Sunlight Trio

6"x6"
Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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Here's a more representational painting form the lake. This one is of three sunlit hay bales across from us.

Late Light

5"x7"
Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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I finally made it back to the lake this summer. I took the opportunity to paint both impressionistic and abstract expressionistic styles. Here's one that is somewhere in-between. it was painted in the late evening as the sun quickly set.

Silent Sentinels

18"x24"
Oil on Canvas

with Palette Knife

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While walking in the woods, I noticed a striking composition of pale trees against a dark wooded background—all kissed by morning light. The trees resembled something like age-old sages—witnesses to all that happens around them. Perhaps they even were more like sentinels, silently at watch in the forest. 

A Walk in the Park

8"x10" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

One of the paintings for "A Walk in the Park" event at Marcella Vivrette Smith Park, 

Brentwood, on Oct 30 from 1-5 PM.

If you're looking for a nice, short hike, Smith Park in Brentwood, TN has a lot to offer. There is a lot of varying terrain, from open fields to rocky climbs. The portion of the trail painted here was especially nice. It was a loose-gravel limestone path which meandered from a warm sunny overlook down into a minty-cool patch of evergreens. You could feel the temperature drop as you walked though it. All the while, the sun dazzled and danced through the trees.

Smith Park is one of Middle Tennessee's best kept secrets. If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend you give these amazing trails a try.

Shady Spot and A Place of Renewal and Reflection

8"x10" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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Today's post is a shady sycamore painted en plein air for the Chestnut Group art event benefiting the Harpeth River Watershed. 

Painting outdoors is always a renewing experience. But this spot was particularly special for me. This tree lives by a pond on a farm which used to belong to the Christian/Pop singer Amy Grant. Back in the 90s, she hosted regular music/worship events in the barn on her farm. As a college student, I went to a couple of those events. They were very renewing for my faith life at that time. Returning over 20 years later to that same space as a painter gave me a lot to think about. I thought about where I've been and where I am now as both a person of faith and as an artist. I have much to be thankful for. I'm thankful for the gifts of renewing moments. I'm thankful for the gift of art and what it has done for my life. I'm thankful for the simple gifts of shady spots in nature—resting beside still waters. And most importantly, I'm thankful for a loving and patient God who gives all of those gifts and so much more.




You can learn more about the Chestnut Group event "Scenes of the Harpeth" here:

Scenes of the Harpeth

Fire & Ice 18"x24"

18"x24" Oil on Canvas

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days: January, 2015—Day 8

Going big again. This time I painted an 24"x18" enlargement of one of favorite landscapes from last year's 30. It is of a fiery sunrise lighting the hilltop of a frozen landscape. 

Fire & Ice

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: January—Day 25

It was a bitterly cold morning in Middle Tennessee. As I drove my kids to school, the temperature was in the single digits. On the way, we passed a field where the treetops were just beginning to be warmed by the sun. The golden light looked like fire against the cold, icy ground. It was a beautiful scene to start the day.

Morning Walk

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

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30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: January—Day 16.

My neighborhood is great for walking. There are so many wonderful little walking trails, and the whole community is edged with white fences. For today's painting, I managed to capture the morning light—softened by lifting fog. 

Fall Break

8"x10" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

We spent our Fall Break back at the lake. Here is a plein air painting of our view with the beginnings of fall colors reflecting on the calm water. The interesting thing on this day was the lighting. The sun was giving warm light to the background and leaving the foreground in cooler light. Since the background had more fall color, it just added to the beauty of the scene. 

I encourage you to take some time to recharge your souls to the beauty of  fall.

A Crepe Myrtle Morning

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

Last week we had a beautiful stent of mild temperatures and low humidity—perfect for painting en plein air. I put my french easel in my car and drove around town looking for the perfect spot to paint. But nothing looked interesting to me. Turns out, I found the perfect subject in my own back yard.  It just goes to show that you don't have to look far to find something meaningful.

This piece also showcases a new limited palette that I'm experimenting with. So far, I love the results.

Its been a while since I posted a painting. I have been painting all summer, but just haven't had time to post them. I also took a trip to California where I took a lot of pictures for paintings.  Rest assured, there is much more to come. This September, I will be attempting another 30 paintings in 30 days. This time, I hope to have a mix of slice-of-life, still life, and plain air subjects (maybe even some conceptual pieces). I also plan to stick with this new palette as well. Please check back regularly to follow along. I look forward to hearing form you.

Retreat

8"x10" Oil on Canvas Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

We all could use a little break—some time away from our every-day responsibilities. For me, the best retreat is to be outdoors near water. The gentle breezes, the warm sunlight, the sound of cascading water—they all renew me and bring my soul closer to the heartbeat of God. 

In my life, there is a special place for retreat. It is Camp NaCoMe, in Pleasntville, TN. Our family goes there for camps and church retreats annually. This year's spring retreat was all about embracing God's gifts. I am thankful to God for so many gifts. Like a running stream, God's grace continues to run over our pebbled hearts. God's gifts to us are abundant and freely given.

This is a plein-air painting of the creek that runs through the heart of Camp NaCoMe. It is a reminder to me of just how revitalizing it is to unplug from our technology and connect with our loving, giving, living God.

Break of Day

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge—Day 24.

Today's painting is inspired by a friend's in-flight photo of a sunrise over clouds. 
It reminds me of one of my favorite songs. 

“Sunrise in the morning.
Let all creation greet the dawn
And praise the Lord who created
Brother sun to open our eyes.

For all of us would be blind
If not for the light of the Lord.”

—John Michael Talbot based on writings of St Francis of Assisi

A Beautiful Gift

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife
$50.00 + Shipping

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge—Day 4.

Today's image came from a photograph by the talented Cheryl M. Stewart. We were in an art show together and I saw this image she captured of redbud trees on the Natchez Trace Parkway. I told her how much I would love to paint that scene. She gave me a small print from which to paint. It was a beautiful gift, but not nearly as beautiful as the gift of that sunny morning on the Natchez Trace. Every day is a beautiful gift for us to appreciate and share.