Black flies don't mind deet

Flag ponds Thursday, braved the flies and heat and my new umbrella nearly flying into the bay, but saw some great clouds and got another cross fit workout with my wagon.

Oil, 11x14

Oil, 5x7

Oil, 5x7

Memorial Day weekend

I was able to squeeze in a couple painting sessions over the long weekend.  The first a still life outside of some rhododendron blooms in a little jug.  I will have to practice flower paintings.  Abstract thinking practice, really.

Oil, 8x10

The next day I went down to the beach in the morning and spent a couple of hours thinking about sky holes in poplars.  Added a tiny kayaker for balance.  

Oil, 11x14

Hannah

Hannah was able to model again today to everyone's delight.  She works in the downstairs coffee shop and filled in once before when the hired model didn't show up.  She was a great model, I hope we get the chance to paint/draw her again!

Oil, 11x14

Have wagon, will travel.

Picked up a nifty beach wagon yesterday, I thought it would be helpful in lugging my gear over beach and trail, and I was right!  I first test drove it at Myrtle Point in St. Mary's County, a stunning place that offers endless fodder for outdoor painter-types.  I was going to go down to the beach, but ended up stopping on the trail at a spot that overlooks the Patuxent River.  The wagon was a champ over the grassy trail, no problem over tree roots and rocks.  Kind of loud in the gravel parking lot, but that's my only complaint.  Here is the start to the painting I did before getting to cold and shakey to continue.  I will be back!

Oil, 11x14

I could not get warm, so after wolfing down a sandwich in my toasty car, I went out to the beach for more painting.  The wagon was HARD to pull through soft sand, which was a bummer, but it was so nice to have all of my gear up and out of the sand, I will forgive it.  Plus, it's like crossfit, right?

These girls kindly posed for me the entire time I painted (jk). They were teenagers trying to get a start on their tan, they came over and chatted after a while and showed my a gigantic shark tooth they had found.

Oil, 8x10

Still had time before getting the boys off the bus, so I knocked out a little lighthouse.  I'll never get tired of painting it.

Oil, 5x7

Calm silvery water, warm breeze, osprey returning to its nest...and toddlers!

Morning at Flag Ponds, my favorite Monday location.  It was a hot and misty morning, and the cliffs were beautifully receding into the dense atmosphere.  I was all alone until a big group of moms with toddlers filed in.  I am guessing they hadn't expected the short hike to the beach (which I'm sure seems like miles with a little person and all the gear) because the moms seemed frazzled and stressed, and the kids were cranky and crying.  I felt for those moms, at the same time rejoicing having survived those years and moved on to the fun 9 and 11 ages.  Calm before the next storm, I'm sure.  Anyway, painting was fun!

Oil 11x14

Then moved to another area for a Maryland cloud study.  

Oil, 8x10

Ignored by O'possum.

So I went back for more of Jefferson Patterson Park this morning.  I found a gravel road going toward the water, and walked down part way when I found barns and fields and set up my gear.  Turns out I was on private property, as I discovered when the farmer drove past, then stopped, backed up (me thinking UH-OH) and told me if I wanted to go on down to the farmhouse and paint, that I could, because the view is better.  Yes!!

Oil, 11x14

Also painted a little one --

Oil, 5x7

Then I walked down to the water, was assessing the possibilities, then this guy walked by, really close.

I don't think he even saw me.  I also freaked out a mother osprey, I was worried she was going to dive bomb me.

Just another day at the beach.

Decided to check out Jefferson Patterson park, and was not disappointed.  A few moms and kids considerately showed up on the beach right as I was finishing so I could complete my painting with some little figures.

Oil, 11x14

Painted this little one facing the other direction.

Oil, 5x7

Meeting other painters.

While painting on the roadside in Solomons Thursday afternoon, I met some guys re-painting the street lines.  We discussed our respective painting techniques.

I was also positioned under a big tree and many inchworms dropped on me and my painting.  It was a perfect spot, though.

Oil, 11x14

Next time, dog stays home.

due to some pretty dramatic sad looks, I decided to take the dog with me to paint today, then quickly remembered why it's best to leave her at home.  She whined for the first half, then found/rolled in/ate several dead fish for the other.

I managed to get a painting and a half in before I gave in and took her home to her beloved couch.

Portrait and Figure Co-op

I've been putting miles on my car attending a portrait and figure co-op in Annapolis.  It has been really fun and great practice, and I have been meeting other artists, which always motivates and inspires me.  Here are a few that I have painted in the last couple months.

Oil, 11x14

Oil, 11x14

Oil, 11x14

Oil, 11x14

Oil, 11x14

Oil, 11x14

Spring 2015

Finally spring!

Oil, 11x14

Oil, 11x14

Oil, 11x14 (sold)

Oil, 11x14 

Oil, 11x14

Oil, 11x14 (Sold)