Summer Fun

Summer seems to be passing all too quickly but as always the beloved mountains and surrounds of North Carolina continue to provide an abundance of inspiration for my paintings. The following collection draws from our recent summer retreat.

The 'Puncheon Falls' paintings required an expedition to a remote site on private property accompanied as always by my dutiful husband who is forever concerned over my safety. I made three trips to this remote location but was aptly rewarded by each visit.

Perhaps my most favorite in this collection is the painting appropriately titled, 'Our View This Summer' as it depicts the view we were blessed with each morning. The morning sun bathing the mountains and reflected in the clouds never ceases to amaze.  I hope this painting reflects both my respect and appreciation of nature's wonder.

'Our Summer View'

'Puncheon Falls Water Wheel'

'Puncheon Falls'

'Mountain Home'

'After the Day'

'Before the Day'

'Bantam Rooster #1'

'Bantam Rooster #2'

"Bantam Rooster #3"

'Browns Cabin'

'Blue Ridge Parkway Lake'

...The Joy of Creating Art

Recently, with the blessing of my supportive husband I had the good fortune of being able to focus on nothing but my canvas and brushes and what I could create with them. This excursion took me to Cedar Key with my good friend Laura Knight, (who is equally as passionate about art), where I spent two days doing what I love best…. painting. During our travels around this quiet hamlet we came across several other likeminded artists who have the luxury of living in this secluded environment bounded by endless opportunities in which to practice their craft. In addition to providing us information on artistic locations in the area, one such individual, Russ, a portrait artist, whose studio we visited later that day, provided constructive feedback as I painted. 

We started out surveying the various landscapes around us and settled on an area know as "Back Bayou". The bold repetitious horizontal shapes of water, marsh and sky bathed in the golden afternoon sun immediatley excited me and being so drawn to the wide visa before me I quickly set about to  find the best spot in which to set up my easel and begin to paint. 


Stage one of my process began by blocking in my shapes on a toned canvas; being mindful of movement, lights and darks.

Stage Two gravitated to refining the objects.....

Stage Three saw the application of local color.....

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...and finally after reassessing the scene and needing a little more balance added some trees and marsh on the left side of the painting; added clouds to the sky and highlights to the foreground water and marshes to achieve greater dynamic range of light and color. 

Thus was born the final result.

...A Visit to Historic Mt Dora

Returning to Orlando from the glorious mountains of North Carolina is never an easy transition for me and consequently I did not feel inspired to pick up my brush until I attended a plein air workshop in Mt Dora conducted by the very talented artist Gregg Kreutz. My continued learning never ceases to both surprise me and encourage me. As a result I find myself drifting comfortably and confidentially towards more varied brush strokes and styles.

The images below reflect my ever evolving style and resulted from roaming around the area searching for the right scene, the right angle and most importantly the right light. Plein Air painting is inspiring in and of itself as it requires one to become absorbed in the environment, feeling the wind and seeing the clouds changing the light and of course being cognizant of the ever curious spectators who always seem to wish to comment thus interpreting ones thoughts, focus and concentration.

The following image is somewhat special for me as I passed it every day en-route to the workshop and vowed to myself that I would come back and paint it. A short time later together with my ever supportive husband back to Mt Dora I went and to the little church that I found so enthralling. As luck would have it and God on my side I set up across the street and captured the all so wonderful morning light that bathed the quaint little Baptist Church.

...From Martha's Vineyard to the Great Smokey Mountains

"I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best". Oscar Wilde.

At Martha's Vineyard the simplicities make up the finest things in life. There are few places on earth like Cape Cod and the islands, each with their own charm and style. The following two paintings attempt to capture the spirit of this magical place but cannot hope to convey the fun and spirit of friendship I shared with my dear friend, Lynn. Plein Air painting has it's own rewards and is especially satisfying when shared with a kindred spirit.

We began the day plein air painting on Cape Cod. The scene below captivated my imagination. The two Adirondack chairs in the marsh facing east caused me to pause and wonder as to the characters that might come and sit there to soak up the Cape Cod sunlight. The unfamiliar sounds of sail boat rigging; the wind gently blowing through the marsh and trees; the distant sound of motor boats and the sound of the tide coming in ever so close to my feet distracted me from my painting...but the sights and sounds were magical and I was not about to miss a moment and all helped me capture the scene before me. Plein air painting is as much about the emotive as the technical....and I long ago realized that you cannot capture what you do not feel or can visualize.

The following day entailed a trip to Martha's Vineyard via bus and ferry and a walk all over Edgerton in order to ascertain the most advantageous location from which to capture it's most famous lighthouse. The afternoon was not without it's adventures from curious beach visitors stopping by to comment on our art work.....flattering if nothing else ....to the laughter generated when a 30 mile hour gust of wind snapped my umbrella in two and turned Lynn's paint box and easel over. A good day was had by all and this image records that special moment in time.

From the coastline to the mountains of Great Smokey Mountains.  This stream is located in Pigeon Forge Forest. The scene was captured at day's end as the late afternoon sun bathes the stream with its' rich golden light. The forest is charged with the colors of Fall and enhanced by the golden afternoon light. I focused on capturing the colors and shapes that would best represent the moment in time.

.....Reflections of Light

As the summer draws to a close I am seeking more water, rocks and streams for inspiration. With a heavy backpack and tripod I hiked Dupont State Forest in search of "the picture". After going up and down and all around the trails I finally find "the picture" under the bridge just yards from my car. It is not a rushing stream, no drama. Just two gentle streams coming together so as to not disturb the reflection from the trees. Nothing dramatic until you see the morning light bathing the trees, as the sun greets the morning, and the colors come alive and are reflected in the gentle water.  So quietly I sit sketching and capturing the scene while at the same time becoming intoxicated by the sound of the running stream and the serenity of the early morning. 


I plan on returning in early October to capture the Fall colors and the changing season  reflected in the gentle stream. Here is what formulated in my mind that quiet morning and that I captured on canvas.

.......Morning Breakthrough

As the morning light was breaking through this spot in The Great Smoky National Park, I was also getting a breakthrough in the journey of my painting. I recently participated in  a workshop with Alan McCarter, which required putting my small brushes aside and to begin painting with the larger ones, giving me the more expressive, loose painting I have so enjoyed in the work of other artists. Thanks to Alan's encouragement, lots of paint, a palette knife, a couple of large brushes and the Grace of God, I had a blast  painting this gentle waterfall. I have this wonderful fascination with rocks and water and what better place to be than in the mountains of North Carolina.

......And the Journey Continues

 This collection of art represents some of my favorite pieces that have been sold..... Browse and enjoy.

This tractor belongs to a wonderful man called Ray Talley. The Talleys' have farmed the land in this area since the 1600's. Having seen the tractor on many a morning while cycling the occasion presented itself where I was able to approach farmer Talley and ask if I could paint his tractor.......after pondering my request he agreed and most importantly gave me the faith that I could do his tractor justice with my paint brush. Farmer Talley expressed a great desire to place this painting of his tractor by his produce stand. Creating my painting was indeed a site to behold....picture me sitting on a feed bucket beside a large pile of cow dung surrounded by swarming flies trying to sketch "JD" to the sounds of all the barnyard creatures that were in the vicinity. In the process farmer Talley shared aspects of his life and I came away from this experience feeling that my meeting of farmer Talley and being able to paint his truck was indeed a gift from God. Needless to say he was most please with the end result I had done "JD" justice.