En Plein Air

Parkway Series #261   12 x 16  oil    Sold

Even though I have "technically" finished my series of 5 paintings a week for 52 weeks.  I have decided that I will continue painting the Parkway until I feel the series is really finished.  I have covered the Parkway from milepost 78 to milepost 178; but there is still a lot of road to cover.  I may not post every day but I am setting goals to keep me reaching for bigger and better paintings.

Down the Road

Parkway Series #260   12 x 16   oil   Sold

52 weeks a year times 5 days a week equals 260!!!  This is the "adieu", "finale", last of my "official" one year daily paintings!  I  am going to take two weeks off and then keep on keeping on!  The fall colors cannot be ignored and they are coming fast.  I will be taking photos as much as I can but I do need a break from daily  painting.  Certainly expect new posts by Oct 1st. if not before then.  Looking forward to continuing the journey "down the road" with you in new directions but my heart will always be on the Parkway! I'll be at the Peaks this weekend for Art Fest.  Please join me if you are in the area!

First of the Fall Colors

Parkway Series #259   12 x 16   oil    SOLD

This group of yellow trees was lit up by the late afternoon sun.  Yellow is the first of the fall colors to appear and it seems to me to be a color of excitement and anticipation of the glorious reds that are to come.
 Looking for more colors this weekend at Art Fest, I will be painting at the Peaks of Otter on Saturday and Sunday by the lake.  If anyone would like to join me, bring your paints;  in the great outdoors, there's room for all!

Son-lit Trees

Parkway Series #258   12 x 16    oil    $95.

In this fast paced, modern world we very seldom slow down enough to enjoy a group of sunlit trees.  Even on the Parkway, motorists speed past such sights on their way to who knows where.  But we can summon in our mind's eye the memory of blue skies and yellow trees and purple shadows - not a bad image to reflect on when life starts closing in.  The connection with nature is healing and as an artist, I have thoroughly enjoyed bringing a sense of beauty and awe of our Parkway landscapes to all those who have followed this journey over the past year.  My time on the Parkway has been physically, and emotionally and spiritually rejuvenating; when I am painting, time stands still and I soak in the healing power of the Artist who  so graciously gave us His Masterpiece of Creation to live in.  

On Painting Nature

Parkway Series # 257     12 x 16     oil     $95.

The editor of American Artist magazine (Oct. 2010) quoted Thoreau, "In the wilderness is the preservation of the world."  I agree wholeheartedly, and I also agree with his next assertion that "there is, indeed, a sense of the divine in the landscape.  There is healing power in a sustained connection to nature.....and art can call us to become good stewards" of our earthly home  -  powerful statements, and a great issue on "Painting Nature". 

Walking Beside Me

Parkway Series #256   12 x 16    oil    SOLD

While in Galax last weekend for the 75th anniversary of the Parkway, I met Tim Pegram, the retired park ranger who wrote The Blue Ridge Parkway by Foot, an incredible book about his adventures backpacking  the 469 mile trek.  So much of his writings express my views of the beauty and mystery of this road.  "Not too far into the day, an emboldened sun, filtered by the morning fog, began to warm the day and intensify the colors of autumn.... In the struggle between fog and light, the Maker of it all seemed to place his hand on my shoulder and walk beside me."  I love this quote from his book;  so many times I have felt the same sensation of God walking beside me.  Thanks Tim for a great read!

Back at the Lake

Parkway Series # 255  12 x 16   oil   Sold

I painted the lake at the Peaks several days this week, but even though I am posting the lake today I was actually in Galax. After a presentation to the community, talking about my new exhibit at the Chestnut Creek School of the Arts, I had the wonderful privilege of meeting the school staff, parkway officials,and art lovers in the community.  Thanks to all for the enouragement and hospitality!  And Happy 75th Birthday to the Parkway;  this is the big weekend celebration in Galax, the Blue Ridge Music Center  and the surrounding area.

Song of the Lake

Parkway Series #254   12 x 16   oil   Sold

Often, I tell people that art and music are similar.  Musicians must practice every day like artists to be proficient at their craft.  Just like a musician practices the same song many times in order to get it right, I  am practicing the same scene to get it right.  This is another painting of a very familiar location, Abbott Lake;  I am fascinated with the color of the water and the abstract patterns on the water and the distant colors of the foliage on the mountain.  This "song" keeps drawing me back over and over.  I have a connection, emotional and spiritual, with this "song" that will not let me go, so I continue to "sing"!

End of the Season

Parkway Series # 253   12 x 16   oil    sold

With the end of each season, I tend to get a bit bored with taking new photographs.  For now, I am going through old photos and looking for new ideas.  When the leaves begin to turn, I will on the Parkway everyday!  But the paintings I am posting this week are ideas from the past resurfacing.  This is a reflection from Rakes Mill Pond just south of Mabrys Mill.

The Road to Learning

Parkway Series #252    12 x 16     oil    Sold

Parkway subject matter is wonderful, however it is secondary to technique and style.  The main reasoning behind my project of daily painting was to improve my skills as a landscape painter.  I do feel successful in that I am settling into a style of impressionism that seems to convey my desires of visual communication.

Purple Tassels

Parkway Series # 251   12 x 16   oil   Sold

Along the Parkway in open fields, there are tall grasses that are adorned with purple tassels.  Looking out over the fields, my eyes feast on the purple waves of grass blowing in the wind.  This phenomenon occurs only in late August and early September.  I needed to capture the moment now because it will soon be gone.

Freedom to Choose

Parkway Series #250   12 x 16   oil   sold

Even though sin, evil and ugliness exists side by side with truth, goodness and beauty, I intend on dwelling in the truthful, goodly and beautiful realm of this world.  We have the freedom to choose where we live and the Parkway is my metaphor for this choice.

Jumping Ahead

Parkway Series # 249    12 x 16  oil    Sold

Exaggerating the pinkish browns of the dog days of Summer, I have jumped ahead of the season a bit.  The drought of the Summer and its resultant color has given me the perfect opportunity to imagine those beautiful shades of brown and red that I love.

Expanse of the Heavens

Parkway Series #248    12 x 16   oil   sold

Even though I am unsure of my direction after this series of paintings is over, I feel certain that sometime in the future I will do a series of sky paintings.  The incredible sense of awe that is within me when I see the expanse of the heavens is a clear indication of the calling to paint that which is above.