Foggy Weather in Florida

Veil of Mist
oil on panel, 20x16

It is rare to have foggy days in Florida.  Since I've lived here, I haven't had many opportunities to paint grey, foggy days.  The sun is usually very intense.  However, I grew up in New England, and am familiar with how to draw and paint fog and soft, subtle light.  Fog and mists create a wonderful, mysterious feeling.  That is what I expressed in this painting of  Casperson Beach.  The horizon was completely shrouded in thick fog, and I could barely see the distant waves as they rolled in.  Here is a quiet, serene place to rest your eyes and spirit.

Appreciating Antique Cars

Tampa Avenue
oil on panel, 8x10

Here is a scene with an antique car that I came upon while plein air painting in Venice, Florida.   I finished the car in the studio, using a photo reference, because it drove away when I was starting my painting.  This is a Thunderbird from the 50s.  I'm not sure of the exact year.  It was before they started having large wings on the rear.  Antique and classic cars are a favorite subject of mine.   I appreciate their uniqueness and they bring back feelings of nostalgia.  Sometimes I visit local car shows and take photos for future studio paintings.  Downtown Venice is an ideal painting spot.  The dappled light on the buildings is interesting, and there are plenty of trees and flowering shrubs.

Love The Mountains

Smokey Mountain Wildflowers
Oil & cold wax on panel, 10x8

I love hiking in the mountains, taking pictures with my camera or my cell phone, sketching, and plein air painting.  On this trip to the Great Smokey Mountains, I worked on an art journal using pencil, gouache, ink, and colored pencils.  I also did some collage from postcards and brochures after I came home.  This is a studio painting that I completed after I returned.  I learned about using cold wax as a medium while I was visiting artists in the River Arts District of Asheville, North Carolina.  The cold wax medium made by Gamblin makes a very nice, soft painting medium.  It allowed me to build up an atmospheric effect in the background.  The Smokies have more wildflowers and butterflies than anyplace I have ever visited.

Peaceful Art

Awakening
oil on canvas, 26x18

Boats suggest peace and tranquility to me.  I look for old dories to photograph.  There are a few places where I can usually find one or two.  Back in the studio, painting the light and colors reflecting on the water becomes as interesting as the boat.  Making art that is expressive and poetic is always my goal.

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.