The day after

After a foot of heavy wet snow destroyed so many trees with all their leaves still intact, I have to clean the van and take the following four paintings to Mcbride gallery in Annapolis. 2 days later and all seems normal. I can tell you 2 days ago things weren't normal. Trees down everywhere. Some folks won't have power for a week. Our Governer denied it was coming and our Mayor embraced Jim Cantore from the weather channel for coming to Harrisburg. Jim seems cool enough but no one actually want's to see him in their town. It means impending disaster. No state of emergency declared. Thanks Govna...take a drive around....

oops

16"x20"oil/linen

Somehow I missed posting this one from Chincoteague. A vibrant morning sky inspired me to tolerate the mosquitoes.

Harrisburg skyline painting

11"x14" oil/linen panel

A quick study of my fair city under good light. Was very inspiring and will go back. The light was incredible as I finished this one. Need to do a very quick one a half hour before sunset. Indeed, this is Harrisburg. The city that is bankrupt and in national news. AArrghh. Still a beautiful place! I was most interested in the highrises blending in with the sky with very little value change.

Chincoteague Virginia Paintings 5

 20"x24" oil/linen

Here is the larger surf piece finished. A live shot appears below.

 11"x14"

This one was done very rapidly when a unique light hit. Whipped the car off the road and setup.

 11"x14" linen birch panel

Last one of the trip. This is the drawbridge building as you leave Chincoteague Island. I had my eye on it from day one. The wind was blowing steadily at 20mph with gusts. I hung my french easel on my glouster easel for weight and tried to keep flying paper towels to a minimum. It was a brutal session that I was convinced was futile. I only stopped painting because someone screamed out of their car window "looking good". I figured that was good enough for me. I really thought I'd trash the piece but now that I'm home and out of the wind I see it with a new perspective. It's my favorite.

Chincoteague Virginia Paintings 4

 16"x20" oil/linen

Another marina scene from Chincoteague Island. Broke this one down quite a bit. Artistic freedom applies plein air as well as studio work!

 8"x10" oil/linen birch panel

Did this one immediately after an early one posted before. Yes the skeeters were still out in full force!

A muted light over the marina prompted this piece. An 8"x10" on linen.

Chincoteague Virginia Paintings 3

 24"x24" oil/linen

This is a view from the surf looking inland with that great surf atmosphere. Tried to capture it while hearing the breakers roll in. A strong east wind was apparent.

 8"x10" oil/linen

A view from the marina that is on the south tip of Chincoteague. Visited here often.

11"x14" linen/birch panel

Back to the refuge for landscape. 

Chincoteague Virginia Paintings 2

                                                     11"x14" linen/birch panel   A sunrise that was worth getting up for even though the bugs are out bigtime in the morning! The sliver of light reflecting grabbed me.

                                              8"x10" oil/linen  A rare attempt at painting the surf. Interesting subject. I did a larger one later.

                                                11"x14" oil/linen birch panel   Another sunrise where I got chewed up from the skeeters. Painted over the first painting I did on the trip. Enjoyed the paint over as I usually do.

Chincoteague Virginia Paintings

                                                 20"x24" oil/linen   After a week of painting in Chincoteague Virginia I was able to do 15 plein air pieces. The trip was a blast and the mosquitos were everywhere. I'll post 3 a day. I ended up doing boats, landscapes and a structural piece along with some surf scenes. A new subject for me.

                                                                       12"x12" oil/linen

                                                                       14"x11" oil/linen birch

Paint Annapolis 2011 Finale

             My 24"x24" oil/linen won second place at Paint Annapolis 2011. It was a great week and a very nice way to cap off the event.

                                                   This was the second 24"x24" entered in the main show. A sunrise from southgate ave.

                                                       This 11"x14" on linen/birch panel was done in the backyard of my host family. How nice that they live on Spa Creek!

                                                        Here is my Saturday quick draw entry. 14"x11" on linen/birch

                                           Another one from the yard. 11"x14" on linen


                                            The one below is my second favorite. An 11"x14" on linen/birch panel again from the backyard.