Fog Rolling In

Fog Rolling In

9x12 oil on linen

Just as I was putting my brushes down (after painting the day break) these big, soft, purplish clouds began blowing in swiftly from the southeast. Soon the beach was enveloped in a thick, dense fog. An hour later the sky was bright blue and the sun was shining again! As we say down here in Florida, if you don't like the weather, just wait a few minutes!

Day Break

Day Break

12x12 oil on canvas

Such a peaceful time of day, just before the sun peeks out in the east and lights the western sky a glow with subtle color shifts. The waves, both yesterday and today, have been unusually big, really quite dramatic! 

I'm thinking of doing a much larger studio version of this painting... ideas are percolating! 

Stay tuned.

Moon Set

                                         

Moon Set  SOLD

5x7 oil on panel

A quick wave & sky study from the rooftop yesterday... love starting the day off with a paintbrush in my hand!

Dawn

Dawn SOLD

12x12 oil on canvas

While running along the beach a few mornings ago I was struck by soft shifts of colors in the sky. It was almost as if I could see vibrations of color from the horizon to above my head. And so began the inspiration for this particular morning's painting at dawn (and the next several mornings that followed!)

Just in Time

Just in Time

8x10 oil on canvas

Made it out onto the beach with my easel last night just in the nick of time! I'm having so much fun lately with these fast and lose paintings of fleeting light!

Sunrise on Holmes Beach

Sunrise on Holmes Beach

8x10 oil on canvas

Sunday's sunrise... Same painting spot in the backyard, different view with every sunrise/sunset!

Christmas Morning on Anna Maria Island

Christmas Morning on Anna Maria Island

9x12 oil on linen panel

After opening the gifts and eating breakfast with the family, I spent Christmas morning out in the backyard doing what I love doing most!

Christmas Eve on Anna Maria Island

Christmas Eve on Anna Maria Island SOLD 

8x10 oil on canvas

There was a lovely soft evening mist creeping in just around sunset on Christmas Eve and the birds were out to watch it roll in... as was I.

This painting was sold "off the easel" to a bird watcher from Oregon who was staying in the resort next door. He said he noticed me as he was snapping pictures of the terns and seagulls below and was kind enough to send me this photo while I was painting.

Father and Son

Father and Son

8x10 gouache on watercolor panel

This painting was a Christmas gift to a friend whose wife had snapped a sweet "father and son moment" of her husband and son on their front stoop earlier last month.

Winds From the East

Winds From the East

8x10 oil on canvas panel

Painted by the Bridge Street Pier on a cold, windy, but beautiful morning!

Little Hay Bale

Little Hay Bale

5x7 oil on canvas panel

I nearly always keep my plein air gear in the back of my car, precisely for moments like today, when I notice a beautiful scene just calling out to be painted and I have to pull my car over to get my fix! Unfortunately, I'd washed my brushes the night before and left them all on my counter at home! 

Good thing I always carry a tiny spare in my purse!

Evening Sparkle

Evening Sparkle

11x14 oil on canvas board

Ah, the ongoing challenge of painting alla prima right around that golden hour of sunset!

Studies for a New Commission

9x12 oil on canvas

8x10 oil on gessobord

Theses are recent studies for a larger commissioned painting I'm working on. The first was down from a photograph I took, the second was painted en plein air- though when I got out to the beach there was actually a wedding ceremony taking place right where I'd planned on setting up my easel, so I had to relocate!

Flecks of Gold

Flecks of Gold sold

9x12 oil on canvas

I swear... I've got the best office views of just about anybody I know ;)

Today's office, Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island

Beach Day

Beach Day SOLD

9x12 oil on canvas board

Beach goers beware! You never know when you might end up getting painted into a picture ;)

Splash of Happiness

         "Splash of Happiness" SOLD

12x16 oil on canvas

This painting was recently commissioned by a couple living in Nebraska who, like myself, fell in love with Anna Maria Island after visiting it. They requested that I paint the two of them walking up Holmes Beach with a heron in the foreground and a pelican splashing down for a fish. Fortunately, the weather last week cooperated beautifully for me to paint it and the herons & pelicans were even out in full force!

Anna's Bike

Anna's Bike

8x10 oil on panel

I hadn't intended on incorporating my 2 wheeled transportation in the painting this morning, but kinda just seemed to fit!

Sunset Glow

Sunset Glow sold

8x10 oil on canvas

Painted along my favorite path within that golden hour of sunset the other night.

This Week's Paintings

Under the Banyan Tree

11x14 oil on panel

Ca d'Zan #1

9x12 oil on panel

The Ca d'Zan #2

8x10 oil on panel

Dappled Path

8x10 oil on panel

Silhouettes  

8x10 oil on board

These are the paintings I produced this past week during Katie Dobson Cundiff's 2 day plein air workshop at the Ringling Museum grounds in Sarasota.  My goals were to get the essence of the scene down quickly using large shapes, to create accurate value relationships, and to push my colors boldly!

