Clearing Skies

Clearing Skies, Acrylic on Canvas, 16"x20", $900

There was some serious experimentation going on here.  I wanted to create a landscape in which the foreground, although large in area, was largely abstracted and darker than the middle and backgrounds.  In order to get the mood right and to get enough interest in the middle and backgrounds (if you lead them there, is there something for them to find?), I did quite a lot of compositional work as I went along.  All in all, I am quite pleased with the results.  In the actual painting, the purples in the foreground are a bit more muted; in fact, they blend in quite well.  Other than that, this photo captures the feeling of sunlight I got and which was one of the goals.

To purchase this painting, please click here. You will be transported to my website which is set up to handle on-line transactions.

Queen Anne's Lace

Queen Anne's Lace, Acrylic on Watercolor Paper, 14"x15", $200

Ahhh.  Much better.  It's amazing how much I can miss when I am painting.  After I finished painting the other day, I looked at this painting and immediately saw what was wrong and had a pretty good idea of how to fix it.  So here is the revised version.  I was looking for a largely abstract, loose feel that would capture the sense of wildness and randomness of a field of wildflowers.  This feels right.

To purchase this painting, please click here.  You will be transported to my website which is set up to handle sales.  Also, I have decided to use "sneak preview" pricing for my blog posts.  That means the price for a painting hot off the easel will be lower for a week or two after posting. After that it will go up to the gallery price.

Queen Anne's Lace

Queen Anne's Lace, Acrylic on Watercolor Paper, 14"x15", NFS

Wild flowers in a field.  Here in Vermont, they are just a fond memory now.  The frost has pretty much killed off the wild flowers for this year.  In this whimsical study I wanted to explore the use of abstract color and lines to create the feeling of a field.  I think I got that.  I will probably go back in and make a few changes, so it's not for sale for now.  

Maine Spruce

Maine Spruce, Watercolor, 7"x7", $75

This another watercolor sketch from my trip to Maine.  We had a wonderful view of the ocean that was framed by stands of spruces.  Most days the weather was gorgeous.  And, as is usual this time of year, the grasses and shrubs were turning colors.  I did another sketch of the spruces that I did not like as well, although it was a good practice piece - it's always good to study the shapes and colors of the trees. I've posted it below. 

To purchase this painting, please click here.  You will find yourself on the Small Paintings page of my web site.

Maine Spruces-2, Watercolor, 7"x7", NFS

Black Spruce

Black Spruce, Watercolor, 7"x7", NFS

This sketch captures the wonderful contorted shape of the black spruces that dot the Maine sea coast. I did this all in shades of blue and gray which is how it looks when the sun in in front of you and everything is back-lit. 

Maine Islands

Maine Islands, Watercolor, 2.5"x7.5", $50

Shades of blue.  This is a small watercolor sketch I did while on my trip to Maine last week.  Across the bay from the house we rented, we could see a long chain of islands.  At low tide, additional rocks and outcroppings emerged from the sea creating a wonderful pattern of dots and dashes in the water.

To purchase this painting, please click here. You will find yourself on the Small Paintings page on my web site.

Sunflower #27

Sunflower #27, Acrylic on Watercolor Paper, 10"x9", NFS

Day 30 of the Challenge.  I made it!  This is the last sunflower for a bit although I do plan to go back to some of the ones I did to see what I can do to them to make them better.  There's nothing better than a little time and a fresh look to find ways to improve things.

A big thank you to everyone that followed my journey.  I think I learned a lot and some of what I learned will surely find its way into upcoming work.