Gerald Vilenski

Drying Dresden

This is a rendition of an antique quilt made by my wife’s grandmother. We discovered this gem in an attic in the old family farm house. The title refers to the pattern on the quilt. It was quite a challenge to capture the subtle stitches and faded colors in the old fabric. This remains one of my favorite paintings.

(7.5 x 11) $150.00

Catch of the Day

I was wandering down by the river one day, and came across these plump specimens. I rarely paint wildlife, but this scene presented me an opportunity to treat the fish more as a still-life, combining the colors, textures and beauty of these fish in a composition.

(15x20) $250.00

Shadow Dance

What intrigued me about this scene was the strong image presented by the shadows in the tree. This scene is a common site in the north during the fall when boats are put in for the winter.

(15x20) $250.00

The Boat Works

The boat repair yard that held these boats was hidden on the edge of a small lake. I was fascinated by the reflections of the boats on the water, as well as the architecture of the boat in the foreground.

(26.5 x 14) $350.00

Smitty’s Pride

This skiff was stored away for years by my stepfather, and I was intrigued by the simple design and elegant shape of this little wooden boat. He was in the process of selling the boat, so I simply had to paint it before the skiff disappeared.

(15x20) $250.00

Study in Rust

Like the architecture of wooden boats, I also am fascinated by the design and texture of old cars. I came across these beauties while wandering around a junk yard, and couldn't resist painting them. I especially liked the way the smooth snow played against the rough rusty exteriors of the cars.

(15x20) $250.00

Safe at Anchor

This boat was a restored sloop that I discovered at Mystic Seaport, Connecticut. The simple lines of the boat and beautiful texture of the sails made a great composition that was just begging to be rendered in watercolor. The reflections on the still water were particularly challenging, but I found them essential to the painting.

$250.00

Still Waters

The inspiration for Still Waters was a hand-made boat made by a local boat builder I met a few years ago. I have always been facinated by the form and function of wooden boats, and this particular vessel seemed to call for an artist't interpretation. I am particularly intrigued by the reflections of the boat on the still water, which I found challenging to observe and capture in paint.

(15x20) $250.00

Tethered

These longboats were found in a bay in Mystic Seaport, and although they were simple in design, presented a particularly difficult study in reflections on water.

(7 .5 x 11) $150.00

Trillium on Black

The annual trillium hunt at our farm in northern Michigan has become a family tradition for many years, and I have painted several views of these beautiful flowers over the years. Trilliums are found by the hundreds in our woods.

(7.5 x 11) $150.00

Dry Dock

These boats were being stored in a dredging facility, and looked a little worse for wear. But to me, they represented boats made to do a job, boats with a purpose beyond pleasure boating, and I wanted to capture both their strength and their beauty in their time of need.

(15x20) $250.00

Low Mileage

These Amish wagons were on a lot of used buggies near a town in Northern Indiana. The title, of course, refers to the way in which motor vehicles are sold.

(15x20) $250.00

Jack

“Jack” refers, of course, to Jack-in-the-Pulpit, a wild flower. Flowers present artistic problems to solve that require careful observation and attention to detail, so I find them a good way to hone my skills as a watercolorist.

(7.5 x 11) $150.00

Barging In

I loved the way these two boats related to each other in this composition. The small boat seemed to be crowded by the barge. Overall, I liked the unusual perspective presented as well as the play of fall colors from the trees, which seemed to compliment the colors and textures of the boat surfaces.

(15x20) $250.00

Bearded Iris

I have painted many flowers in the past, but the bearded iris is among my favorites. This delicate small flower is particularly well-suited to rendering in watercolor, because of its transparent petals and deep shadows.

(7.5 x 11) $150.00

Winter Storage

I came upon this scene while hiking near Lake Huron, and found it an interesting place to store a boat. Painting the massive pine trees was a first time experience for me, as well as painting snow.

(15x20) $250.00

Sweet Peas

Sweet peas are common wildflowers in late summer, and a favorite of my daughter’s, so I painted these for her. I am pleased with the composition, as well as the rendering of shadows in the piece.

(7.5 x 11) $150.00

Peace Rose

This is one of my favorite rose varieties, and I have actually painted several versions of it over the years. This time, I chose to isolate the flower petals by painting the composition with a black gouache background, in order to bring out the beauty of the rose itself while emphasizing the effects of light on the petals.

(7.5x11) $150.00

Ice Bound

This painting of a small row boat wedged into the ice in February reminded me of my childhood growing up near the river, where such scenes were common. I was drawn to the almost abstract contrast of the dark boat against the stark white of the snow and ice. Image size

(15 x 20) $250.00

Tar Paper Shack

This is a portrait of an old abandoned house that we passed by for years, and I thought it should be remembered in paint. The house was torn down shortly after the original painting was completed. I enjoyed exploring the varied colors and textures this old house presented, and I hope I did it justice.

(7.5 x 11) $150.00

Red Screen Door

The study of the screen door of this house presented the challenge of balancing color, texture and the use of shadow to make a graphic statement. I think this painting shows the power of transparent watercolor to bring all these elements to fruition.

(7.5 x 11) $150.00

Rusted Flyer

My wife's childhood wagon gave me the inspiration to further explore shadow and texture in this still life.

(7.5 x 11) $150.00

Shantytown

This was a typical winter scene where I grew up, where the fish shanties formed a small town on the frozen bays.

(15 x 20) $250.00

Trillii

As in, more than one Trillium! The glicee, like the original, is square, which makes a striking piece of wall art when framed.

(8 x 8) $150.00

Sunday Best

I came upon this suit of clothes in an abandoned house, the only possession of the original owner left in the building. I later learned that the gentleman was buried in these clothes.

(20 x 27) $350.00

Frosty Morn

The inspiration for this painting was the old toboggan at the farm, which was used for not only recreation, but as a transport for groceries and items from town that couldn't make the hill in winter. Notice how little actual paint is employed in this work, the white of the paper providing the graphic interest of the composition.

(20 x 27) $350.00

Note: all sizes approximate, and are determined by the limits of the giclee printers they are produced on. Most prints are available in larger or smaller sizes if indicated by the client. Contact me for pricing on custom sizing.