Sponge Boats

The Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs are a "must paint" for me whenever I'm in town!  It's a great place for dining, shopping and painting sponge boats!! 

Sponge Docks

Mom and I came down to the sponge docks today, after I turned in three paintings.  We walked the streets and shopped before my brother and his son joined us for lunch.  When I saw this boat with loads of sponges up and down the dock, I knew I would have to paint it.  One man was stringing some together, while others were bagged in nets.  Many large cylindrical ones were loose in piles - until they were also bagged.  I found a place in the shade, and started the lines of the boat, adjusting as I worked.  This was so fun to sketch - and paint, unlike anything else I've done.  I have painted a sponge boat before, but it only had a few strings of sponges, not the overflowing amount here!  Just docked, these men worked 31 days of 34 out to sea, and I'm sure they were eager to get home.  Imagine being away from your family for long spells.  I learned that the sponges grow back after they are cut, which I love.  What a cool day spent in Tarpon Springs!  Painting number 3190 in 3190 days.  

Anastasi

My very first time to the sponge docks was amazing!!  The Anastasi had sponges strung up to dry dockside to the market area.  This historic piece of Tarpon Springs is a treasure - both for painting and shopping!!  The sweet aroma of greek food wafting over from the restaurant just about drove me crazy before I could complete this painting!  Our meal at Hellos was outstanding, too!!  Painting number 2622 in 2622 days.

Morning with Hogarth

What a treat to accept an invitation to paint dockside at Duckworth Steel Boats this morning!  Cold and breezy, I layered up and set my easel at water's edge.  The whole place was full of steel and tools, where many complicated paintings could be had.  I loved the way the W.T. Hogarth set in the scene, with colors playing on the water and the weathered dock at it's side.  Mostly cloudy, the sun popped out occasionally, illuminating the scene.  I worked quickly to get those colors, within the masses, looking again and again at my subject.  A complicated subject, I probably should have sketched it out first in ink.  I opted for drawing it on with paint, adjusting the lines where needed as I progressed.  Observation is the largest part of the work here, and I really enjoyed studying this beauty as the boat builders worked all around me.  How cool it has been to slip into this scene for the morning!  Painting number 2616 in 2616 days.

Sunset Fishing from the Boat

We've had some amazing sunsets recently - and they can be a challenge to capture as quickly as they fade!  I tried something different for this one.  I first painted in my darks with a dark violet shade of acrylic, before the sunset really started. I knew my composition and that all would be in silhouette in comparison with the sunset color.  Allowing it to dry, I could then slap that color down without having to worry about mudding up either value.  It really was so much easier!  I could then come in with my oils over the darks, without having to fill the whole mass, because the acrylic base is a good color to work from.  I think I may have stumbled onto something!  I'll need to do this a few more times to see if this is something I will stick with!  Painting number 1754 in 1754 days.

oil on panel, 10x8
purchase here

Sunset over Kangaroo Lake

During our Door County workshop, we were all sitting out on the deck when Sue spotted the amazing sunset.   We all hustled across the street to the beach of Sunset Shore,  to share in the glory of this sunset!  Too late to grab my paints, I settled for photos instead - and I am painting from one right now.   The true color was stronger than I have painted, and I still find this painting so bold!  Oh, the challenge of a sunset!  Perhaps one day, I'll master them!   Painting number 1309 in 1309 days :)

"Nimble" at Sister Bay

This morning's quick paint was held at Sister Bay.  I was instantly grabbed by this wonderful, old sailboat - and I had to paint it.  The weather was absolutely perfect - warm, sunny with gentle breezes.  I love getting to paint these sailboats - especially since I never get to see them.   We don't see too many sailboats in Missouri!   Painting number 1304 in 1304 days!

Docked at Sister Bay

Docked at Sister Bay
Oil on panel, 11x14

Sister Bay, and this harbor, was the scene for today's workshop.  Teddy and I each worked on separate boats, with separate focus, in front of the students.  They could look from one to the other, and watch our progress as we talked through our steps.  It was a quick paint, as the rain was threatening - and started before the last strokes were down.  It is a little like tag-teaming between us, as we paint.  So fun!  This painting makes the 1301st in 1301 days :)

On the Shore of the Lake

Canoe on the Point
Oil on panel, 12x9

After painting the canoe up close and personal for my first painting of the Augusta Shores paint out, I moved over to the top of the point to paint it from afar.  It was warming up, and after painting the first one in the sun, I decided to seek the shade of an evergreen now.  With time to spare, I had finished two paintings, turned them in early, and got to enjoy wine with friends at the fabulous Chili Supper at the clubhouse.  This is on of my favorite socials of the event, and a wonderful way to kick off 10 days of painting!  The lake was very still, allowing some fabulous reflections!  This painting is the 1220th painting in 1220 days.

