The Narrow Path

The Narrow Path, 12 x 12

St. Simons Island, GA is known for its huge oak trees which provide wonderful shade and beautiful dappled light. When I saw this path, I was particularly drawn to the contrast between the light in the distance and the sense of shelter under the darkened tree canopy. This site was part of a plantation in the early 1800's. Now it's the home of Epworth By The Sea, a beautiful conference grounds (and a favorite painting location for me!)

12th Street Palms

12th Street Palms, 12 x 9

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In an attempt to paint on the beach one morning (still on the GA coast), I realized that although it was early, I was already too late. The sun was way too high and the light was just too bright without an umbrella or some sort of covering. However, just over the dunes these palm trees were casting beautiful, crisp shadows and there was a big shady spot to stand in!

Before the Rain

Before the Rain, 12 x 12

My second day in Georgia started out overcast and threatening rain. The foggy marine layer kept things cooler and enabled me to paint this moody view of the marsh. If the sun had been out it would have driven me under cover and out of range. When the rain finally did come, it was just a sprinkle. Later that night, we got the downpour.

Cabin at Taylor Fish Camp

Cabin at Taylor Fish Camp, 9 x 12

When my husband was a kid, his father used to take him and siblings to the undeveloped (then) north end of St. Simons Island to go fishing and crabbing at Taylor Fish Camp. It's on the site of a ruined plantation and the land is closed to the public these days. However, my dear friend and island painting buddy, Alyson Tucker, was able to get us in (thanks Alyson). This one room cabin is believed to be leftover slave lodgings from the plantation days before the civil war. The whole place has an amazing sense of history.

View from the Landing

View from the Landing, 12 x 16

Welcome to the Golden Isles of Southern Georgia! I have just returned from a painting trip on St. Simons Island - one of my favorite places ever. EVER. I am so lucky that my in-laws who live there are fabulous, and they love to have me come and paint. I painted this marsh view from the porch of the Village Creek Landing, a restaurant known for its fabulous Low Country Fish Boils and this incredible view. It's closing down, so it's the end of an era. The view will still be there, but I will miss that boiled dinner...

Morning in the Field

Morning in the Field, 5 x 7, SOLD

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There is nothing quite like the first light of the day...

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This is the last of my "places I wanted to paint in person but was unable to" series (yes, photographs come in handy in such cases!) I have been painting in Georgia for the last two weeks and just got home tonight. I will begin posting my work from that trip as soon as I get it photographed. Thank you all for your kind words while I was gone; I truly appreciate your encouragement!

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Grain Silos

Grain Silos, 7 x 5, SOLD

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I think these silos held grain but but to be completely honest, I am not really sure. :) I just loved the cylindrical shapes and the way the sun was hitting them.

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Warehouse Row

Warehouse Row, 5 x 7

These old warehouses in the late afternoon reminded me of pastel Monopoly pieces all sitting in a row. (Houses though, definitely NOT hotels.) Another neighborhood in Fredericksburg at dusk.

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Ivory Tower

Ivory Tower, 7 x 5, SOLD

This old tower stands in a field outside of Austin. Every time I pass by, I slow down and study it from all angles. When I figured out that it is some kind of fire safety training tower I liked it even more... the smaller building actually has evidence of flames around the windows. It's comforting to know our firemen practice with real fire!

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Corner House

Corner House, 7 x 5

End of day in Fredericksburg, Texas. Such dramatic light...

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Old Main Street

Old Main Street, 7 x 5, SOLD

Boarded up windows and empty storefronts was all that was left of this little downtown shopping area I drove through. I failed to write down the name of this town that was so deserted, but I found myself easily imagining it in a more lively time. To me it's sad, I am not a big fan of "progress". :)

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The Road Goes On Forever

The Road Goes On Forever, 5 x 7, SOLD

For the next two weeks I will be on a painting trip in Georgia. While I am out of pocket, I will be posting a series of small paintings based on images from the road. These are painted from photos taken on my travels of places I wanted to stop and paint, but couldn't (for one reason or another.) This is the first of that little collection - a country road in Fredericksberg, Texas.

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Johnson Pond

Johnson Pond, 6 x 6, SOLD

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I have some friends who wake up and drink their coffee looking at this pond every morning. How great is that? It's so quiet and removed from the rush of life...

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Circle Corral

Circle Corral, 6 x 6

I love the long shadows early in the morning... this corral couldn't contain them!

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Shady Crowd

Shady Crowd, 12 x 12

On hot Texas afternoons, the shade is the only place to be. These cows found a cool spot and were not about to budge; no matter that they were practically on top of each other!

Greeting the Morning

Greeting the Morning, 9 x 12

Another Granbury painting - On Saturday morning, a few of us got up early to catch the first light. We had to paint extra fast, because the light really changes fast at that time (plus there was that hot breakfast waiting at our B&B.) These tall pines seemed to be greeting the new day as much as we were!

ALSO, I want to thank a blogging friend of mine, Jane Hunt, for giving me the Kreativ Blogger award!!! It is a real honor to recieve this, especially from another artist. She is a wonderful painter and I would love for you all to go straight to her blog and check out her work!

Across the Bay

Across the Bay, 12 x 9

Lake Granbury is a dammed up river that runs through the town of Granbury, Texas... it seems like every time you make a turn you are crossing over it again. These long reflections at the end of the day were too gorgeous to pass up.

Briggs Field

Briggs Field, 12 x 9

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The Plein Air Austin painting weekend was a great time. I travelled to Granbury with my good buddies Julie Davis and Lyn Cohagan; all of us determined to paint on our way. Well, it was a little like Mr. Toad's Wild Ride! We veered off the main road numerous times - stopping, starting, u-turning - all in search of possible painting sites. Julie was a good sport with the map in her lap at all times and Lyn never missed a turn as we caravanned our way. We finally ended up at this field in the little town of Briggs, Texas. Such good times!

