Autumn's Arrival

9"x12" oil on linen mounted on birch panel

For more information, or to purchase, click here. 

This time of year can be so 'precious' for painting. Simply because it goes by so quickly! This scene was just last week. This week, the trees are turning a little more colorful, and by the weekend they'll be at their blazing peak. The fields have gone to that parched blondish gold, with some autumn wildflowers trying to poke their way through. Then, there's rain, coming in to do a number on the leaves. The sunny days, or even those overcast days are treasured and saved...only dire needs can interrupt. Doctor appointment? Car maintenance? Groceries? All that 'daily living stuff'? Get's bumped to second priority unless, something's bleeding or painful; won't run or has a flat; or the cupboards are bare!  The paints are calling my name!

Garden With An Ocean Breeze

9"x12" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

For more information about this painting, click here.

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.  ~John Muir

It is such a wonderful thing to have state parks, national parks, city and town parks where we can renew ourselves.

John Muir certainly knew it "way back when", and I think it's truer than ever these days. This particular garden has one walled in area, that breaks into open spaces that over look the sea.  

Ocean breezes make the tall, red montbresia blossoms bounce in the wind  - and how DO those little hummingbirds have such good aim as to drink from their blossoms?

Seasoned By The Sea

6"x8" oil on Belgian linen mounted on archival panel

"The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea." ~Isak Dinesen

Today was incredibly warm for February in New England, upper 40s. So of course I was determined to go out first thing to the shore line. Moody skies are always an attraction at this time of year, but it's certainly nice to not be knee deep in snow! Lots of things still going on in the home-front, so I've been keeping most of my paintings small lately. I carried my tiny little pochade box just to keep things easy, in case it was colder than I thought. So I worked with brushes. This box has an edge that holds the panel in, and it's not very conducive to painting with a knife (no free edges on the panel). So, I'm a firm believer in using the best tools for the circumstances. This provided a "quick-sketch" to consider color, etc. for a larger painting. Outdoor sketches done with this sort of speed, are good for the equivalent of "note-taking" to be developed further.

Afternoon Light of Autumn

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

Back to the same site at Harkness Park, where I painted "Butterfly Song" just a month ago back in August. Now the purple Joe-Pye weeds have almost gone by, they've turned a bit brownish purple. I chose to catch the view from a slightly different angle on this day - as I really liked the afternoon shadow shapes along the left side walls of the barns. Hurricane Irene really did some weird damage to the foliage on most of the trees. Many have browned out and are dropping leaves rather than turning color. Even the evergreens have browned out on the side facing south, where salt-spray comes off the ocean. I'm really curious as to whether we'll get much more color at all this fall here on the shoreline?!

Contact me here for more information about this painting!

Butterfly Song (Harkness Park)

20"x20" oil on stretched canvas

"This was one of those perfect New England days in late summer where the spirit of autumn takes a first stealing flight, like a spy, through the ripening country-side, and, with feigned sympathy for those who droop with August heat, puts her cool cloak of bracing air about leaf and flower and human shoulders." ~Sarah Orne Jewett

This quote describes the weather today so well. It did feel like just a touch of fall was in the air. A bit scary/suspicious if you ask me, as I'm not ready at all for summer to end. It feels like it just got here! This scene is back at Harkness Park, the joe-pye weeds in this field are so pretty. Butterflies love it, and are flitting along the blossom tops.

This painting is available directly from the artist in my DailyPainter.com gallery store.

Fine Day For A Sail, Harkness Park

12"x24" oil on stretched linen canvas

"It is not the ship so much as the skillful sailing that assures the prosperous voyage."
-George William Curtis

Ah- today was another really fantastic summer day in CT. Doesn't get any better than this. And I got to be out painting in it, back at Harkness Park, here on the coastline of our state. I do love being out here from season to season. By the time September rolls around the purple Joe-Pie weed will have butterflies from all over flitting in and out of these blooms.

I am enjoying the larger canvases outside - why did I wait so long to try this out? It's only a bit more planning to manage the larger canvases outdoors, but I sure found this to be very satisfying.

This painting is currently available directly from the artist at my DailyPainters.com gallery store.

Summer Coastal Fog, Harkness Park, Coastal CT - sold!

10"x8" oil on linen mounted on archival board

"It's hotter than hell, but not as hot as Texas!" - R. Steed


Seems like I had vanished off the planet for a while there. I just survived a pretty big computer crash/mishap/disaster. What ever you call it, it was not fun. Two weeks without my work-companion left me feeling adrift! At the same time we had our credit card number stolen, and I got a nail in my tire (that was not pluggable). They say things come in threes, so looks like I'm over that hump and am coasting for some good things to come my way! At least that's how one friend suggested I look at it!

