Flipping files

A little 7.5"x7.5" painting I did last year.  I take so many pictures throughout the year that I forget what's in my files and when inspiration is a bit low I peruse those files and each time new subjects jump out at me.  It's time once again to start flipping through and seeing what will appeal!

In the beginning

I love the starts of paintings or sketches....to see the pencil lines and the initial application of pigments makes my heart beat faster.  The possibilities of where it might go, when it will be done, what colors will come next? etc..etc.. This watercolor (in it's completed and framed stage) is on display at the Green Mountain Fine Art Gallery in Stowe, where I will be tomorrow from 2-4 to do a painting demonstration.  Maybe see you there!

demo and show

This weekend (Saturday February 22nd) I will be at the Green Mountain Fine Art Gallery in Stowe for the opening of my show: "A Body of work" and I will be doing a demonstration from 2-4 p.m.  Hope you can stop by and see my figure and portrait paintings.

Value study

As promised here is the Value Lily...Done with Payne's gray in various concentrations.  The lightest values have the most water mixed in and the darkest value are almost pure Payne's just slightly watered down.  In the background where you see the stalks I wiped the damp pigment away with a paper towel and then restated the sharp edges once the paper was dry.

"Untouched"

The pure white of the lily...but the petals have touches of yellow, purple, blue and green...I recently did a value study of this painting, which I'll post soon...Value is valuable....it's true.

Cold and color

The excitement of the Super Bowl is behind us and now we can look forward to the Winter Olympics! It's the little things that get us through the long and snowy weeks...oh that and some pigment flinging as well!  Always good to put those brushes to paper...makes things a lot more colorful :)

Polar vortex

One of my "winter" paintings titled "Caribbean Queen"...this is what you do in Vermont when you can't go outside in the cold...but I guess most of the country is affected by the polar vortex!  So...you paint in a warm studio (finally! after my heating issues)...and think back on warmer times...

workshops

I'm going to announce a few workshops here for 2014...I will be teaching a 3 day floral workshop at the wonderful Landgrove Inn in June in their beautiful post and beam studio!  Plus I was invited to teach again at this year's Vermont Art Event in Colchester sponsored by H.K. Holbein in July.  Click the links for more information...hope you can paint with me at one or both events!

portraits

I looked back over my posts and double checked to see if I had not posted this feathered friend before...and I didn't find him...so here he is!  I had fun with a stack of 7"x7" paper and trying to capture different rooster portraits...

Enjoy

Happy New Year everyone!  It's been a while since posting last...but the holidays got in the way.  A new year, a clean slate...lots of resolutions to draw more, paint more, clean the studio, be organized etc..etc.. but I'll take it as it comes...do what I can and enjoy it all.

Winter Whites

Winter whites are in....a duo of lilies on a dark background.  When I paint white I actually use quite a few colors in the shadows.  This really makes the flowers pop.

Bulb magic

It's that time of year when we force bulbs in our houses to add color and texture.  One of my favorites is the statuesque Amaryllis!  They take a while to get to their unfurling stage, but the wait it well worth it.  Another bulb that takes less time to bloom is the paperwhite...also a good one to try. (and sketch!)

cold studio

Wow...my posts have become very irregular....are you all still out there and checking up on me? I've been out of the studio for a bit due to a heating issue...hopefully that will be resolved soon!  But for now it is below  freezing in there and I've rescued all my paints and brought them in the house for fear of damaging them... so soon I should be producing some new work!  Here is "Double Dutch" a small 7"x7" painting from the spring.

Holiday wishes

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Winter demo

It's that time of year...I restocked my local gallery with cards and card sets...and they included winter/holiday scenes...like the above Birches card set.  I will also be doing a watercolor demonstration at Frog Hollow on Saturday December 7th from 1-3 p.m.  Hope to see you there!

much color

Thought I'd post a colorful, bright and happy painting today.  This one is titled "Confetti Combo".  A wild jumble of multicolored gladiola.  The gardens are being put to bed and we are well into several nights of frosty temps!

Niagara?

Here's a little sketch I did this summer of a local town's falls.  At night they lit up with different colors and you'd have thought you were at Niagara falls instead of Vergennes Vermont!  (well....almost)

Workshop of a friend

"let me explain it this way" my portrait painting 22"x15"

Sometimes a subject needs more exploration...and this gentleman gave me many lovely poses with different expressions.  I also wish to announce a portrait painting workshop here in Burlington that is being taught by a very talented fellow watercolorist who I know from my years being a member of the Vermont WC Society.  Here is the link for more information...This is a great opportunity to learn from the award winning artist Robert O'Brien!  Below is an example of his work, a portrait titled "Ted".  Workshop is Saturday November 23rd 10 - 4 p.m. and is $60.00.