Blue Ridge, Daily Painter: Janet Wimmer

Looking Up

2012-01-28T15:01:00.000-05:00

Parkway Series #373 16 x 20 oil $350.

I will not be posting for a while due to several shows in the next few weeks. Framing and delivering and hanging seem to take more time than painting! Please come by on Saturday February 4th from 2-4, Second Helpings Gallery, if you are near downtown Roanoke, Virginia and visit for a while. I will be there along with other artists and musicians and great food. All proceeds go to the Rescue Mission. Hope to see you there and in the mean time, keep "Looking Up"!

The Old Road

2012-01-16T09:46:00.000-05:00

Parkway Series #372 16 x 20 oil $350.

The old road still fascinates me, especially when the light travels across it. My infatuation with the Parkway is still strong even after 372 paintings. Wonder if there is a world record for the number of Parkway paintings by one artist?

Soft Light

2012-01-11T16:00:00.001-05:00

Parkway Series # 371 18 x 36 oil $750.

Experimenting with softer hues and textures led me to reinvent this painting which was originally one of my earlier 12 x 16 daily paintings. Many of my earlier paintings may end up as studies for larger paintings.

Panoramic Landscape at the Peaks

2012-01-11T15:42:00.000-05:00

Parkway Series #370 18 x 36 oil $750.
The walkway at the Peaks is a great addition to the landscape around the lake. The light in the late afternoon last fall was wonderful against the thalo blue background of the mountain. This new painting and others will be on display at Second Helpings Gallery in February. I will have several large paintings in the show; the two to one ratio of these panoramic canvases bring out the best in the landscape. Make plans to see the show if you are in Roanoke.

The Language of Love

2012-01-07T15:20:00.000-05:00

ParkwaySeries #369 18 x 36 oil $650.

"The earth speaks, but....without words. For you see, the earth speaks in the language of love. Its voice is in...a new leaf, the feel of a water-worn stone, the color of evening sky...the sound of the night wind...." Steve Van Matre. I love Liza Field's quotes...she and those she admires always seem to echo my sentiments.

Anticipating Spring

2012-01-02T11:52:00.003-05:00

Parkway Series # 368 16 X 20 oil $320.

In looking through my Peaks of Otter photos, this image of the lake inspired me to paint the misty background contrasted to the dark foreground. I find myself experimenting more with value contrast and soft textures contrasted with harder edged textures.

Peaks of Otter Lodge

2011-12-29T08:24:00.001-05:00

Parkway Series #367 12 x 16 oil $150.

Another experiment, with a black gessoed background, produced this painting of the Peaks of Otter Lodge. I have a show in 2012 of just images from the Peaks so I will be painting a lot of scenes from that location. With great mountain views and the watery reflections of Abbott Lake that should not be a problem! This is actually my favorite location on the Parkway.

Drama with Light

2011-12-28T08:32:00.001-05:00

Parkway Series #366 12 x 16 oil $150.

Experimenting with backgrounds, I gessoed this board with black gesso instead of red (my usual color) in order to achieve more drama with light. I think I like the results.

It's all about the Light

2011-12-12T09:03:00.001-05:00

Parkway Series #365 12 x 16 oil $150.

My passion is in searching for the Light. Last night we saw the Christmas play at Thomas Road Baptist Church; the theme was in searching for the Light from Creation until the birth of Christ and on to his crucifixtion. The stars told the story through their perspective and the Light was the unifying theme! In my experience, it is always the Light that draws my soul and my heart into the mystery of the universe. If I can capture even a little of this on canvas, I am one happy artist!

Otter Creek Reflections

2011-12-11T19:56:00.001-05:00

Parkway Series #364 12 x 16 oil $150.

Otter Creek is always a treasure trove of images from which to paint. This fall day was no exception.

Lake James

2011-11-26T12:18:00.000-05:00

Lake James 16 x 40 oil Sold

This view of Lake James in North Carolina was commissioned by a client in Hawaii; this must prove that western Va and N.C. can compete with the views in Hawaii which makes me very excited! I love the panoramic view and decided to buy a few more canvases, this size, on which to continue my Parkway project. I am now caught up on commissions unless I get a few more last minute ones for Christmas, so my plan is to keep on painting the Parkway. I have already scheduled four Parkway shows for 2012 so I need to get busy!

Thankfulness

2011-11-26T12:08:00.000-05:00

16 x 20 oil Sold

At this time of Thanksgiving, I am truly thankful for the many commissions the Lord has brought my way over the last few weeks. This is not a Parkway scene but a diversion to the beach! It is enjoyable to change locations and subject matter occassionally, especially after 360 woodland/mountain scenes!

Enjoying the Day II

2011-09-26T21:30:00.001-04:00

Parkway Series #363 16 x 20 Oil Sold

After painting trees and haybales and mountains for a while, it was fun to paint "little people" enjoying their day at the Peaks of Otter. I have several other commissions that I will be working on that are not part of my Parkway Project so I may not be posting for a few weeks. Two shows in October, one at the Artisan Center in Rocky Mount this weekend and the other at Tuggles Gap on the Parkway Oct 15 and 16th, will also be keeping me busy for a while. If you are in the area on those weekends, please come by and visit. Signing off for a while....................

