Splash of Sunlight

Pastel, 8x8, Plein air

This is a small, plein air expression done as part of a First Coast Pastel Society paint out.  These fall petunias were on a bench in a covered display.  The sunlight fell in patches and streaks on the purple and green.

Quiet Passages

Pastel 8x8, en plein air

This plein air painting is a view of one of the ponds with an island at Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville.  I wanted to capture the dappled sunlight and the sweep of shoreline on a quiet morning.  Many of the details of the scene were edited or eliminated to emphasize the sense of motion in the curves of the shore and the grace of the tree.

This painting is available through my web site - CLICK HERE

Beach Colors 2

Pastel, 8x8 on Wallis

This is an interpretation and expression of the small dunes that edge the beach.  The sea oats stand without formation until the wind comes up and pushes them all in the same direction.

To purchase, contact me.  Painting is in GNG, St. Augustine, FL.

Grassy Path, Fatio House

"Grassy Path, Fatio House" pastel 8x8

"Grassy Path," is a depiction of the herb and salad garden against an old coquina wall at the Fatio House, Aviles Street, in St. Augustine.  This garden is behind the buildings.  The path to the wooden gate which passes beneath the dense foliage of a fig tree made a delightful combination and contrast of cool shade against the bright, midday sun.

Morning Palms

"Morning Palms" pastel 8x8

This is another treatment of the painting "Predawn Palms" using warmer, brighter colors.  This painting seeks to capture the feeling of stillness and expectation of the palms and salt marsh as the clouds of the night start to dissipate and the temperature begins to rise.

I reworked this painting on 5/15/15 to change the temp of the foreground and add some color and contrast to the palms.

This painting is available on my Daily Paintworks.

Romanza on Aviles, 2015

Grape Arbor, Fatio House

To purchase "Grape Arbor, Fatio House" follow the link at Daily Paintworks.

Grassy Path, Fatio House

Both of these plein air paintings were done as part of the Romanza on Aviles, St. Augustine, Florida.  The participating artists drew a location from a "hat," and I drew the gardens at the Ximenez-Fatio House.  This was an ideal place to spend the day painting.

The first painting, "Grape Arbor," caught my attention with the combination of organic forms in the wall, shadow and grape vines which contrasted with the arbor itself and the old stoneware pot and stand.  The bright red of the geraniums was a big plus!

The second painting, "Grassy Path," is a depiction of the herb and salad garden against the old stone wall at behind the buildings.  The path to the wooden gate beneath the dense foliage of a fig tree made a delightful combination of cool shade to escape the bright, midday sun.

Predawn Palms

Pastel 8x8

I have often used this view of the salt marsh with is clump of palm trees and a few craggy pines as the subject for a painting.  In this piece, these elements provide the foundation for an expression in complementary colors.  I couldn't resist throwing the touches of bright green into an otherwise purple and gold composition.

Painting will be available for purchase - click on Daily Paintworks.

Down to the Pond

Pastel 8x8

In the full morning sun, the opposite bank of Lake Ray is flooded with bright light and dappled shadows.  The contrast between the warm sand and fallen leaves against the bright green of the spring foliage seems to call me to come to the water's edge.

Click here for Daily Paintworks.

Cascading Foliage

Pastel, 8x8

Looking across Lake Ray at the Jacksonville Arboretum, the thick trees and foliage seem to cascade down the steep slope into the still, dark water. In the morning sunlight, the sense of the flowing river of green leaves is even more intense. This painting did make it to the "wet tent" for the paint-out display, but someone bought almost immediately.