Warning! On Coming Traffic!

These mirrors are on the biking/walking path in Winter Park, Florida.  I was pretty sure it was over-kill and there was no need for them, however, I found out that they probably save a lot of broken bones.  The bikers take their exercise very seriously and travel at an alarming speed for a small path.  As they are about to run you over, they say "Coming on the left" or just "Left".  If your hearing is not good, or if you have your iPod on, you take your life in your hands!  The two bikers "on coming" here were rather slow.  They were probably visitors like us.  Other than worrying about being run over, which would put a damper on one's vacation,  it is a really nice place to exercise.

The Balmy Days

6 x 6 Pastel on Wallis Paper, 16 x 16 Framed

$150 + s/h (Framed)

 

The Balmy Days is the ferry that goes from Boothbay Harbor to Monhegan Island and back.  You park your car, grab everything you are going to need on Monhegan, and board the boat.  It is such a beautiful ride that takes a little over an hour.  I took a photo of some of the members of my painting group.  I've had this photo for about two years and finally decided to paint it, punching up the blue of the water to give it a real summer feel.  I'm getting a lot of mileage out of my Maine photographs, and I'm going back to paint and take some more in September.  One can never have enough inspiration...especially in February when the weather is cold and dreary.

Laundry and Flowers

6 x 6 Pastel on Wallis Paper, 16 x 16 Framed

$150 + s/h (Framed)

I painted this scene about two years ago when I was on Monhegan Island and have always wanted to paint it again.  The other day, I couldn't get inspired and wasn't ready to finish the painting I had started, so I began to paint this scene again from the photo I had taken.  This is a smaller version, and I have to say, I like this one better.  It might be because I've had so much more time to practice the art of pastels, but for whatever reason, I am more and more convinced that time does wonders in all aspects of life!

The FlowRider Kid

16 x 16 pastel on Wallis Paper, 16 x 16 Framed

$150 + s/h (Framed)

 

I found a brand new blue pastel and HAD to use it!  I love the color and texture.  I've never been on a FlowRider, but it sure looks like fun.  This was on a cruise ship.  I've been on many cruises, but none of them had anything like this.  Of course, it was many years ago, and at that time most people just went for the food :-)

Lazy Man's Sightseeing

6 x 6 Pastel on Wallis Paper, 16 x 16 Framed

$150 + s/h (Framed)

 

I couldn't resist painting this!  My friend's daughter just came back from a cruise and showed me all her photos.  Her boyfriend took this of his legs and the scene beyond.  Actually, I'm assuming he was aiming for the water, but she said that it was typical of him.  He tends to take photos of things other people might not.  I should hang out with him, because I loved all his photos.  The quirkier the better, as far as I'm concerned.  I had fun with this!

Splash Redux

6 x 6 Pastel on Wallis Paper, 16 x 16 Framed

$150 + s/h (Framed)

SOLD

This is a new, smaller version of "Splash", a painting I did a few years ago.  I'm so fascinated with water, surf, and waves.  I never get tired of painting them.  The first "Splash" was on Monhegan Island in Maine, and this one is from one of the islands in the Caribbean.  This will probably be the second of many more.

Last Days of the Tobacco Barn, Amos Park

SOLD

 In Virginia, there were many tobacco barns but they are all disappearing due to development.  This barn is about to go the way of most of the others, I think.  When we moved here, we rented at Amos Park while our house was being built, and we passed this barn many times a day, coming and going.  The reason I painted it was to preserve it in my mind...To have a record of what once was.

Early Morning Sunlight

SOLD

The other morning I pulled open the blinds and saw the sun hitting the trees across the cove.  Everything glowed.  It only lasted for about ten minutes, but what a display!  I know I say this a lot, but again this was a quick study.  I have definitely learned over the past year or so that I have to be totally committed to what I am painting or it doesn't work.  One of my favorite art books is by Kevin MacPherson.  He painted the same exact scene from his window each day for a full year.  It is amazing how beautiful each painting is, and how different his perspective was.  His book is an inspiration to me.

Painting in the Park

I didn't have a lot of time to work on this one, so this is a very quick study of one of my favorite artists painting in the park in Charleston.  The painting took me less than an hour and because I didn't overwork anything, it has a spontaneity which I really love.  I plan on doing more to it, but I thought I'd post it and then perhaps post a "finished" piece later.

Wishful Thinking in January

This man certainly stood out from the crowd.  It was mid January and the temperature was in the teens.  Everyone at the store was wearing lots of layers of clothes and here he was in very bright summer wear with flip flops on.  He seemed totally indifferent to the stares.  It warmed me up just looking at him.  Perhaps it was the local version of Groundhog Day!

Flirt

OK...I love this one!  This young girl was hostessing at a performance space in Roanoke.  I asked if I could take her photo and perhaps paint her.  This was her pose for me.  She is absolutely the cutest thing and I'm really pleased with the way this came out.  My main focus was to capture her playfulness, which I think I accomplished.