Stormy weather

"Beach Gossip", 8x16"

It poured down today. Luckily the darkness lifted so I was able to paint with natural light and finish "Beach Gossip", the painting I started on Friday. It took only two days to complete this piece, which is typical for a painting this size. I like to work quickly, blocking in color and making any adjustments to the composition first, then finally adding detail and any finishing touches. With the days getting shorter I had to work the last few hours with the aid of my artist lamps, so I'll need to review the painting tomorrow when the light has improved.

Another day, another painting...

I wasted no time today and started my next painting. It's still in its initial stages, which is the say it's looking a little rough, but it's a slow process.

I was at a beach in Barrington, RI when I saw these women sitting on the sand talking. Sometimes I'll come across a scene like this one and be lucky enough to capture it on film. It's not about copying the photo, but enhancing it and adding something of my own, so in the end it's quite different.

A painting day

I was finally able to do some painting this week. My new piece "Reflecting" has been sitting on the easel in my studio waiting to be worked on. It's frustrating when I want to paint but don't have the time.

It's only a small painting at 6x8". The scene is of the dining room at the Bed & Breakfast my friend used to own. It was a beautiful, stately place with a wonderful atmosphere, and on looking back at photographs my husband took I thought I'd try capture some of that ambiance.

Labor Day Weekend

Well, the long weekend is over, but my work has only just begun. I took photos most days looking for painting ideas that I hope to work on over the next few weeks. Yesterday I went to a free outdoor concert in Newport - Beatles cover band Abbey Rhode. A great place to people watch and look for material for people-scapes.

I went to Tiverton today, a favorite place of mine to photograph landscapes - "Through the Fields" and "Around the Bend" were painted from photos I took on Seapowet Ave. No matter how many times I visit the area I always discover something new. I find the best time of day is in the afternoon when the light is golden and the shadows are deep.


"Through the Fields", 8x8"

Reflecting

I was finally able to do some painting yesterday, which was my first and last painting session for the week. I've had such a busy time of it lately. I began a small painting I think I'm going to call "Reflecting", based on a photograph my husband took several years ago of a friend's Bed & Breakfast in New Zealand. It's an atmospheric interior that I may develop into a series of interior paintings, something I've wanted to do since painting "Bishop's 4th Street Diner", pictured below, in 2004.

Getting Organized

Beautiful weather today. It's starting to feel like Fall, which isn't all that bad. At least it's still pretty warm during the day.

Decided to reorganize my studio. I hung all my new paintings gallery style. I'd like the space to be more welcoming for potential customers, and I'm hoping the new arrangement will inspire me, which it has done. Unfortunately I was too tired to paint once I'd finished, but I'll be rearing to go tomorrow.

Art Affair on the Fence

I had a great day on Saturday. The first ever Art Affair on the Fence at the First Congregational Church in Bristol, RI went rather well. The weather was fantastic, and we had a good crowd. I sold a few pieces and met some very nice people, including other artists at the show. It's always good to network.

I have a quiet spell to concentrate on other projects now. I'm hoping to work on a new series over the next couple of months, something I haven't had time for in the past. I'm looking forward to this new creative period.