Daily Painting

Clock tower in France

Elizabeth is in the south of France right now making preparations for our French Sketchbook workshop. We will be staying at a restored 14th century chateau near the medieval town of Duras, pictured here with its clock tower. Meanwhile, here in Providence, it is school vacation week and my son and I (who no longer wishes to be referred to as Captain Spectacular but said this one last reference is okay) are off to the Roger Williams Park Zoo now!

To the Lighthouse

This morning I had the urge to make some carefree sketches sunny lighthouses.  These are Southeast Light on Block Island and Rose Light in Newport.  Watercolor on multimedia paper.  Last year I read To the Lighthouse and found it to be full of dazzling moments.

Restorative

Thinking about our workshop in  France.  12"x9", oil on canvas board.  Duras Castle, 2 Km from our own little chateau in the Lot et Garonne region!

Baltimore Washington Parkway

It was fabulously cold, grey and rainy yesterday as Captain Spectacular and I drove alomng the BWI Pkwy listening to the Trumpet and the Swan.  Though beautiful in its own gentle way I needed the colorful antidote of bright textiles.

Above is the view from my sister's kitchen window this afternoon.  Right now she's busy roasting a chicken while the kids and I paint and play.  Lucky me.

Sunshine dream

From a summer photo. 6"x6", oil on panel. Now that I think about it, no doubt, this painting is the result of my morning coversation with Elizabeth about our plein air painting workshop in France. We have some great news: the remarkable Maggie Rose with be teaching with us, I am so excited!

Together at the edge of the world

From Roger Wheeler State Beach.  8"x6"ish, oil on clayboard.

In the woods

From photographs of the little girl in a pink dress and red shoes from our camping trip (I have accidentally added a few years here). 8"x10", oil on panel.  I'd like to paint it again, flesh out the Rhododendrons in the foreground and do more to show the proliferation of branches.

Shore Dreams

My bit of painting for today. Oil on panel, 7"x5".  (Destined to be a gift for a very real dream cottage.)

Torre Bianca

We went to a wonderful party at a wonderful house yesterday. There were endless pathways, doorways, passages, staircases, sculptures, fountains and lush late summer greens everywhere! The boys had a wonderful time.  Thank you Carol and Pete!

Escape

At one point last week as I was sizing up my to-do list and instead I had the happy inspiration to strap my bike on the car and make for the East Bay Bike Path. These 7"x5" oil sketches are on clayboard panels.