"Forge Pond Shadows - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

"Forge Pond Shadows" - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas

This is the painting that I completed during my book talk/painting demonstration at the Westford Museum last week. I thought the demo went very well and we had a lively discussion with a group of about 15 people. It is, however, very hard to talk and paint at the same time...very hard! I was able to finish the painting in the back of the room during the 2nd presentation. I donated this painting to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell for their annual fundraiser.

As you can probably tell, I started the painting with a bright orange background. I like the color combination of the yellow-green grass and the bits of orange. The shadows across the parking lot are what initially attracted me to this scene along with the slice of light gray-blue water that separates the distant trees from the foreground trees.

In other news, Art on Main is having our monthly "Wines and Nibbles" on Thursday March 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. with guest artist Rory Gallagher. We got snowed out last week so hopefully mother nature will cooperate this week with milder weather. Everyone is welcome so join us if you can!

"Pond Shadows" - 10 x 10 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

"Pond Shadows" - 10 x 10 inches - oil on canvas

I created this painting as a donation for the Chelmsford Center for the Arts upcoming "10 x 10 Silent Auction Benefit".  The event is 100 days before the grand opening of the completely restored Chelmsford Center for the Arts in Chelmsford, MA.  All works of art start at $50 and everyone has 100 minutes to bid.  The event is on Saturday, March 24 from 7 - 10 p.m. - click here to read more if you are interested.  Sounds like a fun evening and there should be some really nice artwork.

You can probably tell that I started this painting with an orange background.  I didn't fuss much and just tried to let the paint flow.  I was especially happy with the rocks as I was able to suggest them with just a couple of brush strokes.

This painting is my warm up for the demo I'm giving on Thursday Feb 23 7 p.m. at the Westford Museum.  So, if you attend, you'll see me create something very, very, very similar...hint, hint.  :)

"October Snow" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

"October Snow" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas

Last weekend, during an October snowstorm, I lost my power on Saturday evening. On Sunday, in an effort to get warm (and pass the time), I headed off in my car to paint plein air and spent a really lovely afternoon painting at Forge Pond. It was breezy outside so I painted in the passenger seat while the sun kept the car toasty warm.

I was fortunate to get my power back on Monday evening but most folks in Westford were in the dark for several more days. Spending a few days without electricity is really a jolt to the system. I am fortunate to have good friends that offered up hot meals and a warm place to sleep. For the most part, I enjoyed my break from my computer (and all things electric) and was happy to pass the time with people that I love spending time with.

"Forge Pond" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

I sat in my car on an overcast afternoon and painted Forge Pond, one of the local beaches in Westford, MA.  I had just finished reading Kevin MacPherson's "Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light and Color" and tried to follow some of his basic teachings:  a) simplify the scene - squint to eliminate the details  b) focus on painting shapes (not a tree or a rock or a whatever) and c) use a limited palette for harmonious colors.  I'm pretty happy with the final result and definitely learn something new with every painting.

Waiting for Spring - 6 x 6 inches - Oil on canvas - SOLD

Saturday was a gorgeous, sunny, winter day. I gathered up my painting stuff and headed out to find an interesting spot. I decided to head to Forge Pond and spotted this stream which leads down to the beach. I was very happy to sit in my car and paint although it was a little cramped having my canvas up against the steering wheel. I probably should have moved to the passenger seat but I was too lazy to move and just wanted to get the paints flowing. It felt really good to be painting "en plein air" once again.