Farm Hospitality

2011-09-20T20:43:00.000-04:00

The Ridge and Valley Plein Air Painters gathered at a farm in Moneta to paint a few weekends ago. I will probably give this painting to the farmer as a "thank you" for his hospitality! He was very interested in our work and excited to show us around his 150 acre farm.

Early Morning Hay Bales

2011-09-19T22:39:00.000-04:00

Parkway Series #362 12 x 16 oil $150.

Botetourt Hay Bales

2011-09-18T12:10:00.000-04:00

Parkway Series #361 12 x 16 oil $150.

As the summer wanes, hay bales pop up over the parkway landscapes readying the farms for winter. The warm colors are so inviting as opposed to the gray tones of winter. I plan to paint summer and fall as long as I can!

Art and Music in the Mountains II

2011-09-17T09:12:00.000-04:00

Parkway Series #360 12 x 16 oil $150.

This is another painting done on location last weekend at the Peaks of Otter. Sometimes I will begin a painting on location and then tweak it in the studio. This one remains as it was done on location. It is interesting that I achieve a much softer painting on location than in the studio. Maybe it is a phenomenon of plein air painting or maybe it was the influence of David Heath who was painting nearby! In either case, it is fun to experiment with styles and change old habits.

Art and Music in the Mountains

2011-09-10T21:10:00.000-04:00

Parkway Series #359 12 x 16 oil $150.

After taking a few weeks off from a very rigorous painting schedule, I am glad to be back painting and blogging again! Today, the Ridge and Valley Plein Air Painters met with other plein air groups at the Peaks of Otter to enjoy a beautiful day around the lake painting and socializing with like minds! I am soooo inspired to paint; the light today was fabulous and I took 250 photos - enough to get me through a long cold winter! We will be there tomorrow for more painting. Please come and watch us paint and have dinner! The smells coming from the dining room were as good as the views!

Barn Stories II

2011-08-18T18:29:00.000-04:00

Parkway Series #358 12 x 16 oil $150.

The story of barns, the people who built them, the long ago days of hard work and farming, the memories stored in the barn, pervade the Appalachian landscape along the Parkway. This barn sits below the railroad tracks near the N&W overlook around milepost 107 and the image was captured with a zoom lens late in the afternoon light. The purple and green mist on the background mountain captures the feel of an August day and I can still hearing the cicadas shrill echoing against it.

Summer Colors

2011-08-15T08:22:00.000-04:00

Parkway Series #357 12 x 16 oil $150.

The cool blue mountain and the warm orange hay provide an interesting contrast in this late afternoon view of the area around milepost 110. As the summer wanes, these contrasting colors fill the landscape until the fall explosion of orange, red and brown takes over in harmony. Sometimes, the contrast is more exciting than the harmony.

Spirit of Perseverance

2011-08-14T14:56:00.000-04:00

Parkway Series #356 12 x 16 oil $150.

Another painting of my bicycle series, hopefully, captures the spirit of perseverance, the movement of the human form and the heat of an August day on the Blue Ridge.

The Journey

2011-08-06T13:12:00.000-04:00

Parkway Series #355 12 x 16 oil $150.

Did you read Liza's Field Notes today in the Roanoke Times! Amazing how we think alike! "Our soul's urge is to journey both inward and outward." Everyone likes to travel, to see new places and to imagine mysterious destinations. Summer is filled with travel but, in my book, we, who live in Southwest Virginia, have an incredible opportunity to stay home and experience journeys most people would envy! Why sit trapped in glittery heat, diesel fumes and traffic jams to smell salt air filled with fake-coconut pie and speedboat gasoline smells? I am staying home this summer and I intend to take full advantage of our incredible national resource, the Blue Ridge Parkway!!! as much as possible!!

Enjoying the Day

2011-08-05T20:20:00.000-04:00

Parkway Series #354 12 x 16 oil $150.

I have decided to do a series of people on the Parkway. I intend to find bicyclists and runners and fishermen and hikers and anyone else I can find enjoying the day! The only people on the Parkway I refuse to paint are motorcyclists. Sorry, but as far as I am concerned the noise ruins the ambiance for me.

Glassmine Falls Overlook

2011-07-26T08:35:00.000-04:00

Parkway Series #353 12 x 16 oil $150.

An 800' waterfall, I'm sure, is fabulous close-up but you need binoculars to see it from this overlook. The path to a higher platform was actually more intriguing to me. I love the rock formations and the light falling across the path. It seems that after several trips to this overlook, the path is always a specific remembrance. Sometimes, in life, the "path down the road" is more memorable than the destination.

Road with Rhodes

2011-07-25T08:05:00.001-04:00

Parkway Series #352 12 x 16 oil $150.

Just before walking down the path to the lower waterfalls at Graveyard Fields, I glanced back at the Parkway and saw this image of the road with "rhodes" in the foreground. This was one of those magical moments when Beauty was everywhere and my head was spinning 180 degrees to see it all!

Looking Back

2011-07-22T08:58:00.002-04:00

Parkway Series #351 12 x 16 oil $150.

