"Patiently Awaiting - Portrait of Brooke"

20"x16" Oil on Canvas

Such a beautiful little girl. . . she looks just like her Momma.  In memory of a beautiful, yet short life; Brooke shined like the sun in the lives of those who knew her.  She awaits, patiently, in Heaven for the rest of us to join that glorious Light.  Merry Christmas.

"Break in the Fog at Shem Creek" SOLD

8"x10" Oil on Canvas   SOLD

This is the second of the two paintings I painted last week at the docks of The Wreck at Shem Creek, Mount Pleasant, SC.  The dolphins were swimming by and you knew it without looking because they loudly blew out their breath as they surfaced.  The fog was SO Thick and then suddenly there was a break at one section of the sky allowing some sun to warm us.  What drama!
This one might be sold: email artistmlh@yahoo.com for more information

"Foggy Creek"

6"x8" Oil on Linen panel

This was the first of two plein air paintings from last week.  The weather was so great because it was so thick with fog.  Fog creates an unusual atmosphere in which to paint en plein air and it was so wild! I loved it!  I hope we have many more of these atmospheric opportunities.
available at www.charlestonartistcollective.org

"Sweet Camellia" SOLD

6"x8" Oil on Linen Panel   sold

One of my personal favorite paintings of the Flower series.  This Camellia Tree is found in the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens in Charleston, SC and I can only guess how old it is!  They are blooming at this time when all other species of blooms and flowers have faded.  Available at www.charlestonartistcollective.org

"Plantation Oak" SOLD

6"x8" Oil on Linen Panel   SOLD

This is an Oak Tree overhanging the Ashley River on the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens in Charleston, SC.  Available at www.charlestonartistcollective.org

"Charleston Steeples"

8"x6" Oil on Linen Panel   sold

These cute little plein air paintings make wonderful Stocking Stuffers for Christmas and the Holidays!

"Sullivan's Island"

 8"x6" Oil on Linen Panel

Wedding Location

9"x12" Oil on Canvas

This was a while in the making for a wedding which took place in August.  It was located out-of-town from me and I was unable to attend but I wanted to give a gift that will hopefully be a forever cherished memory of their special day.  I had to sneak and have my "secret agents" in the town of the wedding go before hand to this spot to snap pictures for me so I could use them as references for the painting.  And then they had to get the images to me.  Finally, the painting is complete.  Now to dry it and send it off to them.  Wish me luck!

"Morning Glow"

24"x30" Oil on Canvas

Available at www.mountainmistgallery.com Contact David Berger for more information:
(828) 743-1801

This particular Hydrangea bush is located at one of my personal favorite painting spots in the Old Village in Mount Pleasant, SC.  This garden is always so perfectly pruned and planted and is a glorious sight year 'round.  This was captured in the early morning sunlight.  The warm tones of the clear sunshine caught the hydrangea in such a way that it glowed!  You can bet you'll be seeing more paintings from this place.

"Water Cooler" (Pelicans) SOLD

36"x36" Oil on Linen Canvas  Sold

This was so fun because I painted this strictly with a palette knife.

A Portrait in Progress

Detail

Detail of eyes

20"x16" Oil on Canvas

"Beach Comber" (little Boy) SOLD

5"x7" Oil on Linen Panel  SOLD

Some Recent Little Paintings

 "Sullivan's Island Light House and Sea Oats" 6"x8" Oil on Linen Panel   sold

"Sullivan's Island Lighthouse II" 7"x5" Oil on Linen Panel

"Portrait of Noah & Corley" final

20"x24" Oil on GessoBord brand panel

I worked out Noah's face and their surroundings a bit more.

"Rising With The Sun" SOLD

6"x8" Oil on Linen Panel   SOLD

This is a little Plein Air Painting I did Alla Prima today.  I brought it home and haven't touched it.

We were standing at the top of the Majestic Square Parking Garage, downtown Charleston.  The weather was so nice; much nicer than the chillier temperatures we had been experiencing the past couple of days.  So nice, in fact, that I could have dressed for summer weather.

It's uncertain whether or not I'll go back into this to "beef" up the structure of the closest steeple; as I like its freshness even if the drawing isn't perfect.  Lately, I've been challenging myself to "loosen up" and leave the "fresh" brush stroke alone.  I'm not so much out for perfection of drawing but of the brush work.  If the brush stroke and hue are right, the drawing will take care of itself.

"Pluff Mud Marsh" SOLD

12"x12" Oil on Canvas SOLD

Painted En Plein Air on location at the Boat Landing Station 26 on Sullivan's Island, SC.  The first of two paintings today. . . when we first arrived, the tide was way low!  Pluff mud is the soft, gooey mud that lies beneath the brackish water of this tidal creek.  It seems to reflect every color under the sun!  The second painting I did shows how the tide came up in the same spot.

It was a lovely day to paint outside!

"Serenity"

8"x10" Oil on Canvas Painted En Plein Air on location at the Boat Landing at Station 26 on Sullivan's Island.

The title comes from a dear friend, with whom I painted at this spot, whose son paddle boards at this location.  He comes not only for the exercise but to clear away the clutter in his head and he finds calm and peace.  It is a peaceful spot.

"Black Beauty"

11"x14" Oil on GessoBord panel

Finished up another "Portrait" painting of a gorgeous horse which is home to the Charleston Therapeutic Riding Stables

"Portrait of Noah & Corley"

Aren't they just the cutest?

 I just love how the light "glows" through the ears of little boys in a back-light situation!

16"x20" Oil on GessoBord Panel

My goal was to only put detail on the children's faces

 and everything else around them blurrs out as the viewer's eye travels away from them.

