Golden Sunset at the Lake

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

This time of year the sunsets are exquisite, and even more so after a storm.  I don't usually try to paint them because I don't seem to be able to capture that beauty.  I never do them justice; however, I had to try to capture this one.  My friend (and wonderful artist), Suzanne Paddock, came over last week and we played.  We mostly discussed color and the process of blocking in.  Her suggestions and the time she took were so much appreciated.  In this painting, I tried to conjure up everything we talked about.  I really like the way this came out.  Thank you, Suz!!!

Cloud Study, Smith Mountain Lake

6 x 12 Oil on Archival Board

We here in Virginia have been having lots of pop up storms mixed with bright sun lately.  The weather changes too fast for me to grab my little easel and set it up to record what's going on, so I decided to set up my go-to palette in advance and keep the easel by the window.  I'm glad I did.  The clouds the other day were awesome, and I got this little study down quickly.  I was thinking I would work on it after the initial try, but I'm leaving it alone.  I really think it portrays that moment in time.

Storm Moving In

SOLD

8 x 8 Oil On Archival Board



Storms come out of nowhere here at the lake.  It can be perfectly sunny with no rain predicted and suddenly the dark clouds roll in, the wind picks up, the lake gets choppy, and the rain appears in the distance and works its way towards us.  I always think I have to paint this but never rush to get my Gorilla box and paints.  This time, I did!  I tried to capture the misty, hazy, windy aspect and am pleased with the results.  Sometimes the spontaneous ones work the best for me.

Rocks, Clouds, and Sea

                                                                       
                                                                        SOLD

6 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

Every year at this time we are on our way to meet up with other artists on Monhegan, so even though I'm sitting at my computer right now here at Smith Mountain Lake, my mind is checking into the seaside hotel and preparing to get the ferry over to the Island.  This is the view from Fish Beach, although I've moved a few things...It's nice to have such power :-)  Hope you all have a great Labor Day.

Bedford Sunrise

9 x 12 Oil on Gessobord

One of the bad things about doing some outdoor art events is that you have to get up REALLY early, but it is balanced by views like this.  Driving to Bedford Centerfest, I caught this spectacular sunrise.  It's really hard to capture the splendor of sunrises and sunsets in paint, but I wanted to give this one a try, and I'm glad I did!  It always amazes me how fast it all happens.  One minute it's dark, the next you get a pinkish color, and BAM...you get the yellow of the sun.  Another day...How lucky :-)

Gills Creek Study #2 - Spring

5 x 7" Oil on Gessoboard

$55, Unframed

Well, yesterday, the clouds moved in and today it's raining.  Every now and then the light would hit the background and glorious colors would appear, but they would be gone as fast as they came.  I would furiously open my tubes of paint to mix the colors, and everything would fade into gray again.  If my palette was ready to go, I could have caught the momentary beauty.  AHHH...Those "if only's."