Looking back over the last two years of this project, I can see incredible reasons to recommend the discipline of daily painting. Confidence, skill improvement, increased inventory, and speed in painting have all added to my daily experience. Even though I am slowing down due to increased family demands, I still feel the benefits from my year of daily painting and I have no regrets that I challenged myself to this discipline. The image for this painting was taken with a zoom lens as I looked back at the Parkway from Craggy Gardens around milepost 365.

Balsam Gap

2011-07-18T08:31:00.002-04:00

Parkway Series #350 18 x 24 oil Sold

Overlooking the Nantahala National Forest, the highest point on the Parkway stands between milepost 430 and 440 in North Carolina at 6,047 feet. The Balsam fir trees rise majestically over the landscape, pointing to the Heavens to assure viewers that even the "rocks and the trees praise His Name"!

Graveyard Fields, Lower Waterfall II

2011-07-16T09:42:00.001-04:00

Parkway Series #349 12 x 16 oil $150.

Sitting by the water, hearing the sounds of the water and soaking in the summer sun while gazing at the Blue Ridge Mountains...... there is nothing better in this life. I believe we are given glimpses of Heaven every now and then and this is one of them! This is another view of the waterfall posted on June 11th.

Cowee Mountain Overlook, mp. 430.7

2011-07-06T07:58:00.002-04:00

Parkway Series #348 12 x 16 oil Sold

At 5,950 feet, the Cowee Mountain Overlook has spectacular views of layers and layers of mountains. But this project is much more to me than just documenting the overlooks. It is the feeling of being transported to another world - the breathtaking beauty - that I want to share. Wildflowers lined the road as I became an audience of one in an afternoon matinee of "Summer Magic". Hopefully, just as poetry communicates to others, my experience, translated through paint into a visual language, will touch the heart of the viewer.

Craggy Pinnacle Tunnel

2011-07-05T14:36:00.002-04:00

Parkway Series #347 12 x 16 oil Sold

This tunnel just north of Craggy Gardens, around milepost 364, shows the solid rock formation through which the road winds. I cannot imagine the blood, sweat and tears it took to build this road back in the 1930's. I am so thankful for the men and women who blasted through rock and mountainous terrain to create this incredible, scenic highway and their hard work inspires me to work harder.

"Ridge and Valley Plein Air Painters" II

2011-06-27T08:28:00.002-04:00

Parkway Series #346 oil 20x30 $450.

Looking up at the Blue Ridge / Peaks of Otter from the valley in Bedford, our plein air group had fabulous views from which to choose . We received permission from the Claytor Nature Preserve of Lynchburg College to paint on the 250 acre tract of land that offers artists a visual feast beyond compare!

"Ridge and Valley Plein Air Painters" Outing

2011-06-26T14:42:00.002-04:00

Parkway Series #345 20 x 24 oil $350.

This departure from my smaller Parkway paintings was done on location with a group of plein air painters with whom I am working. The 20 x 24 size was a challenge especially for plein air painting! However the view of the Peaks of Otter range of mountains in the background and the feel of summer sunlight on the yellow grasses in the foreground rekindled the excitement I feel being a part of the landscape I am painting. I have one more "on location" painting to complete in the studio before returning to my series of Smokey Mountain scenes.

Afternoon Light

2011-06-25T11:54:00.001-04:00

Parkway Series # 344 12 x 16 oil $150.

I've painted the "old road" so many times, but when the afternoon light is this good, I could not resist another one! This is another view of the Parkway in North Caroilina around Balsam Gap.

Craggy Gardens

2011-06-22T20:05:00.002-04:00

Parkway Series # 343 12 x 16 oil Sold

The panoramic views from Craggy Gardens were breathtaking! The photo for this painting was taken through the glass window in the Visitor Center. The "rhodes" on the trails were just beginning to bloom when we were there at the end of May and the late afternoon ambiance made for a visual feast of blue/green hues in every direction.

Ferrin Knob Tunnel #3, milepost 401.4

2011-06-18T15:32:00.003-04:00

Parkway Series #342 12 x 16 oil $150.

The North Carolina tunnels are so unique to the Parkway. And each one expresses itself differently; the shape, the shadows and the angle in which it sits on the mountain add to the personality of the tunnel. I chose this one because of the diagonal composition, the rocks and the shadows crossing the road.

Devils Courthouse

2011-06-12T14:08:00.001-04:00

Parkway Series #341 12 x 16 oil $150.

This overlook at milepost 423 is close to the southern end of the Parkway. It is said that the sinister look of the rock overlooking the Pisgah National Forest was the prompting for the name, Devil's Courthouse. After hiking all day we decided not to hike to the top of this rock, however, I have it on the list for our next trip!

Remake of #339. Graveyard Fields

2011-06-12T13:53:00.005-04:00

Parkway Series #339 12 x 16 oil $150.

Sometimes I have to deal with a painting several days before I know if it is finished. This painting posted on June 8th bothered me. I paint mostly from real life with a bit of artistic license but the real rock formations in this image kept reminding me of animal heads!! Everytime I looked at the painting I saw eyes and noses/faces of animals looking back! So I had to take the artistic license to change and paint rocks that suited me better. The creativity of compostition and change from the real landscape is part of art and knowing when to change is part of being an artist. However, I will reserve the right to change it again in a few days... not sure if there may be more changes to make.

