Pastel 12x18 on UArt

This painting is my memory and interpretation of a view of the estuary marsh in the late summer afternoon. The clouds are starting to build and rain will soon follow.

Let me know what you think - let's talk about art.

For full details, click on the link - thanks:

https://www.rickpetersenartist.com/.../expectations-ii...

Cloud Patches

"Cloud Patches" 9x12 pastel on UArt

I've been cleaning our the mess in my garage studio, and found this painting in a stack of rejects! It had promise, so I took this old painting that failed, reworked it and basically started over. I think I'm getting the "cloud thing" going again.

My plan was to create a "path" with the clouds that would keep the eye in the painting and use the foreground marsh to direct the eye to the center of attention - lower left - where the brightest, most intense color is next to the darkest value in the painting.

Painting was revised and updated 5/7/21. Added more value and color separation.

Conversation

Pastel on UArt - 16x12

I started this painting as an inspiration from a painting by John Alfred Arnesby Brown - "The Dutch Windmill," but I wanted my own interpretation of clouds and a broad, flat landscape.  I also wanted to explore the problem of a composition with two, relatively equal areas of interest.  In this case, I wanted the clouds to be prominent, but I also wanted the trees in the sunlight to hold a special place. As a resolution, I used the light to create a "conversation" between the two.

Light Breezes

Pastel, 9x6 on UArt

The morning begins with calm and quiet.  A soft breeze hardly ripples the water in the bay.  The clouds are rising in tatters, but they will return when the sea breeze begins.

Unsettled

Pastel 9x6 on UArt

One thing I had to relearn with this small piece - be ruthless with things that may be good but don't advance your idea. My initial inspiration was the billowing clouds coming in over the marsh - the unsettled clouds contrasted by the vast, motionless marsh.
To purchase this painting, please contact me via e-mail or comment.

Quiet Expectation, Study 1

Quiet Expectation, Study 1 "original

Quiet Expectations, Study 1 - after "corrections"

Pastel 6x6 on UArt

This is a small study for a planned larger work.  In working though this study, I have been following my own working rules - Rick's Rules for Painting.  The rule that seems to have given me the most problem, as usual, is number 9 - "Untended ideas wander into bad places." 

Drawing with notes and motive

After reviewing this painting against my original motive, I realized that I was missing the emotion I had originally wanted to express.  To add the sense of confidence, I added a darker shade of golden orange and a deeper shade of pink.

Majesty

Pastel, 12x9 on UArt

As the afternoon showers rise over the marsh, they assemble in majestic splendor and soar into the heavens.  I have reduced the horizon to emphasize the height of the clouds against the blue sky and strength as the storm begins.

Stages

Pastel, 9x6 on UArt

In the afternoon, the early summer clouds begin to move in from the southwest in stages. They march in by ranks, each new bank of clouds running into the sea breeze until they finally pile up, overcome the breeze with their numbers, and move on past the beach.

Theme and Variations

Pastel 12x18 on UArt

This view of South Ponte Vedra Beach is built to show the repetition with variation of the many lines and forms that make up the coastline vista.

Rain Cloud Rising

Pastel, 12x9 on UArt

This painting was done as an exercise in values during the Stan Sperlak workshop.  I drew the concept from an experience of watching the summer thunder clouds rise over the marsh.  Before they become great towers, the smaller clouds have already begin to bring rain across the distant hammocks and grass.
To purchase this painting, click here.

Marsh Evening

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 21 of '21 in 21' Cloud Challenge

When evening falls across the marsh, the shadows grow long and purple creeps into the clouds.  The few last rays of sunlight gild the grass as their final gift to the day before making way for the peacefulness of the night.  
This painting is available.  To purchase or make an inquiry, click on "Marsh Evening"

SOLD

Late Walk

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 20 of '21 in 21' Cloud Challenge

As the evening colors begin to show over the broad beach at low tide, a few visitors have come to share their evening in peace and wonder at the end of the day.  The wet sand of the retreating tide leaves a tableau on which the scattered clouds cast their fading reflections.
This painting is available - $95 unframed, with $10 shipping. To purchase this painting, click on the link to "Late Walk."

Stillness

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 19 of '21 in 21' Cloud Challenge

Over the salt marsh, the rain clouds begin to build at the end of the day.  The sea breeze from the east dies away and the clouds begin to move in from the west.  In that stillness, the setting sun paints the clouds with gold and and lavender and mutes some of the bright green of the marsh grass.
Image was replaced 7/14, afternoon.
To purchase this painting, please visit my web page: click here "Stillness"

Day Begins

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 14 of '21 in 21' Cloud Challenge

As the first light begins to show in the clouds and a few visitors venture out to the fresh, wet sand, the day at the beach begins.  I conceived this painting as an exercise to show that even a nearly cloudless sky can hold interest and challenges.
To purchase this painting, follow the ink to Day Begins.

Lifting

Pastel, 9x6 on UArt

Number 13 of '21 in 21' Cloud Challenge

Before the afternoon thundershowers roll in, the smaller clouds of the early morning start to lift and scurry away. I wanted to catch some of the color and confusion as the heat of the day begins to take control of the salt marsh.
To purchase this painting, click on Lifting.

Beach Rain

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 12 of '21 in 21' Cloud Challenge

As the summer rain stops and the thunder dies away to the southeast, the beach lies deserted, glistening and renewed.  With the tide out, the reflections of the passing clouds stretch smooth, clear, and undisturbed by wave or footprint.
To purchase this painting, visit my web page: Beach Rain

Late Afternoon

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 11 of '21 in 21' Karen Margulis' challenge

In the late afternoon after the showers have passed over the salt marsh, the wet foliage of the grass and trees comes alive with a special radiance as the broken sunlight sweeps over in drifting patches of light and shadow.

To purchase this painting, visit my web site by clicking here: Late Afternoon.

Coming In

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 10 of '21 in 21' Karen Margulis' challenge

This is my daily cloudscape - a modified view of the St. Augustine Pass with a boat coming in under sail.  When the clouds start blowing in on the rising sea breeze and the high tide starts coming in, it is time to bring the boat back through the pass.  When the tide and the wind are favorable, there's no problem coming in under sail.
To purchase this painting, click here.

Private Sunset

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 09 of '21 in 21' Karen Margulis' challenge

As the day comes to a close, the clouds seem to fall to tatters of wisps and puffs.  The crowds of the day have gone leaving the peace and beauty of this late hour to the few who remain for a private showing of the glories of the evening.

Breaking Day

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 08 of '21 in 21' Karen Margulis challenge

For this study, I combined elements of several photos with a little imagination and license.  I wanted to capture the fleeting moment when the sun breaks through the morning clouds and paints one golden streak across the beach.