Misty Morning, Assateague/Tom's Cove

12"x12" oil on Ampersand's archival gessobord

"Nothing dies as long as there is the memory to enfold it and a heart to love it". -Ida Beebe

I am down here in Chincoteague, Virginia at the 8th Annual Plein Air Event hosted by Chincoteague Cultural Alliance. Here's a picture of me from a previous year, in their web-site. After hurricane Irene blew through the east coast the other week, I was wondering what I'd find down here, but they are doing fine! There is a new cut through on the beach at Assateague, strong storms are always moving shorelines, the power of the sea and weather is really something to behold. I spent the early morning down on the beach at Assateague Island, looking towards Tom's Cove. The weather was looking a bit questionable, as it had rained while I was eating breakfast. Luckily it was a passing shower, moving off to the west. It took it's time in clearing off though, which was fortunate because there was a beautiful misty cloud cover, and as the sun started to burn through the haze, the marsh grasses were a fantastic limey-electric green! What a beautiful way to start the day!

Mark your calendar for the big event- I'd love to see you if you're in the mid-Atlantic and can make the visit over to the island!

Reception, Exhibition & Sale
Saturday, September 10, 2011
6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Paschal Hall
St. Andrew’s Church
6288 Church Street
Chincoteague Island, Virginia

Here's your first preview! Contact me here for more information about this painting.

Yellow Barn, Griswold Point, Sunny Day in Old Lyme

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

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."
- John Muir


This morning I headed out to Griswold Point, down in Old Lyme, to meet up with other CT Plein Air Painters. What a gorgeous September morning. I took a walk down to see the water, from time to time turning to see what was behind me. That's when I noticed the sunlight on this yellow barn! My intentions were to paint some of the shoreline this morning....but I know the thing that 'grabs me' quicker than anything is strong light contrasts! We're at the time of year when the tall grasses in the fields are getting those red-tinged tops- it makes for such interesting color variations across the surface!

I just got back in Sunday evening from a trip down to DC. Though I didn't take the oils with me this time. We went down on the train, so I wanted to pack light. But I did take a sketch book, and had time for a few museum trips!

I still have 2 more small oil paintings to share with you from my Chincoteague paint-out, and I've recently finished a commission to share with you! Thanks for following along, I'll be talking about all those later this week!

To purchase, please visit my DailyPainters Gallery-Store online!

Mountain Road From Portmagee to St. Finian's Bay

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
- Irish Blessing


16"x20" oil on canvas mounted on professional artboard (Raymar)

On each visit to Ireland - we always go across the channel from Valentia Island to Portmagee, then take the road up and over the mountain around to St. Finian's Bay. It's a wonderful place to go paint...and delightfully close to the "Skelligs Chocolate Factory"! I don't recall a day when I've been down that road when there isn't fog at the top.... for at least part of the day. When the fog settles it lends a dramatic mood to the scenery. When the weather blows through and the clouds lift, it is just another kind of beautiful! These 2 cottages are settled into the mountainside and the road is winding and SOOOOO narrow! Down below are crashing waves of the bay! Up and down the mountainsides are every shade of green you could ever imagine...and then some. For purchase information, click here.

Celtic Crossings - sold

Welcome to Wednesday!

"Ireland's ruins are historic emotions surrendered to time." - Horace Sutton

16"x20" oil on canvas mounted on professional artboard (Raymar)

The other night it was raining, and I was dreaming I was back in Ireland. This is one place my mind always likes to travel back to....these ancient stone crosses in a large expanse of bog, on Valentia Island, down by St. Brendan's Well. In the distance you can see Doulus Head, and part of Dingle Bay & the cliffs at Culoo. It is so close to staggering cliffs, you can hear the surf crashing, and the wind waves the grasses in all directions on a summer's evening, yet it is so quiet you can hear your heart beat. It is such a peaceful place to 'just be'....and when you touch these ancient stones, you sense that you have touched humanity from many hundreds of years ago. How can one place bring such a sense of calm, yet make your heart race with the simple beauty of it all? When I talk to people who have traveled there, they have had that similar experience. Not a one has left the placed unmoved, or unchanged. And...it continues to call you back there. It is that 'sense of place' that wraps itself around your heart....and reels you back in. I must begin to plan my 5th return visit....