Bridging the Gap

Parkway Series #333   12 x 16   oil   Sold

This is one of a series of four paintings, (summer, fall, winter, spring) of the Buck Mountain Parkway overpass.  Prints of the commissioned paintings will help with fundraising for Faith Christian School, whose land is adjacent to the Parkway.  Hopefully it will help "bridge the gap" between the 6+ million they have already raised and the needed funds to pay off the new school building.

The Great Valley

Parkway Series #332   12 x 16   oil    Sold

Around milepost 100 there are views of the valley that runs between the Blue Ridge and the Appalachain Mountains.  The breathless feeling of the views is an attraction for many visitors from all over the world.  It is an incredible priviledge to actually live a few miles from this incredible natural resourse.  My prayer is that we would all see the Truth, Goodness and Beauty of this land in which we live and thank our Resurrected Saviour for the Blessings He has given us, especially as we celebrate this Easter Season.

Cezanne Revisited

Parkway Series #331   12 x 16   oil   Sold

Cezanne was in love with Mount Sainte Victoire;  it was near his home in France and he painted it over 60 times.  He said  "A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art".  Interestingly, I feel this same passion as I travel the Blue Ridge.  As I rounded this curve south of 220, around milepost 125 this mountain view and the colors in the shadowed frame surrounding the view stirred something in me.  When I sense the emotion, the love of the visual world travels from my eye to my heart to my hand grabbing for the camera to capture the essence of the image.  But it is usually in the studio that the emotion is translated to canvas.

Abstract Nature

Parkway Series #330   12 x 16   oil   Sold

 The job of an artist is to concentrate on shape, pattern, texture, color and value;  the abstract nature of reflections makes this easier.  Many times, when I work from a photograph, I will turn the photograph upside down and paint the image upside down to see the elements of art rather than the image.  Reflections are upside down images too; so I feel very comfortable painting the abstract reflections in water.

Mountain Stream

Parkway Series #329   12 x 16   oil   Sold

Mountain streams are a fascinating subject for artists.  After painting the James and the Roanoke River from a distance, I was inspired to try a close up.  This is Bottom Creek Gorge, part of the Roanoke River as it meanders near Bent Mountain.

New Boardwalk at the Peaks

Parkway Series #328   12 x 16   oil    Sold

The new boardwalk around the Peaks of Otter Lake allows for new views of Sharp Top and the little island in the middle of the lake.  Yellow daffodills are planted in the marshy areas and were in full bloom this weekend.  "Plein air" sunshine and increased Vitamin D levels are giving me more energy and passion to paint!!

View from Roanoke River Bridge

Parkway Series #327   12 x 16   oil    Sold

At milepost  114.7 the Parkway crosses the Roanoke River.  Because of the steep slopes down to the river, the shadows are usually very dramatic at any time of the day.  The photo for this painting was taken last Saturday at 8 a.m. so the light is much more diffused.  I may try the painting again to compare the lighting effects of a different time of day.

Open Spaces

Parkway Series # 326   12 x 16   oil   Sold

Even though mountain vistas are the attraction on the Parkway, there are some beautiful stretches of flat road, fields and meadows that are so peaceful and calming.  The horizontal aspect of paintings as opposed to the vertical has a very different feel.  In this section of roadway around milepost 110, the perspective in the sky with the clouds descending to the middle added to the flat landscape and perspective of the road.

Glade Creek IV

Parkway Series #325   12 x 16   oil    SOLD

The search for Spring on the Parkway this weekend was wonderful.  Saturday was a bit cold and windy but Sunday made up for the discomfort.  There were very few buds and blossoms but a lot of clearing was done over the winter so the views from the overlooks were fabulous.  I got some great photographs from which to work;  the new walkway around the swamp at the Peaks lends itself to great views of Sharp Top and new views of the little island in the middle of the lake! Even though I have painted Glade Creek before, this view of the creek adds the yellow forsythia just starting to bloom.