Resting at the Lake

Resting at the Lake
Oil on panel, 14x11

on location

What a wonderful way to kick off the Augusta Plein Air Festival!  Arriving yesterday, I spied a fabulous wooden dory in Jim and Saundra’s garage!  This morning, Jim and I carried it down to hill to water’s edge - just so I could capture this painting of it!  The skies changed constantly - from dark and ominous to clear and bright - to little rainfalls which sent me under the evergreens!  It was so fun to start laying paint in such a beautiful setting, with ALL of the comforts of home!  Tomorrow will find me at Montelle Winery in the morning and Nobeleis Winery for the evening.  This week finds me consuming more wine than any other week of the year!  This painting makes 1205 in 1205 days.

Fishing at Sunset

Fishing at Sunset
Oil on wood panel, 18x24
sold

Some days are truly a gift.  Cherished time spent with friends, loved ones and family are special jewels in each day.....and when you can spend them together in a place like this - it is magic.  Asked by one of my sweetest childhood friends to paint this, I first painted a study in small scale.  From that study, I have enlarged it to 18x24, adding to the depth as the size allows.  More space allows me to revel in the details and impressionistic strokes of the waves.  This painting has been a joy to create, and I hope it will be treasured for a lifetime!  This painting makes 962 in 962 days - although I spent many days on this one :)

A Tug at Sister Bay

A Tug at Sister Bay
Oil on wood, 12x9
sold

The night before the quick paint, I was dreamed of painting boats.  Two in particular, I had seen on Wednesday, a bright yellow speed boat in front of a tall, elegant blue and white sailboat.  As I approached, another vision leapt out at me - a fabulous tug boat in my favorite color - red!  I set my easel down on the spot, without even scouting the quick paint area!  I always try to have my panel in the shade when I paint, but it was simply not possible in this situation.  I set up on the dock near the edge, sun on my panel and back and wind blowing from the side.  The gracious owners of this beauty came out and visited throughout, even bringing me iced lemon water for refreshment!  What a fabulous day I had - and this painting is going home in this tug!  Painting number 937 in 937 days :)

Palette Knife Sailing

Palette Knife Sailing
Oil on wood panel, palette knife, 4x6
purchase here

Yesterday’s watercolor left me want to apply thick, juicy oils with a palette knife!  So, today, that is exactly where I head!  Working small, as I am squeezing in this painting time between yard work and a bridal shower for my niece, I start on a 4x6 panel.  First applying a thin layer of color with my knife, I then skim that surface with thicker paint.  I really like the way the colors mixed in the sky with the knife - I am going to have to try more of this!  New on the palette today - Gamblin's radiant turquoise.  It is the very opaque light turquoise paint that is lightly stroked into the sky and water reflections.  For that very sunlit yellow color - I have used Gamblin's radiant yellow as well as lemon cad yellow.  These little pops of color add sparkle to the sunset.  It is SO fun to completely paint this using the knife - it is a great exercise for improving palette knife skills! There is so much to how pulling the knife in different ways will make different marks on the panel. I think perhaps the trickiest parts were pulling the paint on either side of the sails, and the sails themselves. I love coming back to the palette knife in this way. Maybe I'll continue in this strain for a few days....This is painting number 910 in 910 days.

Sailing Serenade

Sailing Serenade
Oil on hardboard panel, 7x5
original sold - print available here

After a day full of the gym, painting class, hours of yard work, and relaxing on the balcony with a hard lemonade - I come to my easel late!  Choosing a seascape with some of my photo reference, I am painting small with brush and palette knife.  I begin by negatively painting the sky, then I drop in the cloud colors.  Gently mingling between the two with a soft sable brush, I then go in with the palette knife for some thick, juicy paint.  I treat the water in a similar fashion by painting in first with the brush, and then laying thick color on with the edge of my knife, creating a little wave action with the stroke.  This is painting number 805 in 805 days :)

Sailing the Ocean Blue

Sailing the Ocean Blue
Oil on hardboard panel, 7x5
purchase here

Some days, I pick up my brushes and just feel like painting a certain subject.  Today, I was longing for warm seas and vintage sailing.  I have added some grumbacher's greenish umber for the depth in the ocean, as well as my new fav Rembrandt's ultramarine blue deep.  I've used loose strokes to bump up the movement in sky and water, with choppy highlight strokes to lift the waves.  The primed pale yellow of the panel pops through, adding warmth to the cool blues and greens.  It is important to ground water vessels with a dark shadow crease at the base of the ship.  Without it, the boat will seem to be pasted onto the water, instead of sitting in it.  Painting number 781 in 781 days.