Graveyard Fields, Lower Waterfall

2011-06-11T15:20:00.001-04:00

Parkway Series #340 12 x 16 oil Sold

Our walk to the bottom of the lower waterfall was an easy hike. The Parkway has completed lots of upgrades to the trail and bridges around this popular attraction. With all the rain we have gotten over the last few weeks, the mountain creeks are full and overflowing so it was a great time to get great photos!!! This image was interesting to me because of all the angles of rocks and the value patterns.

Graveyard Fields, Upper Waterfall

2011-06-08T07:56:00.002-04:00

Parkway Series #339 12 x 16 oil

The hike to the upper falls at Graveyard Fields was a bit harder than the hike to the Lower Falls. However, it was definitely worth it. We had already hiked to the lower falls and figured we could do more but the day was really hot and we did not realize the noon hour was approaching. You would think we would know to be prepared but a quick jaunt to the top seemed harmless. Several hours later, with stomachs growling and our tongues dry, we found ourselves very tired from the steep climb over rocks and rugged terrain but excited to have accomplished the feat with fabulous photos of both waterfalls.

Another View from the top of Mt. Mitchell

2011-06-03T10:27:00.002-04:00

Parkway Series #338 12 x 16 oil $150.

Another incredible view from the top of Mt Mitchell shows the layers of mountains and the clear air. Virginia humidity gives a much more hazy and misty appearance to the ridges than this early morning view about 6,ooo feet up.

View from the top of Mt. Mitchell

2011-06-02T15:20:00.003-04:00

Parkway Series #337 12 x 16 oil Sold

Incredible weather and a much needed vacation describe our trip to Asheville last week. We hiked at Graveyard Fields and Crabtree Gardens and enjoyed waterfalls, panoramic vistas and incredible inspiration around every turn! Last year (in April) Mt. Mitchell was covered with ice; this year we actually got to walk to the top! --the highest point east of the Mississippi! The beauty could never be captured in paint but to translate the experience on canvas was fun and really reinforces the memory. Saturday I will be showing my work at the Sidewalk Art Show in downtown Roanoke, however even with many paintings of the southern end of the Parkway underway, none are finished or dry enough to display so stay tuned to the blog for more of the Smokies.

The Last Leg of the Journey

2011-05-05T08:45:00.000-04:00

Parkway Series #336 12 x 16 oil $125.

After a year of painting five a week and another six months of three paintings a week, I have decided to take some time off to focus on my new website, to frame for summer shows and to travel the Parkway. The last week in May we will be spending a few days in Asheville looking for possible galleries for my work and photographing the last 150 miles of the Parkway. I am looking forward to finishing the project with more energy and passion than ever, but the rest is needed before beginning the "last leg of the journey"! I will be showing at the Sidewalk Art Show in Roanoke on June 4th and June 5th and many paintings will be discounted to move inventory. Signing off until then.

Parkway Wildflowers

2011-05-03T09:47:00.000-04:00

Parkway Series # 335 12 x 16 oil $125.

With all of the rain we have gotten over the last few weeks, the Parkway wildflowers are more plentiful than ever! Blue bells, white daisies, yellow goldenrod and these red flowers ( I have not identified) are filling the meadows with beauty. I got so excited I pulled out the old palette knife and slathered on the paint to try to get the effect of what I was seeing! Sometimes the fun, the experience is more satisfiying than the end result!

Color 101

2011-05-01T12:24:00.000-04:00

Color Workshop 101 12 x 16 oil $125

I participated in a plein air workshop yesterday at the home of Bill White, retired professor from Hollins University and this painting is the result of a fun day in the sun with great friends and good food! We all came away with a new appreciation of color and the intricacies of color theory! Thanks, Bill

Bridging the Gap

2011-04-29T08:07:00.001-04:00

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

2011-04-22T08:50:00.003-04:00

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

2011-04-18T08:48:00.001-04:00

Parkway Series #331 12 x 16 oil $150.

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

2011-04-15T08:43:00.002-04:00

Parkway Series #330 12 x 16 oil $150.

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

2011-04-14T08:12:00.003-04:00

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

2011-04-11T08:46:00.001-04:00

Parkway Series #328 12 x 16 oil $150

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

2011-04-08T10:03:00.003-04:00

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

2011-04-05T08:22:00.000-04:00

Parkway Series # 326 12 x 16 oil $125.

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

2011-04-04T08:11:00.001-04:00

Parkway Series #325 12 x 16 oil $125.

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.

The Road Ahead

2011-03-28T08:43:00.001-04:00

Parkway Series #324 12 x 16 oil $125.

After painting 324 Parkway paintings, I have decided that this is the style to which I aspire. I want the realism of color and light with the loose impressionistic brush strokes of the great impressionist painters. So much of the time I get too concerned with the details and forget the big picture. I need to focus on the shapes and the composition. I have seen great improvement in the area of color and light over the last year; now that I am slowing down and not pushing to complete a painting every day, I have time to evaluate and think about the direction of the road ahead.

