Mixed media sketch
Observation en plein air
Live from the garden.
Art Prescription: As promised I got out to sketch and paint my newly bloomed Cosmos. I did a couple with the Cone Flowers. I like one and Sam likes the other. Which one do you like? Which one would make the best card?
Life is a long path
Times the woods are dark and deep
Times sun lights the way.
Art Prescription: The long hot summer may be getting to me a bit. I miss being able to spend extended hours outside sketching. Between the heat and the mosquitoes, I feel a little isolated inside. I’d rather be outside in nature than anywhere!! My studio is nice and air-conditioned, but sketching from life gives me a sense of renewal and vigor. I’m looking forward to three upcoming Art Prescription workshops. The first one is August 25 at the UNC Wellness Center where we will play with pen and ink and expressive painting!! Next October 20 at the NC Botanical Gardens – Expressive painting fall trees. Hope you can make one!! Call me or email if you have any questions 919 608-0247 You don’t have to be a member at the Wellness Center to participate.
Be yourself, be true
Be generous, live kindness
Be happy, be bold!
Art Prescription: Not much more to say about this…
Path, purpose, life force
Resilience, forward track
Find the it right now.
Art Prescription: Picked my “Backyard Bouquet” painting up today from the framer. Makes me so happy!! Everything in life needs a frame!
Historic houses
Water front, sail-boat masts, yachts
Bridges arc river.
Art Prescription: Sam and I rode bikes all over Newbern, NC. Beautiful old houses and cemeteries draped with moss. Different visuals for the artist eye…good inspiration.
Change of scenery
A cure for the listless soul
Explore a new town.
Art Prescription: Perhaps the heat is getting to me…day after day of endless sweat. Or maybe I need a change of scenery. I’ve been thinking a lot about boat scenes. I love a harbor in the evening. There is a town called Newbern in NC that is right on the river. Bike trails take you around town and river-front. Sounds like a day trip…let’s see: sketch books, watercolor pencils, ink, an adventurous spirit.
Oppressive still heat
Deep thoughts about life, living
Dragonfly flickers.
Art Prescription: Life is like a river, swirling water changes constantly. All making its way to the sea, where there are high tides and low tides. What to do when you are feeling a bit like a bauble floating along? Walk…think (too much)…accept where you are right now. One of my favorite artists, Jeanne Carbonetti, says there is always a void before a great idea.
Sunlight beams through clouds
Hot humid air smells like rain
Swallows swoop and sing.
Art Prescription: I spent most of the weekend in my studio and outside in the garden, despite the heat. Finished my two newest works: Fireworks I and II. These paintings have 10 plus layers of paint and modeling paste on them. I sanded the final painting down to get back to the under-painting. This work was weeks in the making and took a lot of patience…drying time. Try a new medium…it might open an exciting window for creativity!
Sweltering, fiery
Sultry July comes in hot
Hazy thick moist air.
Art Prescription: It is July, but dog-gone it’s HOT! 99 and above is the forecast. Flowers need water almost twice a day, especially in pots. I’ve had two uninterrupted days in my studio and playing with some new mixed media, modeling paste and collage. Very experimental and I’ve painted about 5, really, paintings on two matching canvases, not satisfied yet with the results. I’m always amazed at how much time it really takes to create! It takes time to day dream, sketch out ideas, think about composition and color, and at times it’s really hard to manifest what you have in your mind onto the paper or canvas. Always remember to work, step away, look at your painting from a distance, go for a walk, and come back with fresh eyes!
Cool clear blue sky morn
Spring-like temperature, June
Nice “cold front” surprise.
Art Prescription: What an unexpected wave of cool temperatures! Almost needed long sleeves for our morning walk. A perfect day for plein air painting. Nothing makes me happier than being right in front of the plant I’m drawing, trying to describe its personality and curves with line and paint, so much richer than working from photos. This brings me to a conversation I had with a friend yesterday…we talked about how different people are in how they choose to live their lives. Some people live just on the surface, never diving into a deeper meaning for their circumstances. For me and my friend, depth is important. Each and every day we seek to find meaning and purpose and if we can express this creatively! bravo!
Here are the paintings I’m working on:
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