Joy in July

8x10 Oil on Panel

I am really pleased with this one.  After a couple of weeks of painting frustration, I relaxed and focused on this great scene near Harpswell, ME.  A quilt artist had proudly displayed her work for sale- beautiful  works and a wonderfully sunny scene.  Joy in July is my theme for all things this month, and this really made me happy.

Cape Marsh Abstracted

8 X10 Oil on Panel

After working on the large piece, I thought I would play a bit more loosely with shapes.  I'd like to move more toward abstraction.  This is not abstract, but I did paint with braid loose strokes and no detail, just representative patterns and shapes.  I like the result!

Season's End Plein Air

8x10 Oil on Panel

We are having an amazingly warm week in Boston.  temperatures have been in the high 60's and low 70's.  Since it is unlikely we will see this again for six months, I decided to take the afternoon off as vacation and paint again in Rock Meadow.  The location is so close that it is easy top quickly get there, set up and paint before the sun begins to set - now by 4:35 pm.  It was a wonderful afternoon and this painting emerged from an initial disaster.  I am very happy with the result!

Belmont Station

8x10 Oil on Panel

In the center of our little town is a train station for the commuter rail into Boston.  It is an iconic image for those who live here.  I have a desire to begin a series of hometown paintings and began with this small study of one scene that defines our historic little hometown.  

Rock Meadow

8x10 Oil on Panel

Saturday was one of those perfect autumn New England days.  I took advantage to paint in a conservation land meadow in my town.  I am finding it easier to isolate a subject outdoors and work quickly on an initial sketch.  The rest is just pure concentrated joy at being out and doing what I love. If interested to purchase, visit my Dailypaintworks  site.

Shady Lane

8x10 Oil on Stretched Canvas

I am attempting the Leslie Saeta 30 in 30 Day challenge again this September.  This is day 1.  I have no illusions tHat I will get all 30 this time.  We launch our youngest off to college later this week and then travel over the Labor Day weekend. September is always a super busy month.  Still, I love participating and the accountability keeps me moving forward!

Kathy's Place

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8x10 Oil on Stretched Canvas.   SOLD

Lots of family means lots of fun and lots of swimsuits and towels.  I saw this lineup at a neighbor's place and the interplay of the pines and the sunshine with the clothesline said all one can say about a summer day.

Midwest 3

8x10 Oil on Stretched Canvas

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Another in this series-I am consumed by farms this week.  The morning that I took the reference photos had such white hot light that even the most common of buildings had a bit of a glow.

North Country

8 x 10 Oil on Stretched Canvas

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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!

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!

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.

'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!

'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.

Landscape series 2

 8x10 Oil on Panel

I had a wonderful day in the studio yesterday.  It was very rainy, and after a very, very busy week at work and at home I really enjoyed the quiet. This is another scene from Concord- there are hundreds of great views at this park- lots of tourists daily- nice pathways to stroll.

Landscape Series 1

8x10 Oil on Panel

I am challenging myself to work on landscapes for a few days.  Yesterday I visited Minuteman Park in Concord, MA - always a great place to paint.  

Scudder Lane

8x10 Oil on Panel.  SOLD

This is my first plein air effort for the summer!  I spent a lovely afternoon yesterday at a beach off Scudders Lane in Barnstable painting.  I return to this spot because it is quiet and private and just a great place to be.  The new Coulter easel is fabulous- lightweight, easy to set up, stable- perfect!  Can't wait to go again!

Early Morning On the Road

8x10 Oil on Panel. SOLD

It is always early morning when I leave my Ohio hometown to head back towards Boston.  The farms are majestic-the long flat fields in a patchwork and the light catching the barn roofs-the mist rising.  That is what I see and sense and feel.  So here's to Ohio, always home.  

Florida 2

8x10 Oil on Museum Quality Panel

I am looking at the light patterns of the strong Florida sunshine and also trying to capture the vibrant greens and the different foliage of the region.  It is zero degrees today in Boston, so it is really nice to work on something warm and welcoming!