Silent Sentinels

18"x24"
Oil on Canvas

with Palette Knife

Click Here To Purchase

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. 

Autumn Retreat

20"x24" Oil on Deep-Edged Canvas

with Palette Knife

Click Here to Purchase

Time for a break. I have forgotten that the tradition of Lenten discipline allows for beaks—specifically on Sundays which are considered "Mini-Easters." Grace abounds—even in Lent. 

Since I forgot to take a break last Sunday, my posts are a day off. Therefore, I will be taking a break from the "40 Days" posts for the next two days to get everything back on track. Otherwise, I'll be all finished before Holy Week even starts, and we just can't have that. But don't worry, I have plenty of new paintings to share during the break. Here is a serene fall painting to enjoy.

Autumn Anthem

12"x12" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

And here is an autumn water abstract for the 

Friends of Radnor Lake Fine Art Show & and Sale 

Nov 6–8 form 8 a.m–5 p.m.

Heron Glide

8"x10" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

Here is another portrait of a most fascinating bird. 

This Blue Heron will be on display at the 

Friends of Radnor Lake Fine Art Show & Sale, 

Nov 6–8 form 8 a.m–5 p.m.

Early Autumn Walk

8"x10" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

for A Hear for Warner Parks Exhibit
SOLD

Plein air painting is always a joy in Warner Parks. Here is one I made last fall. It will be in "A Hear for Warner Parks" show and sale Feb 13-15. Portions of the proceeds benefit the parks. On the day I painted this serene, leave-covered path, an class of elementary children came by. I loved hearing their thoughts about what I was doing. Below are some behind-the-scene shots from that day.

Pumpkin Patch

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

Click HERE to Purchase

30 Paintings in 30 Days: September, 2014—Day 27

One of my favorite things to do is to roam through a pumpkin patch.

Hay!

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

Click HERE to Purchase

30 Paintings in 30 Days: September, 2014—Day 24

Lately, I've been seeing a lot of these guys around.

Red Hot Salvia

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days: September, 2014—Day 19

Still in a floral mood—this time for something boldly red.

Zinnias

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days: September, 2014—Day 18

Still in a floral mood. I just love the colors in the sweet perennials.

Tennessee Farm

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: January—Day 15.

WHEW! Half-way through the 30-days challenge! Today's painting is one of many charming farms nestled in the hills of Middle Tennessee.

Roadside Barn

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: January—Day 7.

One week complete in the 30 day challenge! Today's painting is a quick study based on a photo I took while traveling thru middle TN last November. 

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.

Pumpkin Truck

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: September—Day 19.

Every October, we go to Gentry’s Farm to pick pumpkins for Halloween. The farm has many antiques and items of visual interest. My favorite is this pumpkin truck. You can see a painting of last year’s pumpkin pick here.

Autumn Medley

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

$75.00 unframed + Shipping

$100.00 Framed + Shipping

Click HERE to Purchase

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: September—Day 12.

One of my favorite places to be is under a tree in the peak of fall foliage. The colors are so vibrant. When the sun shines through, everything underneath is bathed in orange glow. Today's painting is from a photograph of such a place, taken last year in my front yard. This year, I hope to be in the same place painting.

Pick Me

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge—Day 29.

I almost forgot that I wanted to paint this little pumpkin for the 30 in 30 challenge. I picked it out at a local farm last fall. I love pumpkin picking, especially straight from the patch. Geeking out as an artist, I feel like a master sculptor looking for the perfect muse—waiting to be freed. When I picked this pumpkin, I knew that it could make a nice painting. Almost forgotten until today, my pumpkin has become my artistic muse once again.

Cool Trees

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife
SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge—Day 21.

Here is an impressionistic piece based on a favorite photograph I took while hiking in the fall. The shaded trees were a cool blue hue against a fiery backdrop of fall leaves. It was one of those scenes that I just knew would become a painting someday.

Autumn Frost

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge—Day 3.

One chilly fall morning, I was waiting at the bus stop with my daughter. We looked down and discovered something beautiful—Autumn leaves kissed by morning frost. We live in a world full of small wonders. We just need to take the time to see it.

Carpe Diem

Why am I posting a fall painting to start the new year? I has to do with my new year’s resolution.

Typically, in late October, I bring my new paintings outdoors to photograph. One day, as I was setting up for the shoot, I was impressed by the beauty of the little tree in my yard. It was the perfect scene to sum up everything I love about autumn. The leaves were peak color. The sky was brilliant. Fall is my favorite time of year. I just love the mild temperatures, the crisp air, the changing colors and the long cast shadows in the afternoons. I believe I could live perpetually in autumn. But sadly, autumn is but a season. The colors here are only at peak color for just a week or two, if you’re lucky. Realizing the brevity of the moment that I was witnessing, I decided to stop what I was doing and paint the moment. I replaced the finished art on my easel for blank canvas and began to paint my little tree. And I am so glad I did. That evening, a weather front blew in. The next day, the tree was bare.

Each and every day is a gift from God. My resolution is to make the most of every day’s blessings. Rain of shine, I hope to live each day in gratitude. Life is too fragile and brief not to.

Happy New Year.