Seascapes and Clouds

Cloudy Morning
oil on panel, 7x5

Clouds and seascapes make a winning combination for a painting subject.  In this view, there was just enough light shining through the clouds to lighten up the water.  The sand has a pinkish glow early in the morning.  I like to bring my dog down to the boardwalk at the beach and sit with a cup of coffee, sketching and taking photos.

Studying Nature with a Paintbrush

Cypress Study 2
oil on panel, 6x6

I started this on site at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, and finished it in my studio.  The next time I visit the preserve, I will bring gouache and drawing supplies.  Meanwhile, I will be working from my photos.  The wild, scrubby branches make a dynamic composition.  Sometimes I like an overall composition without a strong focal point.  This painting has many patterns that repeat throughout.

Natural Florida

Deep Creek
oil on panel, 6x6

The Peace River runs through Charlotte County and empties into Charlotte Harbor. Yesterday, I visited the Navigator Grill in the Lake Suzy/Deep Creek area with the VAC plein air group.  It rained lightly while we were painting but I was able to finish this one.  A great blue heron stood perfectly still under the palm trees that I was painting.  This was another quiet, mysterious, old Florida place.

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve

Cypress Study 1
oil on panel, 5x7

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is in Fort Myers, Florida.  It is a cypress swamp with a boardwalk.  I took a lot of photos of the cypress trees and reflections in the water.  This plein air study was the first painting in a series of studies of cypress trees that I am working on.  The preserve is a haven for wildlife.  This is one of the most amazing places I've been to in Florida.  I'm exploring these unique, old Florida natural places with my paints, camera, and sketchbook.

Another Day in the Marsh

Marsh Rhythm, oil on canvas
10x12

When I visit a marsh, I look for a composition with patches of water shining through the grasses.  Here, I found a view with water behind a beautiful tree.  I simplified the whole scene, and focused on the wide variety of colors I found wherever I looked.  As usual, the sunlight came and went.  Lately, it seems like every time I paint outside there are lots of clouds.  I prefer painting strong lights and darks and fairly strong colors.  If the sun comes out for a little while, I quickly make some dabs of the colors and values on the canvas, and do the rest from memory after it gets grey and cloudy.  Plein air painters need to learn how to deal with a variety of weather conditions.

Sea Oats

Breezy Day
oil on panel, 7x5

The sea oats bend in the direction of the wind.  I like the way they look against the light sand and water.  The sand at Siesta Key Beach is very light, almost white.  On the morning that I shot this photo, the water was pale blue.  Painting and taking photographs is a good way to become more aware of the nature around me.  I am lucky to live in such a beautiful area.

Looking for Patterns in Nature

Marsh Patterns
oil on panel, 7x5

There are a lot of marshes in Florida.  I look for places where I can see the water through the grasses, because it makes interesting patterns.  I also look for patterns of light and shadow, and warm and cool colors.  The grasses had yellow, gold, orange, brown and green areas.  In this painting I brought out the colors and patterns that I found in the scene.