Art On the Go

6 x 6 Oil on Gessobord

I really love watching Plein Air painters at work.  They are usually so engrossed in what they are doing, they don't even focus on the crowd that is watching them.  I, on the other hand, always feel I have to talk to everyone.  (I can hear all my friends saying "Surprise, Surprise.")  I also tend to feel like I'm at an audition and people are judging every stroke I make.  My plan for 2013 is to change all that and just go out there and paint.  Bugs are another issue.  I'm the one you will see running around swatting at insects with my brush...A friend told me that Listerine keeps the bugs away.  Well, I sprayed it all over me and the bugs loved it.  Meanwhile, I smelled "Minty Fresh" for weeks, as did all my art supplies.  So, resolutions for 2013...Paint Plein Air and really enjoy it, and start talking to the bugs.  Maybe they'll get bored and go away :-)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!  LET'S HOPE 2013 IS A SAFE, PEACEFUL ONE!!  Thank you all who have visited my blog and who encourage me to keep on 'keeping on.'  Love you All!

Merry Christmas!!

This painting was done on December 19th, 2009 during a huge snowstorm here at Smith Mountain Lake.  At least it was huge for Virginia.  That storm wound up closing roads and schools for quite a while, mostly because we are not prepared for that amount of snow.  I know it was over a foot.  Up North, a drop in the bucket...

I wish you all a safe holiday.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  Let's hope 2013 brings us all peace.  (I would insert a peace sign, but there isn't one :-)

Ho! Ho! Ho! ..Or Not!

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

This "Santa" man looked like he had the world on his shoulders as he walked by me at the Hotel Roanoke.  He was dressed the part, though.  He had on a red velvet jacket and, of course, the hat.  His wife was leading the way and the interesting thing is that she was not dressed "Christmasy" at all.  As a matter of fact, she looked rather plain, so I wonder what the scene was like at their house that morning as they dressed.  Whatever it was, I so enjoyed painting him!  Bah Humbug and Merry Christmas all rolled into one.

Christmas at the Pump

5 x 7 Oil on Gessobord

I'm thinking that this was a trial run for a Christmas trip.  This was the day after Thanksgiving.  Do you think his wife made him wear the sweater? The temperature was 70 degrees and it was Winter Park, Florida.  I liked his "cowboy" stance :-)  This is what happens when I have my camera and have time to kill.  Most people just fill up and go, but I look for photo opportunities...This is the second, and I promise the last painting done at this gas station.  You notice I didn't say "any" gas station....just "this" gas station.

This painting is being auctioned at Daily Paintworks.  If interested in bidding, click on the DPW Link on the right and go to the Auction page.

2013 Smith Mountain Lake Calendars

GOOD NEWS!  My 2013 art calendars have all sold out at The General Store here at Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia.
MORE GOOD NEWS!  Since they were so popular, they have ordered more and they are available now.  They can be purchased exclusively at The General Store, and they go fast so hurry in if you are in the area.  They are located at 213 Scruggs Road and their phone number is 540-721-3009.

Waiting, and More Waiting

6 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

This was "Flu Shot Central" at the doctor's office.  It was close to closing with just a few people left to get their shots.  Aren't Smart Phones great?!  Before we had them we had to rely on magazines that were years old to keep us amused while waiting.  Quite often, you would be reading something that you found interesting only to flip to the next page and find that someone had ripped out a recipe or something.  This woman never looked up once, and we were there for quite a while.  The older woman behind her kept getting up and pacing.  No Smart Phone :-)

Still Life with Reflections

9 1/2 x 7 1/2 Pastel on Wallis Paper

This is a departure from the oils I've been doing. This is an older painting, but I really do like it and thought I'd post it again.   I usually don't paint a still life, but I was attracted to the way the light from the Venetian blinds reflected on the pottery.  I must admit, I did enjoy painting these flowers, but not as much as painting quirky people.  Not sure what a psychiatrist would have to say about that, and I probably don't want to know. 

Rolling Along

5 x 7 Oil on Gessobord

There is a great trail in Winter Park, Florida, made specifically for biking, running, skating, dog walking, and just plain walking.  This was the day before Thanksgiving, and the weather couldn't have been better.  It was cool and sunny.  Perfect for any outdoor activity.  As these two women passed us, I snapped a picture.  The painting is a quick study of that moment.  For me, painting these scenes takes me back to each person and place, like listening to music and remembering exactly when and where you were when you first heard it.