I'm in!!!

I just joined Leslie Saeta's 30 day painting a day challenge.  I have hesitated for over a week.  My painting routine really disappeared in 2012 with work at my university job sapping and creative brain cells.  The result?  No joy.  Here's to a joyful and colorful new year!

Catching Up

In preparation for a new year, I'm catching up with the months' past.  I haven't been painting much.  Work at my university takes just about all that I have right now.  I did attend a great plein air  workshop with Mike Rooney in September - this was a quick one on the wharf in Harwich, MA.  Hoping for much more in 2013.

8 x 10 oil on board



We spent last week in Ft. Lauderdale and the contrast of the sky against the white low-rise buildings near the beach always catches my eye.  I have several that I would like to capture - this is my first. 

I spent the weekend in a wonderful 2-day workshop at the Rockport Art Association led by Nancy Colella.  The theme was 'one-hour' painting - creating a painting quickly and loosely.  I so enjoyed learning from Nancy, getting my darks in rapidly and dark enough to set the value tone for the painting.  This one was my first on Saturday from a still life set-up.  I was pleased with the process and the result!

Starting over. It is difficult to begin again.  Once a nearly daily painter, my 'real work' as a college administrator has seemingly taken over and so there has been a span of over a year with painting being sidelined a bit.  However, it is always nice to have a fresh start.  With good intentions and lots of new paint in my studio I am moving forward.  This little piece is one that I painted last night and I offer it to you as we all dream of beach days to come.

5 x 7 Oil on Canvas