Saturday, July 30, 2011

Foreshortening

Foreshortening can be a real drawing challenge. 
As soon as I took this image,
I knew it was going to be tough going. 


"Lounging"
8 x 10 

I ended up having to do a grid for this one. 







Thursday, July 28, 2011

Ken - the doll

(One of our members has an incredibly cute cat named Kenny 
who happened to be at our last meeting. 
Someone threw out the name as a subject and it stuck!) 

Ken - the doll
6 x 6 

Ok. So it's a stretch. 
But I bet Barbie called him Kenny
 at some point in their very long relationship! 
Painting plastic is it's own separate challenge

Monday, July 25, 2011

What Ever Happens.... Happens

I love that you can't plan ahead for a plein air class.
(Especially in New England)
You just have to pick a place, show up and hope for the best.
The results can be amazing! 

Today we went to one of my favorite spots to paint. 
(The 3A bridge looking West over the North River) 
Rain coming. No sunlight. No shadows. No drama. 
And relentless bugs.
Here is what we came up with 
before we had to abort after 30 minutes! 

 
My start, making the luscious green marsh grass the drama 

I love the way Casey broke down all 
those greens into big abstract shapes. 
And the big decisive brush strokes with lots of paint!  


Joanne kept this so loose and direct. 
Again, in only 30 minutes! 
Adverse conditions make you work fast
so you gotta just let go!  

 I love this. 
Barbara was painting over an old painting 
that she'd sanded down. 
(The red stuff showing through) 
She was bummed that we had to quit, 
but we all told her to leave this alone! 

Next Monday we are will have "laboratory conditions"
 for sure.
We are long overdue.


Sunday, July 24, 2011

"Beach People" Paintings

Are We There Yet?
10 x 12 
I love watching people as they finally arrive at the beach. 
We all know how much work it is to pack up for the day, 
but it's SO worth it once you get there! 
This and eight other new "beach people" paintings 
are now available at the 
Munson Gallery in Chatham, MA.
If you are down on the Cape, be sure to stop in! 

Check them out at 


Thursday, July 21, 2011

National Seashore Show Opens this Saturday

Four of my small figure paintings will be 
included in this show at the 
Addison Art Gallery in Orleans, MA. 
If you are in the area, do stop in! 

Inspired by the 
Cape Cod National Seashore 
Saturday, July 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 
Opening Reception 
This juried show celebrates the 50th Anniversary of one of our 
nation's jewels, the magnificence of the natural Cape Cod, and 
features approximately 50 works by dozens of artists. Please 
join us, meet artists and Sue Moynihan, Chief, Interpretation 
and Cultural Resources Management of the Cape Cod 
National Seashore. 
You may preview the show by clicking here. 
Works may be reserved by calling 508.255.6200 

Everybody's Happy I, II, III oil on canvas triptych $900,
each 6 x 6 x 2 $325

 Just Caught 
6 x 6 
SOLD 
Addison Art Gallery 
43 Route 28, Orleans. For more information, please call 508.255.6200 or visit addisonart.com. 

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Log Blog

During the full moon tide this weekend, a huge log washed up on the beach.


"Bumps on a Log"
10 x 12

It occurred to a friend that it would be fun to take a picture of it
every day to document what happens to, and around it.

(I couldn't resist painting this one! )

Day #1


Day #2

Day #3!!!!!!!!
Can't wait to see what happens next. 



Monday, July 18, 2011

SUP's




What SUP?
8 x 10 
oil 

Stand up paddle boards (or SUP's) are every where this summer.
I love watching groups of them glide by.
And they are so quiet! 

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Garden Tour

I was invited to paint in one of the gardens that was on the 
Lucky me! 
This is where I got to paint.
The setting was so incredible. 
There were chickens, an abundant square foot vegetable garden, 
blueberry bushes, a butterfly garden, and 
perennials I have never seen before!   
This is what I came up with.
"Candy Painting The Shed" 
12 x 12 

Donna's Apple Trees 
8 x 8 

The best part of the day was that I got stand 
next to my good friend and artist Page Railsback.
I hope she posts the cool painting she did of those apple trees! 


Monday, July 11, 2011

HOT Plein Air Monday

Four of us arrived at an incredible location today at 4:00 pm
overlooking the South River in Marshfield. 
It was 96 degrees with oppressive humidity, no wind 
and the green heads were in full combat mode.  
We were all having second thoughts.
But! We had bug spray, water, and found a spot 
with an occasional puff of a breeze.
So we set up. 
The haze looking into the sun is was what intrigued these two.


Sue, the pastel painter did this right off the bat! 


I've always loved how the row of Humarock Beach
 houses look from the river side.
All lined up like soldiers facing the sea. 
(Which they ARE during a Nor' Easter!) 


I didn't have a long horizontal surface to work on 
so I jury-rigged three 6x6 panels together
(on my Open Box M) . 
#3 is out of whack because of where the umbrella HAD to be. 
(I've never met a user friendly plein air umbrella, have you?) 

Here they are, at home, poorly photographed. 
But, I wanted you to see where I went with it. 
Once settled in, I had a ball doing this. 


Meanwhile, Casey did this! 
Incredibly simple yet it says it all. 
Hazy, Hot and humid! 

We were all, at one brief point, lost in just being there. 
That alone, makes these sessions worth all the hassle. 
I think that's why we keep at it. 
If interested in joining us, e-mail me!  








Friday, July 8, 2011

Copley on Cape Cod

The Cultural Center of Cape Cod in South Yarmouth 
is hosting an opening reception 
Saturday July 9 from 6 - 8 pm
for a show entitled:
Surf Strokes: Copley on Cape Cod

Come On. Let's Play.
8 x 8 

This piece of mine will be part of this Juried Copley Members show. 
Click here to preview the entire show. 

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Senior Gardeners

Last week, as I was leaving the art class with the Alzheimer patients
 I stopped by the gardens that are maintained by some of the independent residents.
I was amazed by what I saw there! 
"Tending the Tomatoes"
10 x 10 

Every plot is meticulously cared for and 
is chock full of everything from annuals, perennials, and veggies. 
There are sculptures and benches and birdhouses and scarecrows. 
The folks I saw working there certainly looked very happy! 

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Here a Painting, There a Painting

With the Fourth of July upon us
and the weather finally cooperating,
everyone is in vacation mode. 
Every where I look there are scenes to paint. 
Man and Friend 
8 x 10

 My "pictures to paint" file is getting HUGE! 
I'm certainly prepared for any rainy days ahead! 
Have a happy and safe holiday everyone! 
God Bless America.