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.

Coastal New England Autumn

8"x10" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

For more information, or to purchase, click here.  

Gosh, it's been a couple weeks now since I was out to Barn Island and painted this. One of the last bits of color this autumn before the temps plummeted, the harsh winds blew and cleared out most of the trees. brrr!  It's wicked out there right now. That day was quite beautiful; with interesting clouds rolling through...just enough grey in the sky to make the trees stand out in contrast. Ever notice how the stormier the skies, the autumn color seems even more vibrant? 

If you've received my Cheer Factor newsletter, you already know the exciting news...my Barn Island series will be heading up to Hartford, CT; to be shown at the state DEEP headquarters there. (Department of Energy and Environmental Protection).  I'm over the moon excited, humbled and honored by this! We're hanging the show Dec. 9th and will hang until the end of February 2015.   

Summer's Rest Geraniums & New England Workshop & SHOW!!!

 

16"x8" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

For more information, or to purchase, click here. 

"The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses." - Hanna Rion 

"To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring." - George Santayana

I hope you're enjoying your summer, whether it's blazing hot, or perhaps you have milder temps like we've been having. Summer in New England has been really good to us this year. 

I have to admit, I hate to see summer go, as it's really such a delight here. But autumn brings it's own wonder.  September always has that great "sense of change".  Perhaps it's a holdover from my childhood school days, and the anticipation of looking forward to new classes, teachers, and opportunities.  So - here's the chance for you to enjoy the same!  I am especially excited to share the news of my solo show of Barn Island paintings.  All of these marsh and woodland paintings, most of them done on location, and several LARGE paintings done in the studio. The opening reception is Friday September 12th, please SAVE THE DATE!!  I've post more information about that on tomorrow's post. 

But some other exciting news is: I'm hosting a workshop in the beautiful town of Essex, CT on Saturday September 20th, from 9:00am until 4:30pm.  We'll meet at the lovely "Paintstix Studios" at the top of Main Street. It sits high up above the Main Street on the side of a hill, and has a great view all the way down to the CT River! The light in the room is lovely!  The focus of the day is on plein air painting, and how to make a more dynamic, exciting painting.  Immediately improve your art with this one rule of composition, AND understand the FOUR things that make a successful painting.  

We'll meet upstairs at Paintstix Studio for a bit of coffee and donuts and introductions at 9am, and get to work promptly at 9:30 on a demo, explaining these topics and techniques using transparent paint and opaques.  We'll be using brushes, palette knives and 'squeegees'.   

After breaking for an hour for lunch,   we'll re-group and paint during the afternoon, on location.  I've scouted out a place close to our 'home-base' (ie. close to rest-rooms, etc).  We'll keep the group small (6) so everyone will get a lot of one-on-one time. At 4:00pm, we'll start wrapping up with final questions & answers, clean-up at 4:30 so that we can close up shop at 5:00pm. I can address questions regarding technique, and selling online.

The fee for the day's workshop is $125.  To reserve your spot, you may pay here with Paypal, or contact me to pay with a check. 

I look forward to seeing you there and helping you on the next point in 'your painting journey'. 

      

Osprey Landing aka Great Day for Fishing

8"x10" oil on linen mounted on archival panel
For more information, or to purchase, click here.

They're back! Those sunny, brilliant days of late Spring in New England where it's a delight to be outside! The air is clear down by the shore.  The wilderness has whispered my name, and I answered the call.  The tide was definitely IN when I showed up to paint the other morning. It's actually nice to hear that gurgling water sound, that washes up into the marsh grasses. 

So many birds are migrating through at this time of year. I don't know them all, but I did spot an osprey overhead. A birder that was walking through that morning confirmed my observation! As luck would have it, he landed on the big oak I was focused on, the big one with the sun illuminating the trunk and branches. He didn't stay for more than a moment. After all, it was a great day for fishing. 

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.    

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!!  

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!

Summer Morning; Ebb Tide

6"x8" oil on linen mounted on panel

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Lately we've been having really nice weather....the kind that other places should be very, very envious of. The kind of weather where you can leave your windows open all day and night and be very comfortable ...and it's August! 

So one early morning last week, I planned to get up early and head back over to Barn Island, to continue my quest of marsh scenes in all seasons of the year.  In the early morning, the sun is just warming up the grasses, illuminating them to their brilliant limey green color. The distant tree line is still back-lit, but starting to warm through at the edges as the sun begins to climb it's arc through the sky.  

