CAPTAIN JACK SHRIMP BOAT

After seeing Neil Walling's demo on painting a shrimp boat I thought I'd give it a try.  Here is "Captain Jack" a shrimp boat docked at the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks in Florida.  I was grateful he stayed put long enough for me to finish the painting.
Title: "Captain Jack"
Medium:  Pastel
Size:  8" X 10"

Paint The Beach Gala

Friday night was the Gala Reception at the Santini Marina.

"Paint The Beach" more

Bowditch Point Park was an excellent place to paint park and beach scenes.

Title:  "Sand Trail"
Meduim:  Pastel
Size:  11" X 14"
Price:  $350 framed

Title:  "A Perfect Beach Day"
Medium: Pastel
Size:  8" X 10" 
Price:  $275 framed

Paint The Beach Continued

We each had a goal to "go outside our comfort zone" while attending the event. For me it was doing a street scene which I hadn't done in years and doing a nocturne painting. They would be the most challenging for me which was okay. Several of us brought our night time equipment for a nocturne painting and the perfect set up presented itself.  Overlooking our apartment patio was a beautiful canal AND a full moon.  Who could ask for more!

Title:  Moonlight Serenity
Medium:  Pastel
Size:  5" X 7"
SOLD

"Paint The Beach" Plein Air Paint Out Event Fort Myers Beach

Four of us artists from The West Coast Plein Air Group attended the week long "Paint The Beach" Plein Air Paint Out event in Fort Myers Florida last week and had an excellent time from start to finish. We spent three days painting street scenes, beach scenes, park scenes and even evening nocturnal scenes. The fourth day we each submitted two framed pieces for the competition.  The Fort Myers Beach Art Association did an amazing job with the entire event but the highlight was the Friday Night Gala celebration.  We were able to meet the other 61 artists that participated and see their excellent work.
The first day several of us decided to paint street scenes in the colorful downtown area.

Title: At The Corner Of  Light And Bright
Medium: Pastel
Size:  8" X 10"
SOLD

Brooker Creek Preserve Open Field

Title:  "Brooker Creek Preserve Open Field"
Size:  11" X 14" 
Medium:  Pastel on UArt 320 grade sandpaper
Price:  $250  Framed

A View From The Bird Watchers' Hut

 Title:  "A View From The Bird Watchers' Hut"
Size:  11" X 14"
Medium:  Pastel on Uart 320 sandpaper
Price: $250  framed

Brooker Creek Preserve Paint & Photo 2014

 One of the pieces I submitted.  "Brooker Creek Preserve Open View"

 Inside the Bird Watcher's Hut, I sat on the very comfortable tractor stool and looked out the open window to the open field which I painted.

The Paint & Photo - 2014 Event was held at Brooker Creek Preserve (in Tarpon Springs FL) for the first time this year.  There were 33 artists and 9 photographers.  What an excellent place to have this three day event!! It has miles of trails going through Florida wetlands and dry Pine flatwoods which have been preserved so well through the years that it is very much like it was when the first settlers came to Florida.  I found the ideal place to set up and paint for three days - the Bird Watchers Hut!  There was the needed shade, a cool breeze coming through the open windows, AND No Bugs came in the hut!  I had the "Penthouse" of locations!!  The event ended with a very nice reception and all the work will hang for a week.

Leepa Rattner Museum of Art "ARTISTS' MARKET"

I finally had enough prints to participate in a show.  Artists Market was the perfect venue to start with.  It was a two day event at Leepa Rattner Museum of Art in Tarpon Springs.  What an excellent facility to be in!  The coordinators and volunteers couldn't have been more helpful!!  I had a wonderful "neighbor"; the table next to me was Heather Risley, and it was such a joy to get to know her during those two days.  I had some very meaningful conversations with people in the art world as well as people in the community. Oh yes, and I sold some prints!

A LIVELY HOPE

Another day at Sunset Beach, Tarpon Springs where spectacular clouds presented themselves.  They were bringing to shore much thunder, lightning, and rain.  But before reaching shore the clouds opened up and a beautiful rainbow formed before our eyes.  I tried to recapture that moment when several of us artists were awestruck by the beauty of it all.
TITLE:  "A Lively Hope"
MEDIUM: Pastel on Uart sandpaper, 320 grade
SIZE:  8 X 10

Starting To Clear

TITLE:  Starting To Clear
MEDIUM:  Pastel on Uart, 320 Grade
SIZE:  12" X 12"

After The Rain

The clouds this time of year really are spectacular along Florida's West Coast. There were very strong storms happening early Friday morning.  The practical decision would be cancel painting day at Howard Park.  But I thought it would be exciting to paint clouds during a storm and the park has open shelters for protection from the rain.  Six artists showed up!  As it turned out it didn't rain in the park but we could see the storm clouds and hear the thunder crack and see the lightening.  We all weathered the storms very well.

