Green Key Beach

Last time I was out painting it was very windy and cold, well, cold for Florida. All of us painters were huddled by some palm trees trying to stay warm and find an inspiring subject to paint. This clump of grasses quickly became my subject for the day.

9 x 12, on canvas

Around the Bend

I had been pretty lax about backing up my files and I really paid the price a couple of weeks ago when my computer crashed and I lost the majority of my files. The computer tech was unable to retrieve anything off my hard drive, it was just too far gone--what a dismal experience. Of course the tip of the week is: backup your files, often!

I'm in the process of re-photographing all my current work. This painting is a pastel which I recently completed and plan on entering in the Pastel Society of Tampa Bay's Annual Show in January.

16 x 12, pastel on sanded board

Looking Out Back

This type of landscaping plant is present in many yards in Florida. Its called a giant bird of paradise since it grows so large and the flowers look somewhat like a bird--you have to use a lot of imagination here! I didn't see any bird flowers on this one when I painted it though. Back in the summer heat an artist friend of mine invited me over to paint in her beautifully landscaped yard and I found this very tropical scene to paint.
9 x 12, oil on board

Plein Air Moment

When you're having one of those days when nothing appeals to you as subject matter you can always paint your fellow artists! Looking around for something to paint this view struck me. I quickly whipped out a very small canvas and sketched this scene in before my friend moved too much.
5 x 7, oil on canvas

Mermaid Waters

This is another small study I did when we were painting at Weekie Watchee a few months ago. The mermaid show takes place just to the left of the small pier you see in the study. In fact, while a fellow artist and I were painting a show was going on and some of the mermaids used this pier as their entry into the water. After painting we did go to see one shows and all of us were very impressed with the skilled swimmers. All of the show takes place underwater and the theater that its viewed from has one huge glass wall so we actually were underwater too.

5 x 7, oil on canvas

Pinellas Trail

This past weekend I participated in the Annual Studio Waltz that took place in and around Dunedin, Florida. Every year artists invite the public to tour their studios and plein air artists paint at different locations around town. This year was probably the most humid and sultry day since this event started 17 years ago. All of the plein air artists just sweltered in 90 degree heat trying to get some decent artwork to appear on their easels. This painting is of the Pinellas Trail that runs through the center of town.

8 x 10, oil on canvas

Morning Sun

Went out painting a couple of days ago and it turned out to be the perfect painting day weather wise. Gentle breezes and moderate temps, a welcomed change from the past few months. This small study is of an unoccupied house in Dunedin, Florida. Its being used as a realty office--quite picturesque with the aqua paint.
5 x 7, oil on canvas