December Gold, Old Lyme, Watch Rock Preserve, CT

6"x8" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

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I've embarked on a fun series of paintings along the Connecticut River. They'll be part of a show this summer in Old Lyme, CT.  Back in November, when it started getting chilly, I started taking my sketch-book all around with me, and sought out places along the river. A friend of mine directed me to Watch Rock Preserve, and I have to admit, I've fallen in love with the place...in all seasons.  Carrying my sketchbook along became pretty efficient for me, and I decided to paint in oils from these sketches and memory.  My oil paintings aren't a "botanical review" by any means, but an interpretation of the brilliance and exuberance I feel from the good energy of the river!

Here's a view of the quick sketch from my sketch-book:

I know a lot of artists really resist painting on location, and paint only from photos. While photos can be an 'okay' memory jogger, there's nothing like capturing 'color notes' on location, while the 'exciting thing' is staring you in the face! Hearing the birds, smelling the brine of the water at low tide, watch the water sparkle as the sun burns through mist...all those things stay with you when you take part in nature....by just sitting ...slowing down...and observing. Your heart rate slows, your breathing steadies, ahh....nature therapy is the best prescription for any thing that ails you!

Brilliance and Meander - Variations on a Theme

6"x6"x1" deep cradled birch panel

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Variations on a theme...musically - something taken from an original idea and giving it a twist, shaking it up a little, trying it on in different forms.  From time to time, I find this a great fun way to explore in visual works.  From my original works done on location (en plein air), I'll do a similar painting in a different format, make changes, experiment - go smaller, go BIGGER - now we're really jammin'!  Above, is "Brilliance", since the day was like that- one of those truly enjoyable sunny days of late Spring (a gift for New Englanders).

 Below, is "Meander",  

 

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....which the waterways in the marsh seem to do when the tide comes in. The have their usual path, but the little reaches from the main flow do seem to meander. It may seem sort of aimless, but at times we do need to allow for a bit of 'meander' time. Time to explore, investigate, renew our senses, breathe, and be 'in the moment'.  Give yourself permission for a bit of 'meander' time - could you spare 10 minutes of your day? 

Hopeville Pond Reflections & packing for France!

8"x10" oil on linen mounted on panel

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A fine plein air morning two whole weeks ago! It's been a busy few weeks, so I've been painting, but not blogging! 

I'm currently working on a commission....while packing for the trip of a lifetime....and painting some small works in-between.

I'm heading out to France soon, to go paint with Dreama Tolle Perry - and really looking forward to this workshop! We'll be staying at Le Vieux Couvent, in Frayssinet.  I've been planning this since last summer, and now it's finally here! I do hope you'll follow along on the journey!

Spring Froth

10"x8" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

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One of my friends described this time of year (up here in New England when Spring finally bursts forth) as 'frothy'. Yes, it is sort of like that- trees stay a lavender bare limbed tangle, until sap rises and gives them a reddish pinky blush at their uppermost heights...then the bright fresh yellow green leaves begin to emerge- slowly but surely.....before you know it another week has gone by and the whole canopy of woods is filled from top to bottom!

Here at home, the tulips have come up, the crab-apple trees have bloomed...and now as I type this, they are fading, and other things are following right on their heels to take their turn in this symphony of color and texture----fluff and froth!

Oh what a delight after winter! Spring is just never disappointing!

As you can see, we are across the street from another building lot (hence the large dirt pile), so I can be selective - choosing to be rather interpretive and expressive in my painting rather than a literal rendering. 

Spring does go by so quickly, I'm amazed at how quickly I paint one scene .....and those blossoms are gone! But the act of painting them seals those garden memories into my very being.  A wonderful comparison from year to year....showing me how far this portion of Eden has come!

Cove, Marsh Morning CT Coastal Landscape

8"x10" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

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I have some paintings "in the vault" in my studio, that still need a home - perhaps yours??

  

I do hope that you've been enjoying the tiny ACEOs and my older works 'from the vault'.  December usually ends up being a very busy month, squeezing painting time down to a minimum. I've got the beginnings of Christmas shopping done so that 'to do list' is getting shorter.

Hoping this odd fluke of warmer weather holds out for me to get back outside painting a few more times. Through most of the year, I spend my time outdoors painting (en plein air).  I grew up in the south, but have lived in CT off and on for about a dozen years now. I'm dedicated to spending as much time as I can getting to know my 'newfound' home by going out and painting it. There's nothing like being out in the open air, with nature surrounding you....in all that stillness, there is a lot going on!

Morning Over Easy, Late Summer Plein Air in the Artist's Garden

14"x11" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

$575, framed

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Last Friday was another beautiful summer day here in New England.  So of course I left the studio to get outside to my side garden.  I can stand and paint in the shade of the house for a while, until the sun crests over the roof top.  At the top of the morning the arbor is in total shade, my aim was to catch the light just as it crested the arbor,  quickly indicating where everything was still in shade, and where the sun was brilliantly lighting everything up (the colorful zinnias in the front yard).  Once you see what you want, as a painter, you'd better indicate it quick on your canvas, and REMEMBER it. The light continues to change and you won't be seeing what initially attracted you to the scene.