The portraits in this gallery must have one human subject. In some paintings, an animal appears to add to the meaning of the work. With double-portraits, I enjoy the way figures will relate to one another – and the way that the negative space imposes itself. For multiple-subject portraits, the setting may have a stronger role in the composition. A solitary human subject is more demanding work, both for the importance of the face, figure and interesting compositional elements.
There are three main sections with paintings organized by year, early to later. The first section is of general interest. After that, two series related to the World of Work follow: an individual worker in their environment, and then two or more people in their situation. For multiple sitters, I worked on three paintings at a time. This allowed me to get more acquainted with the faces and for the paint to dry. In the case of double portraits, each sitter was offered one and I kept any that remained. .
Detail, Young Man & Chicken
Oil paint on canvas, framed, 16 x 20 inches, 2011
A young man went to extraordinary lengths to heal a hen-pecked chicken. Both were a little uncertain about their futures but are comfortable together. His fingers appear gently on the bird.
Gardener and Basking Chicken
Oil paint on canvas, framed, 16 x 20 inches, 2011
Healing chicken enjoys a sunny sand bath under the nearby protection of the gardener.
Loving Henrietta
Oil paint on canvas, 24 x 18 inches, 2012
Self-portrait with a wonderful dog at an inn.
Nestor Embrace
Oil paint on canvas board, 16 x 20 inches, 2012
Kid and donkey are in a comfortable hug. My first painting of a donkey was a total thrill!
Quick Self-portrait with Glasses
Oil paint on canvas board, JPEG image, 2012
Up in my studio, I went for a self-portrait one day and managed to save a pic on my phone.
Storytime
Oil paint on toned canvas, 24 x 18 inches, 2013
My 20 year co-worker reads to his granddaughters, a 3 year old and a 1 month old. I was delighted with the work and gave him the painting.
Resting, Breakhart Rock
Oil paint on canvas, framed, 12 x 9 inches, 2014
A rest on a rock during a nature walk. I was amused by the subject attitudes and blue clothing.
Self-Portrait, Vibrant
Oil paint on canvas, 16 x 20 inches, 2017 • AVAILABLE
Sometimes at a loss for what to paint, a self-portrait is a reasonable effort. I was feeling good in class, wearing my red shirt.
Watching the Blizzard
Acrylic paint on paper, 24 x 19 inches, 2017
The figure is snuggled against a snowy outdoors. This painting was done quickly, the same afternoon.
Smiling Gardener
Acrylic paint on paper, 24 x 18 inches, 2017 • AVAILABLE
A happy gardener.
Garden and Pizza Pal
Acrylic paint on paper, 24 x 18 inches, 2017 • AVAILABLE
A dynamic person in a plain composition.
Pizza Pal – A
Acrylic paint on paper, 24 x 18 inches, 2017 • AVAILABLE
Community garden pizza parties were fun using an outdoor wood-oven. This pre-teen girl is the best – in many ways
Pizza Pal – C
Community garden pizza party – C is always pretty in pink.
Acrylic paint on paper, 24 x 18 inches, 2017 • AVAILABLE
Pizza Coming
Acrylic paint on paper, 24 x 18 inches, 2017 • AVAILABLE
Community garden pizza party – this guy was a multiple pie maker.
Three Amigos Painting, Hale Park
Acrylic paint on paper, 24 x 18 inches, 2018 • AVAILABLE
Saturday painting group.
Foodie at Work
Acrylic paint on paper, 18 x 24 inches, 2018
A talented young man in the kitchen. Note the placement of chef’s hand on hip.
Kid with a Fish, Released
Oil paint on canvas, 24 x 18 inches, 2020 • AVAILABLE
The glorious 62 pound striped bass was caught by a 14 year old on a day-camp outing. His father received the reference pic on his phone in real time when we were in a Saturday paint group. We were excited. He shared the pic at my request. Before starting the work, a blue tone was laid down which worked with subsequent layering of color.
Evening Crossword
Acrylic paint on paper, mounted, 18 x 24 inches, 2021
Real life at home, at the kitchen table.
Waiting to Leave, Blue Skye B&B
Oil paint on canvas board, 12 x 16 inches, 2024
A charming B&B in Maine with antiques and vintage furnishings is the location. The new cell-phone is a source of fascination while the young man waits to leave.
Happy Gardener
Acrylic paint on paper, framed, 34 x 42 inches, 2025 • AVAILABLE
My aim here was to paint very large using heavy drawing paper from a big roll. The foreground figure is the main event. Acrylic paint on paper means the work has to finish in just a few sessions.
Water the Zinnias
Acrylic paint on paper, framed, 16 x 20 inches, 2025 • AVAILABLE
The foreground figure is as important as the larger garden view. Acrylic paint on paper means the work has to finish in just a few sessions.
Watering the Kale
Acrylic paint on paper, framed, 16 x 20 inches, 2025 • AVAILABLE
The foreground figure is as important as the larger garden view. Acrylic paint on paper means the work has to finish in just a few sessions.
