Wisdom in the Woods

8"x10" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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

Brentwood, on Oct 30 from 1-5 PM.

There is much wisdom to be found in the woods. With trees as old as centuries and rocks existing for millennia, just think of the wisdom they can tell us if they could talk. Some of the large old trees in Smith Park, like this one, tell a story with every crook, knot and groove.

It is an honor to paint portraits of trees. Some of the things I love about painting outdoors is listening to the wisdom of trees and spending time with these great citizens of the world.

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

40 Days: Day 36: On the Willows We Hung up Our Harps

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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By the rivers of Babylon— there we sat down and there we wept when we remembered Zion.On the willows there we hung up our harps.For there our captors asked us for songs, and our tormentors asked for mirth, saying, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"

Psalm 137: 1-3

40 Days: Day 33: Redbuds

8"x10" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will make your vindication shine like the light,
    and the justice of your cause like the noonday.

Psalm 37:5-6

40 Days: Day 20: Rugged Cross

5"x7" Oil on Canvas Panel

with Palette Knife

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When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.

Luke 9:51

Cardinal

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife
Commissioned

Cardinals are plentyful all year in Middle Tennessee. Commissioned by a lover of these boldly feathered friends, here's a little Cardinal sitting on a branch.

Sycamore In Spring

8"x10" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

I love Sycamore trees. I call them "Lightning Trees" because their stark, white, branches look like a bolts of lightning to me. I have been itching to paint one for some time now. I finally got my chance while painting with the The Chestnut Group for the Cumberland on Canvas event. 

We will be sharing and selling our paintings for the Cumberland River Compact April 17 and 18. Details are in the attachments below.

Rooted

8"x10" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

for the Friends of Warner Parks exhibit
SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days: January, 2015—Day 22 

Plein air painting with the Chestnut Group today. This beech tree is from a protected property nicknamed "Valley of the Big Trees."

About a dozen of us walked single file into the valley, our feet crunching on the stiff, frozen leaves. Our faces were already feeling the bite of the cold winter air. Some painters were well prepared with pouchade boxes neatly tucked into backpacks. I was hiking my trusty french easel with hacked back-pack strap attachments and a loud, but very functional TJ Max bag full of gear. 

Our guide told us stories of interest as we journeyed through. She told us how the land we were entering had been left mostly untouched for the better part of a century. She showed us places of interest— like where four species of trees were growing from the same mound of earth. She shared how they revere the fallen trees just as much as the living ones. The fallen trees become a new haven for other inhabitants of the forest.

The painters each found their places of interest from which to paint. I went the farthest into the valley to find this beautiful Beech tree. Its massive roots spread out for a distance of about 8 to 10 feet. They looked like giant fingers gripping into the side of the hill. Behind it, another tree had previously fallen and and broke apart on the back of the mighty Beech.  At first glance, the Beach just seemed to be shades of gray. But after spending some time looking at it, I discovered a rich palette of greens, pinks and blues. I knew this was the tree whose story I had come to paint today.

I set up my easel on the hillside. And a steep hillside it was. There was no level place to stand. As I painted, the winter cold was getting the upper hand one me. My paints felt thicker the joints of my fingers were getting stiff. My back was getting sore from the incline. But this is what plein air painting is all about. It's an adventure every time, and a opportunity to better understand nature. So, I pressed on. I loved every second of it!

As light began to fall behind the valley, we packed up and hiked back out of the forest. I felt privileged to have been a witness of such a sacred place. I felt thankful for my colleagues and the efforts of The Chestnut Group for arranging this unique opportunity. I made some new friends in those woods that day—and one very, very old friend—Mr. Beach.

Painters in the Valley of Big Trees

Reference photo… just in case I don't get finished.

In-progress photo

Cherry Spring

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

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Spring is here! The bitter cold is finally gone and the trees are blooming. One of my favorite spring trees are cherry trees. Their blossoms are so delicate in both texture and color. More than than their visual beauty, I prefer listening to the ever-so gentle whisper they make when the wind blows though. It reminds me of God's spirit blowing and whispering through us.

Witness Tree

11"x14" Oil on Canvas

with Palette Knife

“Reflections: 150 Years Later,” 

Art Show Benefiting The Battle of Franklin Trust

This year, I have joined a plein air painters alliance called The Chestnut Group. A portion of the group’s sales are donated to the preservation of fragile local environments and historical properties. This painting is for an upcoming show benefiting The Battle of Franklin Trust.

On November 30, 1864, the Civil War came to Franklin with great cost. One of the key locations in this tragedy is the Carnton plantation which served as the area’s largest army field hospital. 

This tree, on the adjacent property of Windermere, witnessed the horrific events of that terrible day.  Its curved trunk, twisted branches, knots, holes and fallen top bear witness to a long life of moments—both joyous and tragic. Trees like this have many stories to tell, and are living monuments to events we should never forget.

If you are in the area, come and see the show and meet the wonderful and very talented Chestunts.

Robin and Red Berries

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: January—Day 23

On one of my walks, I snapped a photo of this little guy picking berries.

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.

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.

Home

6"x6" Oil on Gessoed Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge—Day 25.

Every spring, from an upstairs bedroom window, we have the privilege of watching a family of birds make their nest and raise their young. With the birds, we wait over the nest. We watch the eggs hatch and the babies grow. One year, we were able to see them learn to fly. It is a special connection our two homes share.

Faith (Parable of the Mustard Seed)

30"x36" Oil on Gallery Canvas

SOLD

What is the kingdom of God like?

Jesus explains it to us using the imagery of a mustard seed. They are the smallest of seeds and produce trees large enough for birds to find rest in their branches. Jesus doesn't stop there. Later, in two gospels, Jesus uses the imagery again to explain the nature of faith. When his disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith, he tells them that if they had faith as small as a mustard seed, they could do wondrous things.

This painting tries to illuminate both teachings. Here you can see the scale of this paradox. The great tree has grown form the tiny seed and is host to a diversity of birds. As our faith grows, we become something greater than ourselves. We become the shelter, nurture and sustenance for others. You can also see roots in the soil—reaching deep to underground waters. These represent the "behind-the-scenes" mysteries that nourish our faith. Our baptism and the nurture of the church gives our faith the best conditions for growth. 

We need not discourage ourselves for our lack-luster feelings of faithfulness. Our limitations and shortcomings are not what defines us as people of God's kingdom. It is only the miraculous grace of God that transforms us from mediocrity into sainthood. 

May your faith so bloom.

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.