"Homeward Bound - Before The Storm" Sold

6"x12" Oil on Board   sold

Near my home I often pass by this road's edge pasture where the sweetest brown Appaloosa and white Arabian horse hang out.  I'll stop for a minute or two to say hi and offer a nose rub.  I'd love to have a carrot or apple to offer if I knew it were OK with their owner.

Under the Charleston Artist Collective's August Theme, "Passing Storms," I thought I'd paint one to their tribute.  It just so happened to be a cloudy, storm-threatening day when I took this picture.

"Garden Bird House II" SOLD

10"x8" Oil on Linen Panel   SOLD

This was painted in the morning at the same garden.  As the afternoon drew near, the color temperatures became even more defined.

"Garden Bird House III" SOLD

6"x6" Oil on Gessobord Panel   SOLD

Once and twice just weren't enough for painting this lovely garden setting and its charming little focal point. . . .

"Side Work" SOLD

Image Size: 20"x24" Oil on Linen   SOLD

One of my favorite Downtown Restaurants just before the shift begins

"Looking Back on Our Future"

9"x12" Oil on Canvas

Another view of Middleton Place's "Butterfly Lakes" where vows are made and futures begin.

"The Place of Promises" SOLD

9"x12" Oil on Gessobord brand Panel   sold

Middleton Place is an Historical Plantation which is often the site for weddings and special events.  The grounds are breath-takingly beautiful!

"Sitting At Historical Roots" SOLD

8"x10" Oil on Gessobord brand panel   SOLD

Again, I turned back toward the house I originally painted and was "face-to-face" with this magnificent old Oak Tree.  Just in front of it sits a large marble slab which looks like a stair step.  As it turns out, there was an old historic building in downtown Charleston that was too dilapidated to save; but folks had the where-with-all to take a couple of stair treads and plant them in front of this massive Oak.  Locals have dubbed it "the Bench," and it is often the place of weddings (and probably proposals, as well) overlooking the beautiful waterway.

"A Dock's View"

10"x8" Oil on Gessobord panel

From my first painting of the day I turned 180 degrees and saw this view!  I had to paint it!  This is part of the view that the house (that I painted in the earlier post) with the red tin roof sees out it's back door.  Wow!

"Ancient Story Teller" SOLD

9"x12" Oil on Canvas   SOLD

We were invited to paint in Rockville, SC Wednesday.  What a charming little village.  I felt as though we had stepped back in time.  Aside from the summertime sounds of cicadas and singing birds, the occasional passing recreational boat was the only reminder of our present era.  The homes were all historic, in fact our hostess' house was built in the 1800's.  Thanks to Elizabeth for her lovely hospitality.  We'd love to visit again!

"Purple Hydrangeas"

9"x12" Oil on Canvas

The second painting of today.  The sun came out between rain showers and thunderstorms long enough just so I could paint this today!

"Garden Bird House" SOLD

6"x6"x1" Oil on Gessobord brand panel mounted on 1" depth birch wood (can be hung with or without a frame)   SOLD

A break in the torrential wet weather was a God-send today!  I can't believe I had 3 solid hours of sunshine!  Then suddenly the sky darkened and a cold breeze blew through warning me I ought to be packing up quickly!  And then the sky opened up and the rain came pouring down again.  The artwork made it to the back of the car safe and dry.  However, between the back of the car and the driver's side door I managed to get soaked.  Oh well, it was a terrific day of painting!!

"Sullivan's Island On Her Birthday" SOLD

9"x12" Oil on Linen   sold

I forgot to post this!  This painting was done just as a storm was approaching which makes for the most glorious cloud formations..Only, when that storm hits, you've got to get out quick!
Just as I was closing the door to my car to drive home the sky dropped out!
But I must say this has to be my favorite of all the Sullivan's Island Light House paintings I've ever done.
Happy Birthday, Amanda!!

"A Dream Garden" SOLD

9"x12" Oil on Canvas   sold

Painted Alla Prima en Plein Air at one of my favorite places to paint: Bennett Street in the Old Village of Mount Pleasant.  This home's garden is "to die for" gorgeous!!  The picket fence is lined with beautiful blooms of various flowers and the hydrangeas were of the deepest purple!  I've not seen anything like it.  Ah, to dream. . .

"Proud Mamma" Revised SOLD

9"x12" Oil on Canvas  sold

Aw, much better warmed up.  This is the same painting as in the previous post only worked on a little bit more to get the color balanced just right.  I added a bit of 'warmth' to the birds and foreground which helped to add dimension and depth to an otherwise "flat" background.

"Proud Mamma" SOLD

9"x12" Oil on Canvas   sold

I am not sure if this is completely finished yet, but I wanted to post it in it's ". . so far" stage.
I may give my eyes a rest and look at it again tomorrow.  I can see that I might need to "warm" up the birds a little bit to differentiate them from the water.  I'll re-post the final painting after evaluating it later.

"Nappers & Snackers" SOLD

9"x12" Oil on GessoBord brand panel  sold

I am thinking of doing a small series of paintings depicting these cute little shore birds: Sandpipers

"Greg to the Rescue" sold

"Greg II"

12"x9" Oil on Canvas gifted

This is the second painting of Greg that I did the last day of the workshop.  I loved how this one turned out and I was so appreciative of Greg stepping in to model for us that I decided if he showed any interest at all in wanting this painting that I'd simply give it to him.  He was such a sweet guy with an enormous sense of humor that I just had to do something to show him my appreciation for him.  He's also quite a promising artist himself and I wish him all the best in the years to come!  Thanks, Greg!  

"Greg"  SOLD

14"x11" Oil on Canvas Panel

The first of two paintings of the day, this was a painting that held much promise to be a great success until I messed with it too much!  I decided to learn from my mistakes by keeping it as it is, set it aside and start a new painting entirely.

"Grand Dame Phyllis"

16"x12" Oil on Canvas Panel

Ok, for me the name fits as Ms. Phyllis Eifert is quite an intriguing woman.  Her story is fascinating as she is an incredible artist!  Known for her Equine and figurative bronze sculptures, paintings and drawings, this beautiful woman made quite a name for herself as an accomplished sculptor/painter in the day and age when men dominated the scene.  I guess you could say she was the "Mary Cassatt" among her male artist peers.

"Sweet Luke" SOLD

20"x16" Oil on Linen Canvas   sold

This 15 year old showed incredible self-discipline as he sat for us for the second day's painting.