Greg Little Oils & Pastels

Something Different...

2011-12-22T07:18:00.003-05:00

Here are some details of a small mural project I did in November at The Loxahatchee Club in Jupiter, Florida. With the dark blue wall color as the background, I was able to paint the mural using only one shade of white.... The turtle is the mascot for the club.

Markham Park Plein Air 11-12-11

2011-12-22T07:08:00.003-05:00

8x8, Oil/Linen Panel

It has been a while since I have posted here or painted plein air.. Here is the most recent piece, a small plein air off the beaten path in Markham Park. For this quick study, I concentrated on finding the color hidden in the Florida browns and greens. I also wanted to catch the energy of the sun poking through the moving clouds on this breezy day...

Wet Paint, In The Studio...

2011-10-04T20:38:00.002-04:00

Blue Crab II

12x12, Oil/Linen Panel

I revisited my image of this blue crab as my entry for an upcoming exhibition in Key West.. Aquatic Frolic-What Lies Beneath. More information to come...

The first Blue Crab was on a white sun bleached deck , while this one is on the beach testing the water with his pointed claw...

Provincetown Portrait Studies

2011-09-24T06:27:00.003-04:00

John Clayton, 'Mudhead"

Arthur signing finished painting

John Clayton sketching in

Arthur Egeli and his Portrait Study

It was an honor to be painted on the beach in the Provincetown tradition of backlit "Mudheads" while vacationing in Cape Cod. I met artist and gallery owner, Arthur Egeli at our designated location in the East End at 9:30 AM. We were joined by artist John Clayton... While I enjoyed the view, both Arthur and John quickly captured my character along the mood, lighting, and colors of the morning.

The Mudhead tradition began in Provincetown by artist and teacher Charles Hawthorn between 1899 & 1930. They began as an effort to teach his students to see forms as a spot of color, as studies, in the brilliance of the Provincetown light.

Painting In Provincetown 2011

2011-09-24T05:56:00.006-04:00

Painting the dunes in Truro

SOLD

Low Tide, Moors

6x8, Oil/Canvas Panel

Truro Dunes

6x8, Oil/ Canvas Panel

SOLD

Dune Road, Provincelands

6x8, Oil/ Canvas Panel

It was a great week vacationing and painting in Provincetown once again. Spectacular weather, good traveling companions, food, & art.. what could be better? Traveled with a small Pochade and limited palette this year.. and did these small paintings (plus 1 wiper!)... was good to be painting plein air after a long absence.....especially in Cape Cod!

Dry Series #5

2011-08-31T17:15:00.000-04:00

20x10

Oil/Linen Panel

Dry Series #3 & #4

2011-08-12T16:43:00.003-04:00

Dry #4, Bend

20x16, Oil/Linen Panel

Dry #3, Mirror

12x12, Oil/Encaustic Panel

SOLD

Dry, 1 & 2....

2011-08-02T09:26:00.002-04:00

Dry

10x16, Oil/ 2-10x8 Encaustic Panels

I have been experimenting with a new surface.. Encaustic Panels. Made for painting with wax, or Encaustics, the surface is very smooth.. and absorbent. For me, it almost demands the use of a palette knife. The brushwork seems to get quickly absorbed and sets up instantly, allowing the impasto to rest undisturbed on top. This board also seems ideal for use in my goal to see more movement in the paint.

Complementary Me...

2011-07-17T17:56:00.006-04:00

10x32

Oil/Linen Panels

This week I did a series of four self portraits using Complementary Colors, each on a 10x8 Linen Panel.. from left to right in the photo- 1) Chromatic Black & Titanium White 2) Cobalt Blue & Cadmium Orange 3) Scarlet Lake & Viridian Green 4) Dioxanine Purple & Cadmium Yellow Medium. It was a great value study project in using only the two colors for each painting.

Hot Fries...

2011-07-11T18:17:00.002-04:00

10x10

Oil/Canvas Panel

... the glow of the heat lamps striking a bottle of hot sauce caught the eye of my friend Ellen Weiss , as we were having lunch after a morning of plein air. The cook at the Floridian, in his yellow shirt, showed up just in time to provide some action in her photo. Ellen was kind enough to share her photo with me for this painting... thanks Ellen!!

Testing The Water

2011-07-09T07:48:00.003-04:00

10x10

Oil/Canvas Panel

A studio painting reflecting those moments of childhood we all remember ... endless amounts of time, new discoveries, testing the limits....

Wet Paint, In the Studio ...

2011-06-20T06:11:00.003-04:00

Thirsty

12x12, Oil/Linen Panel

... outdoor dining on Las Olas, under the umbrellas, provided an opportunity for an interactive light play with the various shadows and reflected light....

Mango Yin & Yang..

2011-06-17T17:15:00.003-04:00

8x8, Oil/Linen Panel

The mangos have been exceptional this year! The stacked crates holding several varieties of mango jams and chutneys made by Ken are a testimony to the tree's productivity... Since they are dropping from the tree less frequently now, it was time for me to get my yearly mango painting finished. It won't be long before the only presence of mangos will be in the smear on my English Muffin...

The Pups...

2011-06-16T05:42:00.003-04:00

Gobi

8x8, Oil/Linen Panel

Bella

8x8, Oil/Linen Panel

Our two dogs, Gobi and Bella, are both rescued dogs from a kill shelter in Miami. Following in the paw prints of all the gifted and best dogs we had before ( and there were many! ), they are without a doubt two of the most wonderful dogs... ever. But then again... aren't yours, as well?...

Spaghetti Squash..

2011-06-11T07:41:00.003-04:00

The Model and the Portrait, In the Studio

8x5.75 Oil/Linen Panel

This Spaghetti Squash I picked up at the supermarket served two purposes for me this week. The first was to serve as a model in this small still life to help quiet my mind after several days of wipers in the studio. Its neutral colors gave me the challenge to focus and find the subtleties hidden throughout. The second purpose was to be the "pasta" for a beautiful Pomodoro Sauce sprinkled with fresh Basil that evening....Mmmmmm

Shadows And Reflections

2011-06-11T07:18:00.004-04:00

12x12 Oil/Linen Panel

.. the cool shadows floating over the bank and into the water, along with the warm reflections of sunlight coming up and out of the shallow water...Plein Air, Markham Park, 6.04.2011

South Eastern Plein Air Invitational, Day Five..

