Homeland

6 x 6 Oil on Panel

I am thinking a lot about family these days- the places where we come from and where we end up.  We make a lot of choices in life.  Early in our marriage, we decided to try Boston, leaving northwest Ohio and Pennsylvania for a different part of the country- different in lots of ways.  It has been a wonderful place to live- full of great sights and experiences.  But you never really leave home.  I snapped some photos while at home in August.  This is the type of barn I might see in my hometown of Oregon, Ohio.  Lots of green flat fields and friendly people.  Great food and great fun.  I always breathe deeply when I return to carry it with me as I head 'home'.

Strolling

8x8 on museum quality panel

Another little landscape anticipating autum ahead in New England.  I'll need to turn from swimming and sunning to hiking and biking.  That's the great thing about the change in seasons - you need to be a bit flexible, adjust your attitude and activities - and buy some great sweaters!  

Autumn Ahead

6x6 Oil on panel

I worried a bit that I hadn't really settled on a theme prior to this challenge.  Now, I think one may be emergIng.  I tend to paint the places I love- those where I live or spend time with family and friends.  I live in the Boston area- rich with history and scenery, architecture, seaside spaces, rolling farmland, city life.  Very diverse.  When we travel, it is to be with family in Ohio or to Florida or Pennsylvania.  Lots of ground to cover.  This is a spot near Concord, MA that I captured in a photo last fall.  I'll work on a few of these over the next month.  Fall is on the way in all of its colorful splendor soon.  Something to look forward to.  Plein air fun ahead!

Duck, NC

Day 4-  Last summer we travelled with family to North Carolina.  I had never been to the Outer Banks-interesting place.  I took a photo of this red brick lighthouse and thought I'd play with it a bit last night.  I think next time I will crop it closer and change the composition.  One reason I like daily painting exercises - you paint fast and learn along the way.    

Harwich Wharf

8 x 8 Oil on Stretched Canvas

The harbor area in Harwich, MA has lots of great sights and subjects.  This is a little house/cafe at the corner of a harbor full of great boats. Lots of room to set up and paint.   Hope to return there soon.

Friends

6x6 Oil on panel.        Day 2

I am playing with boats a bit.  These two were nestled in together,like good friends having a conversation.  

Day 1 - 30 DayChallenge with Leslie Saeta

I have taken a large leap to commit to painting 30 small pieces this month.  Yikes!   Well, here goes!  These are some small sail boats on Lake Wequaquet on Cape Cod.  In the fall, on Labor Day, they pull them in to store for the fall.  They are a great reminder of warmer days.