Another close up of "Portrait of Noah & Corley"

 this is another close up of Noah

"Study: Pecan Trees"

8"x6" Oil on Linen Panel

'Tis that time of the year for fresh pecans!!
This was also painted en plein air at the end of Sullivan's Island, SC

"Low Creek Bed"

7"x5" Oil on Linen panel

I love painting here. . . this view is from Shem Creek Park looking out from the shelter.  The tide was out and when it is, interesting shapes and colors are created between the pluff mud, water and grasses.  I love painting here!

"Palm Tree Study" SOLD

8"x6" Oil on Linen Panel   SOLD

Another study of shapes and color.  Painted en plein air on Sullivan's Island, SC

"Blue Skies & Palms" SOLD

8"x6" Oil on Linen Panel  SOLD

Another glorious day in the Lowcountry!  The shapes of the trees this day captured my attention.

"Boat Landing" SOLD

6"x8" Oil on Linen mounted on Birch Board  SOLD

After painting "Golden Tidal Creek" I turned 180 degrees into the sun.  This view shows the oyster shell road leading to where I stood near the edge of the tidal creek.  Rains have been relentless and today was only the second sunny day I've seen in over a week.  So I wanted to capture the glisten of the sun on the pluff mud and marsh.  The tree line hides the Sullivan's Island neighborhood beyond.  What a beautiful day to paint!!!

"Golden Tidal Creek" SOLD

8"x10" Oil on Canvas   SOLD

Today is the first day of October and the marsh grasses are beginning to reveal that time of year when they turn from their deep green hue to a more amber tone. . . Some say the marshes are less attractive this time of year.  For me, the golden grasses tell us of cooler days and cozier nights.  Like the "Leaf Peepers" who visit the Northeast to view the glorious color of the changing leaves, this is the Lowcountry's time to celebrate the changing seasons of summer to fall.

"2 As One" NFS - Gifted

"2 As One" 8"x6" Oil on Linen Framed

A dear friend's eldest was married this past Spring of 2014 under this magnificent Oak Tree on their property.  This is to commemorate that lovely day.

"Norton Falls at Lake Glenville" Final (I promise)

24"x30" Oil on Canvas

I just couldn't leave this alone!  As I stare at it in my home everyday I see things that "need work," so I decided to go back into it a bit.  I am pleased that I did. "Glenville Falls" just needed some finishing touches. Now it is ready to go to the gallery in Cashiers, NC.

"Wade Hampton Garden View". NFS

9"x12" Oil on Linen Panel.  NFS

This was started en plein air in Cashiers, NC at a private home in the Wade Hampton neighborhood when the sun set and I lost my reference.  I finished this with final touches from memory of one of the most gloriously beautiful gardens I have ever walked through.  This scene only captures a tiny part of the gardens. This is the view from the back of the house over-looking a valley between several mountains and the setting sun created a beautiful glow.  It is my hope to be fortunate enough to return there and attempt a second painting.

"Glenville Falls" Final

24"x30" Oil on Linen Canvas  Available at Mountain Mist Gallery www.mountainmistgallery.com

Final image.  What fun!!!!  I'll be visiting this place again in the next month.  Can't wait!

"Expressionism" is the Theme for October at the Charleston Artist Collective

       "Gone Fishin'" 9x12 Oil on Linen

"Stella Maris" 10"x8" Oil on Linen  SOLD

       "Shem Creek Glow" 11"x14" Oil on Gessobord  SOLD

"Red Tin Roof" 6"x8" Oil on Linen  sold

"The Falls at Glenville"

24"x30" Oil on Linen Canvas

This one might not be complete yet. . . but it's always fun to put it out there for your comments.  Let me know what you think.

This one is headed for the Mountain Mist Gallery in Cashiers, NC

"Her Favorite Aunt". SOLD

10"x8" Oil on Gessobord brand panel.  NFS

A friend traveled to help celebrate her favorite Aunt's 75th Birthday and asked me to paint this picture of her as a young woman.  Wow, what a beautiful and glamorous lady.

"Portrait of Noah and his little sister, Corley" Still In Progress

20"x24" Oil on Linen Canvas. Commission-nfs

This is a start of one of my portrait projects. . . and I just had to share.  I am enjoying seeing their faces emerge from the "underpainting."  I love back-lit portraits, especially when little boys' ears are turned bright red from the sunlight shining through.  These children are so full of joy and it is my hope to convey their bright, sunny personalities.

"North, South, East & West"

24"x30" Oil on Canvas

More for the Shore Bird Series. . . this one is headed to the Hagan Fine Art Gallery on State Street in Historic Charleston, SC.

"Out To Sea". SOLD

8"x6" Oil on Linen Panel.  Sold

Painted en Plein Air on location at Shem Creek near the Geechee Dock in Mount Pleasant, SC

Available at www.charlestonartistcollective.org

"From The Sea". SOLD

6"x8" Oil on Linen Panel.  Sold

Painted en Plein Air on location at Shem Creek near the Geechee Dock in Mount Pleasant, SC

available at www.charlestonartistcollective.org

"Breech Inlet Rocks" revised

 11"x14" Oil on Linen Panel

Painted En Plein Air on location at station 31 on Sullivan's Island near the place that separates Isle O Palms and Sullivan's Island.

Available at www.charlestonartistcollective.org

The Quick Draw: "Sweet Katie"

8"x6" Oil on Linen Panel

The final painting of the week was the "Quick Draw" where each artist paints a subject of their choice and has two hours to paint it in. . . I asked this lovely young woman if she would be willing to model for me.  What fun!  She said yes and here it is. . . we were under cover of the Village Green structure.  Good thing: it was raining!  She was a trooper and I am very pleased with the result.  All I really cared about was capturing her beautiful cheek bones!  Thank you, Katie!!  You rock!