A Brush with Nature - Paintings

"Bright Green, Deep Shadows"

Pastel on Arches 12x9

SOLD

I did a practice run at the Arboretum this morning (note from 3/28/12) in preparation for A Brush With Nature. In the early morning, the sun catches the east end of the pond in a blaze of back lighting on the trees next to the water. The woods behind are still in deep shadows. I had to work quickly because by midday the sun light washes all this into an even shade of bright, overpowering green.

The challenge for this piece was making the background shadows something other than just dark, so I used purple and lavender to contrast the bright green on the bank and walkway.



"Patriarchs of the Hill"

Pastel on Arches 12x14

I did a preliminary sketch of this clump of oak trees on Monday in preparation for the paint-out.  What captured my attention was the dark trees against the light background accented with the light gray Spanish moss.  When I started the painting on Friday morning, the sunlight fell on the trees in the foreground making them light against a dark background.  By lunch time when I was starting to wrap up the painting, the values had completely shifted to what I originally envisioned.  So I wiped out most of what I had done and redid the values.  I much prefer this result.

"Guardian of the Meadow"

Pastel on Arches 14x18

I did a preliminary sketch of this composition on Monday afternoon for preparation for the ABWN paint-out, and on Thursday afternoon, I did the preliminary work on the painting.  I had to wait until Friday afternoon to complete the work, because I wanted to catch the low light coming from the right of the piece, and I wanted to set my easel in the shade to work.

This solitary pine tree towers above all the other trees in the open meadow by the lake.  It even stand much taller that the trees in the background.  It is this towering majesty in a peaceful setting that I have tried to capture.  The path bends across the meadow as it passes this tree, and dives into the woods to again.

"Morning Tranquility"

Pastel on Arches - 17.5x 14

SOLD

On Thursday morning, I returned to the spot where I painted "Bright Green, Deep Shadows" to do a larger version, but the light changed before I finished, so I covered the painting intending to come back the next day.  On Friday, several other people beat me to this spot, so I went to do the "Patriarchs of the Hill."  On Saturday, I came back early and finished this piece just as the news came that a rain storm was coming fast.  As I was packing to leave, one of the event volunteers came by and bought the painting while it was still on the easel.

I got out just as it started to rain, took the painting home, matted and framed it, and hurried back.  I took it into the wet tent through a pouring rain (no pun intended), and the purchaser met me there.  She was so thrilled to get this piece that she had arranged for her husband to meet her there to take the painting home right away.

I was in such a hurry to get the painting famed and under glass that this is the only photo I was able to take.  This was my wife's favorite of my work for this event.

"Bright Green, Deep Shadows"

Pastel on sanded Arches cold press - 12x9

Painting sold 1st day of A Brush With Nature

I did a practice run at the Arboretum this morning in preparation for A Brush With Nature.  In the early morning, the sun catches the east end of the pond in a blaze of back lighting on the trees next to the water.  The woods behind are still in deep shadows.  I had to work quickly because by midday the sun light washes all this into an even shade of bright, overpowering green.

The challenge for this piece was making the background shadows something other than just dark, so I used purple and lavender to contrast the bright green on the bank and walkway.

"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.

Reflections at Low Tide

Pastel on UArt, 12x9

To purchase, contact me.

In the late afternoon when the sun is low and the tide is out, the clear sky reflects on the wet sand and marsh-muck with almost the same intensity as it reflects from the few receding streams of water.  I wanted to capture the light and color of a late winter afternoon with the contrast of the abstract forms of the salt marsh against the rigorous, precision of the boardwalk.

I did this study as preparation for a larger work.  With summer coming, it may be a while before I get back to working out that plan.

Arboretum - Getting Ready

Did an exploration visit to the Jacksonville Arboretum to get ready for the paint-out - "A Brush With Nature."

Oak tree that greets the visitors.

Added a railing around the spillway - nice feature on the pond.

Color in the lichens

Another shot of the spillway

Across the pond

"Putting Down"

Pastel on sanded gatorboard, 14x11

This painting revised, retouched, and updated 2/21/2023 - see newer listing.

On rainy days, I go through my old paintings, reference photos, and drawings looking for things that interest me.  For some reason, I often find myself drawn to sea gulls.  I admire their freedom and exuberance. 

This particular gull is actually from a photo of a large flock, but his form and sense of presence attracted my attention.  I pulled him out for this study and first called it "All Alone" which is a little ironic because gulls are rarely alone.  "Putting Down" is more descriptive.

"My Tern Yet?"

Pastel on Wallis 18x12

Early in the morning when the tide is out, the gulls and terns stand and wait on the beach - waiting for the tide to move in.

The wet sand casts reflections almost as if it were standing water.  The scraps of foam from the receding tide and the scattered collection of a few shells are the only breaks in the vast expanse of wet.  Terns are divers, so until the tide comes in, there is nothing for them to do but wait their tern.

This lone royal tern seemed to be asking, "My tern yet?"