Little Row Boat

Little Row Boat

8"x11" oil on panel

While scoping out the area at Sarasota's beautiful Bayfront Park one morning a couple weeks ago, this lone little row boat on the shore caught my eye.  It was a blustery, cold, grey day and the sight of this abandoned boat surrounded by washed up seaweed just seemed to suit my mood. Stoically, I set up my easel knowing time was limited, as on the dark horizon a storm was definitely blowing in. On the one hand, this forced me to work quickly, focusing on getting my colors, values and brushstrokes right the first time... on the other hand, not long after I'd started, when the raindrops started coming down and my easel was blown over by a gust of wind, finishing it in the studio didn't seem like such a bad idea either!

Beach Day

Beach Day SOLD

8"x11" oil on panel

This past week the weather here in Florida has been absolutely gorgeous- all the more so because it's January! On Thursday I set out to paint on the beach. When I started around 10:30 am there was only the one lone blue and white striped umbrella.  A few hours later, however, the shore was dotted with dozens of umbrellas and- though I left them all out of the painting- I was completely surrounded by hoards of "snowbirds" (a.k.a. retired northerners) baking in the sun. Apparently I wasn't the only one who thought it was a good "beach day!"

Watching the World Go By

Coffee Break at St. Armands Circle

9"x12" oil on canvas panel

I did this painting 2 weeks ago (and now that the holidays are over I am finally getting around to posting it!) I met up with the Light Chasers at St. Armands Circle in Sarasota that day and as I was scouting out the area for my subject, these big sunshade umbrellas by Starbucks caught my eye- probably because they reminded me of  the ones often found in the markets and cafes of Italy.

The white haired gentleman seated beneath the umbrella must've sat there (kindly posing) with his coffee cup in hand for at least an hour, just watching the world go by... and I was happy to do the same with my paintbrush in hand all morning long!

Reflections on Painting

Water Lilies on Ingrid's Pond

 9"x12" oil on panel

Reflecting on doing this painting yesterday, I wish I'd picked a shadier spot to stand...it may be December, but here in Florida it's still down right broiling hot in the sun!

Observations

Painting by the Water

8"x11" oil on panel

I did this painting- of a fellow painter doing her own painting-  at North Jetty Beach in Venice yesterday. It was quite a chilly and windy morning, crisp and clear. The bright sparkles on the water were stunning, but a challenge to translate into paint! 

All of us artists were bundled up in sweaters and jackets, so I had to chuckle when a lady pulled up and got out of her car wearing nothing but a bathing suit, sheer cover up and flip flops. I figured she must be from Canada...guess the snow birds have returned.

Another funny thing I noted, with plein air painting I always assume I'm being so focused and observant, however, at one point I realized that the boat I'd painted in the back was gone (never even noticed it leave the dock?!) Then, towards the end, I realized it was back (again, never even noticed it pull back in?!) 

Light Chasing

Phillippi Creek Park

8"x11" Oil on Panel

 This past Thursday I met up with the Light Chasers plein air painting group again, this time at Phillippi Creek Park in Sarasota.  Much to my dismay it was a pretty cloudy day, but luckily, as we started out the sun broke though for just a bit and cast some lovely shadows across a path. I quickly painted them in, as the light was fleeting, and as I continued to work the rest of the painting- what we lacked in sun- a nearby mockingbird made up for with a sweet song, serenading us all morning long.

Rome Sketches

                                 A Few Pages From my Sketchbook                                

One of my favorite things to do in Rome (besides wander around eating gelato) is sketch. Below are a few recent pen & ink drawings I did of several of my favorite subjects- the Pantheon and Campo de'Fiori, just to name a few. The last is of a typical, picturesque little corner cafe in Trastevere. Inspiring subject matter for paintings and drawings is about as eternally endless in Rome as the Eternal City itself!

Under the Pantheon Portico at dusk

Entrance to the Rotunda

Campo de'Fiori

Via Della Scala