Boothbay, Maine, early morning light and mist

Two paintings of a Maine farm and marsh near Booth Bay, Maine.  The early morning light inspired me to paint these two paintings.  The barn and the marsh are on opposite sides of the country road. 

Late Fall in the White Mountains

Last weekend I painted this at a plein air workshop taught by Stapelton Kearns in Sugar Hill, NH.  It is the product of a two hour painting session in the bitter cold on a cloudy afternoon.  Usually, I continue to work on a plein air painting later in my studio.  Perhaps, I should leave this one alone and let the experience of that day remain on the canvas?

Revised portrait

A Serious Scholar and Teacher

Summer Afternoon at the Farm

After the rains had cleared, our painting expedition came upon these beautiful green grasses and wonderful vistas. 

The Road to the Lake

There is a lovely old farm in Amesbury where I painted this in a workshop given by a great local artist, Donald Jurney.  I hope I have captured the beauty of that summer morning.

Juniper, age 2

Juniper loves to play dress-up and I caught this expression when she was trying on several costumes at once that her neighbor had given her.  It was great fun painting this small portrait of my sweet granddaughter.

Erie Canal

This is a view from our recent boat trip on the Erie Canal outside Rochester, NY.  I enjoyed painting this beautiful summer's day scene.

Walk in the Woods

This is the latest revision of an earlier painting. 

Sunset on Lake Otsego

I painted this plein air from the grounds of the Art Museum in Cooperstown, NY just as the sun was setting on a very hot July day.

Young Beauty

This 16 year old kindly modeled for our Wednesday morning  portrait painting session.  I am becoming more comfortable with painting live models and enjoying the challenges of portrait painting.

Update on Still life of fruit and geranium plant

This is an updated post.  Not satisfied with the original painting, I followed the good advice of a friend and added brighter colors to the plant and fruits.  I think it is much improved.  Many of my paintings undergo major redevelopment over time.  What do you think?

Enchanted Light

This weekend, I presented this painting to the outstanding photographer, Robert Pyle, who had kindly let me use his photo of this French Abbey Altar Room for inspiration. This was a wonderful collaborative experience. 

Prelude to an Italian Dinner

My latest still life....possibly unfinished.  When painting it is always difficult to determine when a painting is done.  Rethinking, reworking, doubts and inspirations often lead to revisiting a "finished" painting.  I painted this last night alla prima (all at one time...in a couple of hours before dinner).  I especially like the effect of light on the vidalia onions. 

Two still lifes..very different approaches

I am studying with Kelly Carmody and learning still life and portrait painting from a tonalist perspective.  This is my painting of our most recent set-up.

This weekend I attended a painting demonstration by Daniel Keyes and came home to set up and paint the following still-life, adapting his style to my developing approach. It is probably obvious I am still finding my way...

Memories of Evening Light in Napa Valley

Along with painting portraits and large still lifes I have been working on a couple of new paintings.  This painting is from my imagination only...no references used, just feelings and memories of what the vineyards were like when I was growing up in Napa.  As a child I especially enjoyed the long summer evenings when the sky was full of color and cool breezes carried the fragrances of vegetable and flower Gardens, Orchards, Hay fields,Vineyards and Barns.  Such "perfumes" fill my memories when I think of the past.

Summer walk in the woods

Our local Appleton farm has many wooded areas that are so inviting in summer. 

Recent work from painting classes

In chronological order, the three photos on this post are paintings that I did in my portrait painting class with artist, Kelly Carmody.  We started with value studies of plaster masks, progressed to painting a Vayum mummy, to copying a portrait by John Singer Sargent, one of my favorite American painters.  I am really enjoying the challenges. I may continue to work on the Sargent during next week's class.  Stay tuned.

Ipswich Marsh

Another painting for Robin's Art for the Arts fundraiser for the Ipswich school arts programs is now ready for framing.  The art show will be at the Masonic Hall from 5 to 9 pm on Saturday, the 16th.  Many local artists will be sharing their works. 

Evening Light on Ipswich Bay

This is one of my paintings that will be on display at the upcoming fundraiser for the Ipswich Schools Arts programs.  Works of many local artists will be for sale on Saturday, Mar 16 at the Masonic Hall in Ipswich from 5 to 9 pm.  The theme of the art show this year is   Ipswich Nature. 

Late Summer in New Hampshire

This painting is of a beautiful farm in New England.  It is always challenging to paint summer greens. 

Sitting with a good book

As part of a group I have been painting  live models one morning a week.  Having a book to focus on helps the model stay still.  I did not take any photographs for reference, but enjoyed the challenge of completing a painting in one session.

On Their Way

Like many families we remember to take pictures only at the end of a reunion visit.  This is painted from one of those last minute photos and includes my favorite backyard tree.  End of a winter day, end of a treasured family visit.

Portrait study of a woman

A group of my artist friends and I have been painting from live models in the studio. We are learning to quickly capture on canvas the likeness of someone. My painting above is from last week's session. Wanting to develop my knowledge and skills, I started  a course in portrait drawing and painting with Kelly Carmody, a very accomplished portraitist. I am so lucky to have this opportunity to learn from a master painter.