Field and Stream (sold)

9x11, oil on canvas panel

I painted this in preparation for painting a larger one.  Trying to solve the

problems early!  I find I am using a painting knife more and more

and really like it.  It's easier than a brush to pop in some

pure color.

I put this on auction on Daily Paintworks today.

The Orange Roof

5x7, oil on canvas panel

Noda Garden Shed, Charlotte, NC (sold)

8x10, oil on canvas panel

Noda stands for north of Davidson, an idea probably borrowed from Soho in NYC.  Noda is Charlotte's art district.  The houses are wonderful-old and full of character, but the light was not good for them, so I chose to paint a backyard shed.l

Sea Horse

11x14, oil on canvas panel

This is a study for a larger painting.  I pushed the color a little, flattened the yellow space, and used a painting knife for some areas to give some extra texture.  It's named Sea Horse because that's the name of the boat.  I just chose not to paint it, although I may change my mind.

Across the Street, Weddington, NC

'8x10, oil on canvas panel

I painted this en plein air, carefully positioning my canvas, palette, and easel in the shade, all the time trying for the best angle for a strong composition.

As I painted the sun moved and I was no longer in the shade, but didn't realize it.  Oh my, my painting was gorgeous--I created a masterpiece!!!  And then I took it inside.  It was

dead in the water, dull and lifeless.  Painting in the sun makes your colors look bright, so the artist tends to mix duller colors without knowing it.

So I brought it home and repainted many of the passages in brighter colors.  It does look so much better, but the spontaneity has been lost.  Most of the time reworking a painting works for me

and sometimes it does not.  Hey, there's always tomorrow.

Sunday Afternoon at Reedy Park (sold)

12x12, oil on canvas panel

I was thinking of Seurat's Sunday Afternoon at la Grand Jatte when I named this painting.  This was

painted last week, and I forgot to post it.  I think I have

let my life get too busy.

I painted this morning in a friend's garden.  It is a cloudy day so not the best

weather, but good practice.  The good thing is is will rain tomorrow, so I came home

and limed and reseeded the yard. (yawn)..time for a nap!

Fallen Tree, Reedy Park, NC (sold)

10x10, oil on canvas panel

Reedy Park was a hubbub of activity while I was painting.  There were

people fishing, hiking, and even a group from

a horticulture class identifying native plants.

I thought this painting might work well with a couple of figures, and since there

were plenty to look at I added two.