Sunset OBX - Firepower

Sunset OBX - 5 x 5",  oil on board

On what is essentially a thin ribbon of sand, stands a thread of high-wire communication lines. They line the western edge of Hatteras Island on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I've always thought of this place as the edge of the world. It tends to feel that way when all you see in either direction is water and sky. Out here, there is a steady undertow of vulnerability and constant change. Out here, sustaining life is balancing act that requires grit and a bit of a carpe diem mindset.  Looking west, seeing the sun lower to the horizon through these powerlines is a reminder of that. It all feels feeting.

This was a panel I pulled out of an old stack left over from one of our visits to Hatteras. I had sketched the powerlines over an orange ground. I remember my husband commenting something along the lines of 'not many people want to look at a painting of utility lines'. Meh, okay - I lost steam and put aside. Rediscovering it, I wondered 'How to do you make an everyday image beautiful?'. I had fun trying.

Postcards of Portugal - 1

Jon and I spent ten days in Portugal last March.  Our trip included Lisbon and three towns on the southern coast: Tavira, Albufeira, and Lagos.  I brought my sketch book on the trip but, ended up with more photos & writing than sketches.  

Thinking back on days of travel when we use to send postcards home, and in the interest of creating a stronger discipline around drawing and painting, I am inspired to create postcard size paintings of our travels.  My goal is to complete 30 in 45 days.  

Here we go... Day one.  A hike along the Algarve's coast outside of Lagos in early March.  We couldn't have asked for better weather.   The temperature in the upper 60's F, bright sun, and crisp clear skies made for incredible light.  The contrast of the deep blue sky, aqua marine sea, and golden striated orange clay cliffs were a sight to behold.  Spirit lifting weather.  Spirit lifting landscape!

graphite sketch 5-1/2 x 8"

"Algarve's Coast", 7x5", oil on board

Island Iguana

Island Iguana, 5x5", oil on board

"Got grapes?", were words formulated from a loud stare.  While picnicking on a Caribbean island, it's good to pack a little extra for surprise guests.

Now with a full belly he whispers, "Iguana come home with you". 

This guy will be part of my art show, Seaside::Poolside.

Honduran Hatter

Honduran Hatter, 6x6", oil on board

What do you do when you wake up at 5am on a cold, rainy winter's day?  Go to the Caribbean of course.  On the beaches of Roatan you will find crystal clear turquoise water, bright sun, and warm sand.  While you're there why not buy a banana leaf hat from this gentleman?  He might even sing you a tune.

This painting will be part of an up coming join exhibition with Asheville artist Moni Hill titled, "Seaside::Poolside" in Asheville, NC January 15 - March 8, 2015. 

Dona Juana Be Here?

15-3/4"x9-3/4", Oil on Board

Nothing better than on a cold rainy day to take off to the Caribbean... with my painting anyway.  This was done from a photo I had taken on a small island off of the main island of Roatan.  Something about the way the color, light and shadows bounce in and off the water was mesmerizing enough to take me back there for the day.  I can almost hear the waves lapping ashore.

Pier Fishers

"Pier Fishers", 6x6", oil on board

Walking the beach past Avon Pier in NC this year, we witnessed a group of fishermen catching and pulling up a large red drum in a net.  This one was too large to keep, but an impressive beauty.  The colors and action of these guys and the fish with the turning sea below was fun to paint; a nice start back to painting.  This year has been a busy one and unfortunately my painting practice has been limited.  Fresh from a much needed break on the Outer Banks, I have new material and renewed inspiration.  Paint on.

Stars and Stripes

'Stars and Stripes', 8x10", oil on canvas

A piece from our stay on the Outer Banks.  Our fifteen year old lab, Samantha sunning herself on the deck next to drying starfish.  We were on the island during hurricane Sandy, a slow moving storm which blew for three days.  In the days following, quite a bit of starfish and conch shells were washed on the beach, which unfortunately was the least of post storm happenings.  Fishing was good and no person injured, but a lot of island infrastructure was damaged.  Highway 12, the only way on and off the island was washed away just south of Oregon Inlet.  The folks down there or our state as a whole rather, is faced with rebuilding and searching for solutions to what had become an annual problem.  I painted this post storm.  Seeing Samantha, resting in the sun next to the stars with the shadows from the railing draped across the deck, gave me a sense of peace.

Pamlico Sound

8x8" oil on board

We got the chance to do some canoeing on the sound and enjoyed a beautiful sunset.  It is quite a contrast to the often fickle surf. Quite lovely.

Road to Sedona

8x10" Oil on board

This past January I took a trip to Arizona.  The warm desert temperatures and bright sun were energizing as I was fleeing from one of our coldest and snowiest winters in memory here in WNC.  The dramatic colors and light splattered across the landscape was like watching an impromptu dance ensemble.   I couldn't get enough of it and found my self turned into a swivel-headed gawker.  Everywhere I turned I saw a painting.  Simply inspirational.