CHRISTMAS EVE IN SOUTHERN FLORIDA

My Holiday greeting to you. Went out and painted on Christmas Eve, not an overly exciting day as far as the light was concerned but sometimes I enjoy these types of days here in south Florida. I know my friends up north don't like hearing this but one does get tired of the sun shining all the time. I chose this scene because of the circular markings in the marshes and the little patches of blue sky that peered out from under the grasses.  Not sure what had made the forms but thought it added some interest to my painting. Have a great Holiday!!!

Christmas Eve, Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge, 16x12, Oil on Panel

PAINTING WITH THE ALLIGATORS

My Personal Alligator Alley, Oil on Canvas, 16x12

While looking for a spot to paint at the Loxahatchee Wild Life Refuge in Boynton Beach, Florida I saw these two trees that were way out on this small strip of land that was surrounded on two sides by marsh water.  I loved the arch of the trees, the deep shadows and the perspective of the path that went way out into the distant horizon.  While setting up my easel and getting everything ready, I suddenly realized that number one I was the only human being in sight out here in the wilderness and secondly there are alligators in these waters. After just a bit of panic I decided that I would face the danger square on and sacrifice my safety for the sack of my art.  I really like this painting and it probably worked because I had to stop thinking so much and just paint (it only took 1 1/2 hours), or face the reality of possibly be eaten by some hungry alligator.  Who says it is easy to paint in Florida!  

BLACK FRIDAY THOUGHTS

While everyone out there was planning on how and where they were going to spend their Black Friday, I felt the need to take a road trip and contemplate the subject myself.  So I got in my car and drove along the ocean to help clear out some space in my brain, when I came upon a site that I just had to paint.  It is a spot that surfers use to get out to the waves in a hurry since it is located so close to the ocean and the parking lot.  I like it because it implies the water but you can't see the ocean.  All you can sense is the ocean's call.  I never stick birds in my paintings because it always seemed a bit corny but this was the one moment it seemed right.  I love the key hole that the sea grapes create and how it helps to draw you in and makes you wonder what is awaiting you on the other side.

So on my journey to find out what I will do on my Black Friday I came up with the best alternative that I could come up with.  While everyone's at the mall I will be out in nature peacefully painting and recording its beauty without a sole around me.

Surfer's Call, Oil on Canvas, 16x12

JUST HAD A GREAT DAY

The weather is beautiful here in south Florida right now and today was exceptionally nice.  Had a great morning painting at the Loxahatchee Wildlife Preserve. Days like today are a reminder of how lucky I am to be able to paint in this type of environment.  Hope you enjoy my painting as much as I did painting it.  Happy winter!

CLASS DEMONSTRATION

Some times my class demonstrations turn our better than my more thought out paintings.  I think it is because I am under pressure to perform, only have 20 minutes max and have to make decisions on the spot.  No thinking about what to do, just have to do it.  We all have a tendency to over think things, not only is our paintings but in our lives in general.  These quick study pieces that were a result of my beginning oil class please me very much.

This first one is actually a pastel drawing that I did in the pastel class I teach and then liked the subject so much I did a version in my oil painting class.  I was teaching my students how to get their reds to be more vibrant and to sing.  It is such a pleasure to see my students react when their tomatoes actually look like tomatoes and not red and pink round things.  Enjoy my tomatoes and of course those delicious leeks.

PLEIN AIR PROVENCE

Plein Air Provence Painting Workshop  
June 24 - July 1, 2005

I would personally like to invite you to join me on an incredible art & cultural adventure in the heart of Provence.  The plein air painting workshop I am offering will include very personalized painting instruction while exploring the south of France in the region around Arles and St. Remy.

This is more than a painting workshop but an educational adventure into the life of one of the greatest painters of the modern era. The paintings that Van Gogh produced when working in Arles and St. Remy amounted to an immense breakthrough in his style and in the history of Western art. 

Just imagine painting in the same locations where Van Gogh painted some of his most important works, like the “Langlois Bridge”, “The Olive Grove”, the “Café Terrace At Night” and more.   The workshop will be base in St. Remy at the Villa Glanum, which is located across from the asylum where Vincent Van Gogh lived and painted some of his most famous works such as “Starry Night”. 

The daily painting excursions will be coordinated and accompanied by our French program coordinator. Because she is a local, knows the area and speaks French, we will be able to experience the South of France from a truly insiders point of view.

Please see the accompanying brochure that includes a detailed daily itinerary.  Early booking savings of $200 per person expires November 20, 2014.  Space is limited so, I encourage you to enroll as soon as possible to ensure your place by contacting Mary Lee Kenny at The Travel Gallery-American Express, 561-745-1553.   I hope to see you in Provence!

SOCIETY OF THE FOUR ARTS

The Society of the Four Arts is one of the most popular spots

in Palm Beach County to paint.  Can't explain it.  Its just one of those things that "just is".  It was a very beautiful morning when I painted this and loved the light and shadows that were cast on the lawn.  I call this "Not Quite True" only because there really is not a fountain in this spot, but a sculpture of a fish in the center of the pool.  I wanted to romance the look a little and painted another fountain in the gardens that suited my needs more.

