surfers - 18x24"

I started this yesterday so I have not gotten terribly far as of yet..........I wiped down everything I did at life group yesterday and then the beginning of a small still life today. I am just not that into still lifes and the model drove me nuts yesterday - her position was totally different after every break so I finally gave up. Truth is, I just wanted to work on this. I will get an early start tomorrow and the weather is supposed to be wretched so I won't be tempted to do anything else.

second prize at Portsmouth Art Guild & "boats lined up" at Sakonnet Point - 9x12"

I finished this study begun outside on Sunday and then dug through my archives to find the picture of the painting that won the prize. I neglected to post this a few days ago because, some days, I just don't feel like being on the computer - even for a few minutes!

red's through the back lots - 12" square

The illuminated sign is really interesting when seen in the gloom of a coastal-gray day. I also love what urban alley and backyards do for one's perspective. This is a combination of both.

sakonnet point

I was out painting at Sakonnet Point this morning and this is my set-up.....I have to finish inside since I ran out of solvent and then had a sneezing fit that lasted for about 10 minutes. I have always had seasonal allergies and actually painted inside yesterday to avoid triggering them. I had to go to the opening of the Portsmouth juried show "Taste This" last night since I won an award - I didn't want to be completely congested with a red nose. I didn't know what prize I had won until they actually gave out the awards (a new strategy on their part!) - turns out I won second place so I was happy and didn't sneeze once.

westport dunes - 12" square

Another gorgeous day - I met two friends in Wesport on the dunes at town beach. After Labor Day there is hardly a soul around.

warren's point study - 14x11"

It was nice to be able to paint at Warren's Point again - especially nice with the waves and froth generated by Igor! I made color my priority today and looked straight into the sun. This beach is private during the summer so it has become one of my winter spots - it is especially awesome in storms (if you can get there).

old port cafe - 16x20"

I have been trying to finish up some larger pictures this week - this is one of them. I probably need to do a few more small things but the paint is so unevenly wet now that I have to let it sit a few days. I am going to NY tomorrow so I won't be posting til I get back next week.

old port cafe - 16x20 (beginning)

Some wicked bad glare on this one! Since I am pretty much composing this from some rudimentary photos and memory, I expect this to go through some changes.....I worked on it all day today and yesterday as well, changing the drawing and composition as well as the value relationships. We shall see.

female portrait study

Fall is approaching for sure, I had to wear a polar fleece this morning. The light is fading too so I have to readjust my photo taking again.

red stipes - 12" square

A few finishing touches left on this one but I started a portrait at life group this morning and want to finish that one this afternoon. Plus, it's my birthday, my hay fever is awful and I am being a bit lazy!

purple pail - 11x14"

The weather was beautiful today but I stayed home since the crowds are so awful on this holiday that I stayed home and just gardened and painted. I went down to Middletown, RI yesterday to hike the bird sancuary but all of the beaches were closed because of rip tides from the non-hurricane. I ended up parking at the only available place and then walked the beach - there were tons of people and I got lots of photos - my models for the winter. I know what kind of figures I am looking for now and had the waves as cover so I didn't look like a weirdo.

fishing off the point - 14x11"

The glare is bad but there is no way of getting a better photo today! The south coast is waiting for Earl - we have had several bands of heavy rain so far but the wind hasn't picked up. There has been enough rain to have to close most of the windows resulting in an almost unbearable humidity inside the house - my glasses have been fogging up.

juliette's back - 9x12"

Went to life drawing yesterday and decided to work on a value study - I feel quite rusty since I have not been going every week.  We now have hurricane warnings for friday night - living within sight of water there is always a sense of dread coupled with a strange sort of excitement at the prospect of a big storm. I will be spending a good portion of tomorrow bringing plants in from the porch and filling the shed with various pieces of lawn stuff.....then, waiting.