"Paradise Grill"

"Paradise Grill"

by

Jack Providenti

Paradise Grill, on Pass-A-Grille, St Pete Beach, is a bistro on the the Gulf of Mexico. This is where Suntan Art Center holds an art market every Saturday morning. I'm there just about every Saturday and I decided it was time to portray the scene in oils.

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" Big Pink" by Jack providenti

" Big Pink"

by

Jack Providenti

8 x 10 inches, oil on canvas

Another painting of the historic Don Cesar Hotel on St Pete Beach. This was just before sunset when everything takes on a warm glow.

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"Brilliant Blues" by Jack Providenti

"Brilliant Blues"

by

Jack Providenti

16 x 20 inches oil on canvas

 I did not exaggerate the quality and brilliance of the blue sky & water in this painting. This was a clear bright day in St Petersburg, FL.. I was also inspired by the green palm trees and pink Vinoy Hotel in the background. I did a smaller, 5"x7" study of this scene, then went back there for a larger version.Web Site

"Morning Mood" by Jack Providenti

"Morning Mood"

by

Jack Providenti

20 x 24 inches

oil on canvas

I am forever fascinated with the changing colors of sunrise downtown at the St Petersburg Marina. This is my third painting of the many moods that occur there just after daybreak.     Web Site

Sandpipers At Sunset by Jack Providenti

"Sandpipers At Sunset"

by

Jack Providenti

12 x 24 inches

oil on canvas

I painted a small 5 x 7 inch study of this a few months ago, and today I finished this larger version. Here on Florida's Gulf Coast it's common for people to gather and watch a sunset.....a ceremony that possibly started  with Sandpipers?

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"Beachwalk" by Jack Providenti

"Beachwalk"

by

Jack Providenti

16 x 20 inches

oil on canvas

Sometimes portraying the play of light and shadow on the beach is similar to painting snow. This scene is early morning, Sunset Beach on Treasure Island,Fl.

"Daydreaming" by Jack Providenti

"Daydreaming"

by

Jack Providenti

11 x 14 inches, oil on board

The early morning light cast a blue shadow,and here was this guy, framed by sea oats, looking out at the gulf. "Daydreaming" seemed an appropriate title.

Tropical Daybreak

"Tropical Daybreak"

by

Jack Providenti

16 x 20 oil on canvas

I got to the beach before dawn and walked around while waiting for daylight. I took lots of pictures of that twilight time before the sun actually shows up...this painting is from one of those pictures.

"Luigi" by Jack Providenti

"Luigi"

by

Jack Providenti

oil on canvas, 18 x 24 inches

Just finished this portrait of  Luigi...a Golden Retriever. It was commissioned by an old friend from my grammar school & high school days.There were a few photos to choose from for reference, and I recommended this one because I felt it contributed to his looking rather noble.

Autumn in the Plaza

"Autumn In The Plaza"

by

Jack Providenti

5" x 7"

oil on gallery wrapped canvas

This is a commissioned piece...The Plaza in downtown Santa Fe during the early days of fall. It was a quiet afternoon, just cool enough to feel like Autumn. The greens, pinks & near-orange colors inspired me to paint it.

Old World Fishing by Jack Providenti

"Old World Fishing"

by

Jack Providenti

16 x 20 inches

oil on canvas

The story behind this painting: It is a copy of a very old painting that I bought at a flea market many years ago. I had it appraised, and the most they could determine is that it was most likely a scene from Sicily. The original was accidentally destroyed ( that's another story) and I was feeling a huge loss, so I painted my own version of it!

Walk On The Beach At Dawn by Jack Providenti

"Walk On The Beach At Dawn"

impressionism

by

Jack Providenti

11" x 14" oil on gallery wrapped canvas

The second of three paintings depicting the break of dawn on Sunset Beach in Treasure Island Florida. This simple composition presented the challenge of portraying the interplays of early sunlight and shadows.

"Dawn On The Beach" by Jack Providenti

"Dawn On The Beach"

impressionism

by 

Jack Providenti

11" x 14",oil on canvas

I arrived before dawn...waited for the sun, then roamed the beach at Treasure Island taking pictures for subjects to paint. This is one of three paintings from that magic morning. In painting it, I applied techniques of "juxtaposing" colors, which consists of applying warm colors next to cool, and brushstrokes of direct compliments next to each other.impressionistic beach paintings

"Boats At Vinoy Park" by Jack Providenti

"Boats At Vinoy Park"

by

Jack Providenti

5" x 5" oil on canvas

This might be the smallest painting I've ever done. It's from a photo I took earlier this year. Painting small pieces is a good discipline to help focus on mood and composition rather spending too much time on details. Vinoy Park is in St. Petersburg, FL.