Let’s Paint at Maudslay
Oil paint on canvas, 9 x 12 inches, 2015
My terrific painting teacher is getting the Saturday group organized for a class in Maudslay State Park’s formal garden. He cheerfully carries gear and wears his favorite green shirt and red cap. I gave him this painting and it hangs in his studio. This is the first of what became a series, also included in the website’s World of Work gallery.
Stylist at Work
Acrylic paint on canvas, framed, 8 x 10 inches, 2023
My haircutter is stylish, a good guy, and well known in Cambridge for decades. My husband and son go to him too. The American flag apron has been a signature item in his shop. I gave him the framed painting which hangs above his mirror – so we see it along with everyone else.
Art Delivery at Work – Hand on Art
Acrylic paint on canvas, framed, 8 x 10 inches, 2023
My son is delivering his grandmother’s painting, a well-loved large work that has finally made it into a very nice frame.
Roofer at Work
Acrylic paint on canvas, framed, 8 x 10 inches, 2024 • AVAILABLE
The roofer works into the last bit of late-summer daylight before he must stop and pack up. The light is magical coming through the trees. The reference pic is from a time of major work on our house.
Plasterer at Work
Acrylic paint on canvas, 10 x 8 inches, 2025 • AVAILABLE
The plasterer is setting up in a gutted space. He’s wearing his favorite soccer team’s jersey before changing into his work clothes. The reference pic is from a time of major work on our house.
Plumber at Work
Acrylic paint on canvas, 8 x 10 inches, 2025 • AVAILABLE
The plumber is neat and focused about his installation task. He works towards a bigger finish. The reference pic is from a time of major work on our house.
Tree Worker
Acrylic paint on canvas, 8 x 10 inches, 2025 • AVAILABLE
Tree workers are a special breed – careful and ready to go. They enjoy their work amid greenery and colorful work gear. The reference pic is from a time of major work on our house.
Office Meeting, D&D: 1, 2, 3
ALL :Oil paint on canvas board, 20 x 16 inches, 2011 • AVAILABLE
D&D were office co-workers who attended a meeting in a lecture hall with flat light. D had just turned blonde overnight – so striking. Both had a deadpan look and looked relaxed. I liked the plaid tie and striped shirt for the composition. They were the first sitters to agree to let me take reference pics. These early paintings are a little cartoonish but sincere.
Versions 2 and 3: D looks a little glam here. The early stage of my work shows – D’s hand is a bit out of proportion.
Office Coworkers A & T: 1, 2, 3
All: Oil paint on canvas board, 20 x 16 inches, 2012 • AVAILABLE
These guys were co-workers whose semi-open offices were across a narrow hall. I was too timid to paint Tony’s glasses for this first attempt.
Version 1: Young Guys
Version 2: Uncertain Moment
Version 3: Relaxing Outside
Galway Girls, Sisters 1, MB&M, Outside
Oil paint on canvas board, 20 x 16 inches, 2013
Two administrators who were good at their jobs and a pleasure to encounter, one bubbly and the other more contained.
Galway Girls, Sisters 2, MB&M, Inside
Oil paint on canvas board, 20 x 16 inches, 2013
A more monochromatic approach to the composition, very true to life.
Galway Girls, Sisters 3, MB&M, Conference Table
Oil paint on canvas board, 14×11 inches, 2013 • AVAILABLE
The personality differences show on their faces.
Staffers 1, M&C
Oil paint on canvas board, 16 x 20 inches, 2013 • AVAILABLE
One day, the staffer and the student worker had an interesting contrasting combination of pattern in their blouses and skirt. I could not resist asking them to pose. I enjoyed working out their contrasting skin tones.
Staffers 2, M&C
Oil paint on canvas board, 20 x 16 inches, 2015
Staffers 3, M&C
Oil paint on canvas board, 20 x 16 inches, 2015
Bari Solo
Oil paint on canvas board, 20 x 16 inches, 2016 • AVAILABLE
A terrific New Year’s Day party-concert at the Alan Bull Studio. Two young players listen to the seasoned musician blow that baritone sax solo.
The Future
Oil paint on canvas board, 20 x 16 inches, 2016 • AVAILABLE
The seasoned musician looks on with pride at two sax players at a terrific New Year’s Day party-concert at the Alan Bull Studio. I imagined the title from his facial expression and stance.
Two Sax Players
Oil paint on canvas board, 20 x 16 inches, 2016 • AVAILABLE
Two sax players are listening in the “wings” while other soloists perform.
Denver Mtg Research Admin, 1
Oil paint on canvas board, 20 x 16 inches, 2019 • AVAILABLE
Research administrators from across the US met for a 3 day meeting when a national Engineering Center proposal was selected. We enjoyed gathering at a restaurant for dinner.
Denver Mtg Research Admin, 2
Oil paint on canvas board, 20 x 16 inches, 2019 • AVAILABLE
Denver Mtg Research Admin, 3
Oil paint on canvas board, 20 x 16 inches, 2019 • AVAILABLE
CYNTHIA KOWAL 