Limonade

The complementary colors really helped to keep this alive and vibrant. It was fun to paint the different reflected highlights such as light blue from the spot light and "orangey spots" bouncing off from the table cloth.

Palms along the Marsh

My first post for this year is a scene from along the marsh, one of my favorite hang-outs to paint. During this time of year, the lack of rain causes the reeds and other water plants to dry up. The results are beautiful yellows and oranges.  

Palms in Morning Light

For you to see the location and process of painting this landscape. I went to this spot three times to complete. The size is 18 inches x 24 inches, for me too big to complete in one sitting. This painting will be entered into the Annual Island City Juried Art Exhibition that will run from January 9 -30, 2015 at Art Gallery 21, Wilton Manors, Florida.

Reminiscing About The Year Past

Hope you can look back to a good year and best wishes for a fantastic 2015!!

Follow Me Into The Forest

This is another take of a previous painting (see below, earlier post), spring colors. I am fascinated by how the difference in color saturation is creating a completely different mood.

The Pavilion

I was able to finish this in 2 hours in the park the other day. I was able to move things along without fussing too much over details. The view from under the shady trees out to the pavilion seemed to make a nice composition... after moving a couple of tree trunks, of course.

Still Life in Red

I found it very interesting to play with the composition in this painting. The diagonal lines are slashing through the image and end up being echoed in the stem of the apple. The hot colored background gets some cooling from the shadows, plate, bottle and tin can.

Path in Morning Light

The amazing light on the dead, fern-covered tree in the back attracted me to this scene. The very early sun rays reflected in the yellow glow of the ski and the blue/pink shades on the ground reflected for me that special early morning feeling... stepping on dew drops, walking into spider webs...... oh yeah, Halloween is around the corner!!!

Harvest Duo

Squash and pumpkin for a harvest still life. I loved the color reflections that showed up on the dark green.

Persimmon Trio

Painting a still life, I usually stand pretty close to the set-up, focusing on the subject. For this one I stepped way back. It really helped to ignore details, put emphasis on colors and include more of the surroundings.

Path into the Forest

Painting in the park on Saturday morning with the sun lighting up the edge of the forest. I focused on the movement of the tree canope, balanced by the dappled light on the ground.

Mowed Field

After a busy summer I finally got to go out this morning to paint with friends in the park... yesss! It made my day! The simple composition kept things relaxed and I was able to finish this 11" x 14" canvas in 2 hours.

Summer Flowers

Here is the result from a happy afternoon painting. I experimented with different backgrounds and finally decided on this refreshing turquoise to balance the other warm tones. I am still not sure if it is working...

Apples on Red

This painting is the result of exploring composition and color. I limited the palette to red tones with some green for interest. It seems to create a rather quiet mood. I am still not sure if the arrangement of the apples balances the composition. I tend to think that it holds together and am pleased with the result.

Whole, Half and Quarter

Pears are one of my favorite fruits for still life. The subtle cool blue of the plate hopes to balance all the other warm colors. Does it work?

Florida Sabal Palms

I documented the 3 steps it took to complete this painting. It happened over the course of 3 consecutive Saturdays. I painted the same view about a year ago, however am much happier with this one.

Plantanos

Plantains are a stable in grocery stores here in South Florida, due to the Latin food culture. Personally, I prefer them fried when they are more ripe, sweet and yellow, however, they are quite popular mashed and cooked at this unripe stage. I was interested in the different shades of greens in this painting and the color reflections - warm green tones against cool pink and blue. The composition is quite crazy, I am still undecided on that. What do you think?

Citrus Reflections

Playing with complimentary colors and adding reflections was totally fun to do. This is one of those pictures that painted itself -

Fuzzy Peaches

Florida grown peaches surprised me the other day at the farmer's market. As far as I know the climate is too hot and humid in the sunshine state for peaches to thrive.But here they are, peach-colored and ripe, ready to eat.

Old Oaks

I can not believe that it has been over a month since my last post. Reason is that other responsibilities get in the way of things I love to do... perhaps I should have planned my free time better or take fewer naps?? However, the good news is that I was able to paint a bit and this is one of the results. The dabbled morning light reflected on the tree trunk attracted me to this scene. To create a sense of space for these massive trunks I kept the background tree darker. Hope you enjoy looking at this picture as much as I enjoyed painting it. BE WELL!