Hyde Park Bridge

Hyde Park Bridge, 12 x 9

On Saturday morning Plein Air Austin met to paint and several of us were captivated by this quaint, little bridge. There wasn't much traffic crossing over, so the whole place felt very quiet and secluded. The slow running creek below the bridge added to the peacefulness of the morning, but it is also evidence of our rain deprivation here in central Texas. The banks where I set up my easel are usually covered with water.

Radiant Fullness

Radiant Fullness, 30 x 24

On this particular afternoon everything seemed full to overflowing... the tide almost topping the marsh grass and the clouds billowing with light. Captivating moments like these practically stop me in my tracks. If I am in a car when it happens, I know it's just best to give in and pull over. :)

Golden Eve

Golden Eve, 12 x 24 diptych

Next week, I will paint a larger version of Golden Eve. Working smaller first helps me get the shapes, color and general direction in place before I commit to a bigger canvas. I was talking with my great painting pal, Julie Davis, about how this process can feel repetitive at times. In practice, I find that the scale differential usually changes things so much that the larger painting is a completely new challenge. It's really useful work out, or at least consider, some of the elements ahead of time. I don't always do it, but it can be a very helpful discipline.

Ebb and Flow

Ebb and Flow, 30 x 24

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I wonder at the variation in the natural world - the tide, the sky, the light. Everything is constantly changing but there is a definite rhythm to it all.

Storm Overhead

Storm Overhead, 36 x 36

We are in a severe drought here in Texas this summer, so storms are just something we dream about... or go on vacations to experience! This is a larger version of the plein air study I painted in Georgia last month. I love the anticipation of a good, hard rain; I especially enjoyed the drama of the darkened sky and watching the light break through in the distance.

Morning Gilds the Sky

Morning Gilds the Sky, 36 x 36

This larger work is taken from a plein air study I did in Georgia. I was completely taken with these slightly silhouetted trees against the beautiful mottled sky. Revisiting it was just as fun as being there the first time!

On a personal note, I spent long days in the studio this week, painting larger work and framing. The big canvases are harder to photograph, especially when wet, so I was able to post until now. I hate being MIA, but sometimes one flow interrupts another. (And usually it's best to go with the flow...)

Commission Studies

Mountain Meadow Study 1, 6 x 8

Mountain Meadow Study 2, 6 x 8

These two small studies were the first step in my recent commission process. I used them to show how placement of the horizon line would impact the overall "feeling" of the scene and then, of course, to choose. With the horizon line placed low, the painting is all about the big sky and vastness of the land; placed high, the painting is all about the closeness of the field grasses. It's a very slight shift that results in a significantly different perspective. (BTW, there is no right answer here, it's just personal preference. My client and I both preferred the top one. See Saturday's post for final commission painting.)

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Mountain Meadow

Mountain Meadow - Montana, 16 x 20

This is a commission piece I just finished. I don't do many of these and it always fills me with a small degree of fear. (Painting for someone else is just different than painting for yourself!) My number one rule is that I have to have been to the place. My number two rule is that I have painted there and know something about the color and light. Then I try and combine my client's ideas with my own experience to come up with something that connects.

Here is the progression from left (the scene we started with) to right (the scene with alterations/final painting). Each painting informed the next as I "pushed" the composition. The last one seemed to best capture the wide open places and big skies of Montana; the foreground trees providing an important sense of scale. Many thanks to my new friend and patron, D.K., for giving me great artistic freedom and for removing the fear!!

Mountain Meadow - composition progression

On another note, I want to thank Barbara Muir for awarding me the Bella Sinclair Award for "Friendship, Sisterhood, Sharing and Caring." I am so thrilled and honored by getting it from her - SHE is the ultimate sister and friend of sharing and caring! In blog-award tradition, I get to pass this on to other blog sisters who have also been very encouraging to me: Carol Schiff, Catherine Jeffrey, Jala Pfaff, Janelle Goodwin, Karen Phipps, Marion Fortunati, Nancy Hartley, Pam Holnback, Rahina Qh, and my own real-life sister Erin Kleider.

Sunlit Pueblo

Sunlit Pueblo, 12 x 12

On Sunday, Plein Air Austin members gathered to install our plein air exhibit. It was very exciting to see it all come together. We have 37 artists exhibiting and over 110 paintings on display! If you are in town, please join us at our reception this Thursday...

In the Plein Air Tradition: Painting on Location
Corridor of Arts - 700 Lavaca (on the lower level)
Opening Reception - Thursday, July 16, 5-7pm
(Free parking in garage across street, enter on Guadalupe)

My paintings Blue Barn, Honeymoon Cactus, Upper Falls, Sunlit Pueblo will be on display. All are 12 x 12.

Pool House Morning

Pool House Morning, 12 x 12

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Saturday morning our painting group met up Deep Eddy Pool, another favorite Austin haunt in the summer. This is actually the pool house entrance - I just couldn't get past the fabulous morning shadows on the building. Swimming here after painting was a great reward; AND they sell tasty Mango Jim Jims at the snack bar (kind of like shaved ice). So good and so summer!

Barton Springs Shadows

Barton Springs Shadows, 9 x 12

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Barton Springs Pool is fed by an under ground spring and the water stays around 68 degrees all year round. It's a delicious way to cool down, especially in this incredible heat wave we are having. Last week, our plein air group met there to paint - and to swim when it got too hot. We are doing that sort of thing a lot these days - it's the only way to be outside and survive the heat!

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A side note: this tree almost got cut down this spring for safety reasons. Thank goodness for the friends of the pool who rallied together and saved it! Can you imagine how many picnics have taken place under that tree?

Morning At Bull Creek

Morning At Bull Creek, 24 x 24

This is a studio piece I painted a few weeks ago. I loved the golden color of the reflections that morning.

Morning Bursts Forth

Morning Bursts Forth, 12 x 12

I love the marsh, especially in the morning. The light, color, sounds and smells are so compelling. This is the last painting from my Georgia trip, and I am already thinking about when I can go back! Thanks to all of you who have left encouraging comments about these posts. I had a fabulous time.

Flora and Fauna

Flora (Angel Trumpets), 12 x 9

Fauna (Sago Palms), 9 x 12

Sometimes I just cannot resist vegetation. I love the observing the shapes and colors; and discovering their unique growing patterns. Plus, understanding them up close helps me edit them more accurately in the landscape. These lovely ones were in sunny Georgia!

Regal Pines, 16 x 12

This is what you call "old growth" pines... so tall, so inspiring... standing on the edge of the marsh. I was very taken with the rythmic verticals and interesting angles in the foliage of these trees.

Three Trees on the Frederica River

Three Trees on the Frederica River, 9 x 12

The barrier islands of coastal Georgia are separated from the mainland by marshes and rivers. The Frederica is one of those rivers that laces through the islands, and ebbs and flows with the ocean tide. It's constantly changing.

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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