Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Sea Grasses


Sea Grasses SOLD
11"x14" oil on linen

The sun kept disappearing on me yesterday, still, it was a lovely cloudy morning to paint on Anna Maria Island. When the temperature dropped and the wind picked up, however,  I was forced to call it quits as I couldn't stop shivering and shaking... Don't know how all you plein air painters up in the snowy north do it?!

Mangroves


Mangroves
8"x10" oil on linen

Painted on Casey Key in Venice, FL last week with The Light Chasers Plein Air painting group. I was inspired (and challenged!) by the abstract qualities of the outstretch roots and play of light and shadows.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

The Cherry Residence


The Cherry Residence
8"x10" oil on panel

Christmas came a little early to the owners of this house, located in St. Pete Beach, today!  
While I don't typically paint portraits of people, I am happy to paint "house portraits!" The couple's daughter commissioned this painting as a gift for them, recognizing that one day in the future, should they sell it, it would be lovely to have a painting to remember it by. If you have a house, a special view or favorite place that you'd like to have turned into a painting, either for yourself or as a one-of-a-kind gift, feel free to email me at cmurals@verizon.net. Though I prefer to work form life when possible, I can work from photos if you are not local, and can give you an idea of prices according to the size you'd like.
Christmas is right around the corner...!



Myakka Palms


Myakka Palms
8"x10" oil on panel

Painted this palm trees study with the Light Chasers group at the far end of Myakka River State Park the other day. Working on massing in my trees and varying my edges.


Anna Studies


My 8 year old daughter was gracious enough to pose for me a bit this "slightly chilly" afternoon on the beach (thus the pink hoodie.) It was fun to work on gesture drawing the figure with my oils. Inspired by the English artist  Haidee-Jo Summers' work, I'm thinking of incorporating more figures in my paintings somewhere down the road, so will be tucking these away in my ideas file...

Low Tide


Low Tide
6"x12" oil on canvas

Little study of the shore this morning. May go back and work on it some more in the future...

Monday, November 3, 2014

Drifter


Drifter
11"x14" oil on panel

Shadow play, abstract shapes, stark contrasts of dark and light, moving water... and I get to wiggle my toes in the sand for a few hours! That's all the ingredients I need to make for a great morning of painting!