Landscape
Artists and the Sea
Joaquín Sorolla, one of my favorite artists, painted this in 1904 and simply called it “Mar.”
Artists turn to the sea again and again for inspiration – and it never disappoints. The awesome nature of the sea is spellbinding. It is large and powerful, beautiful and elegant, treacherous and threatening, inviting and sublime. It has the power to harm and sustain. Everyday we depend on it to enrich our lives. All these things have been recorded for us by painters.
Read MoreWatching Paint Dry
Sometimes I watch paint dry while waiting to put a final varnish, hooks, and wire before I give it to you for viewing – in its final state. Sometimes, the paint must dry before I can take the next necessary steps to complete the original vision. Then there are the times that a painting must sit and dry while I decide what the next steps are going to be. I have all that going on this week.
Read MoreLitchfield – C-flat Series #1 – Sunrise
Sunrise at Litchfield Beach is one of the most glorious events I have ever witnessed. I try to see it at least once a year with the Ladies of the Traveling Paints. I have painted it many times – en plein air and in the studio. This week there was progress on my current Litchfield painting (30×40 inches). I have made 5 images so you can view the progress. Thank you very much for your interest in my painting practice.
Read MoreFresh Canvas
The home studio is crawling with artwork. My metal leaf series is coming alive with fresh critters all the time. Channeling my inner Beatrix Potter. This friendly River Otter makes his first appearance on the easel.
Read MoreVariations on a Theme
Four shows in 2024. One theme. Nature can soothe, and it is available to everyone.
Busy painting in the studio. Two finished this week. Can I keep the pace? We shall see.
First I am working on paintings for Artista Vista / Art Day at Stormwater show. April 19-20.
The variation on my theme here is the little lives that surround our studios in our oasis. As Karen Murphy plants with these little ones in mind, we see more and more feel comfortable in our gardens. I am painting the animals I have seen on our grounds. This week, a cicada with wings spread.
Read MoreLots of Painting in the Studio
Lots of Painting in the Studio. Happy to say that I have been able to paint many hours this week. Here are two completed works and a work in progress.
Read MoreFinished and Just Beginning
This week my fall series of paintings were completed and I checked out the venue for an upcoming show. Let me show you… This painting and the following three comprise a Table Rock State Park Series. It was started in one of my painting classes to show how a series of paintings can all be started on the same day and using the same palette. This gives a great chance that the paintings will hold together as a series. Consistent Harmony. A worthy aim.
Read MoreFall at Table Rock State Park
Table Rock State Park has it all – cooler temperatures, historic cabins (built by Roosevelt’s CCC), and of course there is the vivid show of color during Fall! It is a landscape painter’s dream to have so many opportunities to paint. Nature lovers, camping lovers, and art lovers unite at Table Rock in the fall. Please consider supporting our beautiful park system by bringing all your family and friends out for a day to enjoy what the earth has to offer. What are your favorite parks in your area?
Read MoreSantee State Park Revisited
My time at Santee State Park resulted in many paintings over the years. Let me show you some of my paintings from my first visit there. You may have seen some of these. I am hopeful you will enjoy them this time too. : ). Santee State Park is replete with these beautiful places. It seems very holy to me. I don’t really have words to explain, but my spirit seems to connect with these places in a way nothing else does. That is why this is what I paint.
Read MoreThe Ocean and the Lake
What is not to love about the inspiration of the ocean and lake for the landscape painter? Work on my SC State Parks series brought out these paintings that were waiting patiently for their last licks of the brush. I enjoyed a pleasant day in my studio with the door open and the breeze blowing while I had my last session on these paintings.
Read MorePaintings from SC State Parks
Four paintings in the State Park series were completed this week. Hope you enjoy these new images. Do you have any favorite state parks? These paintings will be part of a social media campaign in the next few weeks. When you see them in your feed, please share them. It would mean so much to me. Many thanks to those of you who already share my work. Thank you for supporting the arts on the individual artist level. We could not do it without your help.
Read MoreGetting the Paint to Tell the Story
Getting the paint to tell the story – round two. The natural beauty of the sun coming up or going down always feels full of majesty. At sunset the light rakes across the surface of the earth for a few more minutes teasing tomorrow with the most brilliant colors. It will be back as promised calling you into today soon enough. Here is a series of paintings of my many trips to Huntington Beach State Park – with an extra one as a hint of things to come with a Santee State Park series.
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