TITLE:  After The Rain
MEDIUM:  Pastel on Uart sandpaper, 320 Grade
SIZE:  6" X 6"

Before The Rain

This painting was done at Howard Park in Tarpon Springs Florida.  We could see the rain clouds heading our way but many times they can be in sight and never reach the shore.  The challenge with a pastel artist is determining how much time before the rain hits the shore.  I've been caught in the rain before scrambling to the car while trying to keep my pastels and painting dry. Pastels, paper and water are not a good combination!  So, to be on the safe side several of us decided to head for the shelter in the park.  It was a wise decision.  The rain came shortly after settling in the shelter.

TITLE:  Before The Rain
MEDIUM:  Pastel on Uart paper 320 Grade
SIZE:  5 1/4" X 8"

Discover The Path

Another view from "The Artists Cave".  This path goes into the giant cluster of Sea Grapes where artists find shelter from the sun.

Title:  Discover The Path
Medium:  Pastel on Uart paper 320 grade
Size:  5" X 7"
SOLD

Palms at Tampa Bay

There is a beautiful walkway along Tampa Bay that has untrimmed Palm trees which I like.  This grouping caught my eye so I found a spot to set up my art supplies and spent the next two mornings painting this.

Title:  Palms at Tampa Bay
Medium:  Pastel on Uart 320 grade sandpaper
Size:  11" X 17"

Sea Grapes By The Water

This is the side view from the "Giant Sea Grapes Artists Cave" where four of us artist are painting shoulder to shoulder and back to back to stay out of the sun and capture those very special views of white sand and beautiful foliage found on Honeymoon Island.

Title:  Sea Grapes By The Water
Medium:  Pastel on Uart sandpaper
Size:  5" X 8"

5 1/2" X 5 1/2" Study of Florida Landscape 6

This was at Land's End at Bay Port.  It is a beautiful place to paint as there are many views of salt marshes to pick from. 

Title:  Land's End at Bay Port
Medium:  Pastel on Uart sandpaper
Size:  5 1/2" X 5 1/2" in an 8" X 8" frame

5 1/2" X 5 1/2" Pastel Study of Florida Landscape 5

This painting was done on a cool winter's day in Anderson Park.  Groups of Palm trees provide a very nice canopy which is a comfort from the bright sun and wind.

Title:  Nature's Canopy
Medium:  Pastel on Uart sandpaper
Size:  5 1/2" X 5 1/2" in an 8" X 8" frame

5 1/2" X 5 1/2" Pastel Study of Florida Landscape 4

This painting was done on a cool windy day in Anderson Park.  It seemed like a very simple motif but the more I looked at it the more I observed interesting details. 

Title:  Marshland in Anderson Park
Medium:  Pastel on Uart sandpaper
Size:  5 1/2" X 5 1/2" in an 8" X 8" frame

5 1/2" X 5 1/2" Study of Florida Landscape 3

This painting was done at the Wallsingham Botanical Gardens.  It is a beautiful location with a canal and bridge similar to Monet's gardens in France.  I was on the bridge and noticed this bush under the bridge that was sparkling with the reflections of the sun and seemed to be very content with its location.  I thought I would "go out of the box" with my colors and get out of my comfort zone.  It was gutsy and fun.  It took a while to decide when the painting was complete but when I came to that point I was pleased.  It will be hard to let go of this painting as I grew as an artist when I painted this.

Title:  Bush Under The Bridge
Medium:  Pastel on Uart sandpaper
Size:  5 1/2" X 5 1/2" in an 8" X *" frame

5 1/2" X 5 1/2" Study Florida Landscapes 2

This is a painting of the Florida Pines on the other side of the path where the Palms were.  It is a necessity to find shade to set up and do a painting.  It is the same shady spot were I painted the "Oasis from the Sun" only on the opposite side of the path.  The Florida Pine Trees are so different from the pines in the north.  They branch out similar to an oak tree rather than have all the branches extend from the trunk evenly each year like the northern pine.  Also the pine needles are open and airy rather than thick clusters like a Christmas tree.

