Golden Hour at Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge

Painted with The Portsmouth Arts Guild Plein Air group out at Sachuest Point. It had rained earlier, and seemed like it might again, but we hung in there and were rewarded with a spectacular night. Stayed on the path as there were lots of ticks!

 

Painted with a group from the Newport Art Museum at a spectacular location - The Blue Garden. This link tells the story of its history, and the ongoing preservation. I walked around quite a bit, enjoying the variety of perennials and annuals, the water features, and the gentle, peaceful ambiance. 

 

 

Plein Air on the hottest day in June

Out on the hottest night of June with the Plein Air group of the Portsmouth Arts Guild to paint at Linden Place in Bristol, RI. Found a shady spot, behind the main house, a Federal mansion built in 1810.

Not a big group tonight- but kudos to those who braved the weather.

Plein Air isn’t for the faint of heart, heat, bugs, wind, and on and on. It was 100 degrees at 5:30 when we started; I was drenched in sweat a 1/2 hour in. It felt great to come home to a shower and AC, but so glad the heat didn’t stop me from coming out to paint!

These shadows were what drew me to this scene. But the light changes fast, and soon they were gone. Laying them in right away helps me from trying to “chase the light.”

Ready to go with my 8x10 linen panel. Kept it to a limited palette of Ultramarine Blue, Radiant White, and Burnt Sienna. Only added the greens and reds at the very end.

 

Plein Air Season is Underway

 Sachuest Point is a special place to paint- a National Wildlife Refuge that has grasslands and overlooks both Sachuest Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Trails and beaches, so many places to paint!Here’s my pick.

It was so windy I didn’t even set up my tripod, but braced my paintbox between some rocks and tried to capture the essence of the scene. 8x10 oil on a linen panel. It felt great to be painting outside! When it’s framed-heading to Spring Bull Gallery in Newport, RI.

It’s June

Time to catch up- here’s the finished portrait of my son Seth. I’m slowly going through the family, painting portraits in oil.

Then I got a commission to paint these three sweet dogs. The one on the left, Beau, recently passed and I was approached by my friend’s husband. Finished in time for Easter, where he presented it to her at brunch. Grateful for his trust; quite the challenge as the photos were less than ideal. But painting them, and thinking of the close relationship she had with all of them was truly a labor of love.

                  Me and my sweet friend Sue- the painting was for her.

And now it’s June

 I’ve continued with my series of family portraits- this time focusing on my daughter Jessica. I’m happy with the colors, her expression, and those earrings! You can see my underpainting- starting more directly there, instead of with a drawing first.

And for the fun of it- here’s a self portrait in charcoal I found while trying to declutter my studio. My best guess is about twenty years ago.

What??? It’s April????

 No excuses! Not that I’ve been in the wind, traveling in the motorhome, a jaunt to Florida for three weeks and only a week left here in Hilton Head, SC before heading back to RI.

I did finish the portrait of my sister. She’s happy so I’m happy.

Marjorie looks serious

A Colorful New Year

Here we are in a New Year- already it’s the 13th! I wanted to make a post, say hello and just share one of my greatest loves- COLOR!

The top image is a little canvas with the primaries on the top row- left to right- Ultramarine White, Cadmium Yellow Light, Cadmium Red Light and Ultramarine Blue. All the other colors are mixed from these four-which I didn’t think would be possible. Don’t you need masses of tubes to get all the colors? Well, no you don’t. When I studied at The Lyme Academy of Fine Art- we were not allowed any more than these 4 in Painting 101. I don’t restrict myself in that way any longer but still value the harmony that a limited palette will bring to any painting.

This next image is a color chart dating back to my days at the Lyme Academy- it’s a value scale. I look at it today and know I could do a much better job, but it’s a great reminder of how far I’ve come since I started painting in 2000. Remember- it’s progress- NOT perfection- and that goes for all the facets of my life. 

 

Her Broken Wing

This angel is part of a set my Mom had. She used to arrange them on a mirrored lazy susan, among some evergreens, with a candle in the center. Over the years, some were broken, some forgotten, some fell out of favor by their dated looks. All kinds of reasons to stay tucked away, on a shelf.

But this year I painted one- the one with the broken wing. At first I painted her with her wing as I imagined it would be - intact. But then…I thought….tell the truth!