Wildflowers

2011-03-23T07:44:00.001-04:00

Parkway Series # 323 12 x 16 oil Sold

Blooms and buds are everywhere in the valley. The season is delayed a week or so at each interval of elevation, however, I had to paint an introduction to Spring with the arrival of the anemones and the bluebells.

Moonscape

2011-03-22T08:38:00.001-04:00

Parkway Series #322 12 x 16 oil Sold

I would really like to do a series of "moonscapes" but I have not had the right moments to really capture the essence of that dramatic light over the mountains. I will be taking photos at dusk more often; painting "en plein air" at that time of day is definitely not an option!! This image was captured around milepost 108.

Sunset on the Parkway

2011-03-21T08:44:00.000-04:00

Parkway Series #321 12 x 16 oil $125.

This is a scene from around milepost 111. Painting the time of day is an interesting objective; the position of the sun or moon changes a painting dramatically. After the incredible lunar views we observed last week, I am attempting some late afternoon and night "moonscapes" this week.

Ochre and Purple

2011-03-16T21:05:00.000-04:00

Parkway Series #320 12 x 16 oil $125.

After painting greens and pinks for a while, I have decided to return to the burnt siennas and ochres of winter and early spring. Friday is supposed to be beautiful so I plan to take a lot of photos and start working more currently. The photos from "yesterday" are getting tiresome and I really want to paint on location and in the season.

Rhodes, Close-Up

2011-03-15T08:03:00.000-04:00

Parkway Series #319 12 x 16 oil $125.

The rhododendron at the Peaks usually bloom in mid May; their color in incredible! The season is short so make plans to see the wild rhodes along the Parkway but stop at the Peaks (milepost 90) for a feast for your eyes and your stomach; the food is also great!

"Rhodes" at the Peaks

2011-03-10T08:35:00.002-05:00

Parkway Series # 318 12 x 16 oil Sold

Pretty soon I will be on my hunt for rhododendron. This is a new painting from last year's expedition. With all the rain we are getting, the spring should be filled with color and excitement and new life everywhere!!!....in just a few more weeks.

Spring View of Mt. Mitchell

2011-03-08T07:54:00.002-05:00

Parkway Series #317 12 x 16 oil $125.

The red bud trees in this view of Mt. Mitchell caught my eye as my husband and I journeyed home from Asheville last Spring. The North Carolina mountains are much higher and more rugged than the Virginia mountains; there are more spruce than in Virginia and the evergreen trees are a different variety. I need to be more educated on the types of trees but I have borrowed a book on the wildflowers and when they bloom; so I have some research to keep me busy for a while. I am excited to look for new signs of life this Spring!

Linville Falls Path

2011-03-07T21:31:00.000-05:00

Parkway Series #316 12 x 16 oil $125.

As I hiked back up the hill from Linville Falls last April, the sky was so blue and the sun so warm that I had to paint this scene to remind me of the sights and sensations of that day. It is amazing how the senses can trigger so many special memories of places and events in our past. As a child growing up on a farm with many acres of land to explore, I loved being in the "woods". I had a special place under a tree where the moss was so soft, where I would sit for hours just listening to the woodland sounds. Those days of blue skies and carefree hikes through the woods have been a major influence in my passion to paint 300+ Parkway paintings.

2011 Marathon

2011-03-03T08:14:00.001-05:00

Parkway Series #315 16 x 20 oil Commissioned by Friends of Blue Ridge Parkway for 2011 Marathon

The second annual Parkway marathon is planned for mid April. Be on the lookout for information in the media; this is an amazing 26 mile race with runners from all over the country participating. It was a huge success last year as a fundraiser for the Parkway. Click on the Parkway logo on my blog and go to the e-newsletter for February to see how you can be involved in this amazing event!!!!

Pink Passion

2011-03-01T08:17:00.001-05:00

Parkway Series #314 !2 x 14 oil Sold

Last Spring it seemed there were only a few weeks of dogwood and red bud blossoms. This "season" passes so quickly that I decided to get a head start on it. Spring is so rejunvenating after a long cold winter; I am waiting in anticipation of the pinks and magentas appearing so I can enjoy my passion of painting on the Parkway!!!

Shadowlands

2011-02-28T08:34:00.003-05:00

Parkway Series #313 12 x 16 oil Sold

Have you ever driven on the Parkway under a canopy of trees with the sun directly overhead? Most of the time I am photographing in early morning or late afternoon but this section of the old road would have been totally in shadow at those times of day. The brillance of the midday sun is so magical as it filters down from above that these moments become very supernatural. This painting is only a "shadow" of the divine earthly moment just as these earthly moments are but "shadows" of the Beauty that awaits us in heaven.

Spring Beauty

2011-02-25T08:49:00.001-05:00

Parkway Series #312 12 x 16 oil $125.

The lone dogwood among this sea of green attracted my attention. For such a little tree, his power to stand out came from the beautiful pure white of the blossoms. Then I questioned... do I or does my work stand out for beauty/purity? Lessons from nature are so enduring!!

Anticipation II

2011-02-24T15:33:00.001-05:00

Parkway Seriew #311 12 x 16 oil $125

On a cold, rainy, February afternoon, everyone needs to be reminded that in six weeks this is what can be expected. I am working on a series of Spring paintings from photos taken last year in March and April. Then in May I plan on being in Asheville for a painting/photo trip to finish up my Parkway series. Just the anticipation of this is the inspiration I need to keep on painting in these last days of winter.

