Silver Lake, Ocracoke Island sketch

Silver Lake - Ocracoke Island, watercolor sketch, 7x11, (click to bid)

Without doubt, Ocracoke Island is my favorite destination. It is where I go to recuperate, recharge, become inspired, paint, gather reference material, and just have fun Oh, I forgot, I also go to FISH. Much of the reference material I use during the year comes from my yearly visits to the island.

Most of Ocracoke is undeveloped and part of the pristine Hatteras National Seashore. The small historic village is located at the southernmost end of the island and has a fascinating history attached to it. Ferry's from three locations bring visitors and any supplies to the island throughout the year. In the summer the island is bustling with activity but once the school year begins things are different. The island slows down and almost breaths a sigh of relief as the summer dissolves into fall. Now the fishermen come to the island and the pace is much slower.

Silver Lake is the harbor that the village surrounds and is where this sketch originated. I really love  painting these little watercolor sketches and hope that you will enjoy it also. Thanks so much for your visit!

Samish Bay Study

Samish Bay Study, Watercolor, 7" x 11"   (click to bid)

Samish Bay is a watercolor study I painted from a trip to Washington State when I attended the 2016 National Impressionist Show which I was juried into. During the weekend of the show I would take off between events to paint and photograph areas of the beautiful inlets and sounds of the Washington coast.

I use these studies for studio paintings that I do at a later time. As an artist, studies like these have the ability to take you back to the place and time of your visit. This in turn helps boost your creativity and understanding of the subject you paint. Painting from life, whether outside or in the studio, is always the best way to increase your abilities as an artist. The next best thing for me is painting from a study you created while on location.

I am offering these studies as an inexpensive way to purchase original artwork! Just click on the "click to bid" link under the image and you will be directed to my auction page. The image is 7" x 11" with an additional 1/2" painted border all around for framing purposes. The paper is Canson 140lb French watercolor paper and is acid free.

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Caucus Day Paintings

Below are several small paintings I did last week. There is something that feels very intimate and personal about small works. I think that is a big reason for the popularity of small works shows around the United States each year. Of course, there are other draws such as the opportunity for new collectors to more easily enter the world of art collecting. Or being able to finish off that small nook that needs something special.

For the artist, working small has a way of grounding your work and preparing you for larger paintings. When someone is having trouble with his work I often recommend that they work small for a while to help work out the kinks. Yes, small paintings have many advantages for both the collectors and artists alike.

Calm Water, 8x10, oil

Feeding in the Surf, 9x12, oil

Lazy Days, 9x12, oil

Early Walker, 9x12, oil

The Joy of Flight

Joyous Flight, 18 x 24, oil

Capture the last flowers of summer

“Earth laughs in flowers.”

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Enchantment of Forsythia, 24 x 24, oil on linen

After the Snow, 16 x 20, oil on linen

Mums and Merlot, 12 x 9, oil 

Winter Blossoms, 11 x 14, oil on linen

Contemplative, 16 x 20, oil on linen

Peonies and Brass, 16 x 20, oil on linen

New Horizons

Taken on the Swan Quarter to Ocracoke Ferry - October 2010

Hello again! OK, so long time, no write. But lets reset and start again. Actually, I was using my blog to sell my small studies on my auction site. I discontinue this activity when some of my galleries expressed a dislike to the activity. I really do not see a problem with it but OK, not a big problem. We will just do something different and be happy doing it. Still mostly art related but no selling on auction sites.

Actually, I do still use my auction site but it is all to announce new paintings and the galleries they are at. Also a few old paintings I think worth remembering.

Ocracoke Island, October 2011

I have a very busy fall this year. Shows, workshops, beach trips and house remodeling are all demanding their rightful place in my schedule...something has to give...I choose the house remodeling but my lovely wife will probably not go for that. You see, we are moving towards a new chapter in our lives. Our children will be leaving over the next many years and we see a move in our future. Probably heading towards the North Carolina coast which is a place where my heart is. I have often told my friends that when it is my time to leave this earth I would appreciate someone taking me to the beach so my last moments are spent looking at the ocean with my family and friends around me. Or maybe just alone.

Thanks for visiting.

Charleston Harbor, May 2014

I continue with the small ballet paintings with the goal of starting a large canvas soon. Lately the subjects for my larger paintings have been concentrated on wildlife paintings because of looming deadlines for Leigh Yawkey Woodson's Birds in Art and the Bennington Center for the Arts' Art of the Animal Kingdom. However, I will soon change focus and hopefully paint a larger ballet painting.

Dance 4, Expression, 6" x 6", oil, (click to bid)

The desire to express one's self is as old as human history. Dance has always been one of the most powerful of those expressive outlets and ballet one of the most beautiful.
One of my goals is to be able to convey emotion on a small canvas. Working on small surfaces is difficult as you have limited space to communicate with. You must strive to make sure each stroke counts and your image is distilled or simplified to the most important details. That is always a challenge for any painter - what to leave in or leave out. It is a continual learning journey. I tried and hopefully captured some of the beauty and our desire to express ourselves.

Thanks for your visit