"Historic Odd Fellows Cemetery"

A pleasant morning painting in this old cemetery here in Winston-Salem while volunteers were giving tours to acquaint people with it's history.  A small group of dedicated citizens are working hard to rescue the site from the ravages of time and neglect.

                                              6" x 9"

                                              watercolor

"Old Redbud Tree"

This old redbud tree has seen better days.  However it's structure caught my eye with the large negative spaces (spaces between the branches) pointing in one direction toward the base of the tree. It does have character and a little life left in it with the few small leafy branches.  En plein air about two and 1/2 hours.

                                                   8" x 10"
                                                   watercolor on 140 Arches cold presses

"Cherry Tree Outside My Studio Window"

This plein air (I'm calling it that!) painting was done looking out my studio window on a rainy day-then the sun came out!  So I couldn't resist including a bit of cast shadows on some of the limbs. This is exactly what all plein air artist tell themselves to do:  "Avoid chasing the light."  Oh well....

                                          8" x 10"
                                          watercolor
                                         
                                         blush pink blooms have passed
                                         graceful limbs dressed in spring green
                                         swaying to and fro

"Spring Morning in Hanes Park"

Another plein air painting.  Still "social distancing" while continuing to enjoy the pleasures of being outside painting close to home. Along the side of a curve in the walk in the park are lilacs, viburnum, and spirea all blooming at the same time.

                                                    12' x 16"
                                                    oil

Plein Air

With the past week bringing such beautiful weather and spring blossoms here to the Piedmont of North Carolina, I enjoyed painting outside.  Staying close to home, I walked to the park in our neighborhood.  I stationed myself a safe distance from people walking by.

The first day I painted this watercolor:

                                         "Yellow Azaleas in Hanes Park
                                           8" x 10"
                                           watercolor

The next day I painted this. A neighbor walking by bought it!  I'll deliver it when it is dry.:

                                         "Flame Azaleas in the Park"
                                           12" x 16"
                                           oil
                                           SOLD

"Below the Dam"

Last Monday was such a beautiful spring-like day.  While visiting C. G. Hill Park here in Forsyth County, NC, I walked down into the woods below the dam and painted this scene.  The two small trees on the right side of the stream projecting out of the bank side by side caught my eye.  Painting time about 2 1/2 hours.

                                                    6 1/2" x 9"
                                                    watercolor

"October Sunday Morning on the Ararat River"

Cooler temperatures have finally arrived.  It was nice to be back outside painting with a friend this morning.  We sat at the water's edge and looked downstream toward a bend in the river enjoying our plein air event. Later we picnicked at Riverside Park in Mt. Airy.

                                           9" x 6 1/2"
                                           watercolor
                                           SOLD

"Marsh at Surf Watch" (Hilton Head Island, SC)

Every morning I walked on a boardwalk at our hotel to cross this marsh to get out to the ocean. The boardwalk was wide enough for me to set up my easel out of the way of pedestrians.  At times I did have some onlookers.  They were all very respectful of my concentration and those that did speak were very polite and complimentary of my painting.  Some even asked if they could take a photo of me painting!  I guess I was the local entertainment for the day.  The structures on the far distant left of my painting are the cabanas that were placed there by the hotel. The Atlantic Ocean is just on the other side of the distant tree line.

                                          16" x 12"
                                          oil on canvas panel
                                          GIFTED

                                     

"Broad Creek Marsh" (Hilton Head Island, SC)

There is a lovely new park along the Broad Creek Marsh called "Shelter Cove Community Park".  While walking around the park,  trying to decide where to place my easel, I saw two brown rabbits hopping in and out of tall grasses that grow along the edge of the park. There are more houses along the far edge of the marsh than I painted.  I chose to edit out all but this white one. Spent a little over two hours on this.  It was early morning and the sun was to my back.

                                          16" x 12"
                                          oil on canvas panel
                                          SOLD

"Marsh at Burkes Beach" (Hilton Head Island, South Carolina)

I walked along a path on the edge of Chaplin Community Park on Hilton Head Island and found this view looking toward the ocean. Clear, bright light for this early morning painting.

                                          16" x 12"
                                          oil on canvas panel
                                          SOLD

"Summer's Peak"

crape myrtles in bloom
most days are hot and humid
porch swing to and fro

"Precise" pen
on sketchbook page

"Wine at Noon"

welcome to the George
lunch on the banks of Cape Fear
after river walk

"Precise" pen
on sketchbook page

"Greenfield Morning"

cypress trees and knees
"Beware of Alligators"
one was watching me

"Precise" pen
on sketchbook page

"Listen"

earth born and wind torn
growing and rustling sea side
wind chimes by nature

"Precise" pen
on sketchbook page

"Yoshino Cherry at Dusk"

graphite and "Precise" pen
on sketchbook page

"Picnic"

picnic in the park
blue-sky day with cypress stumps
basking in the sun





















These plein air drawings were done in Greenfield Park in Wilmington, NC. 
Both are graphite applied to pages in my sketchbook.

Painting from Plein Air Sketches

Here are two plein air sketches that I did in Julian Price Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway. On this lovely morning I drew the first one in a more literal/representational way as a "warming-up" exercise.  Then, responding on an inspirational/intuitive level the second sketch came to life.  Later, back in my studio, I created the painting "Brookside" .

"To Say Thank You"

scented pristine white
a thank you for our luncheon
such a thoughtful gift

Mixed Media (graphite, wax crayon, acrylic, felt markers)
on paper

I haven't posted anything in a while because I've been working on some commissions (I'll post when finished.).  However,yesterday, while my grandsons were creating in my studio (they love Papa's studio!), I created too.  Phoebe and Bill had sent us these beautiful lilies after attending our summer luncheon last Saturday.  I just couldn't let this wonderful opportunity of "capturing" them in my own way pass me by.  So, while Jacob (8 yrs.) painted a very symmetrical composition with primary colors (looks like a rectangular mandala), and Zachary (6yrs.) a rabbit standing by a tree, I used mediums at hand applying them to a sketchbook page.  I think having my boys around inspires me to be as "free" as they are with spontaneous creativity and use of any medium.
We always have so much fun!

"Blue Ridge Pastures"

The mountain temperatures remained in the low 70's during the morning as I painted.  I had walked a short distance from where I parked my car along the Blue Ridge Parkway and discovered this lovely vista.  I let this "paint itself" as I enjoyed creating in the open air.
Acrylic on Canvas
20" X 16"
SOLD

"Old Ferry Dock Road-Harkers Island, NC"

A delightful morning painting in this historic village. A lovely lady watched me paint this and then bought it after telling me that I had just painted her home (the house on the left)!
Acrylic on Canvas
20" X 16"
(Plein Air)
SOLD