Suggestions

Pastel 9x9

Plein Air

Painted at Jacksonville Arboretum last Friday. I added a few touches this morning and signed it. This was an exercise of assembling widely scattered elements from the vista into a small space.

Early in the painting process, I struggled with the values and composition. Then as the shadows moved, I realized that a major feature of the bank in the back ground had been there all along. 

I need to remember to walk through the landscape as much as possible so that I know the objects that are in shade and shadow.

Intradune Marsh, Anastasia Island

Pastel 9x12 on Wallis

I chose this view because of the contrast in linearity between the oaks and cedar in the foreground that show their bulk and roundness, the intradune marsh with is generally flat and horizontal, and the dunes in the distance which offered the horizontal with variations.  From where I had to stand, there was a large sign blocking more than half of the left side of the scene, so I had to walk a few steps forward to be able to see the image I was trying to paint.  I widened the path and removed some of the shrubs to give a view of the marsh and dunes.
This painting was originally done as part of a workshop with Kathleen Galligan.  The painting has been put away in a box for three years.  I got it out of storage last week, and today I retouched and adjusted the colors and values.

January Mist, Study

Watercolor and Ink, 4x6 Study

January is a season of rain which often settles as a light, penetrating mist.  As the temperature falls, and the day turns to evening, the landscape become more indistinct and filled with shadows.  Things that are near become dark masses and strange shapes, and the distances fades away into mere suggestions in purple and gray.

This painting will be available on eBay from 1/19/16 - 1/26/16

Mrs. B.'s Yellow House, November

Pastel on self-sanded Arches, 16x20 (Revision, 2015 12 14)

When I first saw this house on a gravel road not far from Harlan, Iowa, I knew I had to paint it.  The house is such a brilliant yellow and sits alone on the corner of country roads.  The November fields were already bare, but the golden and rust of the harvest still remained.  In the mid-morning sun, the long shadows of late fall paint a pattern on the lawn and across the road.

After looking at the 16x20 version for a few days, I decided to crop the painting to 8x20.  This version includes all the important information ans adds the feeling of width and space that I wanted.  The part of the painting I worked the longest and hardest on is the foreground which I could never feel was right.  It seemed to dominate rather than support the image of the house.
 

Pastel on self-sanded Arches, 16x20 (Original Version)

This is the original version - more true to the photograph but "missing something."

 Design Change

Redoing the design with a black and white print and a scissors - removing the bridge and the back ground to do some radical changes to the background.

I dropped the horizon and roughed in the plan for the broad fields and low hill in the background - will work out details of the road and perspective later.

Bottom of the Field, November

Pastel 10x14,  on self-sanded board

November can be a time of beauty and drama in the hidden corners of the empty fields.  The long shadows of late afternoon stretch across the stubble of the harvested corn field.  The grass on the edge of the field is still vibrant green against the dark, leafless trees.  The weather is still not cold, and it's as if in expectation of winter, the bottom land next to the river puts on one last show.
I constructed this surface and design using what I learned from Tom Christopher in his workshop.  Thanks, Tom.

Off the Path

Day 1 Tom Christopher Workshop, Pastel 9x12

This is my first painting done in the Tom Christopher workshop.  I determined to do as much of this painting following the guidelines from his demonstration and personal instructions.  My challenge of working in the deep woods in Florida is to avoid being overcome by the color green.  The instruction Tom gave was to work with values first then color and to let my movements and marks be more free and gestural.  This is the result.

Marsh Vista, Study 1, Ps. 107:8

Pastel, 7.5x10 on Wallis

This painting is a composite of a number of views of the salt marsh near the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.  I have tried to capture the sense of space and calm that this vista inspires drawing my attention to the beauty of God’s creation.

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
Psalm 107:8

I executed this painting with different values of pure primary and secondary colors - very few grays were used.

I took a new photo and updated the image, October 28, 2015.
To purchase this painting, click on Daily Paintworks.

Palm Bay, Study

Watercolor over Ink, 7x7

In this view, I have tried to capture the sense of the expanse of the marsh as it appears through the opening between the groves of palms where the fresh empties into the marsh.  The summer haze softens the colors and edges of the distance but intensifies the nearby shadows.  I did this painting as a study in preparation of a larger work, but I like it enough to let it stand on its own.

To purchase, click on Daily Paintworks.

Remembered

Watercolor 7x5

While away from home this week, I was able to complete this small watercolor view of Lake Ray at the Jacksonville Arboretum.  The foundation for the painting was a photo on my phone from a recent paint-out, but the final work was done as a reconstruction of memories.  It is from those memories that I assigned this piece the title, "Remembered."  I gave this painting with deep gratitude to my son and his family for their most gracious hospitality during our visit.

Grassy Path, Fatio House

"Grassy Path, Fatio House" pastel 8x8

"Grassy Path," is a depiction of the herb and salad garden against an old coquina wall at the Fatio House, Aviles Street, in St. Augustine.  This garden is behind the buildings.  The path to the wooden gate which passes beneath the dense foliage of a fig tree made a delightful combination and contrast of cool shade against the bright, midday sun.

Morning Palms

"Morning Palms" pastel 8x8

This is another treatment of the painting "Predawn Palms" using warmer, brighter colors.  This painting seeks to capture the feeling of stillness and expectation of the palms and salt marsh as the clouds of the night start to dissipate and the temperature begins to rise.

I reworked this painting on 5/15/15 to change the temp of the foreground and add some color and contrast to the palms.

This painting is available on my Daily Paintworks.

Predawn Palms

Pastel 8x8

I have often used this view of the salt marsh with is clump of palm trees and a few craggy pines as the subject for a painting.  In this piece, these elements provide the foundation for an expression in complementary colors.  I couldn't resist throwing the touches of bright green into an otherwise purple and gold composition.

Painting will be available for purchase - click on Daily Paintworks.

Down to the Pond

Pastel 8x8

In the full morning sun, the opposite bank of Lake Ray is flooded with bright light and dappled shadows.  The contrast between the warm sand and fallen leaves against the bright green of the spring foliage seems to call me to come to the water's edge.

Click here for Daily Paintworks.

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."