Birders are out in the preserve, hoping to spot that one particular species that will complete their "bucket list" of birdies.  Another older gentleman walking two golden retrievers, one of them a gangly five month old pup as tall as the other dog. Two joggers light through, seeming to barely touch the earth beneath them, their footfall is so light. And one painter, that's me.  We are the "usual suspects" of who frequent this sacred space.  It IS sacred to me, I love being out there. It reminds me how important it is to have public open land for recreation just like these mornings. 

 

Clear Summer Morning

6"x8" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

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Another thing I love about summer in New England...when we get those clear summer days, the weather is comfortable, everything is growing, marsh grasses are brilliant high-key-limey green out in the brilliant sun here on the coast. Yes, I'm still working on my "Barn Island Project", getting back there to paint in every season of the year. I love to see how the colors change over the course of a year - even standing in this same very spot to paint! This one was the first of the morning. I'll show you the second one tomorrow!  I'm still playing around with the new techniques...using some brushes again, and a bit of palette knife...sometimes more, sometimes less. Only adding what needs to be added, editing is the key!

Tomorrow I'll also have the third and final drawing of my water-color post cards from France. If you are a blog subscriber, your name is already in the hat! If not, find the column on the upper right hand side of this blog to enter your email and subscribe!  I'll draw two names (but I'll only print your name with your permission!).  

I do hope you're having a wonderful summer, where ever you are, and where ever you go!

"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.

Cove, Marsh Morning CT Coastal Landscape

8"x10" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

Click here to bid!

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!

High Tide Before The Storm

8"x6" oil on linen/panel

$200 unframed

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These plein air color studies out in the marshes at Barn Island have been great fun for 'exaggerating' color, focusing on shapes and values of the land masses.   I'm looking forward to the larger studio paintings that I'll be working on from these - one is on the easel right now!

Coastal Fog, Plein Air

6"x8" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

$200

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The fog comes 

on little cat feet.

It sits looking

over harbor and city

on silent haunches

and then moves on.

-Carl Sandburg

I love Sandburg's image of the still, quietness of a foggy day. Last week when I went out to paint this - difference in appearance to my previous days on the marsh out at Barn Island were quite interesting. The colors do go rather 'soft' and grayed. I've begun a large (30"x36") studio painting from one of the previous studies, still in the middle of that!   

 

October Sky

6"x8" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

$200

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Clearing skies

following a rainy weekend.

Dry crisp breeze off of the water,

a sense of change surrounds me.

New colors are coming to the tidal marsh.

Subtle daily changes 

that will be a remarkable difference

in a few short weeks.

Morning Coverup

8"x6" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

$200

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Mornings on the marsh are quite meditative....

The white egrets are in their group,

some are 'singing and calling' as they fly in to join the others.

Little creatures are working hard, so quiet in their quest...

A little dragon fly is trying ever so hard to haul away a tiny little crab.

In such a quiet place, it's so busy;

but we only see it's 'busyness' if we are quiet and still.

The sun made a short effort to burn through the clouds, 

but was momentarily defeated by a passing shower. 

The dance of 'weather' holds me in its gaze,

moving paint before the dance is quickly over. 

Changes Coming (Storm Clouds Over September Marsh, Stonington plein air)

6"x8" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

$200

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Autumn brings a bit of introspection.

Not just cooler air,

but a change in the wind altogether. 

Thoughts about summer passing, a reluctance to see it go....

Yet a bit of excitement 

for what's to come. 

September Marsh

12"x12" oil on gessoed masonite archival panel

$400 unframed

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or contact me here

I did get out to paint last week in one of my favorite places, the marshes over at Barn Island in Stonington.  Early morning, and the weather has a bit of crisp chill in the air already this month.

Three Boats

24"x36" oil on linen

$1700

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or contact me here.

Some favorite memories of this summer, sailing with friends!  It was a perfect day out on the water, nice and warm with a good breeze.

Hole In The Wall Beach, Niantic, CT Plein Air

8"x10" oil on Belgian linen mounted on panel

For more information click here, or contact me here.

After my Charleston, SC trip I sought out some local plein air scenes that included beach & sky. It's certainly different here in New England...beaches are smaller, but there are interesting land formations here as well, with rocky coastlines, and sometimes trees growing out to the 'very edge". Determined to get as much plein air work as possible this summer while the weather is decent!