"Not Quite True", Oil on Canvas, 16x12

MAINE INSPIRATION

I think that Maine has gotten in my blood.  I truly miss it and its only been a short while.  When I was in Southeast Harbor, Maine I took a boat ride and saw this lighthouse and was taken by it.  I worked in pastel trying to capture what I had seen that day.  Since I live in Florida it is a real treat to be able to work on a piece that has such extreme perspective.  I think that is what I miss most about not being in Maine and that is the scale and the drama of the landscape.  Enjoy!

Not sure I included this oil plein air painting that I did at the cemetery at Somesville, Maine in my previous post.  Not a typical place to paint but I couldn't help it, it was just a very beautiful spot. I especially like the hydrangea's that set off the tombstones in this painting.  

SNOWFARM WORKSHOP, WILLIAMSBURG, MA

I just got back from giving my watercolor workshop at SnowFarm in Massachusetts. Below are some photos from that journey that includes a two shots of my wonderful students that attended.  If any one has a chance to spend of week at SnowFarm it is an experience that you will not forget.  It is a wonderful experience to spend a week immersed in your art making, meeting new people and just having a good time.

Below are two paintings that I did to illustrate principles that I was teaching. People relate the most to the contrast of lights and darks.  The greater you can stretch those values the more the viewer will respond.  The greater you can stretch the contrast of temperature within the work the more people will also respond.  Hue is the least important of the three.  The inexperienced artist always spends way to much time trying to match color exactly as it is seen.  Through value and temperature one can give the work its emotional language that the viewer can read.

MAINE PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP 2014

I just completed the plein air workshop that I gave on Desert Island in Maine.  The weather was absolutely perfect, the locations gorgeous, the participants a delight and of course the lobster to die for.  No matter where you look there is a painting waiting to be painted.

I did this little watercolor demo piece in Bar Harbor at the Shore Path.  An absolutely lovely spot with a rocky shore, great combination of green foliage and a beautiful view of the ocean.  

This was a little oil study I did in Bass Harbor of a path that led to the harbor shore.  Loved the little planter with the red flowers in it and the dark shade that framed it.

My watercolor interpretation of this wonderful house. This house was used in the film "The Perfect Storm".

Below are pictures of some of the participants (sorry I didn't get everyones photo) and more views of the island. Enjoy.

RAVELLO, ITALY

Just got this scene I painted from the central piazza in Ravello photographed and wanted to share it.  It was such a glorious morning when we were painting, with the clouds partially obscuring the mountain tops, and that wonderful umbrella tree, I just couldn't help myself.  It's a small 12x9 oil but I just had to paint it that morning!

This painting was done in Ravello at the entrance to Ruffolo Gardens.  We painted there a lot during the workshop and was an incredibly beautiful spot.  The little pathway on the left next to the entrance was a very steep incline going down to a church were we had tickets for a piano concert.  The only problem was that we had to walk back up, and was definitely a killer walk (think 45 degree angle or at least if felt like it)!

This painting was made on a beautiful morning in the main piazza in Ravello. It was empty when I painted it but by noon the place was packed.  Very fun place to paint.

This was painted in Ruffolo Gardens in Ravello.  The arbor was a very quite part of the garden to paint and was a bit of relief from the other areas where tourist swarmed the gardens in the afternoon.  It had an incredible view of the Mediterranean Sea.

This is really a beach picture in Positano.  The beach was directly behind me when I painted this. I loved the colorful building and although it was by the beach the people where rather well dressed considering it location.

Every day is laundry day in Italy.  I painted this from the steps of our hotel because I was afraid of getting killed if I went by the road.  The streets are so narrow and not much room for plein air painters.  I just had to capture the laundry being hung our in the beautiful light of the Amalfi Coast.

LATEST WATERCOLORS

I have been very remiss in posting my watercolors. I really enjoy doing them because I can get very tight and take a long time to do, which is a change from my plein air painting which only takes a couple of hours to complete. They are 22 x 30 on Arches Cold Press 300 lb paper.  I hope that you enjoy them.

THE IN BETWEENS

I had a very busy summer with traveling to Italy, Key West and now leaving for my Plein Air Maine Workshop but I did manage to get a few little paintings completed back here in Palm Beach.  The first one is at Riverbend Park in Jupiter, Florida and the other is at Grassy Waters in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.  Two of my favorite spots to paint in around home.

KEY WEST ADVENTURE AUGUST 2014

Enjoyed a week of play in Key West. Drank a little, ate a lot, and painted in one of my favorite places in Florida.  Am hoping to spend a month there next year and I am looking into giving workshops while I am there.  Here are just a few Key West watercolor paintings.

THE AMALFI COAST WORKSHOP 2014

The Amalfi Coast Workshop in Ravello, Positano and Capri that I gave in June was absolutely the most beautiful experience that I have even done. The weather was beautiful, the landscape beyond your imagination and the participants a delight.  A total win, win situation.  Am planning next years trip to the south of France and will update everyone one on that adventure as soon as I have it put together.