2011-05-16T04:56:00.003-04:00

Turrentine Ave. Roundabout

8x16, Oil/Linen Panel

The final day of painting this year was in the historic neighborhood district. There are several roundabouts located throughout this lovely neighborhood with its old southern homes and charm. Once I saw the early morning sun lighting up this roundabout with the rhythm of the cast shadows wandering up the street, I knew I had found my spot.... the gigantic Aborvitae that lent me its generous shade also acted as a sundial letting me know my painting was finished at high noon.

South Eastern Plein Air Invitational, Day Four..

2011-05-15T08:39:00.003-04:00

Coosa Sunrise 2011

3,75x10, Oil/Linen Panel

SOLD

Cloud Shadows, Heron Island

12x18, Oil/Linen Panel

Thursday was an interesting day of painting.. since it was the morning after the tornados had ripped through the area. It so happens that the storms had passed over the region we were scheduled to paint, Southside.. a beautiful and hilly community along the Coosa River and its backwaters. As I left before sunrise to go paint, I was wondering just what I would encounter...

I arrived at Rainbow Landing safely and was grateful to see that there was no major damage along the way. The sky was still filled with moody and sluggish clouds that would not allow for a celebratory sunrise after such a devastating night. I was surprised when I turned to the west and saw this strip of determined ambient sunlight that willed its way through as a reminder, in spite of the turned about world. Coosa Sunrise was one of those paintings where again, all I had to do was show up and hold onto the brush. It was the smallest painting I did, but probably my favorite of the event.

As I moved down to the Highway 77 Causeway to paint Cloud Shadows, again, I was taken as to how nothing seemed out of order. It was a beautiful view looking at the mountains rolling along the water in both directions. The causeway jets across the water, connecting the valley of two tall hills. One of the museum Staff dropped by on his way from the distant hill, looking quite shaken.. he had just come through what was the town of Ohatchee, now flattened by the tornadoes. He had witnessed rescue workers retrieving bodies of those who did not survive the night. I was astounded and moved that I was standing with this peaceful view, yet just up the hill was trauma and suffering. Several passersby stopped out of curiosity to see what I was doing and shared with me the stories of their homes being damaged or in some cases.. gone. It was affirmative to me that the presence of plein air painters in the community is important for preserving the memory and presence of the fragile changing landscape.

South Eastern Plein Air Invitational, Day Three...

2011-05-14T07:09:00.002-04:00

Broad Street Bridge

10x8, Oil/Linen Panel

The beautiful Broad Street Bridge spans The Coosa River which meanders through the city of Gadsden. This view is from beneath the bridge on the east side of town, East Gadsden. Unfortunately this day was cut short due to the devastating storms that came through ... it was a very close call at my Mother's house(where I was staying), but gratefully, no damages there.

South Eastern Plein Air Invitational, Day Two...

2011-05-12T06:19:00.002-04:00

Yellow Meadow

16x16, Oil/Linen Panel

Little Wills Barn

12x12, Pastel/Wallis Paper

Little Wills Sunrise

The location for day two is one of my favorite ares of the region. Some call it the Old Chattanooga Highway, but it is known as Little Wills Valley Road. There are old dairy farms on the winding, hilly road and many vistas facing Lookout Mountain.

On this day the sunrise presented itself for about two minutes before the clouds covered it up... just long enough for me to quickly block in the light in Little Wills Sunrise. I then developed the rest of the painting with no concerns about the changing light.. the beauty of an overcast morning.

The poppies growing "volunteer" in the field by this old barn caught my eye in Little Wills Barn. The patina of the rusted tin roof was glowing on this Spring day.

Yellow Meadow, my third painting of the day, was an exercise in loosening up as the day was ending...

SouthEastern Plein Air Invitational 2011, Day One

2011-05-11T05:01:00.003-04:00

Fairway, Above the 10

8x16 , Oil/Linen Panel

Calm Afternoon

12x1, Oil/ Linen Panel

The first day of painting was at the Gadsden Country Club Golf Course. Painting began early, so with "Fairway", I wanted to show the dew softened greens and the cool morning shadows. "Calm Afternoon" shows the heat and quietness of the afternoon after the morning's teen regionals were finished.. golf balls were bouncing off the trees over our heads and well clad young golfers were stopping by to ask, "have you seen my ball?"....

In My front Yard...

2011-04-20T20:49:00.002-04:00

7:45 AM, 6x12, Pastel/Wallis Panel

Noon, 16x9, Pastel/Wallis Panel

I read once that John Singer Sargent would not spend time searching the landscape for his plein air subject matter. Instead, he would paint the first thing he saw that he considered to have potential. That seemed like a pretty good idea, so today I just opened my front door to see what I saw.

Wet Paint, Plein Air...

2011-04-19T10:46:00.002-04:00

Markham Park canal

7.75x15, Oil/Canvas Panel

The calm of the early morning reflections quickly became fleeting due to the breezes of the warming daylight. A quick lay in gave me something to hold onto... as the greens progressed, I started looking for hidden color in the rushes and scrubs along the waters edge.

Freshly Picked

2011-04-18T11:27:00.003-04:00

Freshly Picked

Pastel/Sanded Paper , 7x12

The Red Tomatoes, started from seeds by my friend Charlie along with a 'Yella' Striped Heirloom made for a fun spontaneous still life ... and later were excellent as a salad!....

Plein Air Round Up...

2011-04-14T21:05:00.002-04:00

Markham Park, 15x7, O/L

Markham Park II, 8x6, O/L

Easterlin Park, 12x12, O/L

I am very behind in my postings, so here is a round up of some recent plein air pieces. I am working to get back in the plein air saddle in preparation for the upcoming 'Southeastern Plein Air Festival' in Gadsden, Alabama. This will be my third year to be included.. I am looking forward to meeting up with my fellow Southern Painters while there and a beautiful change of scenery!

Take A Chance..

2011-04-05T06:51:00.003-04:00

46x48, Oil/Canvas

Judges Recognition, 2011 Arts United, United and Proud

'Take A Chance" is the third painting for my carnival series. It proved to be a complex painting to do.. as in my eyes are bigger than my appetite.. but with patience and three weeks of painting, my vendor has an abundance of goods to seduce the willing, fun seeking challenger.

Twist...

2011-02-09T18:04:00.003-05:00

Twist

SOLD

20z10, Oil/Linen Panel

This piece, painted entirely with palette knives, will be available in The Gallery at Flamingo Gardens until February 28, 2011. It is framed in one of my handmade Poplar frames dyed with a black satin finish.

