On the Rocks

"On the Rocks" 18x24 oil on panel

     I have been binge painting coastal Maine! I did a number of plein air studies on Casco Bay last August and  I was sure that as soon as I arrived home I would start doing some large studio paintings based on my experience and the studies.  It didn't happen. I just couldn't work up enthusiasm for them and I thought that was very odd. So I went back to work on my cityscapes. I would often pull out my studies from the summer trip and look at photos I had taken and still NOTHING.  Then this January I was suddenly inspired.  Perhaps it all had to percolate and my subconscious was continuing to process images?  I don't know the answer but whatever enthusiasm I had lacked I have definitely found now!

     This painting was inspired by one of the very few sunny days we had that week.  Most of my studies were done from locations out on the rocks so I became quite familiar with them.  What I found so enticing about working there was the hypnotic lapping of the tide as it came in and out as well as the cool breezes and enticing smells of seaweed and salt water. Every so often there would be strange ripples moving across the surface of the water which was clear enough to reveal the seals below that were creating the disturbance. Painting this piece took me back to that peaceful, inspiring time.

    I hope to be posting more coastal paintings here and I hope you will continue joining in the journey!

    NEWS:
            I was very honored today that "CASCO BAY COTTAGE" (see last post entry) was awarded second place at the annual awards banquet of the WASHINGTON SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE PAINTERS held at the ARTS CLUB OF WASHINGTON  DC.  I have a great deal of respect for the talent in that organization and I am proud to be a juried member of it!

"Casco Bay Cottage" 30x24 oil on linen panel

 ON EXHIBIT:
       Opening April 6th and running to April 30th, "SPRING MIX" at the PENINSULA GALLERY in Lewes Delaware. This is a group show of floral and garden paintings by the Washington Society of Landscape Painters. You can visit the WSLP website www.wslp.org to see all the wonderful paintings in this show. Below is an image of the painting I submitted which is a corner of the water garden at the Maine Botanical Gardens, part of the Garden of the Five Senses.

"Pond Perennials" 12x16 oil on panel