King of the Hill

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

NFS

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: September—Day 2.

As a child, I used to play a game called "King of the Hill" with my friends. One player (the King) stands atop a hill (or ditch as in our case). Challengers climb the hill and wrestle the king. The one who ends up staying on top is the new king. 

In this plein air painting from the lake, a solitary bale of hay rests atop a hill. This bale has been challenging me to paint it for some time. The best time to paint it is in the late evening when the light is the strongest, but fades fast. In the spirit of the 30 in 30 Challenge, I dared to wrestle that hill with paint. 

It was a tough fight. First of all, the sun vanished behind a cloud just as I was beginning. It returned just in time for me to record the dramatic light effects before setting for the night. The colors changed so fast. I mostly had only values to work with with fleeting moments of color checks in the setting sun. Assaulted by mosquitos and with hands covered in paint, I finally finished the painting by dusk. 

Although the bale of hay still rests at the top of the hill in this painting, I feel confident that I have overcome the challenge and won the game.

Good Morning

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: September—Day 1.

Welcome to another series of 30 paintings in 30 days inspired by painter Leslie Saeta. Today's post is a plein air piece from our spot on Tims Ford Lake. Mornings are hazy and peaceful on the lake—and today was no exception. The kiss of sunlight on the shady cove gives me a sense of new beginnings and hope-filled possibilities of a new day.

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.

Live Oak (and Spanish Moss)

8"x10" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

Fresh Catch Series #4

There is a lot more to Florida than beaches. Florida's Scenic 30-A is full of brackish lakes and nature parks. Today's "Fresh Catch" comes from Camp Helen State Park. There are many beautiful Live Oaks there. Sculpted by costal weather and adorned with spanish moss, these majestic oaks stand like wise sages along the shore. 

My son in the branches of a majestic Live Oak.

Morning Tide

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

Fresh Catch Series #3

This is the companion painting to yesterday's post. This is the gulf tide in the morning. Even though there is very little surf, the calm waters and shallow sandbars make for a colorful seascape.

Evening Tide

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

Fresh Catch Series #2

Today's painting is of the evening tide in the Gulf of Mexico. There is very little surf in the gulf. Sometimes, it is so calm that it seems as if someone simply turned off the "surf machine." By evening, the sea does manage to muster up some waves. Watch for a future painting of the morning tide to compliment this piece.

Windward Breeze

8"x10" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

Fresh Catch Series #1

This is the first installment of my new costal-inspired painting series called "Fresh Catch." Today's fresh catch is a plein-air painting of dunes on a breezy afternoon at Inlet Beach, Florida.