Carnival Series Continued

2011-02-08T05:31:00.004-05:00

Awarded "Best In Show", Tri-County Juried Exhibition

Making Her Mark

36x30, Oil/Canvas

Detail

In "Making Her Mark", these purveyors of fun find themselves in a colorful and vibrant, yet transient booth. She is surveying the passersby to see who she can lure in to challenge with her dart... for a dollar, pop a balloon, take your prize and go...

Best In Show...

2011-01-22T18:04:00.003-05:00

Two For A Buck

36x24, Oil/Canvas

Best In Show, Art Explosion, 2011

"Two For A Buck" is the first painting in what I hope will become a series of Vendors and Scenes from The County Fair. I delivered it today (still wet!) as one of my entries in Art Explosion 2011, a juried exhibition sponsored by Arts United of Fort Lauderdale. I am honored that is was awarded "Best In Show". The opening reception will be February 12, 2011, 6-9 pm, at Art Serve, 1350 Sunrise Boulevard.

Flamingo Reflections

2011-01-12T18:30:00.006-05:00

SOLD

30x10, Oil/Linen

Handmade Frame

My first painting of the New Year 2011, Flamingo Reflections, will be featured at Flamingo Fest Art Exhibition to be held at Flamingo Gardens in Davie Florida. The event is january 15 & 16 but the artwork in The Gallery will be on display there until February 28. It is an amazing and beautiful garden with the flamingo lake and it is a place where all the birds in the aviary are rescues... They include White Pelicans, Bald Eagles, Roseate Spoonbills, a variety of Owls, and many others.

Flamingo Reflections was done mostly with a palette knife to keep energy and movement in the thick, lushly painted forms of the still bird.

You Talking To Me?

2010-11-30T11:39:00.002-05:00

10x8, Oil/Linen Panel

This cocky fellow's photo was provided by my friend, Dianne Robertson Roper. Oscar, here, was Dianne's Mother's pet Rooster.. sadly, Oscar is no longer with us, but his legend lives on with The Robertson Clan. My partner, Ken provided the title, "You Talking To Me?"... so with the help of my friends, all I had to do was show up and paint.

Flower Triptych...

2010-11-17T08:53:00.002-05:00

12x36, Oil/Linen Panels

I did each panel of this triptych independent of each other using the same arrangement of flowers in a vase. It is basically a walk around the vase... I have to admit that I was pretty surprised when I saw how well they fit together as a whole. That is when it became a triptych.

While working on these paintings, I first blocked in the forms of the different colors by finding the middle tones. To start making sense of the abstract forms, and to define the flowers, I laid in the darker areas with a swift and loaded paint brush. The lightest areas came next followed by a dance back and forth with accents of darks and varying middle tones, warmer or cooler. I did the same thing with the background and negative spaces, using them to define and clean up the edges.

The next step will be to frame it. My question is, "Do I frame each painting individually" or "Do I treat it as a singular piece by building one frame with narrow dividers between each panel"?

Wet Paint, In The Studio...

2010-11-12T05:42:00.003-05:00

Key West Window Shopping

8x8, Oil/Linen Panel

When painting from a photo reference in the studio, I make an effort to hold onto the same process I use with my plein air pieces. This photo was actually taken on an overcast day, but I wanted the painting to show the brilliant sun light as seen on a typical Key West day. As in plein air, I first established my shadows , keeping my light source in this case, almost directly overhead towards high noon. This kept the front of the Conch cottage in shadow with the sunlight hitting the porch roof and the top of the picket fence. I let the sunlight wash out the sidewalk and pavement, blurring some of the edges with the heat starting to rise. Using the "Sargent Squint" helps me from getting caught up in too much detail while looking at the photo, keeping my rendering to the basics.

Incoming....

2010-11-08T20:14:00.003-05:00

7x5, Oil/ Canvas Panel

Ibis aren't the most graceful of birds when landing, their ability for awkward gestures while landing is limitless. Miraculously they always seem to land on their feet and strut away with a calm pride. Guess they are not so different from me, I just don't have wings ...

Wet Paint, In The Studio...

2010-11-05T09:52:00.002-04:00

Palm Sunset

5x11, Oil/Linen Panel

... A thin slice of a glowing sunset as seen on my return trip while walking the dogs. Fortunately I had my camera over my shoulder to take a reference photo.. a habit I hope the neighbors will get accustomed to seeing. I like the quietness of this time of day when some of the clouds are slipping into shadow, leaving their edges highlighted by the setting sun....

Wet Paint, In The Studio...

2010-10-30T09:09:00.002-04:00

Setting Sun

3.5x10, Oil/Linen Panel

I am pulling together some small paintings as possible candidates for an upcoming small works show. For this one, I plan on putting it in one of my handmade fames that will be 4" wide poplar with a black aniline dye. My thought is to give this small painting a large glowing presence as if looking through an open window watching the setting sun...

Late For Work

2010-10-20T06:28:00.002-04:00

8x8, Oil/Linen Panel

This rooster may have stayed too long at the hen house, missing his duty to announce the dawn from his post... but then again, he is a Key West Rooster, maybe he is right on time...

Birdsie, the Painted Dog...

2010-10-18T20:53:00.004-04:00

"Feet, why do I need you when I have wings to fly?"- Frida Kahlo

This is Birdsie, a life size fiberglass dog that was commissioned for an upcoming private charity auction event in Jupiter, Florida. The auction will benefit a local wildlife center. The organizer of the event wanted it to be a Bird Dog, hence, Birdsie. With that in mind I painted her to have an ethereal space with the flying birds and resting birds, It can be either Dusk or Dawn with the subtle gradations of the sky with its illuminating horizon.

All the dogs will be painted by local painters and will receive a high gloss protective finish that will give them the appearance of porcelain and protect them from the elements. It will be a festive event for a great organization (waiting announcement)...

Wet Paint, In The Studio...

2010-10-09T14:11:00.003-04:00

Stepping Out

20x24, Oil/Linen

... an intimate glimpse of life in the warm, comforting glow of the evening light....

Garden Party, Revisited...

