Fall Color on the Connecticut River in Old Lyme

12"x16" oil on linen mounted on panel

available here

I've just returned from a Leslie Saeta workshop in Waco, TX in time to see the last bit of New England color! During our week of studying marketing with Leslie, we endured - (umm, actually ENJOYED) temps in the low 80s...while back home they actually had snow flurries mid-week! It felt great to wear sandals in November! 

What an amazing time we had! Our workshop was held at the Magnolia House B&B built by Chip and Joanna Gaines of the HGTV Fixer-Upper show.  I have just become aware of them this year when one of my galleries and I were chatting about "industrial farmhouse" style favored by Chip and Joanna of "Fixer Upper" fame.  But I'll share more of my trip with you on my next post! I promise! 

Today and yesterday I've been out hiking in the glorious woods of fall color!  It's just past the peak (omg, I almost missed it!). The days are so much shorter and the sun much lower in the sky. But the trees...oh they are wonderful.  This one was painted on location by the Connecticut River, but I also like to paint in watercolor in my sketchbook, and then work up an oil painting from that as well. 

I do love returning to my favorite sites over and over again to see what each season brings!

This black frame really complements this painting!

 I love how it looks with Stickley furniture! 

Here's a side view for you! Contact me if you think this would look great in your home!

If paintings aren't in your budget right now(I do offer interest free layaway), I also have this image available in my 2017 calendar, by clicking right here.

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! 

Touching Water exhibit - opening

I'm so happy to announce  the opening of 

"Touching Water"

at the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library in Old Lyme, CT 

this Friday, July 15th from 5-7pm
(click image below to enlarge)

 I've spent a good portion of the last year working on these.  My friend Judy Benson (journalist for The Day - our local newspaper) has collaborated with me on yet another series - this time, moving up the coast from Barn Island to the Connecticut River....my latest favorite paintings!  Seventeen new ones from various spots on the river, along with a few from Barn Island that I wanted to share again.  

I've also got several of my sketchbooks in the exhibit as well (though those are not for sale, only the oil paintings are). I'll be talking about some of my techniques during the "Gallery Talk" at 5:30 that evening! 

Looking forward to seeing you there! 

Nordic Tug 39, Essex

8"x10" oil on Belgian linen/mounted on archival panel

"If a man does not know what port he is steering for, no wind is favorable to him."
- Seneca


Monday morning was bright and clear. The Connecticut Plein Air Painters were all meeting in the town of Essex, to paint about town & down at the end of town at the boatyards. So I drove down, staked out my favorite spot in front of this little tug at the boatyard. What a beautiful little thing it is. For more information about Nordic Tug, click here. To buy the boat, you'll need to go to Essex, CT, their office is in the lighthouse shaped building on the left. To purchase the painting, contact me here.