Quick Plein Air Paintings

Across The Sand
oil on panel, 7x5

Along The Beach
oil on panel, 7x5

Many of my plein air studies are small, quick, paintings  I like to get an impression down without a lot of detail.  I'm more interested in expressing feelings and a general sense of place and time of day.  If I want more than that, I will work on a larger piece in my studio from studies, drawings, and photos.  In both of these paintings I was drawn to the view of the water behind the patches of grasses and sand.  These paintings were done at Manasota Beach in Englewood, Florida.

Florida's Native Landscapes

Eternal
Oil on panel, 7x5

Eternal is a plein air study of Ollie's Pond, in North Port, Florida.  Ollie's Pond is in a small park that is surrounded by a beautiful, native landscape with sandy paths.  It is in an area that is still lightly developed, and hasn't been replaced by the horrible, artificial monoculture that is swallowing up Florida.  It is sad to see the relentless destruction of our native lands and wildlife corridors as the powerful, well-heeled development industry dismantle the laws that protect our environment.  I feel like I'm painting paradise before it vanishes forever.  Many of the new residents who buy homes here have no idea what the real Florida used to look like, or how unique it once was.

Vacation Scenes

Vacation
oil on panel, 10x8

Here is a typical beach vacation scene from Manasota Beach in Englewood, Florida.  I love the bright colors of beach umbrellas against water.  This is a very quiet, serene beach, even during the high season.  The Gulf Coast waters change colors all day long.  This was a late morning scene that I photographed after I finished some plein air studies.  I look forward to visiting the beach and doing more studies and photos.