Rough Works

The paintings shown here are plein-air sketches, some more in a state of "finish" than others. From left to right, the first painting is called the Rock and was painted in near-ideal outdoor conditions. It was a bright day at Ft. Getty in Jamestown, RI (USA) with a light breeze. Consequently I was able to enjoy my study time and the result, while open to improvement in the studio has a fairly high degree of finish for a plein-air sketch. The second work, called After the Storm, was a study done at Beavertail, again in Jamestown with a moderate wind and the conditions allowed a good long look at the currents surrounding the chain of rocks as well as large swells growing into breakers -- both favorite painting topics for me. The last painting, called Narragansett Fog, was a struggle to complete since the conditions began as fog and then suffered growing sunlight as I painted on the beach. This last painting, then, was a memory painting in part and its roughness shows that it requires more work in the studio to polish this "gem".

This work was accomplished in a one and a half week period and marks that nostalgic end-of-summer period when I "paint like a pig eats"!

Summer is wonderful for plein-air painters in New England because of the lingering light during later hours of the afternoon/ early evening. It is also often the busiest period. I look forward to a summer with no commitments to shows and exhibits, a promise of freely painting the water-scenes I love. Well, that period is already over for this painter!

In the last week, after painting on the Cliff Walk (Newport, RI), I had to prep for the Bristol Art Museum's "Art Al Fresco" in which artists are able to show their works on the large fence bordering Linden Place. Sunday, the day of the show was a beautiful summer day and I spoke to many art lovers as they strolled the spacious sidewalk. Later, I headed for much-needed refreshment and then back to work in setting up for my show at the East Greenwich Library. Monday Morning I loaded the walls of their gallery space with 19 paintings. And yesterday I performed a portrait demo before a small audience using a live model. Today I am preparing painting surfaces for tomorrow.

I'm heading out to Rockport (Massachusetts) tomorrow for a couple of days of painting and to enjoy a demo by a wonderful artist, David Curtis, at the Rockport Art Association.

Then I'm back on Saturday to Open my show (1 -3 PM) at the East Greenwich Library!

And, yes, did I mention that today I hoped to squeeze off a small work, pleinair, in Jamestown?

Some Results

Inn at Barnstable (9x12) The Lifeguard's Boat (16x20) Harbor Scene (11x14)

Barnstable Backyard (9x12)

Here are some images of the recent "painting frenzy" . "Barnstable Backyard", a view of the salt marsh between two buildings in the Village, and "Inn at Barnstable" were both done at Art in the Village, 15-16 June 2011. The other two oils were done upon my return to RI.

Always in search of a "different take" on the same subject matter, I try to avoid becoming an art factory in turning out the same tourist feed each year. It's hard to avoid this despicable practice with the desirability of recognizable landscape by both gallery and tourist!

A Painting Frenzy

The show in Barnstable, known as "Art in the Village", was an excuse for me to paint some scenes related to the village itself. I was able to do so since the Cape Cod Art Association kept an eye on the rack I had rented during the two-day show.

Again, because I was caught up in a "painting frenzy" when I returned, I had no time to carefully take digital images of my work. (The fine weather seduced me into the outdoors --RI beaches, coves , harbors!) At Barnstable I painted a scene at the Inn and another I call "Barnstable Backyard" which shows a view of the salt marsh . The show in Barnstable, judging from the number of artists in attendance, was smaller than last year. Not surprising, since the number of sales was probably down due to the economic times. I did sell one painting off my rented rack, a 12x12 oil of Gloucester harbor. Sales or no sales I always look forward to being in this peaceful village setting and exploring the paintable subjects.

I've recharged my digital camera and am ready to shoot and post!

Preparations for the Cape

This week I have been scrambling around, preparing for Art in the Village, an art fair sponsored by the CCAA (Cape Cod Art Association) in Barnstable on Cape Cod. The art show falls on the weekend (June25, 26) and I will load a rack up with my smaller paintings. By renting a rack from CCAA, I am free to explore other Cape painting sites, returning to Barnstable at the end of each day. So far, the weather looks to be cloudy -- good for art shows.

Also I am preparing at least two paintings to enter the CIAA (Conanicut Island Art Association) juried show called "Icons of Jamestown". The paintings I am preparing are both freshly done in the last few days! The paintings have been done 90% plein air with only 10% involving touch -up with quick-drying medium. Again, I have been dragging my feet on getting images available to upload.

The spring/summer transition proved a challenging time for me. As a result of certain medical complaints I ended up scaling back my usual output of oils. Drawing, however, always goes on and I have accumulated some information in terms of rough sketches and somewhat cryptic color notes to begin experimentation in the studio.
The troublesome conditions referred to above are now under control and I have finally started to make my usual excursions to my favorite painting haunts -- local ponds and the rocks and water of the RI coast! I will post new images up in a few days. Again, sorry about the delay!

Is it Spring yet?

This is the one of the few early spring days in which something may be accomplished regarding a sane attempt at outdoor painting. No tree buds or blossoms yet in this part of the country, but when the sun dances upon the tree limbs, there is still poetry to be painted.

If you live in the Northeast as I do, you know that the day is often divided into segments, some of which do not allow painting time. So, this is one of those days it pays to use the mantra "carpe diem!" I hope to get on canvas at least the germ of a painting from the inspiration south of Wickford. Hope you are having a wonderful time including some art and/or poetry into your day!