"Before The Storm" by Jack Providenti

"Before The Storm"

St Petersburg Marina, St Pete, FL

by

Jack Providenti

16" x 20"

oil on canvas

It was a sunny, calm day at the marina when suddenly a group of storm clouds blew in. Within a few minutes the temperature dropped and strong winds began to rock the sailboats while dark, threatening clouds blew in. I snapped a few pictures and created this painting from one of them. The wind created patterns in the water which inspired me to paint the scene.sailboats paintings

"Robin's Point" Cape Cod

" Robin's Point" Cape Cod

circa 1971

by

Jack Providenti

16" x 20 " acrylic on Illustration board

This is a plein air painting that I did 41 yrs ago! It was right after I quit art school ( Newark School of Fine & Industrial Art) to live in a tent in Brewster, Cape Cod, MA. I quit school because I wanted to paint rather than study the array of only somewhat related courses. I have since traveled many miles and worked at various vocations while painting occasionally as a hobby. In 1997 I returned to painting as a full time career.

"Hello Mr. Pelican" by Jack Providenti

"Hello Mr Pelican"

by

Jack Providenti

5" x 7" oil on canvas

I just painted this from a photo I took earlier this year. This Pelican was exceptionally friendly, and as I painted a scene from across the inlet, he kind of just stood there watching me!

"Yavapi Point, Grand Canyon" by Jack Providenti

"Yavapi" Point, Grand Canyon"

by

Jack Providenti

11" x 14" oil on board

This was my second painting done at Yavapie point. The first was a camping trip 2 yrs ago. I love the pastel haze of the canyon in the distance. the grand canyon paintings

"Moran Point, Grand Canyon" by Jack Providenti

"Moran Point, Grand Canyon"

by

Jack Providenti

11" x 14" oil on board

I just spent a week camping at the Grand Canyon where I did some sketches, watercolors & oil paintings. This one was done at Moran Point. I was standing about 3 ft from the edge while painting it.

"Western Moonrise"

"Western Moonrise"

by

Jack Providenti

11 x 14 inches

oil on board

The prairies and mountains of New Mexico recently set the stage for this enchanting mood. I can imagine a few cowboys sitting around their campfire after the doggies retire and singing about "Moonlight Ladies". For this painting I applied a few thin layers with lots of medium in order to get that soft, rosy blue glow behind the prairie.

Recovering from a loss through "The Healing Power of Art"

Recovering from a loss through "The Healing Power of Art"

Here is what keeps me painting every day:

My best friend and wife of 25 yrs passed away from complications caused by Parkinson's Disease, an incurable illness.  The trauma during the illness and sense of loss after she passed was almost unbearable. Caring for her became my purpose for living. When she was gone I floundered and wandered almost aimlessly for two years. I sold, or gave away most of my possessions, and carelessly wasted my savings.

 

Accepting an invitation from a dear and helpful friend, I settled in to the pristine mountains of Southwest New Mexico where I started teaching art to kids and painting the awesome scenery that surrounded me. 


After two years of semi-solitude (no TV, no cell phone reception, 70 miles to the nearest town) and nearly a hundred paintings and sketches later, I can finally say that I am healed. It was the soothing properties of aesthetics that kept me going, and now I am ready to share that quality with whoever would like to repair or enhance their life. 

My paintings here represent the best of my best inspirations. The mountains, prairies, sunsets, sunrises; the many moods of the forest and the dressings of the seasons have brought me to the point of a need to communicate an exquisite feeling of exhilaration, and that is the art as well as the purpose of the art…..to share those emotions…that feathery touch of spirituality and exhilaration.

If you would like to learn more about me or my paintings, to purchase a painting, or to discuss gallery consignment, send me an e-mail….. fineartjp@aol.com

Meanwhile, scroll down to see my latest works.

"Prairie Train" The Santa Fe Railroad

"Prairie Train"

by

Jack Providenti

11 x 14 inches

oil on board

I couldn't resist painting this...it was the yellow box car that inspired me. This is on a stretch of the high desert on Hwy 25 North, towards Albuquerque.

Santa Fe Surrey

"Santa Fe Surrey"

by

Jack Providenti

5 x 7 inches

oil on canvas

It was Early Spring & I was at the Plaza in Santa Fe where I spent the afternoon taking pictures. I chose this to paint because I think it communicates the feel of those first days of Spring.

