"Farm Near Route 18"

One day while driving in the country I came upon this scene. It is very typical of farms in this area right at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

                                          16' x 20"
                                           oil on canvas

"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

"Three Roses"

This Spring the weather has been just right for producing an abundance of perfectly beautiful roses.  These were given to me by a neighbor.  The variegated red and white one is a heavily scented variety that filled my studio with that unmistakable "scent of a rose".  From life:

                                                    10" x 8"
                                                    watercolor

"Midday Sky Looking West"

This Spring has brought all kinds of weather.  Some days are rainy, dark, and cool and others have been warm and bright.  There’s always an interesting sky no matter what the weather.  Cloud formations are endless in their variety of shapes, colors and movements.  Here’s my attempt at a cloud formation that caught my attention:

                                                  10" x 8" watercolor

"Spring Blossoms"

What a glorious sight each Spring when the fruit trees bloom, bees start to dart about and the world takes on new colors and scents announcing another season.  A small study:

                                          7" x 7"
                                          watercolor

"At Bianca Artum Garden"

I enjoyed a lovely spring afternoon last week painting in this quiet little garden near my home.

                                          8" x 10"
                                          watercolor

"Goose from Russell,Quill from Sally"

On a rainy day I set up this still life in my studio.  Painting these very dark value colors in watercolor was a challenge for me.  So much to learn.  The alabaster container on the right is not painted crooked, it is my lousy photography.

                                         8" x 10"
                                         watercolor                  

"Azalea Study"

One of my college professors said "to study and draw an object is to know it".  Intense looking gives you a lot of information.  Many botanical artist know that and produce beautiful paintings in extremely great detail.  From time to time I enjoy that intense study of something and recording what I see in detail.  Knowing that a camera can do this in a split second does not deter me from seeking the joy that I get when I do studies like this.

                                          9" x 12"
                                          watercolor

"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