Friday, July 30, 2010

Celebration II

Parkway Series #225  12 x 16  oil   Sold

This is a repeat of a painting (#9) that was done back in September of last year.  It is interesting to note the differences.  This painting took half the time to paint, so I am definitely painting faster; it is a bit looser and softer because it was done in one sitting and the underpainting did not dry before it was completed.  I don't know that my style has changed much but the final painting shows more confidence and "painterlyness" in the brush work.  Celebrating the end of my series, I will probably do more repeats just to evaluate my progress .Let me know if there are paintings you would like to see me repeat!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Content to Walk

Parkway Series #224   12 x 16   oil   Sold

The peacefulness of the path even when you cannot see the end of the road is a wonderful blessing. The confidence that you are on the right road and the understanding that the journey is in taking one step at a time allows for contentment whether in the shadows or in the sun.
                  God ordains the steps of man. Proverbs 20:24

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Aerial Perspective

Parkway Series #223   12 x 16   oil    Sold

This is another attempt at aerial perspective.  There are so many views of the mountains, all different, especially at different times of day and in different weather conditions. I am sure that a whole year of painting just these distant scenes would never produce two alike.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Blue Ridge Humidity

Parkway Series #222   12 x 16   oil   Sold
The Blue Ridge in the summer becomes grey-green with the humidity and mist of late afternoon.  Even though, at higher elevations, there is some relief from the 100 degree temps in the valley, the humidity hangs heavy over the mountains.  This is another view from the Purgatory mountain overlook.

Monday, July 26, 2010

View of Purgatory Mountain

Parkway Series #221   12 x 16   oil    Sold

Dante's Divine Comedy comes to mind every time I take photos from this overlook!  I am thankful that the Reformation cleared up some of the misconceptions of the Medieval mind, and even more thankful for God's grace and mercy in my life!  Purgatory mountain is in the Buchanan area just south of the Peaks of Otter. 

Friday, July 23, 2010

Blue Ridge Summer

Parkway Series #220   12 x 16   oil   Sold

I have painted this view of Goose Creek Valley several times.  The overlook is north of 460 and to the right, overlooking Montvale and east.  With high humidity and afternoon showers, the clouds and haze posed for an incredible portrait of Blue Ridge Summer.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Path Over the Bridge III

Parkway Series # 219   12 x 16   oil,     Sold

The path over the bridge at the Peaks of Otter continues to be a favorite of many people.  Each time I paint it from a different angle or in different light or different season, I am reminded of Monet's series of bridge paintings.  He had his bridge and pond built in his backyard so he could paint it every day!  I never tire of the same image because there is so much to learn from each painting.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Revealing Desire

Parkway Series #218   12 x  16   oil  Sold

Another close-up creek painting reveals more color patterns in the water and strong values of light and dark.  It also reveals a strong desire to play with color and shape in a more impressionistic manner.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Creek Color

Parkway Series #217   12 x 16   oil   Sold

This is a close up of the creek in yesterday's painting.  The play of light and shadow on the water creates abstract patterns of purple, orange and yellow-green. My goal is to paint truth in nature while enjoying the abstract shapes, patterns, textures, colors and values that are within the image.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Exploration of light and composition

Parkway Series #216   12 x 16   oil,     SOLD

The dappled light filtering through the trees and the strong compositional lines of the bridge and tree trunk to the left convinced me to paint this image.  The creek and picnic area below the dam at Abbott Lake contains thousands of ideas for an artist to explore.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Hidden Passage

Parkway Series #215   12 x 16   oil   SOLD

On my latest trip to the Peaks, I explored the area around the dam.  Below the dam is a rocky creek and picnic area and a log cabin.  This image is looking from the dam area back at the lake with Sharp Top to the left.  Next weeks paintings are a series from this hidden passage of Abbott Lake.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Around the Lake

Parkway Series #214   12 x 16  oil     Sold

People ask how I choose the image to paint.  Good question??? Color, perspective, value patterns, lighting all go into the mix.  The emotion, feeling, story also have to be there.  The best answer I could give is just that I know it when I see it.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