2010-10-01T06:06:00.002-04:00

10x8, Oil/Canvas Panel

I revisited the idea of an earlier painting, "Garden Party" to do this zoomed in version yesterday. The original was 24x24 and seemed pretty complex when I did it two years ago. My goal wasn't to duplicate the first one. I wanted see how my process has changed and to create a little jewel of a painting with the same essence.. but different... reflecting who I am today as a painter. A reality check, if you will.

Painting The Dunes, Provincetown....

2010-09-20T15:24:00.003-04:00

Low Tide, The Moors

8x8, Oil/Linen Panel

Beech Forest Dunes

10x8, Oil/Linen Panel

Dune Shack, The Provincelands

7x8, Oil/Linen Panel

I am just back from our annual trip to Cape Cod... as always it was wonderful and inspiring. For this trip I used the "Guerrilla Painter" Pochade that I recently received as a prize. It is the 6x8 Pochade, and it proved itself to be a perfect traveling companion and capable work horse.

Wet Paint, In the Studio ...

2010-09-01T18:20:00.003-04:00

Teatotaler

16x16, Oil/Linen Panel

I found it amusing when I noticed in my reference photo from Ross' Grill in Provincetown, that the cook was actually filling her cup with hot water for a cup of tea... next to the sign that declares the "Best Coffee in Town".

Wet Paint, Plein Air...

2010-08-22T07:34:00.003-04:00

The Bridge

12x12, Oil/Linen panel

It felt good to be outdoors painting Saturday morning with Janet Onofrey. We met behind Borders bookstore on The middle river. I was immediately taken by the abstract potential of the bridge and the way the sunlight illuminated the bank & sea wall on the other side. Well into it, I realized my painting was becoming more literal than I meant it to be... I then set about to "deconstructing" the landscape and found what I was after initially...

Wet Paint, In The Studio...

2010-08-15T10:11:00.002-04:00

Fiori Colorato

30x30, Oil/Linen

Once my colorful bouquet of Gladioli started opening, I decided on this cropped view with the light skimming across the top of the arrangement. I avoided getting too caught up in the tight rendering of the flowers with their individual petals. I focused on getting the forms and then built up the buds and the flowers using swift strokes of lighter and darker values. In the background I kept a subtle transition of colors, values and light.

Wet Paint, In The Studio...

2010-08-07T11:53:00.000-04:00

Gladiolus

30x10, Oil/Linen

I picked up a bunch of mixed color Gladiolus earlier this week with the intention of painting them. After staring at them for several days... willing them to open... these pink ones were the first to finally show their blossoms, yesterday. Once I got them in the studio, they seemed to start opening quickly before my very eyes.. actually adding to the feeling of movement I am after.

Wet Paint, In The Studio...

2010-07-20T16:39:00.005-04:00

Window Seat

24x24, Oil/Linen

SOLD

Sitting exposed at a table behind the glass walls of the restaurant, this woman found a peaceful and focused solitude with a good book... keeping the world outside with its passing reflections.

Mangos #3

2010-07-02T17:41:00.005-04:00

17.5 x 10, Oil/Canvas

For this third and maybe final Mango painting... for now... I used a piece of blue stain glass for the background color and a reflective dark piece for the table top. I used Manganese Blue, probably my least used blue, for this painting along with my usual blues... Ultramarine & Cerulean. Manganese is a beautiful blue in the right application, just not my favorite for everyday use... seemed to work here though...

Mangos #2

2010-06-30T05:41:00.003-04:00

12x12, Oil/Linen Panel

I wanted to lighten up and loosen up for this second mango painting in my continued effort to find air and movement in the surrounding light. I placed a lighter semi opaque piece of stained glass for the background. These still lifes are the perfect place to work out the ideas that have been floating through my mind without being concerned with the changing light of plein air nor the time factor (and personalities) with a live model.

Mangos

2010-06-28T18:32:00.002-04:00

15x10,Oil/Linen Panel

Mango season has arrived with the first mangos falling... I picked these up this morning, painted them today and will be having them in a salad tonight! In the studio, I placed them in front of a deep hued piece of stained glass. For this still life I concentrated on movement in the paint and keeping the edges soft to imply the air around the mangos against the dark background, giving them space.

Wet Paint, In The Studio...

2010-06-24T11:31:00.001-04:00

Five Star Proud

12x10, Oil/Linen Panel

This 12x10 studio piece may wind up being a study for a larger version. I am intrigued by the idea of finding life and color in what could be considered a dark toned painting. I also brought Chromatic Black onto my palette for this piece, replacing Ivory Black.

Interior With Landscape

2010-06-20T09:26:00.003-04:00

10x8, Oil/Linen Panel

Unapologetically, I admit my paintings are usually of a high chroma nature ... just how I see it, folks. Once in a while though, I try to shoot for a little subtly to bring it down a notch... as in Interior With Landscape. For harmony, I was looking to warm up the cool blueness of the front room's shadowed areas while keeping the intensity of the morning light in the room beyond with its reflections in the floor and glass table top. The painting on the wall, fortunately, holds its own with its vivid presence.

Wet Paint, Plein Air...

2010-06-15T09:25:00.003-04:00

Stranahan House Roses

16x8, Oil/Linen Panel

Saturday, three of my painter friends and I were asked to paint at Stranahan House, an historic home that is now found tucked into the shadows of the high rises that make up downtown Fort Lauderdale. Our being there was an effort by a local Museum Group to raise awareness of the arts, or in our case, painting en plein air. Of the hand full of people that stopped by, several just wanted to know where to catch the water taxi... but a few kids wanted to know if Stranahan House is really haunted?? I didn't have an answer and we all just smiled about the idea. Well, who's smiling now?... check this out. We will be painting there again on June 26, 1-4 PM. If you are in the area, stop by and feel the "Spirits" of Old Fort Lauderdale... if you dare....

Gold Coast Cultural Exchange

2010-05-24T07:43:00.003-04:00

detail, Last Chance

My work will be representing me as an artist living and working in Fort Lauderdale as part of The Sister City Cultural Exchange between Fort Lauderdale and Gold Coast City, Australia. The works will also be included in future Cultural Exchanges with Sister Cities in Japan, Dubai, Taipei and China.