Morning Stillness

Morning Stillness, 9 x 12

A quiet pool sits above the upper McKinney Falls and trickles into another pool below. As I hiked down there yesterday morning, this scene caught my eye. I loved the way the angled light hit the grasses and bush in the foreground. I don't think I quite got the glow of it in this painting, but it is stuck in my memory! Now I am off to paint for the weekend with Plein Air Austin friends in Granbury, Texas. How great is that?

Outer Pasture

Outer Pasture, 12 x 12

When I was up in the Chicago area a couple weeks ago, I added a leg to Minnesota to visit my college roommate on her farm. I was unable to paint while there, but did take some pictures. This is one of many pastures in their beautiful rolling hillside. I must go back and bring a few supplies next time!

Marina Cove

Marina Cove, 12 x 9

Memorial Day Weekend is kind of the kick-off for summer boating everywhere. Our little local marina was all cleaned up and ready for action on Thursday afternoon when Plein Air Austin met up to paint there. The "hush" in this cove probably won't return until September!
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Happy Memorial Day!

Golden Creek

Golden Creek, 8 x 6

Yesterday was another great day to be outside painting... however, I had to start over 5 times! Some days it's just hard to get in the groove. I hate leaving on a bad note though, so I kept at it. I finally got it together when I decided to pull out a small panel and just do a "study". That small mental shift made a huge difference!

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And thank you, Julie Davis, for the Kreativ Blogger Award! It's a great honor and affirmation!

Hamilton Pool

Hamilton Pool, 12 x 16

Hamilton Pool is a bit of a drive out to the countryside. It requires a steep hike "in" and an equally steep hike back "out"... but the trip is SO worth the effort. This pool and collapsed grotto was formed by thousands of years of water erosion; and when we are not in a drought, a 50 foot waterfall spills over the top of this canyon. Before the 1800's, Native Americans lived in this natural shelter because its water and lush plantlife; and its beauty no doubt.

While I was painting today, another visitor played his wooden flute from inside the grotto. The melody bounced off the canyon walls in a gorgeously haunting way. It was magical!

Lost Canyon

Lost Canyon, 16 x 12

Today was a beautiful, blue sky day with cooler temperatures after our weekend rain - perfect for painting. I met up with my dear friend and great painter, Julie Davis, at a wonderful canyon land that runs through town. This path leads to some beautiful sunning rocks in Lost Creek - a popular hangout spot for the teenagers at this time of year.

Fiesta Gardens Quartet

Fiesta Gardens Quartet, 5 x 7 each

Friday night I participated in our most fun, annual art event here called "fiveXseven -Art Splurge and Exhibition". It's a big fund raiser for Arthouse, a contemporary art space in downtown Austin. Local artists donate pieces in a 5x7 format (2-D and 3-D, in every media imaginable) and these are sold anonymously for $100 each. We sign the paintings on the back only; and each is solely identified by a removeable label next to it with a number on it. The artists are only revealed to buyers upon purchase. The mystery and surprise adds to the fun.

What makes it really special, and a little crazy, is how the paintings are purchased. On opening night, attendees have an hour an a half to look around. This year there were 1500 pieces donated, so there was SO MUCH fabulous work to see. It's truly overwhelming! Then, right at 9pm, there is a countown to the buzzer... and everyone snatches the tags of the paintings they want. There is serious stalking and hovering; lots of bartering for position; and some all-in-good-fun grabbing. It's quite a scene.

Anyway, these are my "fiveXsevens", and I am happy to say they all got grabbed (except the last one, which was held back for the road show that goes on to Dallas and Houston.) I also did a little grabbing of my own - the barracuda in me comes out at this event! :)

Fiesta Gardens - Dawn, 5 x 7

Fiesta Gardens - Midday, 5 x 7

Fiesta Gardens - Dusk, 5 x 7

Fiesta Gardens - Evening, 5 x 7

Revisiting Canyon Road

Revisiting Canyon Road, 30 x 30

Last week I had a good-sized block of studio time available, in which I painted this 30x30 version of "Canyon Road" (posted 5/5). My goal with these larger pieces is to retain the simplicity and freshness of my original field work, as well as to let the new piece "morph" in it's own direction. My approach? Same process, bigger brushes, way more paint and LOTS of backing up!

Lily Pond

Lily Pond, 12 x 12

I have been "missing in action" for a few days - and felt a bit rusty today! (It doesn't take long!) I just got back from a fabulous weekend at my Wheaton College reunion outside Chicago. It's always great to see dear friends and revisit old stomping grounds. A big highlight for me was meeting with Joel Sheesley, my favorite art professor and incredible painter. Life is good!

Lakeside

Lakeside, 6 x 8

Here is another painting from my road trip last weekend to Canyon of the Eagles Park, on Lake Buchanan. There really are eagles there. Bald Eagles nest, live and enjoy full protection in this wonderful sanctuary. Early in the morning, I could see them soaring above the lake.

Click to purchase $120 + $12 s/h
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Canyon Road

Canyon Road, 12 x 12

Last weekend I went to the Canyon of the Eagles Park for a women's retreat with my church. I had heard it was a beautiful drive out there and a great location, so I packed my bags with easel and brushes, and painted my way there. A new road always offers up unplanned gifts; and spontaneous stops are so much fun.

Poppies, Poppies...

Poppies, Poppies, 12 x 12

Poppies really are seductive - they kind of captivate the unwitting passersby. These red ones at the botanical garden today reminded of that scene from the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy Gale is lulled into a deep sleep in a poppy field. In my head I kept hearing that cackle, "I'll get you, my pretty!" That used to scare me so much! :)