Looking Up - Key West

Two Palms, 24x36", oil on canvas

There are sounds, colors, smells that can transport you to a place.  Sit and listen to the wrestling of palm fronds.  Look up to the illuminated chlorophyll against a bright island sky.  Take in the smells of salt, sand, and street food.  Key West, baby.  Don't you want to go?

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. 

"Hotel Pool with Jr."

5 x 5" 

oil on panel

Yep we're all guilty of it: taking a dip in the pool when there's a perfectly good ocean steps away.  None the less, the light and colors of the water are the same amount of delicious.

Happy Halloween

"Beach Side Pier", 10 x 9.5", oil on board

I painted this from a photo I had taken after hurricane Sandy & the 'frankenstorm' that hit NC Outer Banks two years ago.   I had drawn this onto a board then, but just got around to painting it this week - spooky.  I've started a series of small seaside themed paintings in preparation for a show this January in Asheville, NC.   More details on January's show in the coming weeks, in the mean time I'll be sharing some new work.... and painting on.

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.

Live Oak Allee - Graphite Study

Graphite Study for Live Oak Allee

Back to in the studio & it feels good.  Above is a sketch for 'Live Oak Allee', a commissioned painting.  It was a bit of a struggle getting the composition balanced or to a place where I felt it was interesting.  I think I struggled because my paintings typically focus on the tree as subject and this is more about the path.  A fun challenge I must say.  Paint on.

Seaside Pier

"Seaside Pier", 10.5x10.5", oil on board

Revisiting the pier as the light, movement and contrast continues to inspire me to paint.  Done on wood board with black gesso, which I think helps the color pop.

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.

2013 Calendar

Happy New Year!  It's time for a new calendar...

Over this last year, I had gotten some inquires about calendars.  So, I spent some time researching good options for self publication.  I couldn't seem to find a perfect fit.  I gave up the search for while then came across Magcloud on Carol Marine's Painting a Day blog.  Magcloud is an HP website offering publishing on demand so there is no minimal order required.  Also a plus, no deposit or down payment is required so your only investment are hours spent on layout and design (by all means, I don't mean to diminish the value of that).  

So I am proud to announce my 2013 Calendars for sale via the link below.  This calendar has selected pieces from my Trees series.  It is a perfect way to get affordable small prints of these paintings.  I hope you enjoy.
Trees: 2013 Calendar

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.