Remembering Penny

Penny was a constant companion when I painted at Horton's Farm.  She was so fast that I could barely make a brush stroke before she returned with the ball.  I finally started to bang them out into the fields with my tennis racquet, giving me a few more moments to paint. Lots of personality bundled into her 12 pounds.

Penny, 12x9

Sun and Snow

Here are two from last week, when warm winter sunshine created a perfect creative moment.  Far cry from this morning, when the mercury outside registered 10 below.  Think I'll be working inside today.

Elizabeth Park, 12x16

Carini's Berry Farm, 10x20

Nantucket Artworks

I am very pleased to announce that my work is now being represented at Nantucket Artworks at 31 Centre Street in the Town of Nantucket.  Here are a few paintings from several trips to Nantucket this summer.

Morning Light on McKinley, 9x12

Morning Shadows -- Ocean Avenue, 9x12

Chip and Putt, 9x12

Autumn Roses

I painted this yesterday, overlooking the Connecticut River from East Hampton.  Despite the lack of sunshine (and cold wind -- oh, how we painters have it rough), I found the saturation of color in the foreground to be a nice foil against the rust color of the waning autumn foliage.

Autumn Roses, 12x16 (click on image to enlarge)

Surf and Turf

Well, the Connecticut River is hardly considered surf, but here's a quick one from the Glastonbury shore last week.  The middle painting was done at a friend's house, where it seems everything is now blossoming.  And the bottom one is yet another in an endless series of things with wheels, in this case, at Horton's Farm here in town.

Down River, 9x12 (click on image to enlarge)

Margaret's Roses, 16x12

Mr. Horton's Ride, 12x16

Big Rig

Just had to paint this big old rig at Carini's Berry Farm here in Glastonbury.  I liked the way the front bumper mirrored the surrounding colors.  Of course, I had to pick a pint of delicious raspberries before painting. The life of a painter is just so demanding.

Big Rig, 16x12 (click on image to enlarge)

Pillows of Snow and Under the Apple Tree

Pillows of Snow, 8x10 (click on image to enlarge)

Plowed snow formed pillows on the blanket of snow around these South Glastonbury tobacco sheds.    Warming air provided some nice atmospheric effect.  The blue sky reflecting off the snow, infusing violet into the red barns.

Under the Apple Tree, 12x16 (click on image to enlarge)

The arc of this snow-covered tree limb perfectly framed the farmhouse across the field.  It took a while to get this painting done.  When I noticed that the moon had risen over my left shoulder and street lights were coming on, I realized it was time to pack it in.  

I think it sometimes takes a bit of obsessive compulsiveness to stick with a painting.  Often, a painting gets off to a good start.  Then problems have to be solved, and there can be a period of frustration and distress.  But, provided that the composition is strong, generally it is good to stick with it until the multitude of challenges are resolved -- sometimes until the absence of daylight compels calling it quits.