Bend in East Fork

The autumn shades this year are very gentle.  I  love the way the sky was reflecting on the surface of the water, creating those wonderful pops of blue!  Knowing I will probably not have a good shot at strong fall color, I approach my scene as I do all others.  I simply start blocking in the masses, with their subtle shifts in color.  The landscape unfolds naturally, and the color emerges.  I do not try to push it, I'm simply letting it happen.  I'm trying to be mindful of my edges and the brushwork.  Painting number 1405 in 1405 days :)

Oil on panel, 10x8
purchase here

Autumn Comes to the Creek Bed

I have wanted to go to The Elms Hotel for years, and we finally had the chance this last weekend!  It is such an amazing place!   This place is steeped in history, with a full spa, pools, hot tubs, restaurant, cafe, tavern, and the wedding reception was in the grand ballroom, which was so beautiful!  This stream winds through the grounds, and the morning light was breathtaking!   It occurs to me that this would be a wonderful place for a destination workshop - so I am already mentally adding it to my growing list of places to teach a workshop!   This autumn painting is the 1404th in 1404 days.  Boy, am I ever loving this warm weather!!

Oil on panel, 10x8
purchase here

Waldo Mausoleum

What a special Halloween treat to paint at the Elmwood Cemetery this morning with the Art Mob!   Painting with a couple of my favorite artists and roomies at the ranch, we relived a few of our haunted tales as we worked!   Could anything be more appropriate for the season?  The grounds here are so beautiful - and the autumn color beginning in the mature trees was a joy to capture!   On such an unreasonably warm day, this was plein air perfection......and I think we're in for a whole weekend of such perfection for the fall foliage workshop!!  Painting number 1388 in 1388 days :)

Oil on panel, 9x12
purchase here

Lamplight on Jefferson

Lamplight on Jefferson
Oil on panel, 10x8

With temperatures so balmy at night, how can one resist painting a nocturne?  I can not remember it being so warm at night for this event, and with a theme paint for the nocturne - we set up our easels and got to work!  I had already painted an early morning painting, and then a sunset from the rooftop in Washington, so this made three for the day!  I start with a panel primed with dark acrylic paint, which I did on scene.  I could place my colors with intention this way, which I can’t do when I prime ahead.  I start first with a quick sketch of how I want to map out the composition.  Next, I start laying in those lights, being mindful of the values.  I work under a street light, never using other light sources.  Sometimes, I can’t tell what colors I really have, since it is dark.  So, when I get it inside - it is like Christmas!  I never know what I have until I open it up in the light!  Painting number 1211 in 1211 days.

Through the Stone Arch

Through the Stone Arch
Oil on panel, 6x6
Palette Knife

On this beautiful day, I am playing with my palette knives and color on a landscape from Unity Village.  There are so many wonderful places to paint out there - the cool stone work and architecture is so alluring!  I first scrape on a thin layer of paint for my block-in, then lay down additional, thicker layers with the various knives - just skimming the surface of the layer beneath.  As I start the foliage - I remember that I just broke my favorite knife with the narrow tip!  Shoot!  No other knife will make the same marks for me!  I will have to get to the art store soon to replace it!  It is fun to push around the thick paint, and I am "pushing" the colors here, too - looking for the hues that may not be so quickly seen at first glance.  This painting makes 527 in 527 days.  Now, off to dinner with friends :)

Midnight at Mount Pleasant

Midnight at Mount Pleasant Winery
Oil on panel, 9x12
Augusta Plein Air Festival 2014

