October Beauty

Parkway Series #397  12 x 16   oil    Sold

Parway Series #398   12 x 16   oil    Sold

Several weeks ago, my "plein air" painting group got together and painted on the Parkway in the late afternoon.  I was able to finish two paintings on location around milepost 100.  #397 is from the Quarry overlook and #398 is from the Great Valley overlook.  I am so glad we got in our last outing of the year while the weather was still good. Looking forward to the Spring already!

Visual Memories

Parkway Series #396    12 x 16  oil   SOLD

Another version of Raven's Roost  (milepost 10) was requested by an admirer, of the beautiful Parkway vistas, who now lives in Dallas, Texas.  I am so thankful to live in Blue Ridge, Virginia and to be able to send visual memories of this area to people all over the world.  Thanks so much, Brittany, for this commission. 

New paintings at the Shenandoah Club

 Parkway Series #389   12 x 24   oil   SOLD

 Parkway Series #394   12 x 24   oil    SOLD

 Parkway Series #392    18 x 36    oil  

Parkway Series #393   18 x 36   oil    SOLD

New paintings will be on display at the Shenandoah club in Downtown roanoke from the first of October through December.  Stop by and view paintings by the Ridge and Valley Plein Air Painters or email me for information.

Plein Air Painting at the Peaks

Parkway Series #395   11 x 14    oil   Sold

Parkway Series #360   12 x 16    oil   Sold

Parkway Series # 391    12 x 16  oil   sold

                                         Parkway Series #390      12 x 1 6    oil       SOLD

Last weekend was "Art and Music in the Mountains" at the Peaks of Otter.  Painting Saturday until the rain set in and on Sunday, mid morning to late afternoon, I was able to capture the essence of place quickly.

Highland Park Plein Air Event

Mill Mountain Star from Highland Park    12 x 16   oil   SOLD

Even with overcast skies, the Plein Air Event at Highland Park this morning was a great success. Only having a couple of hours to complete a painting is challenging but fun and really forces the artist to get the big picture down fast!   There were 40+ artists and the show was great.  Many paintings were auctioned off, however, this one is still available.  Next Saturday is Art and Music in the Mountains at the Peaks of Otter.  Bring a canvas and your paints and paint with me!

Lavender Fields

Lavender Fields    18 x 36   oil    $750.

On June 24th, I spent the day with a group of artists at a Bed and Breakfast in Blacksburg for their Lavender Festival.  This painting is the result of the inspiration we enjoyed that day.  I was amazed that the  Virginia landscape could proudly compete with the lavender fields of Provence that I have always wanted to paint!!

Buck Mountain Road Tunnel

Parkway Series #388   12 x 16    oil   Donated to Faith Christian School

I have now completed a fall, spring and winter version of this scene which is adjacent to the property of Faith Christian School in Roanoke, Va. Next year I will finish the series with an interpretation of the tunnel in summer.  The students can dream of snow days this year as they view the new addition  and prints will be used for fundraising efforts at the school.  Actually it was fun to paint this in July when temperatures have been near 100 for many days!

National Treasure

Parkway Series #387   12 x 12   oil     SOLD

  People who love the Parkway are adventurers, hikers, lovers of nature and many times introverts like me.  Being on the Parkway fills us with a sense of wonder and awe at the distant views and the wildlife and even ordinary rocks.  I love meeting Parkway people as much as I love being up there or on the trails; there is a sense of kinship in the passion of revering this national treasure that is in our backyards.  One of my goals in doing this project is to bring awareness of the beauty and the conservation needed to preserve it for future generations.  It is wonderful to know how many others share my sentiments.

Creeking and Crawfish

Parkway Series #386               12 x 12          oil                              SOLD

I am available for commissions from your photographs. I love painting people in the natural environment, but please, no portraits.     Email if  you are interested.

Symphony of Summer

Parkway Series # 385   16 x 20    oil    SOLD

The sun-bleached rocks high above the valley solidly stand in awe of the lush green valleys and distant blue hills.  There is nothing better than to join with their praise to the Creator, by sitting atop their magnificent shoulders and listenig to the cosmic symphony of summer. 

Downtown Roanoke

Downtown Roanoke    11 x 14   oil   Sold

This was the scene outside of One Block East Gallery last Saturday.  Beautiful day to paint!!

Lindsey Grace

Lindsey Grace    12 x 12   oil     not for sale

Occasionally, I give portraits a try, especially when the subject is my grandaughter!  This is the reason that my daily painting project has slowed.  Keeping two little ones, five days a week, has put the brakes on my painting for a while.  But they grow up quickly and I know my calling right now is to give them everything I've got which includes the Source of all Truth, Goodness and Beauty!  What an opportunity!  Paintngs just have to wait when I'm loving my babies.

Soft Landscape

Parkway Series # 384     12 x 16   oil    $125.

After painting in a very tight manner, it is fun to do something loose.  I was inspired by Lois Babb, a friend and fellow plein air painter, while doing this painting. 

