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.

Marsh Evening

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 21 of '21 in 21' Cloud Challenge

When evening falls across the marsh, the shadows grow long and purple creeps into the clouds.  The few last rays of sunlight gild the grass as their final gift to the day before making way for the peacefulness of the night.  
This painting is available.  To purchase or make an inquiry, click on "Marsh Evening"

SOLD

Late Walk

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 20 of '21 in 21' Cloud Challenge

As the evening colors begin to show over the broad beach at low tide, a few visitors have come to share their evening in peace and wonder at the end of the day.  The wet sand of the retreating tide leaves a tableau on which the scattered clouds cast their fading reflections.
This painting is available - $95 unframed, with $10 shipping. To purchase this painting, click on the link to "Late Walk."

Stillness

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 19 of '21 in 21' Cloud Challenge

Over the salt marsh, the rain clouds begin to build at the end of the day.  The sea breeze from the east dies away and the clouds begin to move in from the west.  In that stillness, the setting sun paints the clouds with gold and and lavender and mutes some of the bright green of the marsh grass.
Image was replaced 7/14, afternoon.
To purchase this painting, please visit my web page: click here "Stillness"

Storm Front

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 18 of '21 in 21' Cloud Challenge

The summer storm clouds come in lines across the salt marsh.  Between their lines, the sun paints splashes of brilliance that blaze in contrast against the shadows on the marsh and the dark clouds.

To purchase this painting, please visit my web page by clicking on "Storm Front"

Rain Coming

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 17 of '21 in 21' Cloud Challenge

In the summer, the late afternoon rains move in suddenly from the west chasing everyone off the beach.  The sky is reflected in the wet sand left by the retreating tide.
To purchase this painting, please follow the link to my Web Page: Rain Coming.

Piling Up

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 16 of '21 in 21' Cloud Challenge

In the heat of the mid afternoon, the clouds begin to build and pile on one another with the promise of rain.  The tide is high and the storm's majesty is reflected in the still water.  The heavy haze masks the details and mutes the blazing colors of summer.
To purchase this painting, click here: "Piling Up"

Dutton Morning

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 15 of '21 in 21' Cloud Challenge

As the rising daylight chases the last purples from the deep shadows, the sunlight streaks through the pine trees bringing life to the marsh with its brightness.  For a few moments, the color of the passing dawn lingers in the clouds and reflects on the still water.
To purchase this painting, please click on my web link: "Dutton Morning." 

Day Begins

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 14 of '21 in 21' Cloud Challenge

As the first light begins to show in the clouds and a few visitors venture out to the fresh, wet sand, the day at the beach begins.  I conceived this painting as an exercise to show that even a nearly cloudless sky can hold interest and challenges.
To purchase this painting, follow the ink to Day Begins.

Lifting

Pastel, 9x6 on UArt

Number 13 of '21 in 21' Cloud Challenge

Before the afternoon thundershowers roll in, the smaller clouds of the early morning start to lift and scurry away. I wanted to catch some of the color and confusion as the heat of the day begins to take control of the salt marsh.
To purchase this painting, click on Lifting.

Beach Rain

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 12 of '21 in 21' Cloud Challenge

As the summer rain stops and the thunder dies away to the southeast, the beach lies deserted, glistening and renewed.  With the tide out, the reflections of the passing clouds stretch smooth, clear, and undisturbed by wave or footprint.
To purchase this painting, visit my web page: Beach Rain

Late Afternoon

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 11 of '21 in 21' Karen Margulis' challenge

In the late afternoon after the showers have passed over the salt marsh, the wet foliage of the grass and trees comes alive with a special radiance as the broken sunlight sweeps over in drifting patches of light and shadow.

To purchase this painting, visit my web site by clicking here: Late Afternoon.

Coming In

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 10 of '21 in 21' Karen Margulis' challenge

This is my daily cloudscape - a modified view of the St. Augustine Pass with a boat coming in under sail.  When the clouds start blowing in on the rising sea breeze and the high tide starts coming in, it is time to bring the boat back through the pass.  When the tide and the wind are favorable, there's no problem coming in under sail.
To purchase this painting, click here.

Private Sunset

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 09 of '21 in 21' Karen Margulis' challenge

As the day comes to a close, the clouds seem to fall to tatters of wisps and puffs.  The crowds of the day have gone leaving the peace and beauty of this late hour to the few who remain for a private showing of the glories of the evening.

Breaking Day

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 08 of '21 in 21' Karen Margulis challenge

For this study, I combined elements of several photos with a little imagination and license.  I wanted to capture the fleeting moment when the sun breaks through the morning clouds and paints one golden streak across the beach.

Last Light

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 07 of '21 in 21' Karen Margulis challenge

The wind has died to a soft breeze, and the sun has retreated beyond the horizon. The last few touches of light brush the tops of the clouds, and the broad, wet sand reflects the splashes of light and color.  The best show of the day happens after everyone has gone.

Marching In

Pastel, 9x6 on UArt

Painting 06 for Karen Margulis' Challenge

The afternoon showers come quickly over the marsh.  The clouds pile up in lines and come marching in bringing relief from the heat with welcome rain.

Afternoon

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Painting 05 for Karen Margulis' Challenge

This started as a cloud sketch, but I couldn't leave it there.  I was inspired by the colors and shadows across the salt marsh in the late afternoon.  The sunset colors are just beginning to show and the whole scene explodes with joy.

Breaking

Pastel - 9x6 on UArt

Painting 03 for Karen Margulis' Challenge

This painting was inspired by the breaking clouds after a storm.  The surf was up and the reflections of the early morning light were broken and scattered.  The sun had risen above the break, but the sky was still painted with golden light. 

Backlight

Pastel - 9x6 on UArt

Painting 02 for Karen Margulis' Challenge

As the day falls to late afternoon, clouds rise over the marsh and promise rain to come.  This cloudscape is a view of the salt marsh late in the day with the low sun back lighting the rising clouds.  The cloud shows the light from within and picks up colors from below. 
This will be a study for a future work on a larger scale.