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.......

light on the tracks - 20x16"

Just a bit of an update.........the two kids are nearly done and I began the top one yesterday when the "kids" were wet enough that I had to put them aside. I have four or so paintings that I need to finish that are in this drying/setting process and am going to attempt to finish them in the next couple of weeks. In addition to that, it is plain air weather in SC again! One thing that is great about down here is that you get the same angled, side-ish (not a word?) light that you get in New England without the wind and freezing temperatures......it was 75 today. Anyway, even if I don't show them, I do plenty of "studies" outside and really think of them that way - studies for me to learn and use.

sunset violet - 8" square

I've had this study kicking around for a while and decided to post it because it is growing on me a bit......that happens a lot. Sometimes if I just set something aside after experiencing a certain frustration level, I decide not to destroy it. Went out plein air painting yesterday but had to leave because even the deet insect repellent I bought for the jungle in South America wasn't working......several bugs flying into my mouth caused me to flee.

marina study - 10x8"

The only thing I have been able to do this past week is paint - unfortunately I broke one of my own rules and accepted a portrait commission from a neighbor who gave me a god-awful photo to work from. In addition to despising the photo, the fact that he is wearing a navy uniform in it (my father was in the navy) made me upset. The man was also wearing an expression that made him seem constipated and showed his teeth in a sort of grimace. Needless to say, I detested every minute of the three starts I made on the portrait..........I am glad to say I have now completed the portrait but I will be damned if I will post it! I will eternally remember my rule - never, never accept a portrait commission without taking the photo yourself (or at least liking the one the customer gives you). In between sessions of wipimg the damn thing down and restarting, I did this study.

just in time for the rapture

Thankfully I finished this before the rapture happens tomorrow.............damn, it is hard not to be all snarky with stuff like this. Well, I had better get going on a new one since I only have till six tomorrow!

just beginning - 18" square

This is really just the beginning of this picture but I feel very behind so I figured I would post anyway. Winter seems to have returned to coastal New England with temps in the 40's and drizzle........strange, to be fighting seasonal affective disorder in mid-May.

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.

sunset ice - 12" square

Sorry about the glare but we had snow ALL day again! It was only supposed to be "snow showers," implying spaces between bursts of snow but it didn't let up.........I began to drive to a Bristol Independent Galleries meeting but turned around when the unplowed road changed my mind. I have been experimenting with different types of under paintings...........loving the purity of watercolors and the way the white paper really makes things glow, I have discovered Gamblin's transparent colors. I did my usual sienna on most of the canvas but used pure transparent orange for the sky..........I think it worked well.

nearly night - 24x18"

Another larger painting I have nearly finished..........since this one is so dark and dark areas are especially difficult to photograph, I decided to get it done before dark. This scene is what you see from the sidewalk in front of Gallery Eleven.