portrait of my dad - 11x14"

This is a portrait of my father who is turning 90 tomorrow...........I don't believe he ever checks this blog since I have to re-give him the address every time I visit. If you do check this Dad, sorry I ruined the surprise! It is really, really hard to think of a present for him since he doesn't ever want anything.......I usually give him a painting unless I see something really neat for his garden. I will be leaving for NY to visit him this week and then maybe go to Austin TX to visit my daughter who just broke her collarbone! I will attempt to keep up with posting but it may be difficult.

humid on the hill - 10" square

A wretched photo but today has been a very interesting and dark weather day here............it is pouring and the wind is really strong again. I was experimenting with putting some structure into a mass of grape leaves/vines and assorted foliage in this picture. I can't wait until we have decent enough weather here to get out in the field again since it is really the way to learn how to actually paint these things...........photos are a poor substitute without the knowledge gained outside!

sunset on the beach house - 10" square

I almost lost this one to the wind while trying to take a photo.........it seems like nearly gale force winds out there.

bristol porch - 12" square

This was quite difficult and I am glad it is done! Our next show at Gallery Eleven Fine Art is: "This is Bristol," so I figured I had better do some actual paintings of Bristol. I have been hoping it would be warm enough to paint outside during my shifts at the gallery but we are certainly not there yet.

just a start - 12" square

I have wiped this down a couple of times but am determined to get it right.....with architecture, it can be difficult to strike a balance between the linear and the shapes. Lots of starightening and merging left to do. The color palette is  nearly completely dependent on warm/cool transitions so it is a bit difficult.

the last snow pile - 20x16"

I finished this one for the most part......I am shocked that I did since I had to go to the dentist and that usually disables me with stress. It is beautiful outside and I think I might go out to paint tomorrow!

500 posts! (and completed painting)

I just realized when I signed in that this is my 500th post on this blog. I have had mixed feelings about why I continue to post until I realized that I was doing it as a visual diary/website rather than as a marketing tool........so, I find it pretty invaluable at the moment. Anyway, I just thought I would mention it.

gull through the waves - 12" square

Obviously, just a start...............I rearranged my studio yesterday and took a long hike at the Middletown RI wildlife preserve. Sometimes you just have to move and absorb and put the brushes down for a day - it was incredibly refreshing. This painting is also a thank you to my camera - I could never, ever get this information without my camera. Not only do things change really fast but I couldn't have seen far enough away to get the gull's foot through the water (I didn't even try to get this information, it was an accident). So, I am just thrilled that I did.

color study of flowers - 12x9

Not my typical thing but I was out painting all morning and totally wiped down two previous efforts. It is always a bit if a challenge to get back into the plein air thing after a long season of studio work.......the changing light and motion of the natural visual world sort of shock one. The scene is of this amazing patch of little blue flowers blooming in Tiverton, RI.

hats - 12" square

I finsihed this yesterday but didn't get a chance to take a photo or post. This morning I went to Warren's Point to paint outside for the first time in ages (it was a wicked long winter)! It was awesome to be out there even though I froze..........at least the wind was minimal and the temperature of 42 and the low clouds didn't bother me a bit. I noticed that my approach is different then it was the last time I was out........much less attached to habits I developed last summer and fall. The beach looked ravaged by the past months as well.

sunflower road - 14x11"

Can you tell I am longing for this kind of weather? Actually, yesterday was quite nice and I went for a long walk at Second Beach. It was quite windy so I knew I wouldn't be able to paint there but soon...........today is pouring rain.

backlit - 16" square

This picture is done for the most part and I am in a little bit better mood today even though it is freezing and we had snow last night. My neighbor even told me that he had heard on the weather report that we may get snow next week too - I guess I had better keep my eyes on my easel rather than out the window. Funny, but I remember learning in middle school that there had been a year without a summer back in the 1800's.........that has always stayed in my mind and tends to pop into it again when winter seems too long.