View of the Smokies

Parkway Series #213  12 x 16  oil   Sold

The North Carolina Smokies are much higher in elevation than the Virginia mountains.  This scene is about 4600 feet high, near Lick Log Overlook which is near Mt. Mitchell.  I am still enjoying the memories of our trip in April to Asheville.  Hopefully there will be more paintings to come from this trip.  This painting was done several weeks ago but I am inserting it here because my time the past two days has been consumed with my beautiful new granddaughter, Lindsey Grace, 7 lb. 6 oz. The advantage of painting ahead of schedule is being able to take a day off now and then for greater issues of life!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Peaks of Otter II

Parkway Series #212  12 x 16   oil   Sold

My comments will be brief, not artsy or philosophical  but very excited.  My daughter delivered my second granddaughter last night and I need a nap!  Enjoy today's painting.  Details tomorrow!

Monday, July 12, 2010

Serious Work

Parkway Series #211   12 x 16    oil    Sold

"It's July and the whole world is out to play" (Liza Field).   Whether you are a hiker, a biker, a picnicker, a fisherman, or two boys standing on a bridge watching frogs jump in the water, summer is the time to play.  And it's serious work says astrophysicist, Stephen Martin.....  profound, mysterious, mirthful, joyful, majestic, divine work - play that plunges us into the University of the Universe. 

Friday, July 9, 2010

The Story

Parkway Series # 210   12 x 16   oil    Sold

Painting is a visual language; a painting should always tell a story.  The more the artist can pull the viewer into the painting with emotion, or memory or sentiment the more successful the painting is.  Just like reading a good book, a good painting can transport you to another place, another time.  If the passion for the subject is conveyed to the viewer, the connection creates a bond between the viewer and the painting.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Sunlight and Shadow

Parkway Series #209  12 x 16   oil       Sold

I'm not sure if the exhilaration of being up on the mountaintop or the relaxation of sitting by the water is my favorite Parkway experience but when you can combine both in one trip, what an incredible delight!!  In addition to relaxing, the Peaks of Otter lake is a sensory experience like no other.  Feasting on the last rays of afternoon sunlight, my eyes were captiviated by the teal and purple mist of the mountain's cool shadows.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Summer Magic, Abbott Lake

Parkway Series # 208   12 x 16   oil   Sold

The lake at the Peaks of Otter is definitely one of the most beautiful places on the Parkway.  The blue-greens and yellow-greens of summer glow with ethereal magic as the sun dips behind the mountain in the late afternoon.  What an incredible blessing to have the joy of capturing this moment forever.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Linvillle Falls, Rocks

Parkway Series # 207   12 x 16   oil    $95.

This rock formation at Linville Falls caught my eye.  The abstract pattern of layers of rock in sunlight and shadow presented a painting challenge I could not resist. 

Monday, July 5, 2010

Painting demo

Parkway Series #206  12 x 16  oil   Sold 

I was asked to reproduce one of my earlier paintings and to demonstrate my upside down painting technique; so I chose painting #175 to reproduce.  This rendition of the earlier painting is similar but I added more color in the foreground.  Many people are interested in the fact that I begin a painting upside down.  This really helps me to see the color, line, value, and shape correctly rather than focusing on the image.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Mill Mountain Star II

Parkway Series #205  12 x 16  oil   Sold

From Stewarts Knob Overlook, the top of the Mill Mountain Star can be seen;  this image is at dusk with just a hint of pink in the sky as the sun sets to the right.  The last painting of the Star (#100) was a close up so I felt the series needed a distant image of it also.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Hay Bales IV

Parkway Series #204  12 x 16   oil   Sold

This is the last of my hay bales series.  With the 90 degree heat, I am excited about more lake paintings!  I was up at the Peaks yesterday and I have several great photos of Abbott Lake, so next week I will be working on reflections and late afternoon shadows around the lake.