Southeastern Paint Out 2010, Day Five

2010-05-22T07:09:00.004-04:00

Backwater Reflections

10x10,Oil/Linen Panel

Coosa Sunrise II

8x16, Oil/Linen Panel

Sunrise Serenade

Chuck & Katrina Weber

Day Five of the Plein Air Festival set the new standard for My Ultimate Plein Air Experience... I met Gadsden Artist, Gina Brown, at the Coosa River at 5:30 AM to catch the sunrise... you can see her painting here. Hunstville Artist, Katrina Weber and her Husband, Chuck, pulled up shortly thereafter. As the three of us started painting, Chuck started playing his fiddle, serenading the morning as the sun was rising. He and Katrina are both musicians specializing in a beautiful style of music played for Contradances... You can listen to samples of their music here.

In 'Coosa Sunrise II', I quickly put in the important notes of color to hold onto the drama of the initial appearance of the sun as it rose into the quiet surroundings of the dawn. I was then able to block in the forms of the silhouetted trees and their reflections with just enough information to keep me from straying as things were quickly changing. I finished the painting with the accents of light hitting the undersides of the clouds.

For my second painting, 'Backwater Reflections', I met Gina at Jim Martin Bird Sanctuary on the backwaters of the Coosa River. For this painting, I once again just focused on finding the forms of the trees and the backlit vegetation as they reflected into the type of water that seems perfect for Catfish.We both worked quickly in order to be at the picnic provided by the local art association and then turned our final paintings in for the opening that evening... our work was done.

Southeastern Paint Out 2010, Day Four

2010-05-21T07:47:00.003-04:00

How now...?

Dairy Farm Road

14x11,Pastel/Wallis Paper

Day Four took us to Wright Dairy to paint, a beautifully acred farm rumored to have the best Chocolate Milk in the state of Alabama... unfortunately, I was too possessed to stop painting and try some.

I did two pastels at the dairy. The first one, a 16x12 of a flowering field (which I failed to photograph) was a complex assortment of greens, yellows, and pinks with a good feeling of distance. After a hearty lunch, provided by the Gadsden Museum under a large pavilion, I started on my second piece. For 'Dairy Farm Road' , I put away the majority of my pastels to simplify my palette and my painting. I kept out an assortment of warm and cool greens, a small range of blues and a few intense darks to get the mellow brightness of the afternoon. This limited palette also helped me keep my focus on painting the forms...

Southeastern Paint Out 2010, Day Three

2010-05-20T08:11:00.003-04:00

Turrentine Shadows

20x10,Oil/Linen Panel

Day Three we painted in the Historic Residential District. Turrentine Avenue is noted for its variety of beautiful old Southern homes and gardens, with several of the gardens being open to the artists for the event.

When I pulled in around 7AM I was immediately taken by the way the morning sun backlit this house... deepening its Puce tones to a shadowed purple and casting dark shadows on the vibrant yellow green lawn. Purple and green in a landscape... what's not to love?

As I began painting I found myself being curious about the draped table on the front porch. I was happily surprised as I saw a group of ladies come out and start arranging pitchers, glasses, plates and flowers. I then learned that several of the homeowners were each having small groups of the painters in for lunch that day. As it turned out, this was to be my lunch spot... right on the front porch, complete with Sweet Ice Tea and Deviled Eggs! Southern Hospitality is alive and gracious in Gadsden, Alabama... Y'all...

ps... I did two paintings this day but forgot to photograph the second one!

Southeastern Paint Out 2010, Day Two

2010-05-19T08:18:00.002-04:00

Spring's Brilliance

10x8, Oil/Linen Panel

Noccalula Morning

8x8, Oil/Linen Panel

Noccalula Sunrise

10x8, Oil/Linen Panel

My second day of painting at The Southeastern Plein Air Festival began at sunrise at Noccalula Falls. I got there just in time to slam up the easel and start painting as the sun peaked through these trees on top of Lookout Mountain. A generous use of Indian Yellow gave my view of the happening a very golden glow... may have gotten a little carried away...

Noccalula Morning was painted right at the edge on the side of the falls less viewed. The morning sun was illuminating a particularly strong and loud flow of water while keeping the overall background falls in shadow. I found the contrast of the cool shadowed falling water behind the warmly lit water very interesting in its limited palette.

Feeling the need to do another painting on such a beautiful day, I went into the Pioneer Village and found myself on top of some large boulders looking at the white Azalea and pink Rhododendron in Spring's Brilliance. I used bold and loose brushwork and layers of paint to find the forms in the dappled light of the flowers tucked into the rocks... it was interesting to watch the painting evolve out of not much structure.

Southeastern Paint Out 2010, Day One

2010-05-18T17:55:00.003-04:00

Connie's Coneys

10x10 Oil/Linen Panel

SOLD

The Pitman

16x8 Oil/Linen Panel

The 2010 Southeastern Plein Air Festival sponsored by the Gadsden Museum of Art in Alabama was a fantastic week of painting with spectacular weather. It was great to be among my artist friends I made while there last year as well as the new ones I met this year.

My first painting was The Pitman... an old theater that had holds the memories of the movies we all grew up with... its marquee still boasts of being air conditioned. A young girl in a yellow T shirt and orange cap walked by at just the right time for me to quickly add her and call it finished.

My second painting, Connie's Coneys, was an opportunity for a quick and loose painting. There was nothing slow about these hot dog vendors and their brisk business here on Broad Street.

Plein Air Lite

2010-04-28T17:29:00.002-04:00

Geisha On Holiday

15x8, Oil/Linen Panel

Eden Compton and I painted today in the Island City of Wilton Manors.. so named because its boundaries are defined by waterways. It is a nice little urban community that flies its Rainbow Flags proudly. I was drawn to this vibrantly colored restaurant, Simply Delish, with its white Putti on the eyebrow.. what's not to love? When Ken dropped by with Starbucks for Eden and me, they both pointed out the figure I had quickly blocked in looked like a geisha... That is all I needed to hear to go at it in full force and with a smile on my face! Brilliant vision from those two...

Sweet Treat

2010-04-27T11:02:00.002-04:00

30x10, Oil/Linen

From the moment I downloaded my reference photo that contained this subject matter, I knew it had Kim English all over it. The trick became how to make it mine, even with with the obvious nod to the master. I stumbled and kicked with my first go around largely because I wanted to change the light hues to a more golden light and wound up with some muted nothingness. I left it stewing for a few weeks and came back to it yesterday, treating what lay beneath as an underpainting. It became quite a game of push-pull with the values and tones as the painting eventually developed a life and identity of its own.

