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