Raven's Roost III

2011-02-21T11:57:00.002-05:00

Parkway Series #310 12 x 16 oil Sold

I am working on a website with galleries listed according to specific places/mileposts and specific seasons on the Parkway. Rather than scrolling through 300 paintings on my blog, this option will make it much easier to find a painting. I love this vista from Raven's Roost and needed another painting of this incredible overlook at milepost 10.7 to add to my upcoming gallery.

Plein Air Days

2011-02-16T08:05:00.002-05:00

Parkway Series #309 12 x 16 oil Sold

This is a view of the James River from the Parkway bridge at milepost 63.7. I painted this previously in October, on location; what a beautiful fall day it was!!! This is a studio rendition of the earlier painting. In the studio there is a bit more time to work on correct values but the earlier study was sooooo helpful in remembering the feel and the beauty of the moment. That's why I am eagerly awaiting "plein air" days to return after the very cold winter.

Endurance

2011-02-14T08:37:00.000-05:00

Parkway Series # 308 12 x 16 oil $125.

Marathon runners and I have something in common..... a lot of practice!!! Diligence, endurance, perseverance, and pure determination are traits that runners develop through much practice. This Parkway project has been a "marathon" in many ways and I intend to endure until the finish line!

Roanoke at Dusk

2011-02-09T07:42:00.001-05:00

Parkway Series # 307 12 x 16 oil Sold

I have painted this view of downtown Roanoke from Stewarts Knob twice before, once in spring and once in summer but never at dusk. The lights in downtown are just beginning to come on in this late summer afternoon version. It was also painted from a "zoomed lens" image; downtown is about 10 miles from this location on the Parkway.

Mabrys Mill II

2011-02-08T09:09:00.001-05:00

Parkway Series #306 12 x 16 oil Sold

Another view of the mill pond suggests, in the reflections, a very blue fall sky with orange and ochre foliage. This was an incredibly beautiful day with low humidity and warm sunlight and woodland smells on the breeze that just can't be described!

Mabrys Mill

2011-02-07T08:05:00.001-05:00

Parkway Series #305 12 x 16 oil Sold

I finally decided to paint the Parkway's most painted image!! My series really would not be complete without the mill and the pond at milepost 176.2. With orange and red everywhere, I toned down the fall colors in order to emphasize the blue sky reflections and the roof of the mill. There are so many renditions of this scene but I'm sure there has never been two alike!!!

Shapes of Shadow

2011-02-03T08:06:00.001-05:00

Parkway Series #304 12 x 16 oil Sold

Around milepost 115, there is a spur that goes off to Explore Park. I have painted many scenes from that road; this is another. I especially like the diagonal hill and the blue triangle of shadow on the mountain. The dynamic movement of line and shape brings interest to a painting and of course the setting sun adds to the drama with its intense light and shadow.

Emerging from Darkness

2011-01-31T22:16:00.001-05:00

Parkway Series #303 12 x 16 oil Sold

Light is seen best when it emerges from darkness. Capturing the effects of light involves shadows, cast shadows, highlights, light bounce and reflective light, all of which help to create spatial depth in painting. I am learning, however, how important the dark areas are. Without the darkness, light is not perceived with its intense shimmering effects that are soooo captivating......interesting thought that could apply to many areas of life......

Fall Color

2011-01-30T20:46:00.001-05:00

Parkway Series #302 12 x 16 oil Sold

The fall color in 2010 seemed to come and go way too quickly!! It seemed that there were only two or three weeks of splendor before the winter winds ushered the leaves to the ground. I am taking advantage of the winter doldrums and continuing to paint the beauty of fall. From the top of Roanoke Mountain, looking south east toward Windy Gap mountain, I was able to get a great image of fall color in the valley. The sky reflecting in the lake was an incredible azure and the complimentary oranges added the perfect contrast.

Mill Mountain Star III

2011-01-26T12:47:00.000-05:00

Parkway Series #301 12 x 16 oil $125.

From Stewarts Knob overlook, there is a view not only of the star but the downtown area of Roanoke. As far as I know, it is the only place to get a good shot of Roanoke from the Parkway other than the Mill Mountain Star overlook. I usually do not paint the same scene twice but I have had a few requests to do this one again. The first painting of this scene was posted on July 2, 2010. This one is a bit different in the color of the sky and in the foliage but otherwise is very similar.

Milepost 105.8 II

2011-01-25T09:02:00.000-05:00

Parkway Series #298 12 x 16 oil Sold

This is a vertical rendition of the bridge painting I posted yesterday. A neighbor commissioned this work and several other followers have expressed interest in specific Parkway locations especially as I travel south toward the North Carolina line. As Spring approaches, I will be on location painting and taking more photographs; and by June, I will be covering the area between milepost 300 and 469 much more extensively. Let me know your requests!

Milepost 105.8

2011-01-24T08:19:00.000-05:00

Parkway Series #297 12 x 16 oil $125.

My bridge series continues with the 460 overpass at milepost 105.8. I painted this bridge in the snow last year on March 1 (#121). A late summer version from the opposite direction becomes a whole new painting.

