The Egret

Listen
oil on canvas 24x18

This egret waded by while I was doing a plein air painting in the early evening.  I put my brush down, picked up my camera, and took photos.  This one barely paid attention as I photographed it.   I used my reference photo and memory for this one.  Egrets look so graceful as they tiptoe through the shallow water.

Water And Reflections

Love Your Solitude
Oil on panel, 6x6

Cocquina Beach in Bradenton, Florida was flooded after a steady rain.  I could see the clouds reflected in the puddles.  Seagulls were standing quietly in the shallow pools.  It was a quiet morning during the week, and the beach was mostly empty.  Painting can be a solitary activity, but I never feel alone when I am out in nature.

The Peace River

Peace River's Edge
Oil on panel 6x6

I have visited the Peace River in Arcadia, Florida several times.  It is a beautiful, quiet place.  I noticed this clump of branches on a bend of the river.  The light was sparkling on the water, and the colors of the water varied.  During the afternoon, people drifted by on canoes and kayaks.  Rivers are meditative places for me.  I always feel lucky to be able to spend time in nature, looking at it and painting my experience.

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.