Before the Storm

The day was so hot we sought refuge again at Colt State Park under these graceful trees so full of personality. The sky and water values changed quickly, and we painted until the 35mph winds threatened to take the easel aloft. Oh yeah, did I say it was also raining?!What we do for the pure love of painting.

It was just so hot we decided to stay at Colt State Park and continue to paint. I turned to face away from the water and saw the light from the setting sun in between the trees. This painting came together so much faster than the first one. Maybe I was able to synthesize the information more effectively after a few hours of looking had already passed.

Twisted Trees

These trees are so fascinating, twisted by wind and wave along the shore at Colt State Park in Bristol, Rhode Island. Only a few minutes from home, the park was a respite earlier this week as the temperatures climbed to the 90's.

Riverbank

I am pleased with the loose and fresh paint application using gouache and done at the end of our trip to Nova Scotia. It was the only day the sun came out, this is by the river with fading light, a campfire burning to keep the mosquitoes at bay. Working quickly worked for this one.

In Waiting

This painting is 24"x48" and shows a part of the inner harbor at Newport, Rhode Island. There are quite a few amazing restaurants in the vicinity and the scene brought me back to the early 70's, when I lived on a 30ft sailboat named Calliope and worked in a seafood restaurant in Annapolis, Md. We were at anchor in the harbor for a summer and I rowed my trusty Avon to work where it waited til I was through my shift to row back out to the boat.  All the dinghies seem to have outboards now.

Inspired by Lupine

While driving through Maine last week on our way to Nova Scotia, I was struck by the number of lupine growing wild by the roadside. I convinced my husband to pull over ( no easy feat while diving the motor home) so I could pick a few. I sacrificed my cup holder for their color, scent and simple regal beauty. A simple pleasure.