Category Archives: painting

Color Study

Palm Trees

The other day I decided to do a color study. It is made up of four small paintings. Each on is 4″x5.5″. I wanted to see what the effect would be of applying colors in a certain order. I started each painting with a dark, medium, and light hue of one color, most of them straight out of the tube: cadmium red medium hue, prussian blue hue, hansa yellow medium, and the green is mix of the blue and yellow

Here is Phase 1:

  
  

Phase 2:

For the next layer I used the next color in the lineup. I chose the order fairly randomly (or maybe intuitively). It turned out that the first two colors on the red and yellow paintings were analogous, while the two on the blue and green were complimentary.

  

  

Phase 3:

In the next phase I used the next color down the line. I like the red and yellow best.

  

  

And the final phase:

  

  

I think the yellow turned out the best. I was surprised that they all came out looking so different. I tried to apply each layer in the same way. The first one definitely sets the mood of the painting. I would love to hear any thoughts you have on this exercise!

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Dizzy and Seasick with Love

Dizzy and Seasick with Love

My most recent painting was inspired by my trip on the Atlantic ocean in April and May. It was an amazing experience to be be hundreds of miles from land and only see the ocean and the sky for weeks at a time. We sailed north from Key West to Bermuda, then south to the beautiful island of Dominica, and finally up through the Caribbean Islands to the Virgin Islands.

I wish there was some way to describe the beauty and richness of life out there in the middle of the sea. And the way the clouds moved and the crazy shapes they made. And the connection I felt from getting to know the stars and watching them move through the sky night after night. There really isn’t any way to describe what it’s like to be out there, so here’s a painting that tells a little.

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Underneath It All

Underneath It All

A couple months ago one of my friends asked me if I wanted this old window. I said yes, unsure of what exactly I would do with it. Somehow the idea of painting in reverse; starting with the foreground and working towards the background, caught my imagination and I picked up my palette and brushes. This is the result of 3 months of working on it a little here and there, on my days off and before work in the morning.

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Summer never ends

Balcony Study 1

Today I picked up Marjorie Stoneman Douglas’ book River of Grass which is a beautiful book about the amazing place I live called the Everglades. Sometimes I forget what season it is, because for me it’s almost always summer.

So here is a painting from the real summer (at least for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere). I lost track of time and never got around to posting it. In a busy spring, summer, and fall, this is all I have to share as far as material work, but much has been added to the stores from which to draw inspiration.

And after a non-productive run of several months I am happy to have the time and space now to paint. I’m currently working on a large painting on an old window from Sunset Island base camp, so I will post that as soon as I am finished.

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Patience of Trees

Patience of Trees

I don’t know what it is about the trees…
They always have something to say to me.
I hope they have something to say to you too.

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Everglades by night

Night Paddle

The first hour after the sun goes down is magical. It’s my favorite time to be on the water. The air is calm, the water is smooth. I’m usually observing my students’ navigational skills and making bets with my co-instructor about how late we’ll get to base camp. And while I’m looking forward to a shower and sleeping in my own bed again, I wouldn’t trade these moments for anything. I want to always believe in magic.

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