She wants to be accepted as she is. All of us do. So here she is- her real self. Perfect in her imperfections. Transcending her limitations and her fears; she stands with grace in her light.

Harmony

 

My painting Harmony was selected by Kevin Gilmore for a new show at Spring Bull Gallery titled Out of the Blue. This painting is 12x24 on gallery wrapped canvas and was originally titled- An Experiment. Using only yellow ochre, Indian red, ultramarine blue and titanium white to make as many hues as I could while minimizing repetition and showing a full range of values. The show runs through 10/29/23- hope when you’re in Newport you’ll stop in. Open daily except for Tuesdays.

I’m Going to Maine

I’m headed to Maine- that is my painting Audacious is! I showed my very good friend my basement studio, and the inroads I’ve made- organizing and decluttering and she stopped in front of this painting (48x60) and just said WOW!

I love this- she exclaimed! I want this! And so it went into her car. I’m just happy it can see the light of day and be around the energy of her family. When she got home she texted that her husband loves it too- It’s not going to Maine he said- it’s staying right here in our new home. 

A housewarming gift that really brought me so much pleasure!

 

Summer Rain

 We were determined to paint, but the forecast predicted rain. We found a spot under the Sakonnet Bridge, which protected us from the downpours which happened on and off. Cooper found his happy place and settled down.

Then the sun came out, and as my fellow painters know, everything changed! See the fourth picture to see that bright sunlight! It’s tempting to follow that, but I stuck with my plan- a rainy day painting.

Here’s the final painting- Summer Rain. Available for sale Spring Bull Gallery in Newport, RI and from my gallery on the Daily Paintworks.

Thank you Camellia Art!

 So happy to hear that my South Carolina Gallery Camellia Art on Hilton Head Island has found a home for this Big -40x60!- Beauty. Titled Sand Patterns, it reflects my love of shape and color found along the coastline. Intrigued by patterns that form with the shifting tides, this restful yet dynamic painting invites the viewer to contemplate the wonders of nature… and be filled….as I was…with gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving

 

The last of this little series of daisies is titled In This Together.6x6 on a cradled panel, all three are available on my Daily Paintworks Gallery. Did you know that in Norse mythology, the daisy is a sacred flower for the goddess of beauty, love and fertility? 

Daisies symbolize motherhood, new beginnings, innocence and hope. And don’t we all need some of that? 

I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful- there’s always something to be grateful for.

An Apple a Day

On the road in the motorhome- set up a simple still life- on the picnic table at our campsite in Pigeon Forge. Fall in Tennessee was beautiful so I indicated those shapes and colors in the background. 8x8 on a panel.

 

 

Finished & SOLD!

 So happy to finally finish this big 36x36” painting. It started with a DM from an old friend, and I took on the challenge- big and happy flowers with a white background. Hollyhocks and roses, images I had saved just because! In the meantime, I got Covid (even though I am fully vaccinated) and everything went on hold until I got my energy back. I contacted my friend and explained that the painting was finished and that she had no obligation to buy it but she fell in love and now everyone is thrilled. I was inspired to paint these images and am just delighted that my vision touched her heart. Thank you! 

Progress Shots

Love a big blank canvas; this one has been in my studio for a bit but I got inspired by a friends comments to paint a big floral with white roses and pink/red hollyhocks. I’m using some photos from my treasure trove of images (where the flowers have their own big folder). I’m doing something I haven’t done before and that is to surround the flowers with a rich and creamy background. More images to come…

No Boundaries

 

As you can see, the colors don’t quite match. If I were more of a techie- I could correct that but here I am- standing in front of my painting No Boundaries, which was sold at the Little Compton Summer Art Show! The photo below was taken outside on the north side of the house. I’ve painted this farmhouse and barns many times, this time exploring the foreground to really lead the viewer back to the buildings.

 

June Rose

 My neighbor gave me a few of these splendid roses from her garden. With the cobalt blue glass, I knew I wanted to paint them. Here’s my set up on the deck. With our awning there is beautiful diffused light.

Here’s the finished painting. As you can see- I cropped a lot!!! 6x6 on a cradled panel.

They are just beautiful- now captured in a painting. Sold and off to a new home in Hilton Head, SC.