Back to the Sun II

2011-01-19T07:59:00.000-05:00

Parkway Series #296 12 x 16 oil $125.

Adding to my repertoire of Parkway bridges, I painted another in south east Roanoke very close to the one posted yesterday. I love the option of painting a different season each day; last year I challenged myself to paint "the day" each day and by the end of winter I was so tried of blue and gray and snow that I felt I would never paint a winter scene again! As long as I can get "back to the sun" and feel the warmth of summer every now and then, I can survive winter!

Parkway Overpass

2011-01-18T08:11:00.000-05:00

Parkway Series # 295 12 x 16 oil $125.

I have had many requests for more paintings of Parkway bridges and overpasses. This Parkway overpass (around milepost 118) was painted in the summer (#229) and in the fall (#33). It is interesting to compare the same image in different seasons.

Pointing to Heaven

2011-01-17T08:21:00.000-05:00

Parkway Series #294 12 x 16 oil $125.

Around milepost 362 in North Carolina, at an elevation of 5200' it seems that ice and snow remain on the mountains most of the winter. The winds are brutal but the scenery is spectacular! The evergreen trees are tall and stately. Even with their boughs laden with snow, they still proudly point to the Heavens declaring the glory of God!

Big Picture of Life

2011-01-12T08:18:00.002-05:00

Parkway Series #293 12 x 16 oil Sold

Near Slings Gap (aroung mile post 140) I found a wide shoulder on which to walk a few miles. The air was warm and very low in humidity but the woodland smells are what I remember first about this walk. Sometimes memories are so attached to smells! The decaying leaves and mountain breeze reminded me of hiking through the woods at home in Chesterfield County many years ago. The feeling of being transported back home, going back 40 years in time, seemed to take hold of me and the big picture of life brought a sense of rest and peace back into my minute by minute, detail oriented mentality.

Beauty of Fall

2011-01-11T08:47:00.002-05:00

Parkway Series # 292 12 x 16 oil Sold

In this painting, the tree from yesterday's post is in the background to the right; Mabry's Mill pond is in the foreground. My desire is that on a bitterly cold, snowy January morning you feel the warm sun and experience the incredible beauty of a perfect Fall day on the Parkway.

Elements of Design

2011-01-10T08:20:00.002-05:00

Parkway Series #291 12 x 16 oil $125.

In the fall I was able to get fabulous photos of the area around Mabry's Mill. The mill itself has been painted sooooo many times I decided to paint the area around it instead. This tree is across the road from the pond/mill. It was late afternoon and the sun was setting behind the tree highlighting the tree and foreground with incredible patterns of light and color. I love the abstract quality of the elements of design in this image.

April Ice Storm, Mt. Mitchell

2011-01-05T07:47:00.001-05:00

Parkway Series #290 12 x 16 oil $125.

Last year in April, my husband and I took a trip to Asheville. I was totally surprised to find ice instead of flowers on the Parkway! Portions of the road were closed and we had to make several detours to even complete the trip. Mt. Mitchell and Craggy Gardens were covered in ice; it was beautiful but bitterly cold. This year we are planning another trip but we will definitely wait until June!

Blue Ridge Blues

2011-01-04T08:30:00.001-05:00

Parkway Series #289 12 x 16 oil Sold

Between milepost 30 and milepost 40 there is a stretch of roadway that has tremendous views of the valley. The elevation is about 3,000 feet which is pretty high for Virginia mountains. Apple Orchard Overlook, at 3,900 feet is the highest point of the parkway in Virginia. This image looking north west into the Shenandoah Valley captured my attention with the luminous blues of the Blue Ridge.

Ethereal Glow

2011-01-03T10:26:00.001-05:00

Parkway Series #288 12 x 16 oil Sold

On my way up Roanoke Mountain one afternoon in the fall, I caught this image of the sunlight cascading through the trees and highlighting individual leaves with an ethereal glow that was breathtaking. I am really enjoying working from old photos and not pushing myself to paint the daily vistas especially this time of year. Although I am amazed at the January beauty I found last year in the cold barren "tundra" of the snowy Blue Ridge, I much prefer to paint warmth and light.

Persuasion

2011-01-01T09:56:00.002-05:00

Parkway Series # 287 12 x 16 oil $125

This is the big tree below the lodge at the Peaks of Otter under which many have spread a blanket to picnic or just rested on a lazy Sunday afternoon. The diagonal composition of light and dark and the "calling" of this image persuaded me to paint it. I am amazed at the calling from specific images that I feel in selecting the image to paint. It is as though the God of Creation calls to me from behind His created image...."Look, but don't just look, really see, see Me, feel the Awe and see My Beauty that is here!"

Finding Peace

2010-12-30T08:10:00.001-05:00

Parkway Series #299 12 x 16 oil $125.

There is so much Spiritual Energy found in Nature, Energy not only for strength and endurance but also for peace - finding peace outside and inside yourself. My prayer with each painting is for the Spirit of the work to pervade the canvas and be translated to those who view it.

