts:

1. A rare landscape
2. Still Life Show Rollout: Meyer Lemon
3. "Sunshine Bowl" – Painting Demonstration

Clementine, Chardin and Friends - Oil on Linen Panel - 10 x 8 inches

Sometimes I feel compelled to paint a subject for no reason other than to satisfy an obsession I have with it. This is one of those times. The books belonged to my grandmother. Given to her in 1910 and subsequently came into my possession. As realist still life painter I feel a connection to  Chardin, one of the greatest still life painters ever. Vermeer is an artist whose little paintings tower over near every artist before and after him, and I am always inspired by the intimacy of his work. And of course there is Degas, Millet and so many wonderful artist who have added so much beauty to my life and who have led me to see the world anew time and time again.

So hear is the deal. I could use your insight. Now you would think I would have an answer to this question but sometimes inspiration and reason do not connect until after the work is done.

• What connections to you see between these objects – old biographies and a peeled clementine?

• What does this painting “mean” – what is it about?

There are no right answers and – sorry – no prizes except the rewards of exercising your imagination.

Related posts:

1. Rose St. Remy
2. Still Life Show Rollout: White Asparagus
3. Still Life Show Rollout: Meyer Lemon