Estuary Summer

Pastel, 14x18 on Wallis

The clouds have passed again today without rain, but there is a possibility the clouds on the horizon could build and come in later.  The summer has stretched into a succession of long, hot days taking some of the green freshness from the marsh grasses.  As the sun lowers in the west and the shadows lengthen, the slanting sunlight brings out the bronze and reds hidden in the grass and sets the marsh ablaze with contrasts of colors and values.
As a design decision,I added the egret in order to create an object of interest to capture the passing viewer's eye, draw them into the painting, and hold their attention while their peripheral vision takes in the rest of the painting.
To purchase this painting, click here - Estuary Summer.

 

Dawn Palms, Study

Watercolor & Ink, 6x4

When the sun first breaks on the marsh, the palm trees and the small islands are painted with special colors.  The shadows hold the deep blue of the night, but the grasses glow with the fire of the coming day.  
This painting is a value and color study for future work.

It will be available on eBay through 1/29/16 - click here for eBay

Florida Palm, Study

Watercolor over ink, 4x6

This is a representation of a palm tree that stands near a causeway to the beach.  It stands along on a little islet surrounded by salt marsh and water.  In the early morning it provides a striking contrast against the distant lines of trees and marsh.

I do these paintings in this size so that they will fit a standard 4x6 photo frame.