Downtown Santa Fe

"Downtown Santa Fe"

by

Jack Providenti

5 x 7 inches

oil on canvas

The air so dry, the sky so crisp and blue. For some reason, shadows in New Mexico appear not only crisp, but dramatically defined. In downtown Santa Fe, the country's oldest capital city, the light and shade decorate historic adobe buildings and narrow streets.

"Corner Bistro" by Jack Providenti

"Corner Bistro"

by

Jack Providenti

5" x 7"

oil on canvas

Another small study that I finished today. I'm on a mission to portray the downtown area of Santa Fe, New Mexico. It's a very unique and charming city.

"Adobe Window Boxes"

by

Jack Providenti

5"x7"

oil on canvas

This is a small study of an interesting garden built right into an adobe house in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

"Abiquiu Enchantment" by Jack Providenti

"Abiquiu Enchantment"

by

Jack Providenti

24" x 36"

oil on canvas

A painting I just finished depicting an area in New Mexico known as" Georgia O'Keefe's Back Yard". So named because she spent many days and nights painting there. I can see what motivated her to do that. I spent some time camping there....it is an awesome land.the southwest paintings

"The Leading Edge of a Sunset"

"The leading Edge of a Sunset"

by

Jack Providenti

11" x 14"

oil on canvas

Just finished this commissioned piece for a fellow who owns condos in this building on St Pete Beach, FL.

I painted it from pictures I took on an early evening....just when the sun was beginning to set.

"Morning Light" by Jack Providenti

"Morning Light"

A plein-air painting

by

Jack Providenti

8" x 10"

oil on board

I painted this in three morning sessions of 20 minutes each. I would stand out there and wait for the sun to pop up behind the mountain and then paint quickly before the shadows changed drastically. Later, I completed it in my studio using a couple of reference pictures. forest  series paintings

"Hillside Ponderosas" by Jack Providenti

"Hillside Ponderosas"

by

Jack Providenti

8" x 10"

oil on board

plein air painting

I painted this in the late afternoon today because it was a good time to capture shadows. Up here in the mountains of the Cibola National Forest, it's kind of a pre-Spring season. The snow has all melted, but the greens aren't very green yet.

"Water Canyon" by Jack Providenti

"Water Canyon"

by 

Jack Providenti

8" x 10"

oil on board

plein air painting

I was in a "paint out" yesterday with the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico & painted "Water Canyon" 8" x 10" oil on board. Funny thing is, there's hardly any water in the canyon. It was named back when weather currents favored rain there.

I'm back in New Mexico!

I'm finally back in southwestern New Mexico after spending months painting along the Gulf of Mexico in St Petersburg Florida.

This is "Box Canyon" which I painted about a year ago. If you would like to see more of my New Mexico & Southwestern art, please scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on "older posts"

Beach Chair in the Wind

"Beach Chair in the Wind"
by
Jack Providenti
5"x7"
oil on canavs

A red sunset reflects on the surf stained sand and the sea breeze kicks in. This was a quick, spontaneous sketch done mostly with paper towels dipped in medium & paints direct from the tube. It's a scene that inspired me, and this is my third version of it.

"Sandpipers Watch The Sunset Too"

"Sandpipers Watch The Sunset Too"
by
Jack Providenti
oil on canvas
5"x7"

The name says it all. I was on the beach taking pictures of an awesome sunset, and this is one painting from that series. I painted it while at an art show this past weekend.

Point At Demens Landing

"Point At Demens Landing"
oil on canvas
12" x 16"
by
Jack Providenti

The early morning sunlight begins to stretch across the marina, adding warmth to the cool blue remnants of pre-dawn.

"Beach, Sunset & Sea Oats"

"Beach, Sunset, and Sea Oats"
by
Jack Providenti
oil on canvas
40" x 26"

I had previously painted a smaller version of this sunset scene on Treasure Island, Fl.. That painting sold quickly. I then had a series of note cards made and they were very popular, so I decided to paint this larger, horizontal version. I lightened the sky, added more red accents to the beach, and made the water a little more intense.

Pass-a-Grille Inlet

"Pass-a-Grille Inlet"
by
Jack Providenti
oil on board
9"x12"

Pass-a-Grille is a peninsula at the southern end of St Pete Beach. It was one of the first areas to be inhabited by pirates. While painting this scene I couldn't help but wonder if it wasn't a pirates cove at some point in the past.

