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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Beauty In Mind

Image

Beauty In Mind

Here’s a drawing I started awhile ago and finished today. I’m working on a painting too. More to come…

(and a poem)

We shake with joy, we shake with grief
What a time they have, these two
housed as they are in the same body.
-Mary Oliver

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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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Land and Sea #1

Land and Sea #1

I’m on the land, you’re on the sea

maybe we could meet in between.

With mud on my toes and salt in your hair,

Baby we could meet in the air.

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re-starting

This is drawing I started last summer. I decided that finishing it would be a good jumping off point for my next little section of time that I have to draw and paint. It is hard to re-start when I haven’t been thinking about my work for a few months. I was a little frustrated at first, but I think I am moving forward with the drawings I’m working on now. More to follow soon…

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Settling in for the Winter

My room in the West CottageI’ve been in Florida for a week now. My first full day I was sick and very sad that I couldn’t go outside and play. The next day I was fine and spent a lot of time in E-City catching up with friends and visiting the local establishments – Havana Cafe, The Oyster House, and Leebo’s. I spent most of the weekend covered in blue bottom paint, but was excited to get the Puffer launched and Mag almost ready to launch. Monday was spent working more on Mag and lounging in the sun. Tuesday I got to go to Robert is Here. Three times. And spent the day with the semester crew… Now I am finally moved in to my room on sunset island. Everything is organized and ready to go. Hopefully I will have some new work to post soon!

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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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Back to the easel!


It’s so nice to be home with lots of time to draw and paint and play my guitar. I finished a painting and a couple drawings. Here’s a drawing I did yesterday.

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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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