Sunday, March 17, 2024

RAVINE STUDY

 



When we visited Madeira, one of the things we did was to drive to the peak of Pico do Arieiro (1862m - almost 6000 feet!). Mostly we were driving through mist and light rain but nearing the top, everything miraculously cleared up as by that point, we were above the clouds and into brilliant sunshine. Views were incredible to say the least and I remember looking down this wonderful sun-filled backlit scene thinking I had to do a painting of it (along with many other scenes that day). Managing just a small study on site, I did this painting as an experiment later on and kept it small as I was thinking of how exactly to capture what I saw and felt there. This oil on board is 10 x 8 inches.

Sunday, March 10, 2024

ISLANDS END

 


Another scene from Hong Kong. This is just the kind of place I loved to explore, clambering over rocks, skirting the edge of the sea, often splashed by errant waves but having the time of my life! Deeper water has a different wave action than that closer to shore - one often reads about 'the hump of the sea' and I have experienced it many times. I tried to get some of that feeling in the painting - mainly deeper water where the rocks fall away suddenly. I also kept certain values in this piece light so as to better indicate bright sunlight. Size of this oil is 8 x 10 inches (20 x 26cm).

Monday, March 4, 2024

DISTANT SAIL

 





I saw this scene while I was back in Hong Kong a while ago. I love views like this of distant islands and in winter, when the sky is clearer with less haze, there is a purity of the light that I really enjoy. I tried to capture this feeling in the small painting done here with sunlight reflecting not only on the sail of the distant boat but also across the sea. This one is 8 x 10 inches, oil on board.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

GREY SKIES IN JAPAN

 





We were driving along the shore looking out to sea when I saw this scene. Heavy clouds that almost touched the water looked like rain but was actually snow - a dusting could be seen on the headland and in some places close by. There was no place to stop so I worked from some of my video trying to capture the almost bleak feeling of the day. This is a small 8 x 10 oil on canvas.

Monday, February 26, 2024

CLOUD MOUNTAIN STUDY

 



 Another painting from our Alaskan trip. Here I focused on clouds surrounding the mountain peak - a mystifying sensation for me. The idea of this particular idea touched something deep inside but I couldn't explain what it was. This month I have been working almost completely on landscapes revisiting some of the places I have visited over the years and pulling out some of the work done back then as well as painting new ones. There are a lot more paintings to come and I am hoping to cover almost all the places I have been to during my travels.

Thursday, February 22, 2024

BEND IN THE RIVER STUDY

 



After moving to Wilmington, I have fallen really behind with posts on this blog! I think it has taken me a little longer to settle in even though we have stayed here before. Finally I am fully set up now with my studio overlooking the Christina River and points beyond. The large windows faces East so I get to see the sunrise each morning and can easily go to the pool deck to see the sunset so very happy with that! This small study done in my sketchbook was painted looking out and down to the river just as it was getting dark. The barge Catherine (New York) was docked against three steel pilings just on the inside bend and made an interesting counterpoint to the flowing river. A few days after I had painted this, a tug and a smaller riverboat pushed it out to the Delaware river and disappeared downstream. Size of this watercolor is about 5 x 7 inches.


Saturday, February 10, 2024

GRASS ISLAND, HONG KONG

 


One of my smaller works from the Hong Kong series of paintings that was started many years ago. I preferred to get away from the city and often took boat trips to some of the out-lying islands where I would find solitude enough to set up and paint. I love this kind of view across the water at some of the many islands in and around Hong Kong. Here, on a hazy day, I am looking across a channel at some of the uninhabited islands with a hint of distant mountains in the background. The day is well progressed and about now, I would be thinking of retracing my steps back to the ferry pier and to start my journey back home. Size of this one is 8 x 10 inches, oil on canvas.