Downtown Canal

2010-04-25T07:33:00.002-04:00

15x8, Oil/Linen Panel

This canal located on a downtown road less traveled will be providing us with several paintings just waiting to happen. Here is my view of the stationary boat parade looking down the tree lined canal. I have started making my panels using quarter inch Birch and oil primed linen that I wash with a warm orange glaze. This new surface with its underpainting is helping me to loosen up my brushwork and allows for varying thicknesses of paint while keeping some of the underpainting visible. I am finding that different surfaces can make subtle changes in the way my paint behaves and allows for new possibilities... change is good!

Jupiter Lighthouse

2010-04-24T06:42:00.002-04:00

6.75x10, Oil/Linen Panel

I met my friend Eden up at the Jupiter Lighthouse, Friday morning for a change of scenery. Surprisingly, there aren't that many lighthouses here in South Florida, especially not with the character this one has being perched up on a hill. We set a time limit for our paintings since the morning became a hot and sunny preview to Summer. Eden really caught the mood of the day with her painting of one of the docks looking across the inlet. Take a look at it here...

Deering Estate Paint Out

2010-04-20T13:08:00.002-04:00

Gray Deering

16x8, Oil/Canvas Panel

Deering Estate Cattails

18x18, Oil/Canvas

Under Cover

It was a gray and rainy weekend for the Deering Estate en Plein Air. Fortunately, Saturday was only overcast all day. I was able to do the Cattail painting while searching for color amidst all the muted grayness of the field. On Sunday, we were all seeking shelter and cover to stay dry. I did Gray Deering as my attempt to portray the mood of the estate on such a day.

Deering Estate Cattails was awarded The Judges Recognition, for which I will receive a Pochade Box.... that will come in handy since you can never have too many easels!

Bromeliad

2010-04-11T10:36:00.002-04:00

12x12. Oil/Canvas

I recently bought a new camera and have found myself taking lots of photos zooming in on different plants, leaves, seed pods, etc... Some of them I have found to be extremely beautiful in their cropped compositions. I suspect my efforts inspired me yesterday in my plein air outing. I stood next to this beautiful and vibrant Bromeliad. looking straight down and into its center...

Shift Change...

2010-04-09T11:46:00.003-04:00

Private Collection

10x7, Oil/Canvas Panel

Went back to the Hillsboro Lighthouse this morning to catch the sunrise again. I got there in time to see the crescent moon on its way to rest. The weather prediction was for a mostly cloudy morning... I had visions of a moody painting with a slice of the sunrise peaking through at the horizon... but they were wrong. Instead I had to paint this typically beautiful, serene, South Florida Spring morning... oh well....

Himmarshee Court Palm

2010-04-05T21:06:00.002-04:00

20x10, Oil/Linen Panel

Friday's sunrise painting invigorated me so much that I tried to get out Saturday Morning to catch it once again. Unfortunately, laying my head back on my pillow prevented me from making it on time! I did, however make it here next to Himmarshee Court to catch the early morning light as it illuminated this palm tree at the edge of the canal.

Catching the Sunrise...

2010-04-04T11:38:00.002-04:00

Hillsboro Sunrise

12x12, Oil/Canvas Panel

Ellen Weiss & Eden Compton

Friday morning, two of my fellow painters and I went to the Hillsboro Inlet to catch the sunrise. Even though the sun rose a little further north of the lighthouse than I expected, it made for a serene glow, yet an energizing painting experience. A great way to start the day!

Portrait

2010-04-03T18:57:00.002-04:00

18x18, Oil/Canvas

Collection Dr. Anthony Del Nuovo

I just completed this portrait commission working from reference photos we took outdoors. Anthony and I spent an enjoyable two mornings together to catch the sunlight effects we were looking for. For his portrait, I wanted the backlighting of the morning sun to reflect off the pages of his open book to illuminate his face and his deep set blue eyes. This time spent together gave me valuable information about his features and personality which helped me to capture his character as well as a likeness.

Al Fresco

2010-03-30T21:32:00.001-04:00

Al Fresco

12x12, Oil/Canvas

... a studio piece where I let the painting develop with lots of thick wet brush strokes and color.. with a few remnants of the thin underpainting exposed here and there...

Himmarshee Court

2010-03-20T18:09:00.003-04:00

14x11. Oil/Linen Panel

SOLD

Himmarshee Court is a wonderful historic building that sat in ruins for years. It was restored and returned to its original beauty in 2004. A small group of us were kindly allowed to paint on the premises today. I did this south-west corner today en plein air. I couldn't help but feel the painting needed to have a story in it to bring my rendering to life.... Since it is not uncommon to see flocks of Ibis wandering our neighborhoods looking for grub, I added the Ibis when I returned home to my studio... I guess that makes this one 80% plein air, 20% studio...

Morning Break

2010-03-18T16:35:00.001-04:00

20x10, Oil/Linen Panel

There is a Cardinal couple making their home in our backyard. We see them regularly at the bird feeder in the Crape Myrtle. I often just stand and stare at the morning sun coming through the Spanish Moss and illuminating the colors that show up in the bark of the tree. The glowing red of the male Cardinal completed the thought and became the ideal focal point.

Wet Paint, In The Studio...

2010-03-16T09:18:00.001-04:00

Anthony

8x6, Oil/Linen Panel

This is a small portrait/study of my friend Anthony. I used a photo I took of him the other afternoon after spending time together, sitting and talking in my backyard. Our time together gave me a lot of information, both visual and personality-wise, that enhanced my use of the reference photo. I used bristle brushes to lay the painting in and sables to build and define his image.

Wet Paint, Plein Air...

2010-03-14T16:39:00.001-04:00

Ken, Plein Air

10x8, Oil/Canvas

The conditions were perfect this morning for this quick sketch where I worked on backlighting the model outdoors.... a calm breeze, clear sun light and a patient Ken.

Cupcake Counter

2010-03-09T20:44:00.004-05:00

Cupcake Counter

20x16, Oil/Canvas

Before I even started this painting today I knew the composition was "risky" at the very least... but I couldn't help myself, I had to do it. There were so many elements here calling to me with their challenges to make it work... the shiny surfaces in the stainless steel setting, the figures interacting, the leather barstools, and the local colors of the baked goods. Individually all were worthwhile subjects that would surely teach me a thing or two. So I gave it a shot...

