Grace is a DPW FB pick of the day

My 5x7 painting achieves several of the things I hope will happen when I spy a potential painting.
First, the light was lovely, even though the sun was hot; I positioned my panel so that it would be in the shade. This makes it easier for me to see the value shifts.
Second, it had the great complementary combination of blue and orange, with the orange playing a bit part. It's more about the fabulous color of the purple cone flower for me. 
Third, I had opportunities to simplify with both the vase and the tablecloth. Even though I can appreciate the detail in both, it's more me to "keep it simple". 
Simple, strong shapes and color are what worked to make it a Daily Paintworks FB pick of the day. 

This was painted plein air in the garden, but here's a reference photo so you can see what has been left out.

Boy on a Rope

Inspired after the fact. Has it happened to you- that you started working on a painting and something about it brought back a memory? I think it was the hat and the profile of the boy facing to the right in this painting by Georges Seurat that came to my mind.
Seurat was a French post- Impressionist best known for developing pointillism, breaking from the Impressionists in 1886, with this unique style of applying pure color in small dots.

Here's my layout of the composition. I'm painting over a 24"x24" oil that was a copy of a Richard Diebenkorn, who is one of my all time and go to favorites and a big influence on me. I used Cadmium Orange and a round brush, thinned down so it wouldn't build up on the surface.

Here's my finished painting. It's in a group show at Spring Bull Gallery for the month of September. All Hands on Deck features some outstanding artists, so I'm very excited to be part of this show!

All Wet

The biggest summer fundraiser at the Newport Art Museum is a 2 day event called Wet Paint. Although over the years all art has come to be accepted, I like to stay true to the concept and paint plein air, turning in very and literally "wet paint". I had my eye on this classic boat at my beach, so I wanted to pick a unique composition and perspective.

Here's the painting, which I painted while standing and looking down into the boat and beyond to the beach. I fell in love with that red/turquoise combination.

Here we are all set up and ready to go, before the beach actually opened for the day! I had to wait until 9am to get the umbrella set up for me. Having an idea of what I want in a painting helped in this case; I staged the umbrella and then the little green bucket for that special accent. I needed that Cowboy hat for a little shade!

There are literally hundreds of entries that are all part of a silent auction to raise money for the museums programs. This happens Saturday night at a special reception,  then the silent bidding continues on Sunday. I was lucky enough to be chosen to go to the live auction on Sunday afternoon- which is the highlight of the weekend. Only 28 were chosen, so I felt very grateful and humbled.
See you same time next year!

On My Bucket List

Are you anything like me, wondering where the time has gone, as we approach the end of August? I've had an art-filled month but need to backtrack to July -and the amazing Plein Air Festival in Castine, Maine that took place July 19-22nd. 
I met my host family, had a welcoming party at the Castine Inn, painted Thursday and Friday, finished up with framing and set up at the Maine Maritime Academy where our show and sale took place on Saturday afternoon. 
I was thrilled to sell two of my 6 paintings, meet some marvelous artists, and felt incredibly welcomed by the town of Castine. Don Tenney, who chairs this event, was remarkable in putting on a first class event. So happy to be juried in and have the chance to participate. To be part of a Plein Air Festival was on my bucket list, and I hope to participate again next year!

Painting on Court Street late afternoon of first day. This one sold!

Painting at Eaton's Boatyard. See my post on their FB page!

Started this 12x16 before 6am, so grey and misty. Wanted to keep that so I painted with my umbrella blocking the sun as it rose higher, then went back in the late afternoon for the flowers in those marvelous window boxes. Sold too!

A photo of the window boxes at my host familys' home- Thank you Bill and Sylvia Carter! Their Mediterranean style home was so unique and comfortable, so grateful for their warm hospitality.

Amazing Lacecap

The hydrangeas are amazing this year. I live in a coastal community and the conditions must have been perfect as everyone's garden have masses of heavy laden hydrangeas. This one is the Lacecap variety, a delicate flower- so sweet and pretty.

I painted it from direct observation in front of a window and yes that yellow line was on the street. I felt like it just worked in my composition.

Art of The Ocean State

Very pleased to tell you that my painting Quiet Morning can be seen at the Wickford Art Association exhibit- Art of the Ocean State. Wickford Art Association is a wonderful gallery with a full range of classes and exhibits. 

I painted this plein air from a little park on Washington Street in Newport. It's a shady park til lunchtime at this time of year, which was particularly nice as the day was very hot.

I'm in NH this weekend and will miss the opening but send a big thank you to WAA and my fellow artists who are also exhibiting.

Purple Haze

The last in my little iris series, until next spring. Each one is 5x7.