"Ft. George Companions"

Pastel on gatorfoam, 9x12

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These two palms stand by themselves on a small hammock in the salt marsh at Ft. George Island.  In the late afternoon, the hazy light suppresses the distance but brings the foreground into sharp color and values.

I have painted these two trees a number of times, but I never tire of their simple beauty and substance.

"Marsh in October Colors"

Oil on stretched canvas, 9x12

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The muhly grass brings in the pink color in waves before the rest of the autumn colors fade.  This is a color study of those colors in oil from some earlier works and reference photos.  The feel in October is one of expectation and dazzle.

This painting was done with larger brushes to limit the detail in order to emphasize the color and drama.

Pines of Dutton Island Preserve

Oil on Masonite - 14x11

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This painting is a view of the salt marsh across the Intercoastal Waterway.  I have shown this picture a couple of times under the title “Pines at Dutton Island Preserve.”  This was one of my first paintings Done plein air with the First Coast Plein Air Painters.  I have painted this scene a number of times since then, but sadly two of the picturesque trees on the left of the island have died and disappeared.

I am posting this painting here because some have expressed interest in this scene and in my work, and I wanted to bring it out again.

I have returned to this scene a number of times because of the combination of the lonely pines, the reflections in the water, and the sense of stillness and openness that characterize the salt marsh.

Using EconoSpace with Pastels

These photos illustrate the use of EconoSpace frame spacers with pastel paintings.

Spacers attacked to the glass.  This one is to frame a work 14x11.

The glass is placed on top of the painting - spacers between painting and glass.

Finished frame with EconoSpace spacers.

Using Econospace Frame Spacers

This is the Tips Sheet provided with EconoSpace frame spacers.  I have found them very easy and effective for framing pastels that are done or mounted to gatorfoam board.

"Saltbush Path"

Oil on Masonite panel - 14x11

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I needed the frame that this painting was in for something else, so decided to take it down and put it up on E-Bay. It was done in '06, but I added some retouch this afternoon.

This is a plein air painting I did of a path beside the marsh and through the live oaks.  In October, the saltbush puts on spectacular show of fluffy white heads.  This path gets a little wet at high tide, so I had to hurry to get down the basics and finish it at home.

"Standing Guard"

Pastel on sanded Gatorfoam, 11x14

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This solitary palm tree seems to stand guard over an old path through the dunes at Ponte Vedra.  Boardwalks have been built for dune access, and the old paths are "off limits."  It's as if this palm tree stands watch to keep beach-goers off his path.

This painting was done on gessoed and sanded gatorfoam.  I neglected to sand the gesso before I added the pumice sand gel coat.  This made the surface rougher that I expected, and I almost threw the piece out.  I kept going anyway, and I really like the effect of the undercoat showing through - especially in the sky.

We have an older pastel that I did a year or two ago that has this same motif and design.  Patty wanted me to do another one with brighter colors - so here it is.