Tree Study

Repose
oil on panel, 7x5

Painting on a cloudy day is usually a challenge.  The sun was shining when I started my plein air session in the morning.  I finished one small painting of a tree by the water, and then I turned and saw another view that I liked.  After I started "Repose" the clouds were coming in.  There was still enough light to have some soft shadows on the tree and the ground, and some reflections in the water.  The range of colors was limited, but I had some contrast to work with.  I like painting a fairly strong contrast between the darkest dark and the lightest light.  I named it "Repose" because it was a very quiet, peaceful afternoon.

Lovers Key State Park

The Silent Hour
Oil on panel, 14x11

On the path to the beach at Lovers Key State Park in Fort Myers, Florida, there is a boardwalk next to a mangrove swamp.  I set up my easel on the boardwalk and tilted my umbrella to give my painting some shade.  It was early in the morning, and very quiet.  Herons flew across the water as I painted.  Some rested in the mangroves.  After a while, beachgoers started to walk past me.  Most of them stopped to look.  I have gotten used to painting in front of people, but I still find it hard to paint and answer questions at the same time.  I admire the plein air teachers who can do a demo and talk at the same time.

Three Sailboats Revisited

In Between
Oil on canvas, 16x12

Sometimes I use a small, plein air study for a larger, studio painting.  I never want to merely make a larger copy.  Instead, I try to use the study for inspiration, and also use my imagination while I make a new and different piece.  In this studio painting, I added a lot of texture and layers.  In some ways, it is very similar to the original study, but it has even more of an impressionistic, painterly feeling.

Here is the original 8x10 plein air painting:

 

Early Morning Reflections

A Time For Everything
Oil on cradled panel, 12x12

Out of the early morning shadows comes the patterns of reflections of sunlight on the water and an old dory. 

Trip To Anna Marie Island

Love Your Solitude, 6x6 oil on panel

I spent some time painting at Cocquina Beach on Anna Marie Island.  One grey morning, after it had rained for a while, I took some photos of the huge puddles in the sand.  Here is my studio painting inspired by that quiet morning.  I like painting the Gulf waters on rainy, cloudy days - the colors are muted but there is still enough light and reflections to make it interesting.

Siesta Key Scenes

Time For Fun
Oil on panel, 10x8

Siesta Key, Florida is a fun, scenic place.  I was having breakfast at Lelu's and I snapped a few pictures of colorful buildings that I would like to paint.  This Surf Shop is my third painting in a series of Siesta Key scenes.  I am lucky to live so close to such a popular tourist area.

Studying Birds

Soaking In The Sun
Oil on panel, 7x5

I spend a lot of time looking at birds at the beach.  These little plovers run around quickly and are hard to sketch.  I was able to photograph this one while it paused in the morning sunshine.

Painting On A Rainy Day

September Showers
Oil on panel, 7x5

This is a plein air study done at Nokomis Beach in Nokomis, Florida.  I tried to paint on the beach, but it started raining.  I dragged all my stuff back to a sheltered area and started again.  The clouds were moving quickly and it started raining hard.  I could see showers over the water.  A large flock of terns and seagulls huddled in the sand.

Plein Air Painting Season

The Softness of Morning
Oil on panel, 10x8

My first plein air painting of the season.  It has been too hot to paint outside since June.  I thought I would be rusty but I was able to pick right up and do what I do.  This was painted at Nokomis Beach in Nokomis, Florida at 8:30 in the morning.  I found a quiet place to stand in a shaded area and looked to the south.  September is a good month to paint outside because we still have some dramatic clouds but it is less humid.  I like having clouds in a seascape - makes for a more interesting composition.