Boys of Summer: Four Vignettes of '82

***note: since this is a water-based painting, it is recommended to frame artwork behind glass to avoid any contact with water or liquid.***

9" x 12" (set of 4)

gouache on watercolor paper

Offered here is a compelling suite of four original gouache paintings (each measuring 9" x 12"), presenting intimate, character-driven scenes of young men in distinctly early-1980s settings. Executed with a warm, painterly hand and a sharp sense of narrative, the works balance nostalgia, wit, and atmosphere. Each composition stands on its own, yet together they form a cohesive and highly displayable set - unified by scale, palette, and a shared sense of time and place.

Unified in size and medium, these four works are ideal for a grid or salon-style hang. Their complementary color palettes and varied interiors create visual rhythm without repetition. Whether placed in a modern space for contrast or a vintage-inspired setting for harmony, the set offers both aesthetic cohesion and storytelling charm.

Locker Room Daydream
A confident figure sits centered in a locker room, surrounded by the quiet details of post-game ritual - open lockers, a sink, scattered gear. The composition is grounded and symmetrical, evoking strength and self-possession. Subtle reflections and background figures add depth, suggesting both camaraderie and solitude.

Bedroom with Stereo & Poster
Set in a modest, music-filled bedroom, this painting captures a relaxed, almost playful energy. A vintage stereo system and a bold wall poster anchor the scene in its era, while the open window hints at summer air and late-night freedom. The figure’s casual pose gives the piece an inviting, lived-in feel.

Surfer’s Room Interior
Sunlight and youth define this bright, coastal-inspired interior. Surfboards lean casually against the wall, and everyday objects - a skateboard, magazines, records and bong - scatter the foreground. The composition radiates a laid-back, West Coast spirit, making this piece the most breezy and carefree of the set.

Summer School
Perhaps the most narrative-driven of the four, this scene places the subject in a classroom setting, with expressive onlookers in the background. There’s a sense of mischief and performance here - an interplay between the central figure’s calm presence and the animated reactions behind him. It’s witty, slightly irreverent, and full of personality.