Dune Path

16x20 oil on canvas

"Prego!" SOLD

12x12 oil on canvas

Continuing to focus on correct values, color temperatures and brushwork, these last 2 are studio paintings I did at Bill Farnsworth's 2 day workshop using photo references. "Prego" was done from a picture I took in the festive Piazza San Marco during my painting trip to Venice last month. 

4-WAY

4-WAY SOLD

9x12 oil on panel

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of participating in the 3rd annual Arcadia Plein Air Paintout. At 8am about 35 of us checked in and got our canvases stamped, then set out to paint whatever inspired us around the cute little town of Arcadia, FL. Having never been there before, I decided to take a walk down old Main Street and scope out the area. Then I hopped in my car and drove around and around (for nearly an hour!) till I happened upon this 4 Way stop sign by the railroad tracks. I was struck by the little building on the corner (which you just know had some history!) as well as the long shadows and complementary red/green color scheme. Turns out I chose (and painted) well as I won 3rd Place and Peoples Choice Awards at the show that evening!

Gary and Janet at the Event

Gary and Janet at the Event SOLD

9x12 oil on panel

Last Sunday I was one of several artists invited to paint at a Farm to Fork fundraiser at the Phillippi Estate Park in Sarasota called Palettes to Palates. I began painting as the caterers were setting up and added the party goers as they arrived at sunset. One gentleman in a beautiful turquoise colored shirt made it into my painting, along with his wife (in black & white) beside him. Gary and Janet were their names and as it just so happened, they came up with the title for this painting... which now hangs in their house.

Ready and Waiting

Ready and Waiting SOLD

8x10 oil on panel

Just as I was setting up my easel and umbrella in the scorching heat to paint this sailboat, a giant mass of clouds rolled in, obscuring the sun... and creating some really fun reflections on water!

Sunday Sanday

Sunday Sanday

8x10 oil on canvas

I love Sundays... especially ones like yesterday that start off with coffee & a sunrise, a great run along the beach while listening to my Buddhist podcast, getting back just in time to catch the last of the morning dune shadows with my paints, followed by a swim in the ocean waves (in November!?) 

Now that's what I call a Sunday Sanday! ;)

Shadows were gone by the time I finished up, but you get the idea!

Afternoon on Old Main Street

Afternoon on Old Main Street

12x12 oil on canvas

I started this painting en plein air the other day, then finished it up in the air conditioned comfort of my new studio. It may be November down here in Florida, but it's been unusually hot for this time of year- not that I'm complaining! 

Incidentally, the shop windows in the foreground are part of my new gallery space. If you're in the vicinity, please stop by and say hello! On a side note, The Seagrape Fresh Seafood Market will soon be opening in the space next-door and Norma Rae's Restaurant (to the right of it) serves delicious breakfasts and lunches. Come on down and see what Old Main Street in Historic Palmetto is all about! 

Autumn Still Life

Autumn Still Life

8x10 oil on canvas

One of the (many) benefits of having my own studio now is having the space to invite other artists over and paint with me! Last week my friend Michele Held stopped by and brought with her a great little autumn still life for us to paint.

Michelle's painting

"Action Shot" 

Morning Magic

Morning Magic

8x10 oil on canvas 

There's just so much beauty right outside my backdoor... granted, I have to admit to having a pretty awesome backyard here in Anna Maria Island!

The Sea is Calling

The Sea is Calling

11x14 oil on gessobord

I returned to the same path I painted yesterday, but chose a slightly different position and view- this time out of the way of beach goers walking along the path! What a gorgeous morning it was... October is definitely one of my favorite months to be a beach (painting) bum on Anna Maria Island!

Inviting Path

Inviting Path

11x14 oil on gessobord

I found this path along Holmes Beach while out for a run last week and knew it would make a great painting composition!

Beach'n It

Beach'n It

6x9 oil on paper

My brother in law and his girlfriend were in town the other day, so my husband and I both decided to "play hooky" from work and hang out on the beach with them... well, turns out I have a hard time playing hooky and before I knew it I was back at work! ;)

Old Main Street

Old Main Street SOLD

12x12 oil on canvas

The head of the Palmetto Redevelopment District recently stopped by my studio and asked me if I'd be interested in creating a painting to be featured on some 5000 or so bags that they'll be printing and handing out for various upcoming events, including the Manatee County Fair in a few months. He also suggested that since I now have my studio in Historic Palmetto that perhaps I'd like to paint it... and as a matter of fact, I thought I would!