As Teddy and I were walking out of the "Uncorked 100K" social, we stopped dead in our tracks and said. "Wow - wouldn't that make an amazing nocturne painting?"  From behind us, Kathy Kessler replies, "Do you want me to make that happen?"  Of course we did!  Next thing we know, we are going to retrieve my easel and paints, and to quickly prime our panels.  Back in a flash, and set up quickly, the light was fast fading from the sky.  We had the place to ourselves on this clear, warm night in the 70's, with nothing but the amazing light and view before us.  This is pure painting heaven.  The paint just rolled off the brush and onto the panel with a mind of it's own.  The darker it gets, the less you can read the colors, and the values are key.  I really love painting at night - it is so peaceful and quiet.  All of the busy noises of the day are gone, and night descends like a warm blanket.  A few of us gathered again tonight for a quick night paint in downtown Augusta.  I'll have to post that one another time.  At the rate I've been painting, I am going to be way ahead on my paintings for awhile!  What a way to kick off the plein air season!  This one makes painting number 483 in 483 days.  Oh, life is sweet :)

Across the Lake

Across the Lake
Oil on panel, 11x14
sold

Taking a step back in time, to a warmer day by the lake - instead of the very cold days we have experienced this week!  This one is for a friend of mine - it is a special place dear to her daughter.  I feel like this kind of landscape gets me back to my roots and the plein air experience.  As of late, I have been doing many pieces that are whimsical, or with the Christmas season in mind - but this one brings me close to the earth and the beauty that surrounds us all.  I stopped this one right before leaving on a couple of gallery runs.  I thought it was finished, but now see another area I want to push a little more paint into.  I will get that done in the morning, when I have natural light to work by. At the late stages of a painting, I find it really necessary to use natural light to see just what I really have on the panel.  I may find that a painting finished at night is a different color in the morning! This is painting number 339 in 339 days.  I hope to start work on the next batch of miniatures in the

Autumn Pin Oak

Autumn Pin Oak
Oil on panel, 8x10
"Looking Out My Front Door" Contest

When I read about the "Looking Out My Front Door" contest, I went out in search of the perfect composition.  Wishing I had 200 feet from the door to work with, I instead had to stick with the 50 given as the rule.  This pin oak is one of a dozen we bought and planted 25 years ago.  These beauties have grown straight as arrows, and their colors vary from gold to red this autumn season.  This one is at the southwest corner of the front yard, backed right up against the south pasture.  Today, I am letting loose with the impressionistic strokes - first with brushes, following with my new friend, the palette knife. The paint is thick and juicy on this one - and it is so fun to apply it with such reckless abandon!  This day was another start and stop painting day - oh how I wish I could start and finish at one sitting!  This is painting number 305 in 305 days.  I may just paint the grand old oak that my grandma planted tomorrow - now THAT is one glorious oak!

Pumpkins in the Patch

Pumpkins in the Patch
Oil on panel, 10x8

I just love to see pumpkins growing on the vine!  Even more than that, it is so fun to grow them.  Their beautiful orange color absolutely pops in the landscape.  The bright, cheerful color matches my bright, cheerful mood today.  This morning, my dad sounded stronger than he has in a month!  So glad to see the progress - and I wasn't sure I'd hear him sound that strong again.  I had some wonderful news yesterday about an upcoming project - and with all the awesome things going on in my life this weekend - it has been hard to keep my feet on the ground!  Painting number 289 in as many days.  I wonder what wonderful gifts are in store for tomorrow :)

Three Little Doves

Three Little Doves
Oil on panel, 8x6

I have always loved animals.  My youngest daughter works at a pet store, and we have brought many little creatures home, as a result.  Two little diamond doves were up for adoption in the fall.  Their little voices are so sweet, making a little train whistle sound that is always pleasant.  We have added one female to the two males since then.  They sit in the large kitchen window, with the garden as their backdrop, as well as the many wild birds that frequent the feeders.  Here is a little painting to capture their sweet spirits.  Painting number 171 in as many days.

Tree in the Pasture

Tree in the Pasture
Oil on panel, 6x8

On this very special day in my oldest son's life, I am painting a small, impressionistic landscape.  Measuring only 6x8, I am capturing a fleeting moment of wind rushing through the grasses and movement of foliage.  Making this short and sweet today, this is painting number 92 in 92 days.  Can't wait for what unfolds on this special celebration :)