Something Newish And Some News

How did a month go by so quickly? I’m down in Hilton Head now til we go back to RI for the holidays and wanted to show some recents paintings.

Seas off Sachuest ,8x10 and sold, was painted this summer at Sachuest Point, a wildlife refuge that juts out into the ocean with many trails and spectacular places to paint. Wasn’t, and won’t be the last time I’ve enjoyed painting plein air in such a magnificent setting. 

The second image Sachuest’s Summer Light is 12x16 and is available at Spring Bull Gallery for $750. The gallery is in Newport, RI and has     a unique representation of artists working in all mediums.

 

August is Ending

 It sure feels as if time is flying by; I’m posting more and more on IG and FB these days- should the blog even continue? I know lots of people have stopped blogging but…there’s something I enjoy- the recounting of experiences-maybe it’s just for me. So here’s a few images from a workshop I took in Maine with Kelly Milukas at the end of last month. Monhegan is a tiny island off the mid-coast of Maine- but the memories are huge.

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.

 

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.

Quiet Cove

So much fun painting at Brenton Cove this morning in Newport. The first two pics are details, then the final painting. Finished in the studio- tweaking the values- my eyes seemed to have trouble with the brightness of the day. I’ve never worn my glasses, never mind dark glasses to paint- but…..

This one is 12x24 and looks great in this wide frame rimmed with gold. I’m in love with the lobster boat in the foreground, but there’s a cat boat at anchor and some Opti’s racing in the background. 

 

Cuttyhunk Plein Air

 

We took the ferry from New Bedford and an hour later we were tying up in Cuttyhunk, the outermost island of the Elizabeth Islands in Massachusetts. Home to just 10 year round residents, the summer population grows to 400! Here’s the Fish Dock, where I settled down to do my painting.

  This was a lovely surprise. A First Place and a sale! Very happy!

We turned in our paintings, and they were judged, then we all came in for the art show. I think there were 47 artists! Exciting because the last two years had been virtual- so great to be on Cuttyhunk, painting together!

             

Gerbera Daisies

 

These daisies are so full of color, especially as they contrast with the vibrant blue of the table. This 12x12 oil painting is available with free shipping in the US, from my gallery on DailyPaintworks. A painting bright and cheery reminds us that Spring is not too far away.

Lighthouse at North Rustico

 

What a dream- to travel to Prince Edward Island in our RV. This wonderful lighthouse, at the tip of North Rustico, was a joy to paint plein air. The people were so friendly and welcoming, it’s a place that’s definitely on our list of “ must return to” places. I hope the Blue Mussel Cafe survived this pandemic- as I recall the food being superb! Discovering wonderful restaurants is as much fun as finding places to paint. 

This 8x8” painting on a cradled wood panel can be purchased directly through the link of myDailyPaintworks.

It’s A Dream

 Painted plein air while on vacation in the Florida Keys. The shades of turquoise are so beautiful and the shapes of the skeletal tree fascinated me. This painting takes me back to the sun, warmth, and calm of the place. I hope it does the same for you. Available for $400, which includes a white washed frame and free shipping in the US. Click on link to my DailyPaintworks. Update!!! Sold!!! A big thank you!!!

Westport Tree

 A sweet landscape that speaks of long summer days. Painted plein air on a 6x6 cradled panel. 

Spanish Moss

 Spanish Moss- the live oaks in the south drip with it, and it’s been a fascination of mine since I’ve been spending time in the low country of South Carolina. This was painted on the Skidaway River with the Savannah Plein Air Painters and was every bit the challenge I thought it might be! Available now with free shipping in my gallery at Daily Paintworks.

All Is Well

Happy to be painting outside last weekend for the Cuttyhunk Plein Air Festival which was held virtually. My cousins used to go there every summer and taking the ferry to visit really made the trip special. Sweet little island is the outermost of the Elizabeth Islands in Massachusetts; the residents and Policer officers ride about in golf carts! 

My painting All Is Well, is 10x8, oil on panel and will soon be added to my Daily Paintworks gallery. Available with free shipping for $300 in the USA. Thanks for looking! 

Update- SOLD !!!

 

Rough Point

This is the view of the Atlantic Ocean from Rough Point, the summer home of the heiress Doris Duke. The link will take you to Newport Restoration Foundation which has preserved much historical architecture in Newport, RI. It was a pleasure to paint there on a morning when it wasn’t open yet to the public and our group could explore the grounds freely. I chose a corner of the main house ( really more like a mansion ) and one of the many rocky outcroppings. Plein air at its best!

UPDATE- SOLD!!!

Waiting

There’s waiting and then there’s waiting. With only one car on our trip, when Ted goes golfing I have to decide - do I want it to go off and do something on my own, or just hang out at the coach.

With a 4+ hour block of time I took the car, then came back to the Bayonet and Blackhorse Golf  where he was playing.

It’s in the town of Seaside, not far from Monterey and the Monterey Peninsula. Gorgeous, warm, quiet, and look who appeared as I was finishing up!

Santa Barbara Plein AIr

 Southern California weather makes for a plein air session without some of the usual hassles we find in the Northeast - bugs, wind, too hot or too cold. 
Maybe you who live here don’t agree but it was heaven to me.
I went over to the Santa Barbara Mission but was more interested in this house across the street. I couldn’t resist that tile roof.
In my happy place for a couple of hours!

Catching Up

Have had internet issues (part of RV travel) so now I’m playing  catch up. First plein air of the trip (back at the end of August) on Flathead Lake in Polson, Montana. 

I painted from a parking lot overlooking a meadow leading down to the lake owned by the Conferedated Salish and Kootenai tribes. 

Signs were posted saying this land was sacred tribal ground; I enjoyed the view of this gorgeous lake.

A view from my easel.

A little 5x5 sitting at the campsite overlooking the lake.