Title:  Florida Pines
Medium:  Pastel on Uart sandpaper
Size:  5 1/2" X 5 1/2" in an 8" X 8" frame

Most Recent 5 1/2 X 5 1/2 Studies of Florida Landscapes 1

Here are six 5 1/2" X 5 1/2" pastel paintings of studies I have done in the last few months at various parks in Florida.  The parks are Honeymoon Island, Anderson Park and Bay Port.  This group of Palm trees caught my eye as it had a beautiful arrangement to it and was a shady spot that provided relief from the hot sun.  There was enough breeze to make it tolerable to forget about the heat and stay long enough to get a good start on the painting.  Often I will finish it up in my studio at home.  It is easy to bring back the experience of being out there in the field and studying the view for 2 or more hours.  I have time to look at the painting with fresh eyes and the memory of being there.  Then I can make decisions of what would make this painting come together.  It often comes together in less than a half hour for this size of painting. 

Title:  Oasis in the Sun
Medium:  Passtel on Uart sandpaper
Size:  5 1/2" X 5 1/2" in an 8" X 8" frame

Bakas Horse Path

Saturday the Pastel Society of Tampa Bay had their annual Plein Air event at the Bakas Equestrian Center.  It is the most beautiful ranch with many exquisite riding horses used for special needs and handicapped children.  The horses are Very friendly and curious.  It is a delight to spend the day in their pasture!  This painting is of a path along the edge of the pond on the property.

Title:  Bakas Horse Path
Medium:  Pastel on Uart sandpaper
Size:  9 1/2" X 12 1/2"

COLOR STUDIES Analogous Colors

Painting Out of The Box and Out of My Comfort Zone.  With these studies it's hard to imagine ahead of time what the painting is going to look like but I have a clear set of ground rules: pick two analogous colors on the color wheel (colors side by side), and stay within a range of 4 values.  I can use any neutrals, tints and tones within those two colors.

So I just have to go for it and see what will come of it.  The least that will happen is I will learn something.
Here are a couple of small studies of Analogous colors.  One is done with Yellow and Yellow Orange.  The other painting is done with Red and Violet Red.
MEDIUM:  Pastel on Uart sandpaper
SIZE: 3" X 5"

HONORABLE MENTION

The Pastel Society of Tampa Bay presented me with an Honorable Mention.  What a joy to receive it!   It was worth the last minute effort, for sure.  Oh, happy day!

PASTEL SOCIETY OF TAMPA BAY ENTRY TWO

Here is the Second Entry piece for the Pastel Society of Tampa Bay 2014 annual show.
TITLE:  Sunset on Pine Island
MEDIUM: Pastel on Uart sandpaper
SIZE:  8 X 10"

PASTEL SOCIETY OF TAMPA BAY ENTRY ONE

This painting was one of two paintings submitted to the Pastel Society of Tampa Bay's annual show; Possibilities in Pastels.  I did two pieces a week before the deadline which was a push but I was happy to get something in the show.  This is one of the many beautiful views on Bayou Drive near Spring Hill, FL. 
Title:  Mid-morning Peach on Bayou Drive
Media:  Pastel on Uart sandpaper
SIZE:  8 X 10"

PASTEL STUDIES - WARM AND COOL

Recently a Pastel Workshop by Lyn Asselta was made available in Dunedin FL. She was going to teach how to go beyond the Blues and Greens found in landscapes.  Looking at my landscape paintings I realized the majority of the colors were blues and greens and I was having a heck of a time expanding my color pallette so I jumped at the chance to take it.  The workshop took me way beyond my comfort zone and I learned a great deal.  Many years ago my art journey started in pastels but in the last few years my focus has been  working in oils, pen and ink, and pencil sketching.  But I've always had a passion for pastels so now it's like  "returning to my roots".  I've learned a great deal of practical application for pastels recently which has made them more "useable" for me.
WARM AND COOL was an exercise in Lyn's workshop that shows the extreme effects of Temperature in a painting.  For years it's been challenged on identify Warm and Cool colors.  Always have to stop and think "is this a warm or cool  color". Now I realize it's All about Relationships.  I've heard it many times before but it's really sinking in now.  A color is effected by all the colors that are around it.  Some things take years to learn.  This is one of them.  I know it to be true with values, now I'm getting a greater understanding with colors.  It's always good to get out of one's comfort zone.  That's when you learn something!!  No pain, no gain!