Gone Paintin'

Window to the Hills, 30 x 30

This is the invitation painting for my upcoming show at the Annarella Gallery, in Georgetown, TX. Twelve paintings will be on display for the month of September. The opening is Friday, September 5th from 6-8pm, and coincides with Georgetown's monthly "First Friday" celebration where all the stores stay open late. It's a wonderfully historic downtown and a lovely, unique gallery. Hope to see you.

I am currently off on a painting trip to Colorado and Montana (along with a few days in California for the wedding of a dear cousin). I will start posting the paintings when I get back on Thursday. Until then, best wishes to all.

Abundant Blessings

Perissos Vineyard, 6 x 10.5

A week or so ago I posted a drawing I had done for a local charity and an amazing thing happened... I got a commission to do a drawing for a new wine label for Perissos Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country! Their web site explains their name, "Perissos is a Greek word found in the Bible meaning exceedingly abundant, beyond what is expected or hoped for. It is our sincere desire and intent that our wines live up to that description. However, it is our lives that we feel have been blessed exceedingly abundantly by God -- We have been blessed richly and are so grateful, thus the name Perissos."

I love that - I am blessed to be a part of it.

Another one from Georgia

Calm Before the Storm, 12 x 12

It rained on and off the day before Tropical Storm Fay moved up into Georgia. Then, in the afternoon, the sun finally shone through the mist with a warm glow. There was plenty more rain and wind yet to come (in fact, I left a day earlier than expected to escape the oncoming torrent), but this was a welcome interlude.

Painting in Georgia this week

Just Around the Bend, 9 x 12

This past week I went to St. Simons Island, Georgia to visit my in-laws and got a couple of paintings in before Tropical Storm Fay made her way up the coast. The predictions seemed to change by the hour; now it's coming, now it's not... But every time the sun came out my mother and father-in-law would push me out the door to seize the moment!

Thursday at the Easel

Still and Quiet Morning, 8 x 16

Today I painted with my buddy Tess (www.tesstraylorwalls.com). We were at the Austin Yacht Club, but we left out the yachts and focused on the gorgeous reflections. You just have to paint what grabs you. Don't get me wrong, the boats were great, but that peninsula in the distance with the light beaming through - that is what it was all about for me.

And now for something completely different...

House on Marshall Lane, 8 x 10

A friend of mine asked me to do a drawing for Hospice Austin's fundraiser invitation. (This home is the location of the fundraiser and the owners will get to keep the original drawing. That's pretty cool!) Although I always sketch before painting, I do it for composition purposes and to get the shapes and proportions in my eye. I rarely do a finished drawing these days, so this was a challenge and out of my routine. And it was fun... I highly recommend taking a challenge and getting out of the routine!!!

Across from Windy Point

In the Coolness, 12 x 12

Last week's paint out included a bit of a hike out to the water... I think we all wondered if it would be worth it. But standing in the shade at the edge of Lake Travis we were graced with a constant breeze and a beautiful view through this crooked little tree. And then we jumped in the lake.

Last Day in Costa Rica

Storm Cloud in the Distance, 9 x 12

On the last day I overheard a young girl tell her parents, "I love how we can be sitting here on the beach in the bright sun, and right across the water we see a thunderstorm; something completely different." She was so right... doesn't everything look beautiful from a sunny beach? I guess that's why we love vacations.

Playa Prieta

Secluded Beach, 9 x 12

Crystal clear turquoise water, sunlit red rocks, empty quiet beach... paradise.

Offerings of the Season

Light and Mist, 9 x 12

It's the rainy season in Costa Rica and it rains almost every afternoon. Sometimes the rain continues into the evening, but sometimes it's just an afternoon shower and the sun breaks back through the mist and fog. On this particular day as the rain lifted there was soft color in the sky and a ribbon of intense light on the horizon - it was heartbreakingly gorgeous.

Miguel's #1

Sea Cave, 9 x 12

When we first got to Costa Rica, we had the good fortune of riding a hotel shuttle with the local golf pro. Hearing about my quest for compelling painting sites, he immediately offered to have his course manager, Miguel, take me to all the best views at the golf course. This is Miguel's #1 favorite spot just off the 18th hole - a shady clifftop overlooking the ocean with Howler Monkeys in the trees.

Costa Rica!

Papagayo Cove, 12 x 9

Bill and I just returned from a relaxing week in Costa Rica, on the Papagayo Peninsula in the Guanacoste region (aka northwest corner). We had a great time - I was thrilled to be able to paint almost every day and will post the results over the next few days. It's beautiful country, and a friendly country. PS - We snorkeled at the underwater coral reefs near this point... muy bueno. :)