Palm Bay

Palm Bay

Pastel 12x12 on UArt

I did this painting to express the sense of stillness and calm that surrounds the slow moving stream as it enters the salt marsh.  On the banks of the stream at the edge of the deep oak forest, the palm trees grow tall and straight.  It is as if these palms guard the entrance to the higher ground, and in the heat of the day, they appear to stand all that much taller.  As the clouds begin to form in the early afternoon, they diffuse the light and cast passing shadows over the marsh.

I updated and revised this painting - lightened some of the deeper areas, added some purple, and added blue tints to the distance.  The essence of the painting is the same.  I was also able to take a better photo.

Fruit and Twigs

 Pastel 12x12 on UArt

"Fruit and Twigs" pastel on UArt 12x12. Signed and finished. I did this as a an exercise to see what could done to create balance between details and negative space. I connected the details of the fruit and the dominant blank space by inserting the twigs to complete the composition.

Jake

Pastel, 12x12 on UArt

Pet portrait of Jake, my brother Todd's Sheltie.  I took several photos and did preliminary drawings before I finalized the image in pastel.  My goal was to capture Jake's personality.  He is always watching, always alert, and ready for everything.

This painting is not for sale, but I would be delighted to talk to you about doing a similar portrait of your pet.  Please contact me for details.

Cut Bank

Pastel 12x12 on UArt

The wind builds and moves the dunes, but the bushes and grass that grow on them are left behind as the dune erodes beneath them.  As the dune is cut away, the old, gnarled bushes create unique drapery and shadow against the mid-day sun.

This painting received the Judges Special Award at the 2018 First Coast Pastel Society Show.  Thank you Chris Ivers for that recognition.  Here is what Chris said when granting this award:

"Simple yet well thought out composition was the main element that attracted me to this lovely painting of the sand dunes. A calmness falls over me from the artist’s rendition of the warm, gentle sky and sloping white sand while the subtle greenery leads me throughout the painting. Adding to everything is the wonderful use of gray violet in the shadows that kiss the sand to cool some areas for the eye to rest. This painting beckons to follow over the dune to what I imagine as a beach and a peaceful sea. I congratulate the artist for taking me to this lovely place deserving of this extra award."

Palm Bay

Pastel on UArt, 12x12

I did this painting to express the sense of stillness and calm that surrounds the slow moving stream as it enters the salt marsh.  On the banks of the stream at the edge of the deep oak forest, the palm trees grow tall and straight.  It is as if these palms guard the entrance to the higher ground, and in the heat of the day, they appear to stand all that much taller.  As the clouds begin to form in the early afternoon, they diffuse the light and cast passing shadows over the marsh.

To purchase painting, visit my Daily Paintworks.

"Between Showers"

Pastel on UArt, 12x12

I have painted several views of this salt marsh at Tide View Preserve, but this painting was the result of my first opportunity to paint there when the tide was full.  At low tide, the view of these two palms is completely different, and there is only a little trickle of water.  I was impressed with the dramatic reflections, but I struggled with the composition and balance.  I finally cropped the painting from 12x18 to 12x12 to eliminate the distractions.

I changed some of the values and added deeper shadows among the underbrush, darkened the water, and cropped the painting to 12x12.  I am pleased with the result and the square format.

"Spring's First Green"

Pastel on self-sanded Arches cold pressed - 12x12

To puchase, contact me.

In March, the marsh grasses and the trees seem to explode into new and vibrant greens which stand out against the remains of the winter's golds and browns.  This is such an overpowering few days that it is hard to express the intensity of the color.  The days are usually windy, and the water is ruffled so the reflections are soft and blue.