Marker Palm

Pastel, 9x6 on UArt

This lonely palm tree standing against the stiff breezes makes a special landmark next to the trail through the dunes.  When I would walk on the beach I always knew the way back by this "marker palm."
 

Unsettled Weather

Unsettled Weather

Pastel 6x9 on Sanded Paper

When the weather changes, the beach takes on its own special wild beauty. As the sun begins to set and the wind picks up, a solitary couple has the beach and the weather to themselves. 

Path 1

"Path 1" pastel, 6x9

I have been intrigued by two ideas. The first idea is adding paths, trails, roads, and waterways to my compositions to draw the viewer through the painting.  The second goal is to make my paintings more impressionistic with the use of color, value, and shape; and by reducing my dependence on details.
For this painting, I drew in the path and major shapes, added color for definition, and called the painting complete before adding detail. I have discovered that I do not have to explain every element in the painting thereby increasing the power of suggestion.

Jake

Pastel, 12x12 on UArt

Pet portrait of Jake, my brother Todd's Sheltie.  I took several photos and did preliminary drawings before I finalized the image in pastel.  My goal was to capture Jake's personality.  He is always watching, always alert, and ready for everything.

This painting is not for sale, but I would be delighted to talk to you about doing a similar portrait of your pet.  Please contact me for details.

Last of Autumn

Last of Autumn

Pastel, 6x6 on UArt

As an exercise, I set myself a limit of 35 minutes to do this painting.  

I did this small study based on sketches and photos of a branch of salt marsh near my home.  This is a view from the sidewalk beside a busy 6-lane parkway.  The traffic is all forgotten here as summer has gone, autumn is passing, and the marsh lies waiting for winter.

Note: 11/28/17 Evening - I punched some of the values, changed the distance, and took a better photo.

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.

Breezes

Pastel 9x6 

This small painting was inspired by the atmosphere of the beach when the sea fog moves in with the strong winds of autumn.  The bright colors are swept away and the horizon almost disappears. A few spots of color persist in the shadows, but they are overwhelmed by the brightness of the mid-day.

Leeward

Pastel, 9x12

This view of the dunes looks toward the beach from the leeward side.  My goal is to capture the freshness of the color and atmosphere in the early morning before the heat of the day, the wind, and the people move in.

Incoming Swell

Pastel, 9x12 on UArt

At times the tide comes in so quickly that the waves seem to fall over each other in the race to the shore.  One swell is still rolling over wet sand as the one following falls over it.

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.

Come On In

Pastel, 12x9, Plein Air

This was my effort for the Romanza on Aviles annual plein air event.  This doorway opens to a quiet, green garden - an escape from the crowds and heat of the street.  I find these images mysterious and inviting.

Rising Tide

Pastel - 9x12

Plein Air

As the color begins to return to the grass and before the heat of summer, the gentle breezes over the salt marsh lend a sense of calm and expectations.  Alas, the tide does not wait, neither do the clouds nor the seasons.
To purchase this painting, click HERE.

Expectations

Pastel, 9x12

In the early morning, as the tide starts to move in, the sea gulls gather expecting the waves to bring them breakfast.  I selected this one gull from among many because of his frozen, unmoving gaze, expecting good things for the day.

Waiting

Pastel, 12x16
As the line of showers approaches, the estuary lies in quiet expectation waiting for the rain.  The long line of pines on the shore have seen the storms come before, and they will weather this one easily.

Morning Reverie

Pastel, 9x12 on UArt

As the morning fog rises from the pond and reveals the colors and forms of the trees and grasses, I find myself drawn to remember and reflect on all that is good and peaceful.
Looking back over 2016, I set for myself the challenge to select my one favorite painting for the year and describe why it’s my favorite.
“Morning Reverie” 9x12, is my choice for the following reasons:
1. It represents a scene I love and to which I had a distinctly visual and emotional reaction.
2. Painting it forced me to make design and color choices based on values, temperature, and form rather than old habits of color and perceptions.
3. The result communicates a feeling about a time and place rather than a picture of a location.

Late Showers

Pastel 9x12 on UArt

Demonstration done at GNGallery.  In the late afternoon, the brief showers move quickly through the marshes bringing out the deepest colors. 

Last Visitors

Pastel, 9x12 on UArt

In this view of the beach through the dunes, I wanted to capture the color and warmth of the end of the day.  Even as purple and blue creep into the shadows, the open sands and the drifting clouds radiate the memories of a sunlit day.
To purchase this painting, click here.

Estuary, December Afternoon

Pastel 9x12 on UArt

This painting was done plein air at Guana Preserve.  The high, mid-afternoon sky and hazy sunlight over the estuary washed the color from the marsh and trees as it muted the contrasts in values.  For this study, my goal was to capture a true rendering of the scene and atmosphere of the afternoon.

Storm Break

Pastel, 12x18 on UArt

This sunrise view of Jacksonville Beach was inspired by the breaking cloud of a passing winter storm front.  The wind is up, mist shrouds the distant shore, and the surf is till choppy.  At this moment, the sun has broken through to paint a streak of the beach with color an promise.  
I used mostly Terry Ludwig pastels for this painting.

Hazy Morning

Original work - Dec. 2016

Rework - July 2017

Pastel, 8x12 on UArt

This is another painting in a series exploring the broad horizons and muted values of the Guana River Estuary.  This painting was begun as a validation of color and design for a larger work, but I am pleased enough with the result to sign it and let it stands on its own.

Hazy came off as dull and boring, so I added color and punched the values.

I reworked this painting July 26, 2017.  I added color to the clouds, sky, and water and changed the temp of some of middle ground to repeat the pinks and reds.