"Reveille"

"Reveille"
by
Jack Providenti
5"x7"
oil on canvas

Dictionary definition #2 for the word"reveille" is "The first assembly of the day." That is what I thought of when I looked at these sailboats lined up at the break of dawn. This is the 4th in a series of paintings that I've done depicting the marinas at St Petersburg, Fl just after, or during sunrise. I think there are more to come.

Indigo Beach

"Indigo Beach"
by
Jack Providenti
oil on canvas
9" x 12"

Sunset Beach at Treasure Island Florida when the rising sun adds it's light & warmth to the gulf and casts an indigo shade of blue to the beach. I painted the beach by applying the impressionistic technique known as "juxtaposition"....where warms & cools, and complimentary colors are placed side by side to create depth and atmosphere.

Electric Marina

"Electric Marina"
by
Jack Providenti
oil on canvas
16" x 20"

This is not an "electric" marina......it is actually the name of a marina downtown St Petersburg on Bayshore Drive & 2nd Ave. There is something deliciously tropical about this area...words can't describe it, but perhaps this painting will. I painted a 5' x7" study of it about a month ago, and recently decided to paint this larger version. Just finished it today.

"Amber And Blue", St Pete Marina

"Amber And Blue", St Pete Marina
by
Jack Providenti
19" x 26"
oil on canvas

Just after sunrise and right before sunset are my favorite times to paint. This is early morning further out in the marina, where the wind creates ripples that play with the watery reflections of the masts.

The Path to Serenity

"The Path to Serenity"
by
Jack Providenti
16" x 20"
oil on canvas

The title sounds philosophic, but the painting simply depicts early morning and a soft, peaceful place on the beach at Pass-A-Grille, St Pete Beach,Fl. I've painted this scene before in pastels...this is a version of it in oils.

Amber Beach

"Amber Beach"
by
Jack Providenti
11' x 14"
oil on canvas

At Sunset Beach, Treasure Island, Florida, the sun sets on the Gulf of Mexico. Many of us become enthralled with the magnificent sunset scenes and miss the other show which is gong on...the warm, amber glow that the setting sun sheds on the natural treasures of sand, sea grapes, sea oats and palm trees.beach  series paintings

"Up And Away"

"Up And Away"
by
Jack Providenti

8"x10"
oil on canvas

I was commissioned to paint this....kind of a different subject matter for me. This used to be actor Paul Newman's private jet, a Saberliner. I painted it for the new owner. My reference pictures had it on the ground, but I put it in the sky.

Night Lights

"Night Lights"
11" x 14"
oil on canavs
by
Jack Providenti

Historic downtown in St Petersburg comes to life just before & after the sun goes down. What attracted me to this particular scene were the lights and how they reflected in windows and table tops. This was "under painted" to establish values and tones, then expressed with palette knives.

Simplicity

"Simplicity"

impressionism paintings

by
Jack Providenti
8" x 10"
oil on canvas

I find sailboats inspiring. This one was painted with brushes & palette knives. The technique lends itself to creating effects of ripples in the water and a few puffy clouds against an otherwise clear blue sky.

Morning

"Morning"
by
Jack Providenti
8"x10"
oil on canvas

The mood of the early morning is what captured & inspired me to paint this. In order to communicate what I observed, as well as my emotional response to it, I applied a technique known as"tonalism" (an artistic style that emerged in the 1880s when landscapes were painted with an overall tone of colored atmosphere or mist). Because of my strong affinity for color, I put sort of an "impressionistic" twist on it, rather than portraying it subdued & shadowy the way a true tonalist would.

" His Majesty" by Jack Providenti

"His Majesty"
by
Jack Providenti
oil on canvas
5"x7"

There are few buildings in the Tampa Bay area that are painted more than then the historic Don Ce Sar in St Petersburg Beach. The hotel is clearly regal...thus the title "His Majesty". While this is a traditional type of a pose, the viewpoint is not commonly painted as it is seen from the bridge that spans the Intercoastel from Tiere Verde to St Pete Beach.

Living Room

"Living Room"
by
Jack Providenti
oil on canvas
5"x7"

I love painting umbrellas... there's something about their flowing lines that makes them fit in especially well with the waves of water scenes. What I liked most about this subject was the way the colors complimented one another. There's just a hint of purple near the yellow of the umbrella, then greens near the yellow, pinks & reds near the greens, & warm sand with some blues & oranges. beach art

St Pete Marina by Jack Providenti

"St Pete Marina"
by
Jack Providenti
oil on canvas
5"x7"

There is always a colorful scene to paint downtown in St Petersburg Florida. The challenge of painting this was in capturing this space.... with docks, boats, buildings & trees, and putting it all on an area of only 5 x 7 inches.