Teale's Way...and other recent sales....

 "Because beauty cannot be separated from the larger idea of harmony in the universe, creating art is a central part of a spiritually healthful life.  Making art thus serves the same purpose as their sacred rituals.  It often depicts: to create balance in the individual, the community, and the natural world." 

- (quote found in the American Museum of Natural History regarding the Pueblo cultures of Chaco canyon)

For those folks wondering if I have done something crazy like give up oil painting...the answer is "heck no!".  I still love it! And...I've found the watercolor sketches enhance my efforts, forcing me to think 'differently'.  I haven't found a better way to explain that yet. But I'm certainly enjoying both mediums! 

The above painting, "Teale's Way" has just sold, and is just off to its new home! Luckily - a dear friend bought this, and offered 'visiting rights'!  :-)

Two other recent sales are from my 'Touching Water' solo exhibit, "December Gold", and "Clear Autumn Morning in the Marsh".  

It's been a wonderful summer, I'm sad to see it reaching the end. But there are so many exciting things lined up for autumn!! I'm heading out to teach a sketchbook journaling class in Ireland in a few days. When I return I've got a new line up of Nature Sketchbook journaling classes at the CT Audubon Center in Pomfret, AND some new classes and workshops in my studio!  I'll list those in the very next post! 

Coastal New England Autumn

8"x10" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

For more information, or to purchase, click here.  

Gosh, it's been a couple weeks now since I was out to Barn Island and painted this. One of the last bits of color this autumn before the temps plummeted, the harsh winds blew and cleared out most of the trees. brrr!  It's wicked out there right now. That day was quite beautiful; with interesting clouds rolling through...just enough grey in the sky to make the trees stand out in contrast. Ever notice how the stormier the skies, the autumn color seems even more vibrant? 

If you've received my Cheer Factor newsletter, you already know the exciting news...my Barn Island series will be heading up to Hartford, CT; to be shown at the state DEEP headquarters there. (Department of Energy and Environmental Protection).  I'm over the moon excited, humbled and honored by this! We're hanging the show Dec. 9th and will hang until the end of February 2015.   

High Tide Morning

 

40"x40" oil on 1.5" deep gallery wrap canvas

For more information, or to purchase, click here.

There are places for each of us, that resonate deep within our souls. They restore us, rejuvenate us...in any season.  Being out in nature, whether you call it, "Forest Therapy", Vitamin D-Soaking up the Sunshine moments; we all need that...for inner and outer happiness.    

Summer Morning; Ebb Tide

6"x8" oil on linen mounted on panel

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Lately we've been having really nice weather....the kind that other places should be very, very envious of. The kind of weather where you can leave your windows open all day and night and be very comfortable ...and it's August! 

So one early morning last week, I planned to get up early and head back over to Barn Island, to continue my quest of marsh scenes in all seasons of the year.  In the early morning, the sun is just warming up the grasses, illuminating them to their brilliant limey green color. The distant tree line is still back-lit, but starting to warm through at the edges as the sun begins to climb it's arc through the sky.  

Birders are out in the preserve, hoping to spot that one particular species that will complete their "bucket list" of birdies.  Another older gentleman walking two golden retrievers, one of them a gangly five month old pup as tall as the other dog. Two joggers light through, seeming to barely touch the earth beneath them, their footfall is so light. And one painter, that's me.  We are the "usual suspects" of who frequent this sacred space.  It IS sacred to me, I love being out there. It reminds me how important it is to have public open land for recreation just like these mornings. 

 

Clear Summer Morning

6"x8" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

Please click here for more information, or to purchase.

Another thing I love about summer in New England...when we get those clear summer days, the weather is comfortable, everything is growing, marsh grasses are brilliant high-key-limey green out in the brilliant sun here on the coast. Yes, I'm still working on my "Barn Island Project", getting back there to paint in every season of the year. I love to see how the colors change over the course of a year - even standing in this same very spot to paint! This one was the first of the morning. I'll show you the second one tomorrow!  I'm still playing around with the new techniques...using some brushes again, and a bit of palette knife...sometimes more, sometimes less. Only adding what needs to be added, editing is the key!

Tomorrow I'll also have the third and final drawing of my water-color post cards from France. If you are a blog subscriber, your name is already in the hat! If not, find the column on the upper right hand side of this blog to enter your email and subscribe!  I'll draw two names (but I'll only print your name with your permission!).  

I do hope you're having a wonderful summer, where ever you are, and where ever you go!

Clear Autumn Morning In The Marsh, plein air Barn Island

6"x8" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

This is another one of the paintings I had neglected to post on my blog! ***This plein air work was done back in October!  One of my favorite places, Barn Island Wildlife Refuge.  I think it's a wonderful refuge for people, too; judging by the number of people I see out there from time to time. On the weekends there are many hikers, dog-walkers, etc.  It is a place of beauty and refuge in all seasons, not just for the wildlife, but all of us who need a bit of nature to remind us how to be calm.

Winter Thaw, Barn Island

6"x8" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

For more information or to purchase, click here.

Wow, this morning was a winter heat wave, 43 degrees F! Which makes for a great day of painting outside. The sun was trying to burn off the haze, but never did quite succeed. Much of our previous snowfall has melted. Only stubborn little patches of ice persist, though most have yielded to mud. Tide was going out, which I wasn't aware of until I heard some ice pulling against some crackly reeds along the edge of the water.  Most of the grasses have faded to a pale golden wheat color at this point in the winter, though I did see a few tufts of faded green emerging from some snowy clumps.  As I was setting up to paint today, a big egret came in for a landing behind me.  He became too busy stalking his prey to worry about me though. Life in the marsh goes on.  

Passing Showers

9"x12" oil on Belgian linen mounted on archival board

"I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright. ~Henry David Thoreau

Thoreau really had it right. When I do get outside to the woods and fields, I really do find it exhilarating (and that I've got myself in the right place). And that's whether I'm painting, hiking, or even taking a short stroll. Lately I've been exploring some additional painting possibilities in our region.

This morning I did take a short trek over to nearby Barn Island, just over in Stonington. I could see that the sky was clearing in that direction, and thought that there would be some interesting cloud cover as the front blew over. It started sprinkling when I pulled out of the driveway, so I wasn't sure if I'd get to paint or just be rained on. But it was a nice heavy cloud cover with band of clearing sky near the horizon. I was really drawn to the way the bands of cloud light reflected into the marsh water pools. On gray days, everything is much closer in value range (and the color can sometimes seem so rich).

This painting can be purchased unframed directly from me at my DailyPainters.com gallery store, or contact me here.

Remains Of The Day

9"x12" oil on Belgian linen mounted on archival panel

"People live for the dream in their hearts. And I have yet to know anyone who has not some secret dream, some hope, however dim, some storied wall to look at in the dusk, some painted window leading to the soul." ~Zane Grey

I'm down in Norfolk, VA this weekend, visiting with fellow artist Norma Wilson, and trading out some paintings at London Square Gallery. A few of us got together yesterday just to paint and catch up. Luckily I brought my laptop with photos of Barn Island, in Stonington (CT) that I've been wanting to paint. I love the abstract shapes within the marsh as dusk falls. The colors of the grasses change minute by minute until the sun finally sets...purple dusk turning to night fall, the sun giving its final light show before taking a bow below the horizon.

This painting can be purchased framed, directly from me, through my DailyPainters.com gallery store.