BLACKWATER EVENING - STUDY

My recent trips down to the Eastern Shore of Maryland has re-awakened my desire to do more paintings of the region. I prefer the marshes and backwater areas, often finding myself driving down roads I had not travelled before. Most of the landscape thereabouts is flat, the water table not far down so my views are sweeping with large open skies, such as the painting above. This one done in the studio was based on a smaller plein air study finished earlier and both were the inspiration for the much larger 30" X 40" Blackwater painting posted on my blog sometime ago. When out walking and painting in the landscape I prefer the mornings and evenings, often getting up before dawn to witness the breaking of the new day. These time are very special to me and is the reason why I paint so many of them. I never tire of the different light and moods that nature has to offer during those times and no two days are the same. I truly haven't spent enough time there to really understand the landscape but plan on going back time and time again, hopefully gaining more insight with each visit. Blackwater Evening Study is an oil on canvas, size 8" x 10".

EVENING OVER THE MARSH

I saw this scene some time ago and only recently got around to finishing the small study. This painting was one of many that I exhibited last weekend at the Waterfowl Festival in Easton. Over the four 4 days of the show, I enjoyed meeting new acquaintances and old friends, so a big thank you to all who came by and said hello. Also many thanks to Matt and Julia for all their hospitality, the sailboat ride was magnificent!
Now back in the studio, I have started a huge cleanup getting ready for the new year and some serious studio painting. While I do go out in the winter to paint, it is nice to be snug and warm in the studio painting away when it's freezing outside. Fortunately it's not that cold yet and I'll be taking another short trip this weekend visiting the Eastern shore again only this time going a little further south to Chincoteague. More paintings to follow.........
Evening Over The Marsh is 5" X 12", oil on canvas.

AUTUMN MORNING STUDY

Although being very busy working towards the Waterfowl Festival next weekend in Easton Maryland, I have found some time to get out with my easel and paintbrushes. Weather has generally been good with warmish temperatures and for the most part, rain has held off - at least while I was out and about anyway! The skies have been fantastic, mostly overcast with breaking sun and shadow lending to many wonderful moods. I sat on the top of a nearby hill and just watched the clouds pass by. Wind was strong higher up but much less so where I was and created many different patterns as the drama unfolded. I'll post some of the other paintings I did from that day later on but for now, here is a small 5" X 7" study finished when the sun broke through the clouds and lit the Autumn landscape.