Aly's Wedding

Aly's Wedding

8"x10" oil on canvas

A friend of mine got married on the beach this past Saturday and for her wedding gift I decided I wanted to paint the ceremony.  Thought I was used to painting fairly quickly, but this really tested my speed! Was a fun challenge though... and I have to admit I rather enjoyed painting in a dress instead of my usual paint-covered grubby clothes for a change!

Thai For Two

Thai For Two

9"x12" oil on board

My final painting at the Winter Park Paint Out, by the Orchid Thai Cuisine Restaurant. It was an awesome week... till next year Park Avenue!

Morning Light

Morning Light SOLD

8"x10" oil on canvas

Loved the glow of light coming through these tropical plants down by the water in the Polasek Gardens.

Pretty Woman

Pretty Woman SOLD

11"x14" oil on board

In keeping with my "cast shadows on umbrellas theme" of the week...

Park After Dark

Park After Dark SOLD

8"x10" oil on board

So this was my first ever nocturne painting, done at night by the glow of a street lamp and a little book light.  It's a whole different experience painting in the dark as light conditions aren't constantly changing like they do during the day. On the flip side, my energy level was not nearly as high as it was during daylight hours either! But I had the excellent company of fellow painter and Winter Park resident, Don Sondag, who also happens to be another RISD alumni, as he worked across the street form me. I'm looking forward to doing more nocturnes in the future.

You Don't Say!

You Don't Say! SOLD

8"x10" oil on board

One evening during the Winter Park Paint Out we had the opportunity to do a "sunset paint" during a reception at the Winter Park Racquet Club for its members as they looked on.  The location was lovely, as were the views  over the lake, however, the setting sun reflecting over the water was absolutely blinding! So, I chose to turn my back to sun and paint the bright, glowing red umbrellas by the pool area instead. A woman in a pretty orange skirt became my "unwitting model" and later, another woman in a pale pink dress. I half-jokingly suggested to a man wearing a bright turquoise shirt that perhaps he might want to sip his drink over next to them, as the blue would have complimented the orange so nicely. He just chuckled, however, and said, "I'm afraid you couldn't afford my modeling fee!" Then he sauntered away. 

Oh well!  

Briarpatch on Park Ave.

Briarpatch on Park Ave. SOLD

9"x12" oil on board

I was inspired by the cast shadows on the umbrellas and awnings for this one, not truly realizing how hard painting cast shadows can be! Ended up coming back the following afternoon to work on it some more and fortunately the light was very much the same as the previous day's. Not only was it a fun (if rather challenging!) place to paint, but I had lunch there the next day and it was absolutely delicious!  No wonder it's such a popular spot!

Seeing Red

Seeing Red SOLD

9"x12" oil on board

I liked this scene on Park Ave. for the various pops of red throughout it that keep the viewer's eye on the move.

Polasek Museum

Polasek Museum SOLD

8"x10" oil on board

This is a painting of the Polasek Museum in Winter Park, Florida, the one time home and studio of renowned artist Albin Ploasek, on of the most prominent sculptors and painters of the 20th century. Here, the Winter Park Paint Out is held each April, a week-long event whereby some of the best local and national artists recreate iconic area scenes painting in "plein air." www.winterparkpaintout.org

Dappled Light

Dappled Light

8"x8" oil on canvas

By the 2nd day of the Winter Park Paint Out the sun had decided to shine! Plein air painter extraordinaire, Morgan Samuel Price, (www.morgansamuelprice.com) had graciously invited me to paint with her on a quiet, shady little neighborhood street called Golfview Terrace. She faced one way towards a charming house and I faced the other, attracted by the dappled light filtering though the trees and the challenge of expressing that light with my paints. 

Window Dressing

Window Dressing

8"x10" oil on board

Last week I had the privilege of participating, along with 24 other talented artists from across the country, in the Winter Park Paint Out. For 5 days we painted all around the town of Winter Park, Florida, culminating in a group show from which a portion of the sales went to benefit the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Garden. The first day was rather overcast and on the verge of rain, not exactly the kind of day we plein air painters tend to like too much, but, we made the most of it! I set up my easel on Park Ave. across from a fellow painter and decided at the last minute to add him to the scene. With such a flat light there weren't a whole lot of value contrasts to work with,  so instead I focused on the compotition and let my eyes travel a path to and from the colorful flowers and boutique dresses that line the avenue.