I used to drive to UNH every Friday to pick up my son when he was back in college. I always took a shortcut down this country road. There is a large farm on the way with a large grove of trees in front along the road. I had a very pleasant dream the other night, that I was going to get my son and those trees appeared. This is how they looked in my dream.

 

 "A Grove of Trees"  18" x 24" Oil on Linen board

Coastal Pines

Here is another painting that I did of pines along the coast. This one was painted in Acrylics. I felt like experimenting with a new media. It was fun, but I prefer working in oils.  Next, I think I am going to try some of the new water mixable oil paints. I heard that they are perfect for traveling. You don't have to try and locate solvents which can be difficult to find at certain locations. You just need water and soap to clean your brushes and I heard that water mixable oils dry faster which can be very convenient.

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"Coastal Pines"
8" x 10" Acrylic on panel

Lilacs

I love to paint flowers. Lilacs are one of my favorites. I used a reference photo for this one, since they are no longer in bloom.  Everywhere I go, I take hundreds of photos that I can refer back to when I am painting in the studio. Whenever I use  photos,  I only use them in the beginning to give me ideas. During the painting process, I become so involved with the painting and what I am trying to say with the paint, that I forget the photo and often shut off the monitor and just go from there. I don't believe in "copying" from a photo.  A photo is only a guide to get you going with the painting and eventually while in that creative zone the painting starts to tell you what it needs and it's almost like it is painting itself.

 "Lilacs"
8" x 10" Oil on linen panel

Meadow By the Sea

I painted this one afternoon on site this past summer. One of my favorite locations. Hope to return there someday.

 9" x 12" Oil on Linen Panel

Seascape

This is a plein air painting I did in September. I love the challenge of painting the ocean. It is constantly moving, making it difficult to capture what you are seeing. It is so much fun and I take it as a challenge! Me against nature! LOL!

9" x 12" Oil on Linen Panel

Rockport Art Association Show!

My painting "Late Afternoon Marsh at Rachel Carson" has been accepted into the "Rockport Art Association Juried New England Invitational Show” Opening is Sunday, October 9, from 3:00 p.m.  to 5:00 p.m. The show runs through November 13th. Hope to see you there! 

12" x 16" Oil on Linen Panel

Tangled Bush

This is the second painting I did during my session in the pine grove. I turned my easel to the right and saw this bush. That was it, I decided to just paint it. Sometimes, it is good to not spend a whole lot of time walking around searching for a subject to paint. Sometimes, the subject finds you. I like the way all three of the paintings came out from that afternoon on Monhegan. I plan on doing this type of plein air painting more in the future.

 "Tangled Bush"
6" x 8" Oil on linen panel