ALASKAN MOUNTAINS

Another Alaskan landscape seen during our trip we took awhile ago. As in my previous painting, I liked the interplay of light and shadow in this scene. Also the low cloud hanging over the mountain peaks (some of them still with snow) created a somewhat evocative mood. This one is a 9" x 12", oil on canvas.

ALLEY IN POMPEII, ITALY

While in Italy, we visited Pompeii and strolled around the ruins. Weather was warm, bright and sunny. Truly a spectacular and unusual place that has been carefully maintained. There were many interesting vistas and views - all under the looming presence of Vesuvius (which was smoking gently). I found this sunlit view and loved the light and shadow effects so tried to capture this in my painting. This small study is 7" x 5", oil on canvas.
Our thoughts are with Italy  at the moment especially considering what they (and also the rest of the world) are going through. Please take care out there and stay safe.

WINTER MARSH SUNSET

I have had this painting in my studio for some time now as I'm planning on doing a larger version of it. I often do small studies like this as a kind of sketch and to see how the elements of the scene work together. There is often a bit of adjusting to the values etc before I am happy with the finished study. Some of them simply don't work and I end up painting over them. On reflection, I think I'll change the composition slightly, the position of the foreground bushes and perhaps the sky as well - so a bit of work to be done when I paint the larger one. This study is 5" x 7", oil on canvas.

ACROSS THE MARSH

I have been sadly neglecting my blog of late but here finally is an update! I slightly re-worked this painting that I did in Portugal from the time I spent walking in the nearby reserve. To start off the process, I darkened the foreground grasses and added a little more detail there. Then the area closer to the trees was worked on a little adding a few subtle variations of color and tone. I also slightly deepened the tones of the foreground reflections and in some other areas such as the bases of the trees etc. I think after this, it look a little better than the original and is now for sale at McBride Gallery in Annapolis, MD.

VIEW ACROSS DISTANT WATER

I have of late been concentrating on illustrations and neglecting landscape painting. To redress this, I'm starting on a series of landscapes that I hope will continue for a few months. I saw this scene in Maine more than a few years ago and wanted to do slightly different version of the painting I did back then. The sun was lowering in the Western sky and creating amazing highlights across the water both near and far. I used a bit of over-painting in this one - usually I try and get it down all in one go! But that's all right, I'm learning that over painting is fine when working in oils. Size is 9" x 12", oil on canvas.

WINTER MOCKINGBIRD

Mockingbirds around here stake out a winter territory usually around a supply of berries which helps them through the cold months. There are usually one or two seen in the reserve and also in our residential community. As their name suggests, they are accomplished mimics and I have often been tricked into believing I am hearing the songs or calls of other birds. They also sing at night which is a wonderful accompaniment to the chatter of local tree frogs and toads. This bird is on a prominent perch in the reserve keeping a wary eye out for any competition - sometimes a flock of starlings can overwhelm the bird as they all descend on the berries at once! This watercolor study done in my sketchbook - about 5" x 7".

LICHEN ILLUSTRATION

On one of my walks through the woods near our home, I found this branch lying on the woodland floor and became fascinated by the way lichen had started to grow on the bark. There is a subtle pale greenish-blue color to lichen and I tried to capture this unique shade in my illustration. I'm fascinated by rotting tree stumps and fallen trees, I like to see how the once-solid wood has decayed and crumbled, becoming part of the earth from whence it grew. There are many interesting tones and textures to explore, and as an artist, subjects like this have been a favorite of mine to paint.