"Expecting Rain"

Pastel on Wallis, 12x9

This picture was painted at the Barbara Jaenicke workshop in Greenville, S.C. One of the primary things I wanted to learn in this workshop was how Barbara managed her edges and colors. With her help, I came a long way toward managing those key elements of pastel painting.

This painting was done from a photograph of an oak tree on the edge of the marsh. I made some changes in the undergrowth and in the placement of the tree against the background. I moved the colors away from the uniform green of the photo and replaced most of the green with oranges, yellows, purples, and blue.

"So Many Ways to Go"

Pastel on gatorboard, 14x11

SOLD

I did this painting on request.  I found this oak tree in the woods near our house.  The old hunting trails go in everywhere direction from here, and the sunlight gets through the trees making the pine straw and fallen leaves sparkle with color.  There are deer tracks everywhere!

Note - October 24, 2011.  The person for whom this was painted, selected another painting instead, so I did some revisions this afternoon.  I tried to punch up the value separations some - I like it better.

"Path along the Marsh"

Pastel on sanded archival board, 10x8

SOLD

I have done other paintings of this scene, and I have a number of reference photos, so I revisited it.  It was too hot to paint outside in the afternoon, so I did this painting in anticipation of cooler weather and autumn colors in the marsh.  This painting was done yesterday afternoon/last night and completed this morning in the better light.

Step back in Time

Pastel on Canson - 12.5x10; Matted 18x15

SOLD

This painting is a rendition completed in 2008 from a plein air sketch done at the Alpine Grove Plantation State Park - looking north toward the original plantation house. The house was being restored when the painting was done, so naturally the construction scaffolds and equipment were deleted from the painting. 

This house is on a high bank above the St. Johns River commanding a glorious view of the river.