Storm in the Glades

Do you think art can be taught, or is it a gift? We can learn the basic principals, and the theories, but what makes an artist successful? Certainly knowledge of art principals is necessary, but beyond that how do we judge? Mastery of certain fundamentals is necessary. Making a lot of money? Becoming a household name? Developing an artistic signature? I've been thinking about this because I have been invited to be part of the Artist Appreciation Series at the Marco Island Orion Bank, and will take part in an event on July 10, from 6-8. Hope you'll be able to attend. You can find more information about attending here.

Today's painting is almost as murky as an artist's success. We've had so much rain, typical for this time of year, and today's painting is no exception. Storm in the Glades is a loose, free work, subdued due to the downpour!

Storm in the Glades
20" x 16"

acrylic on canvas

Sold

Fakahatchee View

The Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park follows a north-south path about twenty miles long and five miles wide and is just east of Marco Island. The Park Manager calls it the Amazon of North America! This area abounds with wild life and wild growth, and contains some of the rarest orchids in the world. The Everglades Comprehensive Restoration Project is expected to bring changes to this area as the Prairie Canal will be filled in, slowing current water flow into the estuaries and recharging the groundwater. There's also good news about further north. Read this article for more information about how the State of Florida may purchase huge tracts from "Big Sugar" and return the Everglades to a more natural state. Maybe there's hope for the future of the planet after all!

Fakahatchee View
24" x 20"

Sold

In the Glades,

This painting is in the Big Cypress area of the Everglades off Turner River Road. It's mostly grassland, wet, and a few palms. Going out this time of year to paint means going early, before the afternoon storms, and being ready to fight the mosquitoes. We've developed a method that seems to work. We stop the car. If our review mirror draws mosquitoes, we don't get out and move on to another location. If no mosquitoes come to the mirror it's probably safe to get out of the car. We've been careless about checking and had to run back to the car slapping and screaming after being attacked by a hungry horde. I'm not exaggerating! It's dreadful! But there are many mosquito-free areas to paint. There are mosquito fish in clear, clear water of the Glades, eating mosquito larvae to keep the population down. You can learn more about them and other glades flora and fauna here.

Today is the first day of my six week class at the Marco Center for the Arts. It's not too late to come along if you'd like to learn more about painting with acrylics. Starts at 10!

In the Glades
7" x 5"

Sold

Ship & Shore

Many well-known artists have spent time painting my homwtown, Gloucester, MA. For years the changing light and the working harbor have drawn artists from all over the country. Artists such as Winslow Homer and Emile Gruppe's paintings have helped to make images of Gloucester very recognizable. While I rarely paint anything other than my dear Everglades, each year I paint at least one painting of the Gloucester area after my visit there. This one was prompted by a walk on Gloucester's beautiful Good Harbor beach. One day the water was warm enough for a dip, and the very next day froze our feet, but always the sounds of the waves can sooth the soul.

Ship & Shore
14" x 11" (35.6cm x 28.0cm)
acrylic on canvas
$300 plus $25 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Morning Palms

So very nice to be back in the studio! I filled my palette and just enjoyed the flow of paint, playing with it and pushing colors around until the painting emerged from the background. I warmed up with this small painting of familiar palms, golden because of the beautiful light absorbed driving down the coast from New England. I'm especially fond of the rich golden glow of the morning light. One of the most important aspects of painting for me is to capture a moment in time. These are usually fleeting so it's necessary to capture them quickly in my mind. That way they become part of me and I can recreate them later on the canvas.

Morning Palms
7" x 5" (17.8cm x 12.7cm)
acrylic on canvas
$150 plus $12 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Home!

We got back late yesterday from a whirlwind New England trip. There's already wet paint in the studio, and there will be a new painting to show you soon. I love getting away because the paintings kind of "ferment" in my head and somehow it's a growth period even though I don't pick up a brush!

New England is always a joy. We love the history, the old houses, spring flowers, and most of all visiting family and friends. We managed to visited three daughters, six grand children, two sisters and a brother, nieces, and dear and treasured friends. Met the newest member of the family, a 22-day old great niece. Hugged and kissed, laughed and cried. Talked and talked, walked down country lanes, on beaches, around points and in the woods. Went to T-ball, Little League and soccer games. Saw movies, ate ice cream and lobster and had wonderful meals cooked and enjoyed with dear ones. Went to the high school graduation that prompted the trip. Congratulations to Kyla who graduated 8th in a class of 280 and will go on to study graphic design. Saw and enjoyed a lot of art, and met some incredible artists, too.

After all that, there's still no place like home. As we drove back we were hit by one of the summer's heavy thunderstorms and took comfort in the fact that the summer rains had started on schedule and are renewing the dry landscape and providing nourishment and continuity to the Everglades. The greens were green, skies dramatic, and the light was fabulous. Can't wait to paint!