Hot Sauce

2010-03-09T05:16:00.002-05:00

Hot Sauce

36x36 Oil/Canvas

This is one of the larger and more ambitious paintings I have attempted in quite a while... there was a time when 4'x5' was a standard size for me. Then, one day, the realization that sometimes big is just big for the sake of being big, made me take a look and start working on my process in ernest, yet on a smaller scale. There were places I wanted my painting to go. Now, after several years of working things out on what became an increasingly smaller scale, I feel it is time to apply those lessons learned on a larger scale once again.... maybe not 4'x5' right away, there is still plenty to work out... but it is a possibility.

'If you can't paint, paint big" - David Lefell

Morning Coffee

2010-03-08T11:09:00.003-05:00

15x10 Oil/Canvas Panel

Saturday morning, several of us were privileged to paint at a lovely home in the Rio Vista neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale. We arrived to find hot coffee waiting and melodious music playing throughout the backyard. In my painting of this section of the verandah, I wanted to portray the environment as we found it, peaceful and harmonious.

Train Of Thought

2010-02-25T06:23:00.003-05:00

24x24 Oil/Canvas

Juried into Art Florida, exhibiting April 12-30, Art Serve 1350 Sunrise Blvd. Ft Laud, FL

Again, the downloading has altered the colors here... My goal with this piece was to show the effect of clean and brilliant light coming through the moving train and around the young man. I also wanted the shadowed side of the red train to appear illuminated by the reflected light.

The shadows may have a nod to Wayne Thiebaud, but more than anything, it was his comment I once heard during an interview about paintings having a "glint, glimmer and glow" that spoke to me and has been rolling around inside my head ever since.

Here she is...

2010-02-24T10:57:00.004-05:00

The Moment

30x24 Oil/Canvas

The Moment was finally dry enough to photograph today... there is a lot of paint on this one! Also, I must say, downloading the image to Blogger has made the image appear more gold overall causing the reds to appear less vivid and the background less deep and clear than they actually are. I tried several things with no success, hopefully you can get the idea...

This was an great image to paint that allowed for energetic and large brushstrokes with lots of color. Working things out on the study first really made my job easier here.. the light source and pallet were already resolved , cutting down the "think" time and helped The Moment become an alla prima painting.

Plein Air, Saturday..

2010-02-21T20:09:00.001-05:00

8x8 Oil/Canvas Panel

... A quick little painting of the sunlight hitting a house... and a very shiny car that now looks like it is about to hit the house! Guess I got a little carried away with painting the car and the movement in the reflections!...

Study...

2010-02-18T06:02:00.002-05:00

10x8 Oil/Linen Panel

I did this study yesterday to work a few things out before I start the 30x24 version today. This idea came about when my friend and Photographer, Jeff Banning, shared his photo of a Brazilian dancer. It is a wonderful photo full of life and movement, so with his permission, I used this as my reference... In the study I repositioned her feathered boa for the composition of the painting and changed the lighting source to be coming up at her from below. The study, another new concept for me, helped me pull my interpretation together and has given me a better idea of where I want the larger painting to go, in regards to color and mood ... we will see what today brings!

Wet Paint...

2010-02-17T18:09:00.003-05:00

16x20 Oil/Canvas Panel

Monday, we had a three hour session with Brian. I used Zorn's palette... Ivory Black, Titanium White, Yellow Ochre and Cad Red Light for the majority of the painting. It was very refreshing to use this limited palette in mixing the flesh tones. Since I usually paint what I see, flesh tones in actuality can be some very neutral and unexpected tones. With this palette it was all right there and simplified the process for me... eliminating some of the muckiness I have encountered when painting a portrait. I also used some Quinacridone Red for the tulips in the window as well as Prussian Blue with Cad Yellow Medium for the greens of the foliage.

Plein Air, Urban Painter...

2010-02-13T15:57:00.003-05:00

8x8 Oil/Canvas Panel

My friend Janet and I met in a parking lot downtown on this SoFla version of a cold and windy morning. Seeing plein air painters down here is uncommon enough, but to see them bundled up is unheard of... until this Winter! Janet, in her nice assortment of colors made a good model as she painted while leaning against her SUV. We did get an early start... I had her pretty well blocked in and found myself wondering what to do with the empty parking lot around us. As soon as I started the pavement a red car parked beside Janet and was instantly followed by many fellow parkers. Problem solved, composition completed... I guess it's true, they paved paradise and they put up a parking lot...

The Black Robe

2010-02-12T17:25:00.004-05:00

15x10 Oil/Canvas Panel

It was good to be painting with a model today, especially after working so much in the studio lately using my reference photos. Brian is standing in our hallway in front of a painting by William Thompson.

Wet Paint, In The Studio...

2010-02-10T16:44:00.004-05:00

SOLD

And Her Little Dog, Too

12x12 Oil/Canvas

An abundance of shopping, sunlight and shadow done with an abundance of quick brushwork, color and ample paint...

Wet Paint, In The Studio...

2010-02-06T14:20:00.004-05:00

SOLD

12x12 Oil/Canvas

Friday's painting was a conscious effort to start finding more energy in my brushwork. While the subject matter isn't especially energetic in appearance, I wanted the sunlight and reflected light to have movement and life.

Wet Paint...

2010-02-03T10:26:00.002-05:00

Come On, Dad!

16x16, Oil/Canvas

With this painting, I stepped into a slightly different palette to find a warmer glow in my light. The extra doses of Winsor Newton's Indian Yellow and Green Gold in various mixtures helped add that warmth I was looking for. I combined images from several reference photos I took one Winter afternoon while walking around Virginia Highlands in Atlanta.

His Daily Constitutional

2010-01-30T15:18:00.003-05:00

18x14 Oil/Canvas

This older gentleman was walking in and out of the early morning sunlight in between the long cast shadows on a street in Cape Cod. I was taken by many things watching him on his daily walk.. of course, as a painter, the first would be how beautiful the light was on him and around him. Another would be the image he projected of being in the moment and the peaceful satisfaction of such a stroll.

Ross' Grill

2010-01-27T10:11:00.003-05:00

detail

SOLD

Ross' Grill

30x24 Oil/Canvas

It seems that the majority of my paintings lately have been on the small side. Small paintings can be nice little jewels, but more so they are great opportunities to work things out... brush strokes, values, palette development, etc... without a big commitment.

Monday, I decided to put on my big boy pants and paint larger. I had been looking at this reference photo for some time now deciding on how I could break it down into shapes. That worked really well for laying in the background with the cook, wine rack area and for the stuff on the counter. When it came to the barstools though, it was a lot of drawing with the paint... lots of lines and negative space!

