RAINY DAY AT BAYPORT

This pastel painting was done at the end of the Bayport pier on a hazy, rainy day.  It was enjoyable to do because the many times I've been there before it would be very hot and sunny. 
TITLE:  Rainy Day At Bayport
MEDIUM:  Pastel on UArt paper, 320 grade
SIZE:  12" X 16"

WALKWAY TO THE BEACH

Finally made it out to paint yesterday.  It felt so wonderful to be at the beach on Honeymoon Island again.  The owners of the outdoor cafe are kind enough to allow us artists to paint from their balcony in the early morning.
TITLE:  Walkway To The Beach
MEDIUM:  Pastel on UArt paper
SIZE:  5" X 7"
PRICE:  $80 in an 8" X 10" Mat

CAG AWARD

Creative Artists Guild announced the awards for their annual Art Show.  I am pleased to say I received and Honorable Mention for my pastel, "Early Sunset".  Thank you so much CAG for this honor!  Congratulations to all the other award winners as well

Palms In Anderson Park

Title:  Palms In Anderson Park
Medium:  Pastel on UArt sandpaper
Size:  5" X 7"
Price:  $80 in an 8" X 10" mat

Boat Dock in New Port Richey

Title:  Boat Dock in New Port Richey
Medium:  Pastel on UArt sandpaper
Size:  5" X 7"
Price:  $80 in an 8" X 10" Mat

PRICING FOR FINE ART GICLEE PRINTS

Here are Giclee prints available of my original pastels.  I get each pastel professionally scanned and printed from an excellent local printer I have used for ten years. The Giclees are printed on canvas and stretched on 1 1/2 inch stretchers with a gallery wrap on the sides.  There is no need for a frame and the piece will be ready to hang. It is also available to have prints made on Fine Art Paper. Sizes vary as well. For further information email me at pchidester@tampabay.rr.com

Title: Palms of Tampa Bay
Size:  18" X 12"
Medium:  Giclee Print on Canvas with 1 1/2" Gallery Wrap
Price:  $150
Fine Art Paper print is available upon request

Title:  Bakas Horse Path
Size:  18" X 14"
Medium:  Giclee Print on Canvas with 1 1/2" Gallery Wrap
Price:  $165
Fine Art Paper print is available upon request

Title:  Playtime
Size:  17" X 14"
Medium:  Giclee Print on Canvas with 1 1/2" Gallery Wrap
Price:  $150

Title:  Breaking Through
Size:  16" X 16"
Medium:  Giclee Print on Canvas with 1 1/2" Gallery Wrap
Price:  $169

Title:  A Lively Hope
Size:  11" X 14"
Medium:  Giclee Print on Canvas with 1 1/2" Gallery Wrap
Price:  $120

Title:  A Busch By The Bridge
Size:  12" X 12"
Medium:  Giclee Print on Canvas with 1 1/2" Gallery Wrap
Price:  $110

Title:  Impressionist View
Size:  12" X 12"
Medium:  Giclee Print on Canvas with 1 1/2" Gallery Wrap
Price:  $110

Title:  Land's End
Size:  12" X 12"
Medium:  Giclee Print on Canvas with 1 1/2" Gallery Wrap
Price:  $110

Title:  Palms At The Beach
Size:  12" X 12"
Medium:  Giclee Print on Canvas with 1 1/2" Gallery Wrap
Price:  $110

Title:  Towering Palms
Size:  12" X 12"
Medium:  Giclee Print on Canvas with 1 1/2" Gallery Wrap
Price:  $110

Title:  Trees By the Path
Size:  12" X 12"
Medium:  Giclee Print on Canvas with 1 1/2" Gallery Wrap
Price:  $110

For further information email me at pchidester@tampabay.rr.com

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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