Ohio Roots

16x20 Oil on Panel

We travelled back to Ohio last week to honor the passing of my brother-in-law.  Once again, I found that when I move through Cleveland and on across the flat farm landscapes I can feel 'home'. It's where you come from, where your early connections, memories and morals are formed.  This is one I started while there and finished in the studio with palette knife, playing with texture and brush strokes.  Still learning every day.

St. Michael's Boats #2

8x8 Oil on Panel

This is another from the stroll through the harbor in St. Michael's , MD. 

November's End

8x8 Oil on panel, PleinAir

One more day to paint outside.  It was over 60 degrees on the day after Thanksgiving in Boston and much too nice to be inside.  This one was primarily painted with a palette knife.  The winds were strong and dry time was shortened, but good fun and a nice way to relax after a very busy holiday with family.

Cotuit Dinghys 2

6x6 Oil on Panel    SOLD

Another taken on these little rowboats.  The day I saw these the harbor was fairly flat so the reflections were eye catching.  In terms of lessons learned this summer, I am gaining confidence by doing a quick under painting in burnt sienna to set the values and the basic shapes.  

Before the Crowds

6x6 Oil on Panel

Buy with PayPal

I had a chance to go to a beach yoga class on the weekend - very peaceful with calm seas and bright sunlight.  I was not a very good student- very distracted by the light on this chair and the other nearby buildings:)

Barnstable Marsh 2

Buy with PayPal

9x12 Oil on Panel

I started this one last weekend and returned to it this morning.  It is such a nice summer day today, and this is one of the places that can make the season so enjoyable.  

Midwest 5

8x8 Oil on Panel  SOLD

I've realized recently that I have learned a great deal this summer through painting, experimenting, videos from favorite artists as well as some that I have stumbled upon.  I thought I might start sharing the things that have been valuable in hopes others may find them helpful as well.  Last week, I came across Paul Taggert who has made some great painting videos and shared them freely on YouTube until hacked.  I watched one of his on brushes-basic, I know.  But - - I was encouraged to try some that were different from my 'go to' flats and brights.  This week, all rounds and filberts.  A nice change with some great results.  

Midwest 1

8x8 Oil on Masonite

Buy with PayPal

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.  

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.  

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.

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 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.  

'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 5

11x14, oil on panel

 

I started this one last week and finished yesterday.  I am enjoying these now, loving landscapes, becoming more familiar with shapes and simplifying.  I'm off this morning for so me 'plein air' fun with boats!

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.  

Low Tide

5x7 Oil on Board

A rainy Sunday here- great day to clean out the studio and paint.  This is a scene off Barnstable harbor at low tide with spring still on the way.

Dinghy

6x6 Oil on Panel. SOLD

Had fun with this boat study yesterday.

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!

Florida 5

6x6 Oil on Masonite Panel

It is a snow day here- day two of blizzard cleanup.  What better subject to paint than sunny Florida!  I had some really relaxed fun with this today.  I am reading the book The War of Art and learning about battling resistance by just doing the work-showing up each day.  I learn this lesson time and time again lately.  The results are just joy and a real sense of completion.  Hope you enjoy this one too!