My goal was to keep a painterly energy moving in the painting . I was surprised that at the end of the day I was finished and it had turned into an alla prima work.

2010 Self Portrait

2010-01-07T17:40:00.002-05:00

12x9 Oil/Canvas

Each new year I do a self portrait to track the road map of my face and to see where I am with the self portrait process. The light I set up at my lower left set the challenge of getting the up-lit warm colors as I saw them in the mirror.

Touching Up

2010-01-05T15:27:00.002-05:00

11x14 Oil/Raymar

It was back to Cooley's Landing today for another go at painting boats backlit by the morning sun. I am working on simplifying and suggesting here. The Captain came out and squatted down for about two seconds, touching up the side of his boat... he could have stayed a little longer, but I guess he gave me what I needed...

A Good Life...

2010-01-03T20:37:00.004-05:00

12x20 Oil/Linen Panel

Private Collection

detail

This is a commission piece I did before the holidays. The painting was to be given as a Christmas gift so I held off on sharing it here. At first I was concerned there wasn't enough information to do a true portrait of Patrick, the gentleman shown here towing his boat. The lack of detail in the photo actually worked to my advantage. It made me focus on getting the forms and values in the face correct without getting wrapped up in painting the eyes, the nose, etc... kind of like mandatory squinting. Having known Patrick and his family, I was surprised and pleased with how this method helped me to capture not only a true likeness, but also my memory of his character and gesture. He was a fine and solid person and I was honored to be part of such a gift.

Morning Cat Ketch

2010-01-02T16:16:00.002-05:00

8x6 Oil/Linen

Painting at Cooley's Landing this morning, the backlighting on this sailboat caught my attention immediately. Being a sure footed Capricorn I have an admitted lack of knowledge when it comes to boats and boating terminology. I just knew that there was something very appealing and special about this boat with its strong masts and seasoned sails.... besides, I liked the way the light was hitting it.

Midway through the painting, I was surprised when the equally seasoned 24 year resident & Captain of the boat appeared on deck. When he looked at my painting, he offered that many sailors might look at my painting and think I had painted the boat inaccurately, due to the fact that the forward mast was so close to the front. He then pointed out that I had painted his rig correctly and it is an older style of sailboat known as a Cat Ketch... a boat known for its gentle ways and once favored by watermen before the age of power. I still have a lot to learn about boats and pretty much everything... amazing though, the things you learn while painting outdoors. Did you know that Greyhounds can't swim?... well, I am sure there are exceptions.

Blockbuster...

2009-12-31T16:46:00.002-05:00

Blockbuster

16x8,Oil/Canvas Board

When I moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1992, this old pink building was the headquarters for Blockbuster Videos. It is an architecturally interesting old building, but today all I needed was this side since I was really more taken with the tree and its white bark in the morning light. As the painting was nearing completion, my friend Eden encouraged me to add the parked vehicles. I think her suggestion taught me a lot about the spontaneous accuracy I have been searching for... paint your subject matter like it is fixing to drive away... because it did... A lesson I will carry into the New Year!

Palm With A View...

2009-12-24T10:31:00.003-05:00

Palm With A view

30 x 9.5 Oil/Canvas

I attempted to do this painting en plein air earlier this year. The tall and narrow format of the stretched canvas made it very awkward for working outdoors... combined with the rapidly changing light and over abundance of info, it quickly became a wiper! Fortunately, I came across the reference photo I took, found the toned down canvas and did this studio version of Palm With A View. Remembering the feel of the day as I painted from the photo helped me to hold onto my plein air approach while enjoying an ample amount of time to work with no changing light.

Wet Paint, Plein Air...

2009-12-23T12:07:00.003-05:00

2nd & Himmarshee

5.5x12 Oil/Panel

It was a clear & breezy morning that made our Winter day temperature of 68 feel pretty brisk... wearing a jacket with a hot cup of coffee in hand, our Florida blood gets thin!

Palms Up...

2009-12-17T16:03:00.002-05:00

Palms Up

8x6 Oil/Canvas Panel

Painting out last Saturday, I was taken by how the edges of these palm fronds became a silvery gray blue against the cloudy sky. The sun peeked out just long enough to illuminate the tree on the left, warming up its silhouette. There is a lot of paint on this canvas, and today became just dry enough to photograph.

Frederic's Cadillac

2009-12-14T11:54:00.006-05:00

Frederic's Cadillac

Oil/ Canvas 12x12

This is the Cadillac that belonged to Frederic Bartlett, the builder of Bonnet House. It is parked and on display in the garage there. This is a studio painting from a photo I took while on one of my many plein air outings there.

Wet Paint, Plein Air...

2009-11-22T11:35:00.003-05:00

The Source II 12x9 Oil/Canvas Panel

I actually had another view in mind when I went to Riverwalk to paint with my friends, Saturday Morning. When I walked around to the other side of the fire hydrant in last weeks painting, I stopped in my tracks. I was astounded by the possibilities the morning sun presented as it played with the elements in this simple scene.

Wet Paint, Plein Air...

2009-11-18T13:35:00.004-05:00

The Source 8x10 Oil/Canvas Panel

Be Seated 6x8 Oil/Canvas Panel

Clockwise, I got an early start painting Saturday Morning, but as we know, the sun waits for no man, nor bows to the idea of "Daylight Savings Time".. ending or beginning. I was there right on time to catch the shadows of this hedge behind the fire hydrant and the glow of the sunlight as it hit the group of palms, in The Source. I stayed with it a little longer than I meant to... lingering, yet again. Since it was still early and such a beautiful day to be out painting, I chose to do another painting. An Autumnal wedding celebration was being set up right beside me, with lushly colored fabrics and dark table cloths. This time I simply turned the easel to face the tables, found my composition and set the timer for 6o minutes to do Be Seated. Setting a definite time limit along with my focus totally recharged me... the intense scrutiny and intent to put in on and leave it alone. I am Okay with both of the outcomes, the steady and the quick, but I look forward to finding something in the middle next time.

Morning...

2009-11-13T12:25:00.003-05:00

SOLD

..."Morning without you is a dwindled dawn"-Emily Dickinson

This quote became the inspiration for this 7x5, Oil/Canvas Panel as I tried to reproduce the brilliant way the first light of the day comes through the bedroom window, across the rug and into the quiet darkness of the room.