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! 

Using Sketches as the Basis of Your Oil Paintings - CT River Paintings

"Hey, but you're an oil painter; what are you doing spending so much time making watercolor sketches"? 

 Lately, I'm really enjoying my sketchbooks in a much more meaningful way.  I had kept several sketchbooks going at a time over the last many years. One was for the garden only, going season to season. A different one was for travel and some miscellaneous things, as well as stuffing travels bits & bobs in there (tickets, ephemera, etc). Yet another was to work up larger oil paintings, though only in pencil or marker.  Last of all, I had started a nature journal of sorts...though on larger, nicer paper....and something "clicked".  

It began last autumn as the weather got colder and winter winds kicked in.  We had a relatively "mild winter" last year in CT, meaning - we still had cold spells, but not much snow fall.  So rather than hauling out all my oil painting gear and dealing with cold hands and wind, I found it easier to bring along my sketchbook and small watercolor kit to record these places (as I'm working on a show of CT River paintings).  Set up time and painting time was quicker - after all - it was like I was out there gathering visual notes for a studio painting rather than completing a finished painting in the raw New England winter air. And when it was truly nor'easter type winds, I'd paint in my car. Working in a watercolor sketchbook in my car was so much simpler than the winter I tried oil painting in the front seat of my mini-Cooper! (never again!!). 

So, now you've got a good idea of what I've been up to lately! And you're getting a small preview of my upcoming show at the Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library in July!

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.    

"Unveiling" and Open House... "Morning's Promise"

Finished commission, 40"x40" oil on canvas

In case you missed mention of it in my last "Cheer Factor" newsletter, I'm hosting a little cake & coffee open house & unveiling of this finished painting, "Morning's Promise" (as it has been named)! 

I do hope you'll stop by this Saturday afternoon, November 23rd, between 1pm and 4pm. I'd love a chance to share this one with you before it heads off to its new home in Virginia Beach.  There are other smaller paintings available...and a few 2014 calendars left (at this moment) still available. 

I do hope you'll join us for a fun afternoon!

Peace and Color in the Marsh

10"x10" oil on cradled birch panel

For more information or to purchase, click here.

When I take on a commission, I frequently do small color studies to determine what the finished painting will be similar to! These small studies are quite fun for me- and provide another opportunity for this image to 'live in the world'.  This place (Barn Island) is a frequent point of refuge for me - a bit of nature that is so welcoming in its familiarity. Yet every time I go out there to paint, it has changed....sometimes a little, sometimes quite a lot! Yet, the familiarity is there. There is comfort in that!  

I did do an additional panel of this image, (and 8"x8" on Gessobord) with stronger colors in the sky and water. This was right on target with what my collectors were looking for! (Click here to purchase this study).

Tidal Rush

10"x10" oil on cradled birch panel

For more information, or to purchase, click here.    

Some of the painting techniques that are 'evolving' at my easel involve using both brush and knife...as well as some transparent paint in some of the under-paintings. In the commission  I just finished, I was encouraged to go really strong with the color- I mean in a really expressive way. I've been wanting to venture in this direction for a long time. It's incredibly satisfying to stretch in slightly new directions!

I'm going to be teaching these techniques during my workshop in Ireland during the summer of 2014. (Please visit this web-site for some information).  The registration fee will reserve your spot for next summer, I'll be sending out a newsletter this week with more information about this wonderful experience of Creative Renewal in County Kerry!!  

Clear Autumn Morning, Variations & Improvisations

6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite artboard, $110

Click here for more information, or to purchase.

I like to take some of the small studies I've done and make small color variations of them. Hence, the "Variations and Improvisations" series! It's a fun way to take these familiar views of my favorite hiking spots and try out different brushwork/techniques or color variations. Sort of like musicians take familiar tunes & musical phrasings and do the same with those. 

To help me remember which ones are which,  the plein air scenes done on location are the 6x8 size, and my variations/improvisations are in the 6x6 size.

Spring Skies and Artist's Garden Tour Video!!

8"x6" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

For more information or to purchase, click here.

My first plein air painting of Spring, painted on Monday the 8th, before I took some time off for surgery (on the 10th).  Spring has finally arrived in our corner of New England,  and I wanted to take time to "paint now, talk later".  So now I have some catching up to do.  Each Spring I look forward to getting back outside to nature! Getting to watch the colors of this marsh area of Barn Island over the span of a year is a wonderful thrill for me. 

Now, the moment I've been waiting for all winter - getting back to my garden! I'd love to share some of what I get to see each growing season, some of my favorite painting views. My hubby (aka Garden Guru) and I planned planting for painting, wonderful views that are in a small manageable space.  Garden Guru's main goal was having a minimal amount to mow, with a maximum visual impact. Both of us wanted an organic lawn with NO chemicals! We're so happy with the results! I'll take you through our growing season, starting with the views this weekend.

I'm so glad to take you along, come back often and see what's growing....what's becoming worthy of being painted, some helpful organic gardening tips, too (from my personal Garden Guru).

For a little preview of what this may look like in just a few short weeks, take a look at the home-page of my web-site, I've got a photo of a painting in that space from the first Saturday in May (yes, Kentucky Derby Day!).  www.roxannesteed.com

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.

"Tide's Coming In!"

11"x14" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

Please contact me here, for more information about this painting.

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.  This past weekend we had snow - and I went cross-country skiing there with a friend! 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.