In the mean time, I did do a lot of painting done. On the first day back to my easel after "the crash" (as we'll call this computer disaster) I went over to Harkness Park, a favorite spot of mine, whether to paint, walk, or just un-wind. The fog was thick over the coast line during this morning of painting, and was just starting to burn-off, a ray of light seeming to cut through to the garden space I was viewing. For those familiar with the park, this is the area behind the old mansion, where weddings are now held, looking over into the walled garden. The fairy-roses were in their full glory arching over the walls of that garden space.


My postings to come will be like a garden tour of sorts. Today I'm continuing a large painting (24"x24") I started yesterday on the back deck. It's a certainly a challenge to go big when you're working outside. Most of my plein air works are 9"x12" or smaller. But that's a post for another day!

Thanks for following along, and thanks to those of you who asked "where are you"!

Geraniums and Cedars, Harkness Park

5"x7" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops."- Henry Adams

Every little nook & cranny at Harkness Park, here in Connecticut has something interesting in it's many gardens, so it remains a pleasure for me to spend time there and paint, and hike, and photograph, and meander, and picnic...you get the idea. It's a wonderful place.

I began this painting as a little exercise to try out some new (old) paints. I was going through artist Tim Bell's website, and finding out what materials he uses. He keeps a very simple palette, which I tend to do, too. But he even specified his brand of paint, Maimeri Classico, and the colors he uses: Flake White, Cad. Yellow Deep, Cad. Red Deep, and French Ultramarine Blue. His point was to find the closest to the true primaries on the color wheel. I realized that I had several tubes of Maimeri Classico and Puro from when I used to be a part of an artists' co-op in Virginia Beach. A vendor had brought us many samples of his paint. I had tried it, & while I liked it, I was familiar with my old Winsor Newton colors. But today I decided to pull out my old colors (which were not these listed, but true primaries none-the less. My first dip into the blue and I realize it's pthalo blue, so intense, and I haven't touched a tube of that in years. But since this was a 'sampler' to try out my new (old) colors of Maimeri, I decided to just go with it. My focus lately has been a real effort to exaggerate the warms and cools within the painting...and even with these basic colors, you could truly get a lot of mileage out of these. I ordered some small tubes of Tim's preferred colors, to give that a trial run as well. So we'll see where this bit of experimentation leads to.

I'm also trying something new on the business end of things. I have joined up with Daily Paintworks, in order to sell my smaller works at auction. (Yes, those 6"x6" and 5"x7" sizes. The starting bid will be at 2009 prices - $100 for these sizes, unframed. You have a golden opportunity for finding your favorite little painting at a very affordable price. Click here to place your bid!

Hazy Summer Morning at Harkness Park

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


"Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it." ~Russel Baker

This morning came all cloudy, remnants of the previous nights storm. The humidity was rising, and as the sun tried to burn through, you knew it had the potential to be sweltering! But I found a place in the shade, with a good view, and an ocean breeze, what could be better? A bit of protection from the sun and swelter, fog-horns off shore a constant reminder of the weather. The horizon melded with sky in the distant haze, looking like there was no beginning, no end. What a feeling for a summer day!

For more information about this painting, contact me here.

Inlet To Goshen Cove, Gray Day

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

"Make voyages! Attempt them! There's nothing else."

- Tennessee Williams



Wednesday opened on another gray day...perfect for heading over to the cove at Harkness Park. I'm so glad to live so close to the shoreline, the area has certainly provided some wonderful inspiration. While this morning looked a lot like yesterday, and I was probably not a mile further down the coastline, and I dressed about the same, I was cold to the bone. At least my hands and feet were quite chilled being out in this damp air. But the effects of that heavy mist in the air is so interesting. There are some places where the fresh greens of spring grasses are starting to show near the waters edge. The fog hangs thick over the distant horizon, making it look even further away than it really is. Depending on how the air is moving, it thickens and thins in those distant places. Nothing enhances memory of a place, like standing out in it for several hours, and recording everything on your canvas, and on your heart.

*****Just a reminder for my Hampton Roads friends; next week I'm headed to Norfolk! Saturday, April 30th I'll be demo-ing palette knife techniques and speaking about "Finding Your Artistic Voice" at London Square Gallery from noon to 2pm. I'd love for you to join us!

Romantic Garden By The Sea - Sold!

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

"Happiness seems made to be shared."

- Pierre Corneille

This painting, is from one of my favorite local parks to go paint, Harkness Park, over in Waterford, CT. Apparently, it's a favorite place for weddings to happen as well! And I can certainly see why - in July it's filled with blooms in it's many garden spaces. This particular area that I painted in that afternoon, is a large, walled in garden, with one of the gate openings facing a view to the sea. Such a romantic setting!

Yes -it's another painting to bring out of the 'archive'! I am offering these 'Valentines' at 2009 prices during the month of February. They are dry and ready to ship as soon as your Paypal payment clears! I also accept personal checks - it just takes a good bit longer for it to travel through the mail from your house to my bank. Paypal is that sure bet to receive it in time for Valentines Day!