Peaks Path

Parkway Series #383      12 x 16    oil     $125

A couple of weekends ago, my plein air group painted at the Peaks.  This is the path around the lake that crosses the creek. It is so much fun to be painting outside again!

17th Green, Ballyhack

17th Green, Ballyhack      12 x 24   oil   donated to Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway

After touring the course in a golf cart, I chose this green because of the incredible views of the mountains in the background.  This painting will be auctioned off at the golf tournament in June to raise much needed funds for the Parkway.  Actually I love playing golf as well as painting the undulating terrain of golf courses; maybe I'll do a series of golf courses after my parkway adventure.

Blue Ridge Vineyard II  12 x 16   oil   Sold

The "Tasting Room" is an old barn converted into an incredibly elegant dining room with fireplace and stage.  Before we started our afternoon of painting, the plein air painters were treated to a wonderful lunch and wine tasting.  Thanks to all for a fun and relaxing afternoon!

Bue Ridge Vineyard   12 x 16   oil   Sold

Yesterday the Ridge and Valley Plein Air painters and others painted at the Blue
Ridge Vineyard near Eagle Rock.  What an incredible day and beautiful landscape to enjoy!. 

New Discoveries

Parkway Series #382   12 x 16  oil   Sold

From the N&W Railroad Overlook, this view of rolling mountains follows the Parkway south toward Vinton.  I have painted it before but with each painting new discoveries in composition and new colors emerge.

Colors of Spring

Parkway Series #381    12 x 16   oil   SOLD

The spur to Explore Park (milepost 115)  was adorned last week with pink and yellow green. The combination of colors caught my eye along with the diagonals of this composition.

Sensory Sensations

Parkway Series #380    12 x 16  oil    SOLD

The smells of the Parkway, wet grass, dead leaves, honeysuckle, freshly cut hay... remind me of home. This image evoked memories from the sensory sensations I experienced on a photo shoot last week.  Early childhood memories of spending spring and summer days outside are rare these days.  I am planning more and more special times for my grandkids to experience chicken coops and barn babies that were so prevalent in my earliers days.

Spring on the Parkway

Parkway Series #379       12 x 16    oil    sold

Spring on the Parkway is so rejuvenating after hibernating in the house all winter.  I am really excited to start painting outside again.  This Saturday is the first "plein air" competition of the year at Poplar Forest in Lynchburg.  About 20 plein air artists will be painting on the lawn and paintings will be juried in the afternoon by Bill White, retired Hollins professor and plein air artist.  Competition and critique always get my adrenaline pumping.

Around the Bend

Parway Series #378   12 x 16   oil    Sold

On the Parkway, there is always a new surprise "around the bend".  I am fascinated with the light as it crosses the road; and in this scene, the distant mountain was just too gorgeous to pass up.  Virginians are so fortunate to have the Blue Ridge in our back yard.  I actually get emails from all over the world, from people asking me where, on earth, I live!  Several have said they would love to see this Parkway I am documenting!
My response is always..... ya'll come!

Mill Mountain Star

Parkway Series #377      16 x 20        oil            Donated to Friends of the Blue Ridge
                                                                                               Marathon 2012

The Roanoke Star is located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, atop Mill Mountain, a city landmark that stands right at the edge of Roanoke's downtown.  The world's largest free standing star is lit year round from dusk until midnight.  It is 88 1/2 feet tall and weighs 10,000 pounds.  This painting was commissioned by the 2012 Blue Ridge Marathon and donated to Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway to raise funds for continued improvement and maintenance of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The painting will be auctioned on the weekend of April 21st. 

Prints of this painting will be on sale after May 1st at One Block East  in downtown Roanoke.

Wintery Mountains at Sunset

Parkway Series #376    16 x 20   oil    SOLD

There are some magnificent views in North Carolina around Balsam Gap of wintery mountains.  I decided to get a winter painting in before spring pops up.

Photo manipulation

Parkway Series #375    16 x 20   oil    $350.

Photo manipulation is fun to translate into a painting.  I may continue blurring the background intentionally in paintings to experiment with the abstract essence of painting

Focusing on the Light

Parkway Series #374    16 x 20    oil   Sold

This is another remake; the painting originally had colors that were too harsh.  After softening the oranges and adding purple to the background colors I believe the painting is more effective in focusing on the incredible light coming through the trees. After a year of daily painting, the ability to critique my own paintings has improved.  Even though I have a long way to go, it is encouraging to feel more confident in the growth that has been achieved.

Tinker Creek

Tinker Creek      16 x 20     oil     SOLD

From the Hollins University foot bridge looking back to Rt 11, this Spring scene was begun on location two years ago!  Many times I rework paintings that may not have hit the mark the first time.  This is a definite improvement over the first try.

Looking Up

Parkway Series #373   16 x 20   oil     Sold

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

Parkway Series #372   16 x 20     oil   Sold

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

Parkway Series # 371  18 x 36    oil   Sold.

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

Parkway Series #370    18 x 36   oil    SOLD
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

ParkwaySeries #369   18 x 36     oil    sold

"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

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.