Little Pail

Little Pail  SOLD

12" x 12" oil on canvas

Yesterday's inspiration... a little splash of orange against the expansive blue green sea on one of the last days of summer.

Wind and Waves

Wind and Waves

5' x 7" oil on panel

This morning I was painting down by Caspersen Beach (in Venice, FL) again after 4 straight days of grey skies and steady rain. Such inclement weather gave me a good excuse to get 30-some-odd hardboard panels primed and toned and my studio cleaned up and organized... but it sure was so good to see the sun again today! I did see a big rain storm off in the distance as I was just getting set up. Actually, it was quite a sight to look out across the water and literally see sheets of rain pouring down, sweeping onto the land and streaking the sky with a watercolor-like haze. The wind quickly blew the storm through and continued pushing clouds in front of the sun all morning long, changing the light minute by minute, as I worked at capturing the crashing waves and bowing seagrasses on my little canvas. 

Sunrise Over the Little Manatee River

Sunrise Over the Little Manatee River

8" x 10" oil on panel

I drive the road depicted off in the distance all the time, it's Hwy 41 in Ruskin, just a few miles from our house. By the bridge over the river is a mobile home park, shaded by big oak trees. In the almost 10 years that I've lived here I'd never driven down this little side street before, until yesterday. My curiosity was rewarded by some stunning views of the river and a beautiful blushing sunrise.  Not a bad way to start the day!  I think I'll be coming back here regularly...

Mid-Moring on the Little Manatee River

Mid-Morning on the Little Manatee River SOLD

5" x7" oil on panel

This is the second of 2 small studies I did one morning last week. As the sun rose higher, so did the intensity of the blue in the sky. And ohhh those clouds! I kinda got a thing for clouds and water lately...

Morning on the Little Manatee River

Morning on the Little Manatee River

5" x 7" oil on panel

Last week I spent several days preparing for an upcoming demo I'm doing on plein air painting, going over notes I'd made in my sketchbooks and brushing up on all the wonderful advice in Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting (Incidentally, I highly recommend that book to anyone interested in the principles and mechanics of painting landscapes.) After 2 days of sitting at my computer, however, by the 3rd day I was absolutely itching to get back outside and paint! So early in the morning I headed over to a lovely spot by a bridge in nearby Ruskin that spans the Little Manatee River and I worked on putting my own knowledge and advice into practice! I did 2 small post card size studies that morning, the first at about 8 am and the second around 10 am. Comparing the two together it's easy to see just how quickly light and conditions can change!