A Glorious Sunset

Gathering
Oil on panel, 6x6

Here is a gathering of seabirds at the edge of the water during the sunset.  The water was sparkling with red and orange as the sun went below the horizon.  I could barely see the birds against the bright light, so I painted them as dark silhouettes.  Watching sunsets is a favorite pastime here in Florida.

Painting Without Edges

Stillness
Oil on panel, 7x5

Marshes make a nice painting subject when you live in the very flat Southeast.  I like looking at the sparkling water through tall grasses.  I softened the painting by blending it with a paper towel dipped in medium.  By taking away the edges of objects, I created a feeling of oneness and atmosphere.  I want the air, water, trees, and grasses to seem connected.  That is the way we normally see things before we start focusing more closely on an individual object.

Palm Trees, Water, And Herons

Deep Creek
Oil on panel, 6x6

Deep Creek is a quiet area near Port Charlotte, Florida.  This heron was standing still at the edge of the water when I started the painting.  When I see a bird that I want to paint, I do a quick sketch in my notebook, in case it decides to fly away before I have finished painting it.  Then I use the sketch and my memory as my reference.  This was painted on a cloudy day.  The reflections of the trees in the water were soft and muted.  This is the type of off-the-beaten path scene that makes Florida unique.

Snake Island And Casey Key, Florida

Casey Key, Florida
Oil on panel, 6x6

Here is a view of Snake Island, which is near Casey Key in Florida.  I'm not sure why it is named Snake Island.  I was painting this scene from the North Jetty Park.  As I looked across the water I noticed a boat parked near the beach.  The water was an amazing, warm, tropical blue.  I tried to express the restful, serene quality of the beach and the boat sitting still near the beach.

Wild Horses On My Mind

Triumphant
Gouache on paper, 10x8

Wild horses have been on my mind a lot lately.  So much harm is being done to them.  Many horses have been removed from our public lands by the BLM, under a false pretext.  Here is my vision of wild horses running freely and joyfully.  I hope that those of us who are advocating for the protection of our wild, American horses will be triumphant.

Evening Plein Air Session

Time To Pause
Oil on panel, 10x8

Ken Thompson Park in Sarasota is a great place to paint at any time of day, but my favorite is the evening.  I had to paint quickly as the sun was getting lower, and the shadows longer.  The great blue heron was standing still in the shallow water for a long time.  I painted the calm, stillness of the evening.

Wild Horses Running

Let's Go Fast
Gouache on paper, 7x5

Here are some wild horses running.  I simplified the shapes and added some bright colors.  This painting shows the motion of the horses.  In order to do that I had to let go of some details.  I generally like less detailed, more abstract images.