I'd like to announce some recent press exposure.  Today, Mark Oliver of ONE New England just published a great article about me covering my history, artistic influences, recent accomplishments, and current works.

ONE New England is a great online magazine with an insiders perspective of all things New England and covers Maine, Massachusetts, Connectic, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island.

You can read the article by clicking on the link below. Let me know what you think. Enjoy and consider bookmarking this great site.

JT Harding - An artist with a vision.

Happy 2012 everyone!  Every year, I like to put together a slide show video about major works I've accomplished, and preview works in progress for the coming year.  So without further delay, here it is.

JT Harding - 2011 Retrospective from JT Harding on Vimeo.

You can view it here, on YouTube, or on Vimeo (Vimeo is the only site where you can see the captions with each slide).  Enjoy the music from Boz Scaggs and the Video.  Let me know what you think by commenting below!

YouTube

Vimeo

October at Adams Farm

2011, Oil onLinen, 9 x 12"

(Signed lower right - Harding)

I've visited Adams Farm, in North Walpole. MA,  several times and enjoyed hiking on the trails behind this special place.  The red barn and pavilion always intrigued me and of course I had to paint it.  So, on a clear October Sunday, I drove out to the farm, scouted a good composition, planted my easel in the front field, and began my plein air sketch.  To my delight, there was an irrigation ditch that added a great element of linear perspective, leading the viewers eye right to the main subject...the bright red barn.  In the studio, I added some refinements and finishing touches including the American flag. 

 

I liked how it turned out, so I decided to donate the painting to the Friends of Adams Farm (FOAF) so that they could use it for their fundraising efforts.  The FOAF is a group of area citizens dedicate to preserving Adams Farm for future generations to enjoy. 

 

If you are in the area, I encourage you to stop by the farm.  There are ongoing open house events, volley ball courts, trails for running, hiking, and walking dogs, a community garden, a butterfly garden, benches to enjoy a good book, and more.  If you are an area resident, I hope you will become a member.  You can find out more about the farm and membership opprtunities at the following link.

 

www.adams-farm.com

Vern the Great

2011, Oil onLinen, 16 x 16"

(Signed lower right - Harding)

It's the dog days of Summer, and I recently completed the portrait of Vern the Great, arriving just in time for the the owner's birthday present. The portrait was a suprise gift from the recipients wife who commisioned me to do the project.  The idea for the storyline background was conceived of when I saw an old video she made about Vern.  The owners found him as a pup on a goat farm in the hills of North Carolina and Vern is well-known for spreading love to all (thus the heart-shaped dog tag).

I started with a color pencil sketch so the client could visualize the final piece.  Based on the position of Vern in the sketch I had her take multiple photos of him outdoors.  When I chose a photo that worked best, I went to work combining the background with the painting of the dog.

Voilà!  Two happy campers... and the final framed piece above the fireplace.

 

If you would like a custom companion animal portrait (Dog, Cat, Horse, Rabbit, etc.) visit my commission page, then use the contact form at this site to get in touch.

Rhody Show
2011, Oil on Linen, 14 x 11" 

I recently took a stil life workshop with Sam Vokey at the Parish Center for the Arts in Westford, MA.  Sam is a well-known Boston School painter and I admire his work.  He is also a really nice guy and great teacher.  

Sam's Demo in progress

Sam worked on a demo each morning then provided individualized instruction to each participant. The painting above (Rhody Show) was completed in two days under his guidance.

 

Persimmons and Pear
2011, Oil on Linen, 9 x 12"

 

I also squeaked out a small study, in the last couple hours, based on some of the techniques learned.

The Old Man & the Seashells
Oil on Canvas, 11 x 14"
(Signed lower right - Harding)

 

I just learned that The Old Man & The Seashells was recently accepted into Matter, Medium, & Meaning:  A Contemporary Still Life show presented by the Copley Society in Boston MA.  The Copley Society (Co|So) is America's oldest non-profit art association dating back to 1879.  The piece was juried in out of nearly 300 entries by a jury including guest juror George Nick.  The opening reception will be Thursday, May 19th from 5:30 - 7:30 PM and the show will run through June 28th.

 

For more information about the event, follow this link.

Homage to Robert Douglas Hunter
2011, Oil on Linen, 24 x 36"
(Signed lower right)

After nearly a year in the making, I just completed this still life painting.  The canvas is in honor of the great Boston School painter Robert Douglas Hunter (Bob).  Recently, Bob was awarded the Lifetime Achievement award from the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod.  The piece features a representation of Bob's painting, Arrangement with Copper and Brass Pot, framed above my fireplace mantle.  It's kind of a painting within a painting if you will.  Bob lives a stones throw away from me and has advised me during several stages of the painting.  In fact, he was the one who suggested that I use a convention to tie the framed painting in with the objects on the mantle.  I chose the overlapping feather to accomplish this.

What is most interesting about this painting is that, if you look close enough, you can see Bob's reflection of himself in the copper pot and my reflection in the blue vase.  Although this was quite an ambitious project, I am no worse for the wear and I'm proud to have paid tribute to this great man.  In addition to creating many masterpieces, Bob has also selflessly taught several generations of painters, many of whom have gone on to become masters in their own right.

Collecting Chatham
2011, Oil on Canvas, 12 x 12"
(Signed lower right - Harding)

I've started a new series of paintings based on the Stone Harbor Memories and Cape May Memories paintings I completed last year.  These unique paintings really struck a chord with art collectors, because it enabled them to remember their favorite vacation spots ... all year round.  More than simple still life paintings, this series tells the story of people collecting and displaying vacation memories throughout their homes.  Each painting will depict cherished objects along with beach finds and shells native to popular beach towns throughout Cape Cod and the Islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard.

Wellfleet Treasure
2011, Oil on Canvas, 12 x 12"
(Signed lower right - Harding)

 

Tried and Truro
2011, Oil on Linen, 16 x 20"
(Signed lower right - Harding)

First Encounter Beach Rider (Available)
2011, Oil on Linen, 11 x 14"
Signed lower right - Harding 11
© 2011 JT Harding

 

When I first conceived of First Encounter Beach Rider, a painting of a woman riding her American Painted Horse on First Encounter Beach (Cape Cod), I quickly turned to two of my favorite painters from the past for inspiration and influence.  Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida was well known for his portrayal of sunlit Valencia beach scenes including El bano del caballo (The Horse's Bath).  Sir Alfred James Munning's career was associated with Equine paintings and was was one of Englands finest painters. 

What I like most about First Encounter Beach Rider is the open-ended story.  One can feel the thrill of anticipation, on both the horse and rider, for an invigorating sprint through winding dunes and long stretches of beach.

 

First Encounter Beach Walk (Available)
2010, Oil on Canvas, 11 x 14"
Signed lower right - Harding 10© 2011 JT Harding:

Note: First Encounter Beach Rider would look great alongside my painting called First Encounter Beach Walk.  Both are available.  And, if you purchase the pair, I will offer you a $100 discount.  Call me or eMail me to inquire.

2010 was a year that I put into practice much of what I learned from teachers in 2009.

This is a short video of my 2010 paintings and a few works in progress for 2011. Enjoy!

To see my YouTube video channel, click here.