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.

Here Comes the Sun

Pastel, 9x6

After painting under a featureless, gay overcast all morning, the sun broke through for a few precious moments.  The bright light made the seen I'd been working on come alive.  This sudden burst of life, light, and color became the object of the painting.  It was purchased before I could sign it and take it to the "wet tent."

Expecting Rain, Arboretum

Pastel on Wallis, 8x8

Rain had been forecast and threatened all day, and the overcast painted everything in cool tones of blue and gray except for the forest litter of the seep bank which still held some of the warmth of the hidden sun.  Everything seems to be waiting for the rain to come.  This piece was executed from the new shelter at the Arboretum so that it would not get wet if the rain came suddenly.  This painting was purchased before I could even take it to the "wet tent."

Morning Light, Aroboretum

Pastel on Wallis, 9x6

I painted this scene across the lake at the Jacksonville Arboretum.  In the spring, green is such a dominant color that it is a challenge to represent a scene effectively, but this view is such a delight to paint with the early morning light blazing across the new foliage.