Palm Expression 5, Palm Expression 6

Palm Expression 5

Palm Expression 6

Pastel, Watercolor, and Ink, 6x4

Added more pastel accents, 5/19/16 - Revised from earlier post.

I completed these two simple paintings of palm trees on the marsh as a reference for later works. My objective was to capture the diffused light on the marsh just before the sun rises.  The original painting is watercolor over ink over which I have added touches of pastel for highlights in the clouds and foliage.  

These paintings were done together on one sheet of paper which I will cut to 5x7 so that they can be framed separately. There is sufficient white space on the edges so that these paintings will fit a 5x7 photo frame without a mat.  However, they will also fit nicely in a 4x6 mat if that is preferred.

Palm Expressions 5, 6

Palm Expressions - painted together

"Palm Expressions, 5" - 6x4

"Palm Expressions, 6" - 6x4

 Watercolor and Pastel on Paper

Two studies for a rainy afternoon - I completed these two simple paintings of palm trees on the marsh as a reference for later works. My objective was to capture the diffused light on the marsh just before the sun rises.  The original painting is watercolor over ink over which I have added touches of pastel for highlights in the clouds and foliage.  
These paintings were done together on one sheet of paper which I will cut to 5x7 so that they can be framed separately. There is sufficient white space on the edges so that these paintings will fit a 5x7 photo frame without a mat.  However, they will also fit nicely in a 4x6 mat if that is preferred.

Stiff Wind 2

Watercolor & Ink, 6x4

As the sea breeze gains strength, it seems to bend even the palm trees with its force.  The late sun paints the faces of the dunes with blue and purple shadows which exaggerate the reds and browns of the summer grasses.

Stiff Wind

Watercolor & Ink, 6x4

In the late afternoon, the sea breeze gains in strength and blows over the dune face sweeping the grass and palms.

Palm Expressions 4

Watercolor & Ink, 6x4

I have become intrigued by the possibilities of simple compositions of trees and the variations that can be achieved in color exchanges.  I have been working largely with primary and secondary colors with different combinations - almost a Florida Fauvist?

Palm Expressions 3

 

Final Version

First Iteration....

Watercolor & Ink, 6x4

This painting is an experiment in color and composition with the plan of becoming part of a larger work.  I call these painting, "Palm Expressions."
I took another look at this piece in the morning, and made some needed changes.  I have posted both versions to document the changes.

Southern Pines, 2

Watercolor & Ink, 6s4

This painting is the second in a series of studies of pine trees. This pine tree grows at the edge of a pond and stands apart from the dense timber around it.  Broken branches from a long-forgotten storm give this pine its shaggy appearance.

Southern Pines, 1

Watercolor & Ink, 6x4

This painting is the first in a series of studies of trees. This pine tree grows by with a few saplings apart from a grove of trees on an island in the salt marsh.

Dunes After Rain

Dunes after Rain, 1

 

 Dunes after Rain, 2

Watercolor & Ink, 6x4

After the rain, the sea oats and beach sunflowers are freshly washed, and as the clouds retreat, they sparkle with vibrant color standing out against the smooth sand as banners on display. 
I did this pair of images from separate parts of an earlier drawing.  They will be available individually on EBAY.

Beach Daisies

Watercolor & Ink - 6x4

The sea oats put on their new feathery finery and join the beach daisies to blanket the dunes with golden color.
This painting is available on EBAY - click here

Spring Sea Oats

Watercolor & Ink, 6x4

As the first expression of summer's promise, the sea oats push their green blades and seed heads through the old growth and up through the winter-drifted sand to crown the dunes with their fresh spring glory.

This painting is available on EBAY for one week starting 2/15/16 - click here.

Flowers Grow Everywhere

Watercolor & Ink on paper, 6x4

When life becomes discouraging, remember the lonely flowers that flourish in the high and lonely places.
Available on EBAY - click here.

Pine Point

Watercolor & Ink, 6x4

I pass these pines almost every day, and each time I see them, they are somehow new and different with the changing light, wind, clouds, time of day, weather, and season.  The pines stand in a grove at the end of a long, narrow point of land.  In the midday breezes, they make the point of land seem almost like a ship under sail.

Painting is available on EBAY until 2/3/16

Windy Oats, Studies

 

"Windy Oats, 1" - Watercolor & Ink, 6x4

 

"Windy Oats, 2" - Watercolor & Ink, 6x4 

In these two paintings, my goal was to capture the freshness, the wind, and the freedom of the summer sea oats as they dance with their golden seed heads on the ocean breezes.

I painted these two small studies to be a pair.  They will be available separately on eBay until 1/31/16.  Click here to see Windy Oats 1, an here to see Windy Oats 2