Happy Halloween!

Not my usual flora and fauna...but just for fun on this spooky Halloween day! Be safe all and have a good one!

"Pumpkin spiced watercolor"

'Tis the season for all things pumpkin...including this little watercolor that I painted in my sketchbook...layering pigment and loaded washes...building those intense values.

Fleurs

Sorry I haven't posted in a while...but here is today's colorful bouquet...may you have a bright day as well...

Plein air

This is a Plein air piece that I did in August of a great big red barn...will try my hand again this weekend when a bunch of VT watercolor society members will gather to paint together...what do you call a group of Plein air painters? There's the gaggle of geese...a murder of crows...a school of fish... Hmm.. Something to ponder...how about a palette of painters? A quiver of creators? An arsenal of artists? 

The muse

This is a detail of a slightly larger piece titled "Sunshine Daydream". It measures 11"x15" and is one of my first porcine paintings....trying to expand the subject repertoire and not get stuck in a particular subject rut...have to keep reinventing and reinvigorating the muse! 

More shows...

Here is another painting that I have in the Round Barn show in Waitsfield...the opening reception was last night and I had a chance to see a lot of artist friends, which was fun...great food, too! Oh and I just shipped off a painting for the New England Watercolor Society show in Gloucester and got accepted to the VT watercolor society show that will be in West Lebanon at the Ava Gallery in October. I'll update my website with dates etc....

Exploring oils

Not my usual Watercolors....but I participated in a wonderful figurative/portrait oil painting workshop this last weekend...and this was the final day's effort...full day, build up of proportions, values and then color...hard work, lots of squinting and measuring and ultimately lots of fun...I am liking this medium! A lot! 

"Vermont Vista"

Currently I am framing this painting along with two others for an upcoming group show.  The annual exhibition is in Waitsfield, VT in an historic Round Barn...a lovely place to visit and beautiful area. This piece is 12"x12" and was painted on Fluid 100 CP paper...nice product...the pad/block is gummed on two sides instead of all four.

"WORK"-shop

So I expanded my horizons...literally! Plein air painting during a workshop...oh what fun was had and my artistic muscles were given a workout...there's a reason it's called a "WORK"- shop.... Am eager to do more...

Woof!

These types of paintings happen when you challenge yourself to fill an entire sketchbook with just animals....that's what I did earlier this year and this freckled face is among those pages along with birds, pigs, donkeys, penguins and many more.....that was fun!

Sailboats and clouds

I did this sketch during a fun waterfront workshop last month here in Burlington...I attended and was a student this time...which is always great...I enjoy being on the flip side and continue to learn from others....

Inspiration

Does this quote apply to you? Does it even ring true? Well he is a world famous artist, so we will take his advice...teaching four classes next week here in Burlington for the annual Vermont Art Event. So we will work and inspiration will find us!

Aaah Vermont!

The idyllic Vermont scene looking across a cow pasture towards the mountains. Fluffy billowing clouds complete my watercolor landscape sketch.  I think this is my fifth cow painting to date...I'm enjoying painting them. Tomorrow is the opening reception for the anniversary show at Furchgott and Sourdiffe Gallery in Shelburne. Just dropped off some new work. Enjoy your summer everyone!

Going dark

This little study done in my sketchbook measures about 5" x 5" and was a study in darks vs. lights. I don't know who won, the dark or light, in this bout...but let's say it's a draw and they are well balanced by the support of the mid-tones. Or at least I hope some version of that theory :)

New paintings

I am framing and organizing for upcoming shows....the paperwork, delivery, pick up, entering, refreshing etc....of paintings to various venues is an ongoing cycle....like a merry go round...so this painting is titled "Spreading the Joy", which I hope folks feel when they see my work. Oh and by the way I've opened an Etsy store....hope you check it out!

Splash!

Coming out soon...this cool book, which will have my painting "The Spectator" in amongst its pages somewhere....can't wait to check it out! 

Feathered muse

I never tire of these birds....so many colors, personalities, shapes and sizes...my camera is always at the ready to capture them at random farms or other places I might spot them clucking about!

Pencils

For me practicing is key...and I try to draw or paint or create something every day. This includes going to figure sessions where I have the chance to sharpen my eye and observe from life, proportions, lights and shadows and all that comes along with that...not easy, but an ongoing merry-go-round... This drawing was done with watercolor pencils on grey toned paper that I never ended up using water on.