Relaxation

It's the season!  I just loved this guy's relaxed pose and beach belly.  It really captures something wonderful about summer- our ability to let it all go and just be for awhile.  

Wharf Sights

I took a photo while at a workshop of a little building that had great light and decided to play with it a bit.  It was a bit boring, so I added the figures and masts in the background and some flowers.  Fun to paint and a morning well invested!

Morning Joe

Recently we bought some brightly colored mugs at the Christmas Tree shop on Cape Cod.  Somehow they cheer me up - orange, yellow gold, tomato red, salmon, lime green. Each morning presents a choice.  Funny how something so small can affect your mood- a little treat to begin each day.  This morning, I was in the studio with bright orange.  I couldn't resist doing a small 6x6 to mark the day.  Maybe more to come in days ahead!

Beach Beauties

This is a little 8x8 oil of my great nieces on the beach in Duck, NC.  Great memories of a wonderful vacation with family. They will grow up so fast!

Stormy Seas

This is an abstract I painted this winter when heading into some very tough challenges at work.  Glad to say, things are peaceful now, but it was a very long winter.  It is 9 x 12 oil on panel - lots of texture.  I have come to really like it.  It marks courage and honesty and change. 

Summer Magic

Summer is magic for me on the Cape.  There is time to breathe. The possibilities are endless.  The sun is bright and the light casts a different glow this time of year.  Last night we were on the boat on the lake with friends as the sun set in one direction and the full moon appeared on another shore.  This doesn't seem apparent in the freeze of winter.  Tonight I am in my summer studio, singing to my music as the stars come out.  I am sketching out some small pieces I will return to later this week.  I am a full person in this moment.  Here is my little piece of paradise.

Happy 4th of July!

We are celebrating the Fourth with family on Cape Cod while awaiting the arrival of Hurricane Arthur which is racing up the coast toward us.  Just pulled the boat out of the lake and heading to the annual neighborhood holiday breakfast.  Looks like lots of card games will be on tap through tonite.  In honor of the holiday,  I thought I'd post my recent plein air attempt at the historic buck man Tavern in Lexington, MA.

New Toys

A couple of monts ago I ran across a book called One Zentangle a Day at a local art store.  Evidently, this meditative drawing form has quite a following, but it was new to me.  I began learning this new 'language' of shapes and doodles and taking time to do three or four tiles a week.  They helped me through a time of immense stress at work, relieved anxiety, provided a quiet space for my thoughts, and they were a fun new pursuit.  Here is an example of a recent tile.  I recommend them for creativity and mindfulness.

Morning Challenge

Yesterday I began playing with some photos I took of two adorable blond kids collecting shells in Barnstable.  It is just a study.  I'll be doing several before I land on what captures the sunny morning setting.  Good fun though.  We are awaiting a summer storm coming in for the Fourth of July on Friday.  Hurricanes in July?

Returning to My Best Self

 After a long and difficult winter, I have reopened my summer studio, swept the spiders to their outdoor home, cleaned the windows, rid the kyacks, bikes, yard furniture, hammocks, etc.   I am happy.  My work at my university took me under this winter - too many challenges to leave room for painting.  Too little silence, too few opportunities to take time for art play.  I missed it.  I miss the silliness of believing that I can paint and share something I have noticed.  Yesterday I went to a local landing overlooking one of the many marshes here on Cape Cod, took a deep breath, and did this little 8x8 piece.  Along the way, I met a young family and took some pics of two adorable kids collecting shells- today's paintings await.  I sincerely hope to be more regular as a painter and share the ongoing adventure.  Happy summer!