Painting Demo - Success!

I want to thank everyone who came to my painting demo last night at the Parish Center for the Arts.  We had about 20 people in attendance and there were lots of questions with some lively discussions.  I didn't finish the painting as I was working slowly and trying to explain my process as I went along.  

I started with a canvas painted with a light purple background.  I got a good start on the apple, vase and tablecloth.  I didn't work on the 2nd apple and couldn't decide on the background color so left it untouched.  

The apple and vase are nearly finished and I just need a few strong highlights on the ceramic vase.  I'm not happy with the tablecloth so will spend more time working on the wrinkles and may also change the color a bit.  That just leaves the 2nd apple and the background to finish the painting.  A few photos follow of the painting in process, a photo of my still life set up, and me in action last night!



My still life set up looked like:



And here is me in action:

"Sunset Dunes" - 5 x 7 inches - oil on paper - SOLD

"Sunset Dunes" - 5 x 7 inches - oil on paper

For those who live in the Westord, MA area, I'll be giving an oil painting demonstration tonight (Thursday October 17 from 7 - 8:30 p.m.) at the Parish Center for the Arts (PCA).  The demo is free but if you make a $10 donation, then you are eligible to win one of my original paintings at the end of the evening.  All proceeds benefit the PCA.  I hope to see you there!

This was the last dune painting that I finished en plein air at Plum Island in Newburyport, MA.  The sun was setting and the sky turned a beautiful pink color.  I was in awe. 

"Steady Breeze" - 5 x 7 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

"Steady Breeze" - 5 x 7 inches - oil on canvas

I sat in my car on the side of the road and painted this lovely scene.  A number of boats sailed by as I worked to capture the scene as quickly as possible.  I'm pretty familiar with the shape of sail boats so I was able to recreate the basic shape even though my references kept moving around.

"Great Egrets" + Oil Painting Demo and other news

"Great Egrets" - 5 x 7 inches - oil on paper - SOLD

I still have a few more of my Newburyport, MA paintings to post but have been crazy busy for the past week.  I've been hosting 2 oil painting workshops taught by a wonderful artist from Kentucky, Dreama Tolle Perry.  I had invited Dreama to Westford two years ago and couldn't wait for her to return.  It's been an inspirational ride for me and 32 other lucky participants!

For those who live in the Westord, MA area, I'll be giving an oil painting demonstration on Thursday October 17 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at the Parish Center for the Arts (PCA).  The demo is free but if you make a $10 donation, then you are eligible to win one of my original paintings at the end of the evening.  All proceeds benefit the PCA.  I hope to see you there!

Regarding this painting, I sat in my car and painted the marshes.  A couple Great Egrets were fishing at the far end.  I just made a subtle suggestion of the birds on the edge of the marsh using a spot of white paint.  The gentleman who purchased this painting is shipping it off to New Zealand as a wedding gift for this brother so I never know where my paintings will end up!  

"Hot Dogs and Sausages" - 5 x 7 inches - oil on paper - SOLD

"Hot Dogs and Sausages" - 5 x 7 inches - oil on paper - SOLD

There is a beautiful park in Newburyport, MA called the Atkinson Common.  it has walking paths, fountains, statues and beautiful gardens.  I walked around for a bit deciding what to paint.  What caught my eye was a vendor selling hots and sausages from her colorful cart.  This scene was definitely a challenge but I think I managed to capture the sense of the strong afternoon light.

For those who live in the Westford, MA area, Art on Main is hosting our monthly "Wine and Nibbles" from 5 - 8 p.m. on Thursday October 3.  Stop by and say hello!