Quiet Cove
9x12 pastel, awarded First Place in Drawing category 2010 Open Air Arts
Date: 04/01/11
This boathouse was next to a small park on Melrose Bay. I had to stand out on branches in the water to get this view, so the painting was done from photo reference during one of the rain days. The painting is a 9x12 pastel, was awarded First Place in the Drawing category, and sold during the reception. This photo is not of the actual finished piece, but was taken before I did some very slight changes like reducing the brightness of the tree trunk to the right, and adding another few touches to the reeds. I hope to get a photo of it before it leaves the gallery!
Show judge Jack Nickelson commented "Wonderful quality of airiness and nice handling of grasses vs reflections. The house is done well and the tree trunk on right expresses a very good handling of the grays dissolving into green and the shadowing".
Across the River Styx
22 x 30 acrylic. painted during the Open Air Arts 2010
Date: 04/01/11
During the paint out, I was drawn back to the small cemetery again and again. I did not want to paint a cemetery scene, so I eventually conceived this composite of images from my visits there. The painting is Acrylic 22 x 30 inches.
The abstract River Styx (a mythical river that we cross upon our death)is at the bottom, with a broken pathway for the viewer to cross the river and enter the painting. Everything from there up was taken from actual items in the cemetery. A welcoming bench awaits us and allows a place to rest after life's long journey. The large Oak tree represents the Tree of Life, with a fence indicating the many obstacles to our enjoyment of it. But there is light in the tree evoking hope and joy. The gates near the river, and one high in the tree, represent transition areas between levels of existence. The monument is a reminder of our history. The flowers are a symbol of transition; taken from a headstone carving, they represent life, but are non-living representations. St. Francis emerges from the leaves in the tree and represents a benevolent natural spirit to help us along the way. The other mysterious spirit figure next to St. Francis appeared on its own while I was painting. Perhaps the new owner of the painting knows who that is?
This painting sold during the reception.
Pine, Moon, and Boathouse
22x15, acrylic, framed to 27x20, $450.
Date: 04/01/11
This is the lovely Pine tree on the Pritchett Property. I painted in layers using stamps and objects to create texture and an abstract design, then painted the tree and pulled the moon out by lifting away the paint. I enjoy this type of painting process and adding things for the viewer to discover, like the big fish lurking under the boathouse.
27 x 20 Acrylic on paper under glass with chrome frame, $450.
Birdhouse, Maple, and Moss
9x12 Pastel, framed to 20x17, $225.
Date/Time: 2010:03:13 09:07:48
This birdhouse(which is probably for ducks)was at the waters edge at the Palmer House, the oldest house in Melrose. Winter has just ended here in North Florida and the red maples are one of the first to appear. I was attracted to the gray and red colors, and the various textures. I added warm tones in the tree trunk and birdhouse to indicate the warmth of the sun on a cool spring day. Of course, the Spanish Moss posed an interesting challenge and I hope you find I was successful in my attempt to capture its character.
9x12 pastel on paper, framed behind glass with a dark textured wood frame, $225.
Italian Cat
This cat was sitting outside of an Italian monument when My friend Susan took her picture. I chose to change the scene by adding a window and lace to contrast with the tough looking cat.
Date: 06/25/06
Field in Fall
This was part of my High Springs series, and I took liberties to take a spring scene and turn it to fall.
Date: 04/14/09
Iris Lace
Date/Time: 2006:04:09 17:26:21
This painting was inspired by an Iris that bloomed in my yard this spring. The plant was a gift from a friend and it really put on a spectacular show! I took many photos and created several paintings in different styles. The painting was coming along as planned but I decided it needed more texture; that's when I added peices of lace fading in and out of the background. I really like the interigue the lace added to complete the painting.
Bougainvillaea Villa
I was inspired by a house I saw in Sarasota Florida. In this painting I wanted to paint bouganvilleae without having it steal the whole scene.
Date: 04/14/09
Fish Face
Original Watercolor, 11 x 15 framed to 16 x 20, $225 Click image for more info.
Date: 03/20/11
This fish was painted from imagination while working on some ideas for a commissioned piece.
Speed
Original Watercolor, 11 x 15 framed to 16 x 20, $225. Click image for more info.
Date: 03/20/11
This old 'retired' gas station is on a country road north of Gainesville, Florida.
South India Tea Farmer
Oringinal Watercolor, 15 x 22 framed to 21 x 28, $400 Click image for more info.
Date: 03/20/11
This watercolor was painted by pouring the paint, is 15 x 22 inches, framed and for sale at $400.
This man was carrying a bundle of tea leaves in his headdress along the road in southern India. I stopped the car, showed him my camera (body language for "can I take your picture") and he struck this fabulous pose. Manly and fierce in his skirt, obviously strong in personal character, and generous enough to let a crazy tourist photograph him.
Iris Male
Original Watercolor, 22 x 30, unframed, $700. Click image for more info.
Date/Time: 2006:04:05 13:33:27
This painting evolved from conversations about how we commonly associate flowers with females, even though flowers are also male. I painted this Iris with a male figure morphed into the flower. Interestingly, the male figure took on a feminine quality during the process which quite possibly exposed some of my own predisposition.
Cypress, Lawn, and Lake Breezes
SOLD 4.5x12 inch pastel. Click image for more info.
Date: 04/01/11
This pastel is 4.5 x 12 inches and was painted in the late afternoon looking across an inlet to a distant lawn. It was a great way to end a beautiful day of outdoor painting with gentle lake breezes and pleasant warm spring sun. The painting won third place in its category and was sold during the reception.
Oak and Palm
SOLD 9x12 pastel. Click image for more info.
Date: 04/01/11
This pastel is 9 x 12 inches.
Certain residents of Melrose allowed artists into their private yards during the paint out, and I enjoyed painting this scene on a beautiful Saturday morning. I was attracted to the relationship of these two trees, different in character but comfortable living together. They have obviously been involved for some time.
This painting was sold during the reception. I received many compliments on this painting during the evening, but most only saw it as a nice garden scene. The woman who bought it saw immediately that it was about the relationship. She looked at it and said it reminded her of her and her husband. That really hits my artist's core, and I was thrilled that it went home with her.