******For these Valentine special offerings, I'll cover shipping via Priority Mail (for continental US) between now (Feb 1st) and Feb. 14th! Treat your sweet-heart to something wonderful, that lasts forever, isn't fattening, and is the perfect size! Forwarding this email to 'the likely suspects' might be helpful as a gift-giving guide! OR be good to yourself, a personal Valentine 'from you to you' might be just what you need.

My fifth Valentine offering for my subscribers this month is, "Garden By The Sea, Summer Afternoon" an 8"x10" oil on Belgian linen mounted on archival panel. Reply to this email to let me know you'd like this piece & preferred payment method. Your Valentine price is $125 +zero for shipping (see above)! ...all in the name of love!

Now go on, work on that love life!

Yes, indeed, I have been painting new pieces while posting these older works, I have a couple saved up ready to post soon!



Welcome to my latest new subscribers! I do hope you enjoy the paintings, photos & stories! I always love hearing comments from my readers!!

Turning Into Autumn

8"x10" oil on Belgian linen mounted on archival board

"Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves,
We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!
- Humbert Wolfe

Today I took the time to go over to Harkness Park and paint outdoors - on our first sunny day this week. The trees are turning, the wind was up a bit, but the air was so clear- you could see forever across the Long Island Sound. But I painted at the cove, the tidal flow making ripples across the water. The grasses are beginning to turn gold, and the trees have their yellows and reds, too! What a beautiful morning! I'm calling this 8"x10" painting "Turning Into Autumn".

Gray Day At The Shoreline - sold

8"x10" oil on Belgian linen mounted on archival board

"There is one spectacle grander than the sea, that is the sky; there is one spectacle grander than the sky, that is the interior of the soul."
- Victor Hugo


I took some time out to go paint outside today. One of my Twitter artist friends, Jackie White, here in CT invited me to meet up with her over at Harkness Park (my favorite place). It was very overcast most of the day, which is actually quite pretty down by Goshen Cove, looking across the beach. The treeline & tall steeple silhouette is such a nice view. I love how the curve of the beach and grasses lead right in to the steeple view. This one is called, "Gray Day At The Shoreline" and is an 8"x10" on Belgian linen mounted on archival board.

I'm currently working on some commission sketches, another project that looks like it will be a fun painting!

Welcome to my latest new subscribers! I do hope you enjoy the paintings, photos & stories! I always love hearing comments from my readers!!

Shoreline New England Summer Afternoon - sold

8"x10" oil on Belgian linen mounted on museum quality board

"Your purpose in life isn't to arrive at a destination where you find inspiration, just as the purpose of dancing isn't to end up at a particular spot on the dance floor. The purpose of dancing - and of life - is to enjoy every moment and every step, regardless of where you are when the music ends."
- Dr. Wayne Dyer


Today's painting "Harkness Summer Afternoon", and is a 8"x10" oil on oil-primed linen mounted on museum quality board. Sunday afternoon was one of those perfect summer days that make you wish it would last forever!
They were setting up for a wedding behind me, a kite club festival was being held on the grounds along with all the picnickers, walkers, etc, touring through the garden on this weekend afternoon. What a happy buzz in the air, a true celebration of life!

This painting is already sold - it was commissioned as a wedding gift for her dear friends. I am always moved and so grateful to be a part of special commemorations in people's lives.

Tomorrow's post- I'll be telling you about meeting up with another CT Twitter artist buddy for a paint-out over in Old Lyme!

New England Summer By The Shore

6"x8" oil on museum quality Belgian linen board

"Don't follow the critics too much. Art appreciation, like love, cannot be done by proxy. It is a very personal affair & is necessary to each individual."
~ Robert Henri


My fellow artist & friend Don Watson found this quote by Henri. I was so glad to come across it, it was like another reminder to pull R. Henri's book, "The Art Spirit" off the shelf for another read through.

What a fabulous day we had again today! Now I know if you've followed this blog for more than six months, you've heard me wail about bleak New England winters. But summer is here and life is GREAT! Here on the shoreline, we even get the 'bonus- breeze'. It'll probably get all muggy in a few days, just because I took a notion to brag on the weather up here. Everyone else is sweltering with the heat & humidity....but I think as it moves up past the mid-Atlantic, we'll be having a "fire-cracker" 4th of July like the rest of the Atlantic coast.

We are so lucky to have Harkness Park as a state park, here in CT. It is one of the lovliest places I've ever seen...and that's in all seasons. Right now, everything is blooming like crazy! There's a large rose arbor to the left, it's tall enough for even very tall people to walk under. Today I could hear the birds echoing inside the thing from across the lawn while I painted. The day lilies are in full bloom, in so many wonderful colors, from pale yellow, peachy cream, orange, all the way to a deep burgundy red. The air was clear and the water sparkled off in the distance, and the breeze was certainly welcomed today. Ahh, can you tell I'm loving summer? By the sounds of all the happy people today, I know I'm not the only one!

While it's wet & unframed:

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Price: $125 USD plus $10 USD s/h
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