Thursday, July 30, 2015

Midwest 2


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8x8 Oil on Panel

Sometimes the idea of painting fills my day.  Last week's trip to Ohio was a refreshing breath of family and familiar sights, like this one.  I am enjoying thoughts of the place where I grew up.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Midwest 1


8x8 Oil on Masonite

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I'm back from a week in the Midwest- - Chicago and then across Indiana to Family in Ohio.  Lots of familiar scenery for me- relaxing, breathtaking acres of green with majestic barns and family farms.  I worked with a pallette knife a good bit on this one-always learning something new.  

Friday, July 24, 2015

Jan's Garden

16 x 20 Watercor

This is a painting I did several years ago when I worked in watercolor.  It hangs in my sister's house and was a scene from her back garden.  We are visiting this week and I thought I would share this other side of my painting life.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

On the Road


I am travelling this week so I left my studio behind - reluctantly.   I am in Chicago for a conference and have had a chance to tour the city and see some wonderful architecture.  Off to Ohio tomorrow for family.   Lots of potential paintings ahead!  Until next week...




Monday, July 20, 2015

North Country

8 x 10 Oil on Stretched Canvas


After I worked intensely on an urban landscape yesterday, a friend forwarded a lovely shot from her vacation  in Maine.  I was so drawn to this foggy, rainy day scene that I had to paint it.  So refreshing!

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Easton, MD


8x8 Oil on Hard Panel


I've been painting a bit this weekend and struggling with some boats that still need work.  So today I abandoned them and decided to paint this scene I have from a photo I took earlier this spring when visiting family.  It is not my typical, but I liked the way the rust and bright whites played against the bright blue sky that day.  


Friday, July 17, 2015

Long Beach Path


8x10 on Stretched Canvas             


When I went to the beach to paint, I noticed the light on this little house and had to paint it.   I am learning so much this summer!  I was so happy about it all day. I am learning the value of pre-mixing as well and hope to play with palette knives again soon.  All to say, I like this one, love the familiar place it represents-joy in July!

Friday, July 10, 2015

Cambridge Morning

6x6 oil on Gesso Board


This is a row of houses on a street In North Cambridge, a vibrant neighborhood full of artists and interesting people.  The old houses have all been refurbished and the neighbors seem to know each other.  You can walk to restaurants and libraries and churches.  A great place to live.  This morning, I needed to get my brush moving and so spent some time working small again.

Monday, July 6, 2015

Autumn Drive




8x10 Oil on Canvas Panel



Back to work this week.  I had such a nice time last week focusing in painting outside that it is tough to get my head around being in an office again.  This is a little painting I did from a photo taken last fall while out driving in Western Massachusetts.  I changed the rooftops and some of the tree line to make use of lots of sunny yellows.

Sunny Pathways

8x10 Oil on Museum Quality Panel

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A new series starting-This scene from the Bonnet House in Ft. Lauderdale was fun to paint.  I really like this one.  It captures my morning spent painting on the grounds recently.  The buildings and gateways are all yellow on the property.  There are a few squirrel monkeys in the trees.  The population used to be about 25 monkeys but due to hurricanes and other storms, there are now only five males left.  I go to this preserved artist's property each time we visit the area for an experience of 'old Florida' at its best.

'Paint Camp' Day 3


8x10 Oil on Ampersand Board



This one from Wednesday is a little scene from a private beach area in West Barnstable.  I did most if this one with a palette knife.  When I switch from canvas surfaces to hardboard, it takes a while to gauge the flow of the paint and the consistency.  The lighthouse is on Sandy Neck and was far in the distance.  I am pleased with the result.  Not to say, the challenges of heat, bugs, people, sand, wind....well, still learning how to adapt to paintings 'plein air'.  But I love the lessons I am learning this week.  Not all are successful.  There have been some attempts this week that were pure wipeouts.  All part of the journey.  Off to paint now!

Thursday, July 2, 2015

'Paint Camp' Day 2

11x14 Oil on Panel


I worked on two paintings on Tuesday, both at a small town beach landing in West Barnstable.  It seems there are views like this one at the end of every dead end lane here.  This is the Cape that most who visit once or twice may never stumble on.  

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

'Paint Camp' Day 1


8x10, Oil on panel


This is a painting I did on Monday morning during my personal 'paint camp' week.  Somehow, just naming the week is keeping me on task.  The day was very gray, the rain had just stopped.  The only colors that morning seemed to be green and gray.  This is a scene at a town wharf in Orleans, MA.  As I was painting, a large truck pulled up just ahead of my car and fishermen began lining up to sell large sea bass.  Evidently, this was a location for pickup for the fish markets.  Hundreds of pounds of fish for each one that pulled up.  It was quite entertaining!  And I had some fully focused plein air fun as well.