Baytowne Wharf Art Walk Begins

6x6, Beach Walk, Acrylic

Thank goodness the weather is not as bad as expected earlier in the week.  We may have a few shower but nothing like the Hurricane winds of Hermine.  I will be set up at the Art Show starting tonight through Sunday night.  The schedule is 5:00 to 10:00 Friday, Saturday, & Sunday.  Please drop by and let me know you follow me here.  Baytowne Wharf Art Walk is held at Sandestin, FL.

For more information on the music, driving directions or other questions go Here

Florida Sky

Florida Sky, 6x6, acrylic on deep canvas

Today's painting, "Florida Sky", is a small canvas depicting a typical Florida Summer Sky.  You know the kind, one minute there are all puffy and the next dark and full of rain.  If you have been following my work, or know me personally, you know I love clouds and skies with interest.  It is amazing to me how the sky can change from one shape to the next in a matter of a few minutes.  I have lived in several states and even overseas.  No one compares to our skies. That is why I love living in the panhandle of Florida.  I think it has something to do with the gulf stream pushing the moisture into our area but we have the most beautiful skies.  Not just sunrise and sunset but all times of the day and nights (although a fuller moon is needed to see them).

I had plans during the first 30 days of my retirement o paint nothing but skies. However, with my medical issues immediately after retiring I was unable to do that.  However,  I will continue my cloud studies in between all my other subjects as time allows as it was really a pleasure to escape into this sky while painting it.

If you have a beautiful sky photograph you would like me to practice painting, please send it to me. My e-mail address is here.

If you would like to see some of my other sky paintings I will have them with me at the Baytowne Wharf Art Walk, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from 5:00 to 10:00 in Sandestin, FL.  This is Labor Day Weekend and there will be lots to see, do, hear, and taste.  Hope you come see me.  Please let me know that you are receiving this blog post when you stop by.

Footprints in the Sand

Footprints in the Sand, 16x40, Deep Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Like footprints in the sand at the beach we leave a mark on those lives around us. Some only a short time and others stay awhile. My goal in painting this piece was to share the beauty god has created in our sky, water, and sand. I loved how the sand crunches in the wet and squeaks in the dry.  The sounds, the smells, and the sights.  I know all that could not be "painted" but maybe some of it came through. I hope you feel the love.

"Footprints in the Sand" is a new piece for my up coming show Labor Day Weekend at Baytowne Wharf.  It is a night show in a beautiful setting at Sandestin, FL.  The Art Walk begins Friday night, September 2nd through Sunday, September 4th. Show hours are 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. each evening.

I have quite a bit of new work to share. New Christmas, landscapes, and animal paintings. I hope you will drop by to see me and let me know you receive my blog.  I will be in booth 18.

Using Mixed Paint

If you have been following my blogs you know that I had quite a bit of mixed flesh paint that I have been trying to use before it drys up.  Today's painting is another photo that I have been wanting to paint for quite some time.  It is of a Construction Manager and his Superintendent discussing an issue on the job site.  I loved the Construction Manager's body language.  Scratching his head trying to come up with a solution.  I also liked the shadows as they hit the unfinished wall.  The contrast of dark and light always makes me want to paint a subject.

This particular photograph was taken in Montevallo, AL in 2011.  I was told there was an issue that the window design did not allow the brick that will be added to the structure to sit properly.  They did work out a solution that day.  As with painting there is always new designs that will be considered in construction projects to make a great finished product.  I hope this will be the first of many construction paintings.

8x16 Dilemma, Professional Grade Acrylics

Inspired Photo

Growth is a Good Thing

As an artist I want to always be growing in knowledge to make the best art I can make.  I do believe it will take a lifetime.

Today's share comes after I was commissioned to paint something for a friend who's grand child is due in July.  The painting commissioned required I mix flesh tones, since the painting was a large 20x24, I mixed a large pile of paint.  The painting did not need as much as I had mixed which left me with quite a bit left over.  So being the frugal artist (you know the always starving artist) I looked for a painting subject from my "one day I want to paint this" list and did a couple of figure paintings.  The first one was this one of my Granddaughter.  I have not shared it with you as I did not want to spoil the surprise for her mother.  You see this was her Mother's Day Gift from me.  Schedules being challenging it took several weeks for us to finally get family time with my son and his family to give her this painting.  I am happy with the results.  Especially since I consider my best paintings are Still Life paintings.

I do have a lot to learn about painting portraits, like mixing the right flesh and hair colors. With the success of this piece I have painted several more figure pieces.  I used more of the left over flesh paint from my commission piece mentioned above.    The post before this one you are reading was the second figure piece I did.  Did you see my "Last Dance" inspired by M. Fisher's painting.  It was done after this one.

I love that I have been able to use my mixed paint and to do art that I have always wanted to do.  However, the best part is I am growing.

8x8 Professional Grade Acrylics

Photo taken 2015

Painting Large

Let me first say that I am happy to be back at my easel painting again.  It feels like it has been six months since I was feeling up to painting a large painting.  Not to bore you with a lot of details but my heath has not been good since last October.  After a surgery, physical therapy, and tons of time healing I am feeling better.  In fact I have the desire to paint again and not just paint but paint on large canvas.  Those of you that know me well know I love painting small 6x6, 5x7 and my minis.  Painting over 16x20 is a challenge.  I am so glad that feel up to the challenge of today's painting adventure.

The painting I am sharing with you today is piece called Last Dance.  It was originally painted by someone by the name M. Fisher.  I have painted my piece from that one as a study piece so as to learn how to paint flesh and fabric folds.  It is no where as beautiful as M. Fisher did but I am pleased with my results.  It is 24x30 on a deep gallery wrapped canvas.

To be frank, I have no desire to be a portrait painter but love the idea of painting figures that tell a story.  I liked the original for that very reason.  I see the girl telling us a multitude of things.  It could be either that she is exhausted from all the dancing or that no one asked her to dance.  I love that about this piece.  What do you see/feel the story of this piece to be?

Last Dance a tribute to M. Fisher, 24x30, acrylic

On Track with New Year's Resolution

Each January I make a New Year's Resolution in my Art.  As with most resolutions they usually do not make it all the way to December.  This year's resolution is to paint more "painterly" or "abstract".  I am happy to say I am still on track.  Yippee!

Today's post reflects some of my painting since making this resolution.  I am still working of photographing and correcting the file size so it will post to this writing on my other pieces.  I hope you like the adventure I am on this year.

20x24 Gallery Canvas

9x12  Raymar canvas Panel