All Sail and No Anchor

All Sail and No Anchor
Oil on canvas panel, 7x5
original sold - print available here

Today finds me switching gears and looking towards the open water for my subject matter.  I have only painted a sprinkling of boat/ship seascapes, but they always call to me.  There is something very special about being on the open water, sailing fast and quiet with the wind in your hair.  This feeling of freedom is alluring, and calls to be painted.  This is the smallest seascape I have done - only 7x5 inches.  I like how the tooth of the canvas captures spots of paint in the water - like the sparkle on the surface.  This is painting number 757 in 757 days and Day 26 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge :)

Sunset Fishing

Sunset Fishing
Oil on wood panel, 18x24

There is something magical about being on the water.  The gentle lulling of the waves is hypnotic - with or without a fishing pole in hand.  The fabulous sunset reference for this painting is from a dear friend of her very special place at Lake Minnie Bell.  When I first approached this composition, my first instinct was to crop off the dock area.  But, upon further study, I truly felt it should be left in.  The dock helps weigh down the painting - giving it more balance.  Additionally, it marks this sunset painting specifically as Julie's place - no other would have this exact composition.  This painting will remain on my easel for a few more days.   Laying my brushes down way after dark, I don't have natural light to get a good image here.  The colors always appear warmer and more yellow in such light.  In the full light of day, I will check this over again, just to make sure I am happy with every stroke.  It is such a beautiful place, I want to make sure I do it justice.  Painting number 710 in 710 days :)

Sunrise Dinghy

Sunrise Dinghy
Watercolor on paper, 7x9

Rainy days are my absolute favorite for painting in my studio, although not a fav for plein air work!  On this rainy day, I am painting from Kangaroo Lake reference photos I took while in Wisconsin.  I first used my plastic palette knife to lay down the drawing medium as a resist in all light spots.  After that dried, I came in with all of the main color blocks. also allowing that to dry.  Next, I rub the resist off with my rubber cement lifter.  I made this process a little more difficult, because I forgot to remove it for four days - when you should do it within the first day for easy removal.  Ah - such is life!  I am constantly distracted by my real life - and left this one sitting for a few days before pulling it back out today!  Luckily, it was my fabulous 300lb Arches paper, and I was still able to remove the resist.  I may not have been so fortunate with the 140lb.  Totally playing with color - I have stroked on compliments next to one another - to add that extra "pop".  This painting makes 619 in 619 days, and is Day 9 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Sunset at Kangaroo Lake

on location

What a fun finish to a very busy painting day!  While enjoying a blazing campfire, with s'mores ready for the making, I set up my easel and quickly painted the sun as it was setting on Kangaroo Lake.  This resort belongs to a friend of mine - and they are so welcoming to us artists across the road!  This boat was catching the orange glow as were the waves upon the water.  When the light is quickly fading, I first painted all of these highlights.  Next came the clouds, which were quickly blowing across the sky in the strong winds. It is very important to get these colors in fast - because once the sun is gone - I can no longer see.  By the time I was finished, all of my darks looked like straight black and only the light and dark values showed - so it was time to stop putting that paint down!  This painting makes 569 in 569 days.

Sunset at Kangaroo Lake
Oil on panel, 12x9
Sunset Shores Resort, Wisconsin

Freedom at Egg Harbor

Freedom at Egg Harbor
Oil on panel, 12x9
Door County, Wisconsin
sold

This morning found me at Egg Harbor, Wisconsin at water's edge. As I arrived on sight, I saw this boat immediately resting in the bay, basking in the morning light.  I had to paint it.  I set up my easel immediately, without even scouting out the rest of the area.  The wind was strong in my face, and I was only a couple of feet from the edge of the dock - but this scene was worth the extra effort!  Before long, the dingy was missing, and the owner of the boat and his friend came to see what I was painting.  After a wonderful visit with these interesting men, this painting has found a new home.  What a wonderful painting day this was surrounded by such beauty!  This is painting number 568 in 568 days.