Magic of the Moment, Otter Lake

2010-12-29T11:50:00.003-05:00

Parkway Series #285 12 x 16 oil Sold

The "magic" of the moment is what I desire to capture in my new paintings of 2011. I am gong to slow down in order to spend more time photographing the mystery and magical light of special moments and I am relaxing a bit in the process of painting. Without the fast pace of turning out a painting a day, I am convinced my paintings will be more successful in capturing the essence of truth and beauty - a transcendental experience for me as the artist and I hope for the viewer as well.

Blessings of 2010

2010-12-20T08:30:00.000-05:00

Parkway Series #80 (remake) 11 x 14 oil $125.

As 2010 comes to a close and I watch the snowflakes fall, I reflect on a year of incredible blessings. My Parkway project was a wonderful success in many ways and I was able to juggle my career and keeping two grandchildren - two full time jobs at the same time! My babies are learning and growing just as I am learning and growing; that is what life is all about. New adventures, new experiences, new challenges and new growth whether at 60 or at 6 months brings life and joy to all of us. My desire is that 2011 will be more of the same. Thanks so much to all my blog followers for your interest in my work and my life. I intend to keep on traveling in Parkway in search of the perfect painting in 2011; I still have many miles to cover. Have a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year and stay in touch.

Freedom to Choose, remake

2010-12-17T09:32:00.000-05:00

Parkway Series #250 12 x 16 oil $125.

Bolder colors, more value contrast and better shapes improved this painting posted on September 3rd. My make-over edition is so fun and relaxing and therapeutic! I really enjoyed painting all day yesterday as the snow fell and I was house bound. This painting entitled "Freedom to Choose" is not only significant for my subject matter but also my occupation. Can you imagine a better job than one where you can sit under the trees and paint or by the fire in your own studio and paint all day!!! I am so thankful for the blessings I have received from the Lord. Just as I have chosen truth, goodness and beauty, I also chose Him as my Savior and my Provider.

Rakes Mill Waterfall

2010-12-16T11:21:00.000-05:00

Parkway Series #97 11 x 14 oil $125.

Posted on January 26, this painting needed further work. A bit more push and pull with color and value improved this painting. I still have a handful of paintings chosen from my portfolio to continue working on. Then, after Christmas, I plan to begin new paintings from photographs taken over the last year. However, this period of reflection and reconstruction of my work is very relaxing and fun and I believe beneficial to my growth as an artist.

Remake, Raven's Roost II

2010-12-15T08:38:00.000-05:00

Parkway Series #274 12 x 16 oil $125.

On October 25, this painting of Raven's Roost was posted; it looks a bit different now after repainting the rocks and adding the pines on the right side and touching up a few other places. My yearly stint of "a painting a day" got me into a mode of fast painting that I had trouble getting out of. Even though I was not painting as much, it took me two months to slow down the actual painting process. Some paintings really do succeed at that fast pace, others do not. In the original Raven's Roost II, I relied on generic rocks to speed up the process. In this makover, I took my time and tried to capture the essence of the real topography of the area. Balancing darker values with the evergreen trees on the right also helped the compostion.

Roanoke River Overlook #2

2010-12-13T08:20:00.000-05:00

Parkway Series #25 12 x 16 oil $125

Back on October 8 2009, I posted this painting, leaving most of it as a value study. The blue and purple underpainting was left as a finished piece, however, as much as I experimented with abstraction, my need to paint correct value and color always prevailed. So I went back and finished this one and I feel it is much more successful.

Rakes Mill Pond, Take Two

2010-12-11T22:22:00.000-05:00

Parkway Series #253 12 x 16 $125.

Another remake shows more color and luminosity than the original painting posted on September 8th.

Remake #109

2010-12-10T07:59:00.000-05:00

Parkway Series #109 11 x 14 oil $125.

On February 11, I posted a very "anemic" rendition of this painting entitled "Roanoke River Tributary". I was drawn to the image because of the diagonal compostion and color. But the blue and orange contrasting colors were not effective in the original so I intensified the orange in the forground and added snow to make the contrast more effective. The bottom horizontal log helps eye direction to remain in the painting instead of going off at the bottom right. It is fun and very interesting to continue my self imposed critique.

Improvisation

2010-12-09T08:26:00.002-05:00

Parkway Series #286 11 x 14 oil $125.

Out of the 260 paintings I did last year, only a few were rejects; I posted all but five paintings: this was one of the five that was never posted. This painting is a dramatic remake of the original. The original had no hay bale and no sky holes; in fact it had no focal point and I'm not sure why I chose a group of trees with a partial view of the parkway through them. I did have great fun remaking this; I really enjoyed the creativity of playing around with composition and ideas and I am proving to myself that the year of daily painting was incredibly beneficial in getting me to the point where I can improvise and compose without "written music"!

New Insights into Mill Mountain

2010-12-05T15:35:00.000-05:00

Parkway Series #282 12 x 16 oil $125

This is an improved paint-over of #282 posted on Nov. 9th. Aggregate shapes again improved the composition of a "sea of orange". After a year of daily painting and pushing myself to produce quickly, I am finally slowing down enough to critique my work and turn out better quality paintings. I am excited about going to the gallery this week and hanging a quality show of new paintings from the WVTF exhibit. I am going to bring home many of the earlier paintings to repaint in the hopes of improving them.