orange and green - 24x18"

I wasn't going to post this one until it was done but then I decided to because I wanted to post a blurb about tomorrow's Paint Out in Bluffton, SC. This shrimper is docked in my neighborhood at our "community dock" that no one seems to use. At early morning and late afternoon here the sky becomes more orange than what I expect....this isn't a factor of what it normally does early and late because when you leave the forest here, the sky is it's usual self. It seems more to do with the dark green color of the trees and the warmer sky. This particular scene expresses that color relationship and how it is intensified when a storm is clearing.......not too many trees that you can see in the painting but trust me, there's a ton of them behind me. I've still got a lot to do but I'm getting there.

Tomorrow I will be participating in the "Bluffton Old Town Paint Out" and would like to mention it to anyone who might be in the area. I am not really familiar with Bluffton even though it is only an hour away from where I live and on the way to Hilton Head....it took me a while of exploring to get to really know the area closer to me and I just haven't gone towards there except to shop occasionally. It is a very interesting town and the historic area is pretty neat. So.....I have just joined SOBA (the Society of Bluffton Artists) and will be exhibiting there at their gallery.  

Hustler Shrimp (nearly completed) - 24x18"

I am pretty close to completion with this painting.......will have to let it sit for a bit because the paint is so thick on the water that I find myself covered in paint from the easel and the edges every time I try to do the remaining detail work that needs to be done. I went for a walk on Hunting Island State Park beach this afternoon and was stunned to see that an entire section of the road that leads to the parking area had washed away. The recent storms really did some damage and my favorite spot to park and paint is now sand and downed trees.

Hustler Shrimp (beginnings) - 24x18"

It's been rough around here for the past few weeks.......12 days of rain and lots of flooding. We didn't get it too badly but there were still a few tense moments as I watched my land turn into a pond! I even made a movie of the scene because there were so many frogs and they were all singing/croaking or whatever you call it. Plein air was out of the question but I did manage to work in the studio - I have several paintings going at once and this is the newest one. I've been into shrimp boats lately and this one is Hustler Shrimp - they are one of my favorite vendors at the Farmer's Market.

by the dock - 16x12" plein air

Wow, was it hot today! Accuweather said 88 but feels like 107 - and it did. I have been working on this painting for a couple of days on site and haven't decided whether to add the boat rigging yet so there are areas that aren't quite complete.

first week of summer

Well, it's the first week of summer and I am enjoying my studio immensely! I realized that I have been spending way too much time moving supplies around and setting things up during the past year (unable to avoid)......the unfinished studio was susceptible to temperature extremes and had somewhat inadequate light. It is great to be able to leave everything in place and not waste so much time adjusting things. Anyway, here are a few things I have been working on during the past week. This picture is a study for a possible larger painting I have in mind.....just color and composition ideas (it's 8x8").

I started this one at about 9am this morning (14x11") and was beginning to make progress but..........the tide went out, it stared to rain and the boat left! Three strikes for sure. I'm going to go back tomorrow if the weather conditions are right and see if the boat is docked at the same spot.

I am working on this 20x16" in the studio and hoping to finish it in the next day or so.......

end of February!

Wow, did this month go fast! I am liking posting multiple things at once - seems to fit me better than those daily things.................so, I'll stick with this format. House on the hill is nearly done (have to finish the windows & straighten things up a bit). Sorry about the clamp at the edge but this is on a 12x16" panel and was hard to photograph without keeping it straight up.

I began this 14x11" painting months ago and (for some odd reason) never finished it.....I had similar colors on the palette and decided there was no reason not to finish it.

I have been working on this for the last two days and am making good progress.....It's 30x24" and I am totally enjoying working this size.

nets out - 14x11" & southern dock - 16x12" (beginning)

 

 

I've been into boats the past week and pretty much finished "Nets Out" - it will go on the drying wall for visual scrutinty. The painting of the boats at the dock was begun and put aside for a little while I dwelled on reducing the confusion that is present on the dock. I believe I know where I am going with it so it's back on the easel.

Nets out - 14x11"

This is a crummy photo but it's so windy outside, there was no way I could get a decent one (it's supposed to be like this for a few days). Anyway, I was also pleased to feel like I'm somewhat back on track as far as work goes so I thought I would post. I think I am still somewhat flu affected.........just weird little aches and pains and occasional feverish moments. I am very grateful that it's almost gone!

high tide - 12x9"

 

I had oral surgery to complete a root canal on Monday and, by the time I got back from the gym on Tuesday, I knew I was in trouble. I am finally feeling better today and my face is nearly normal size again. I absolutely had to go out today or the kitty would leave home (I had run out of the food she likes) and I was able to finish this. So.............when the tide is high here, the marsh fills with passageways that don't seem to be there when it's low. I love the way the shrimpers look like they are pushing through land as they return to their docks.

Happy Fourth to all

 I realized when organizing photos that I had never posted this painting completed.............so, here it is.

the shrimper (nearly done) - 16x12"

I have nearly completed this picture and am pleased with it. Fishing boats have always been my favorite type of boat and there are certainly lots of them here - shrimpers rather than New England's lobster boats.

a finish and a start

Finished the Crab House and began a 16x12" shrimp boat. There are shrimp boats everywhere here; little inlets and docks seem to dot every marsh.