Plein Air - oh how I miss you

Last week I went up to Evergreen Colorado to paint with some mountain artist friends. It was a glorious fall day. We were fortunate enough to have access to a private retreat location that was previously a camp for girls. Bear Creek ran through the property, it was well kept and just an amazing spot to have all to ourselves (with the exception of one lone workman). My first one was done from one of the bridges crossing Bear Creek. We are not talking high art here, but rather a study. The bridge was concrete and I can only stand on concrete for so long so I whipped this thing out concentrating on large shapes of color and hoping to get a bit of the movement of light and water. I had found this masonite panel laying around the day before so I quickly gessoed it to take along with me. It has been a long time since I painted on masonite and even with gesso it was a slick and slippery surface. Always fun to have extra challenges along with painting outdoors. The paint just did not want to stick to the surface. A bad brush contributed to the struggle.

Upper Bear Creek, oil, 8x12

This second one (and of the 4 of us I was the only one to do 2, telling you how fast I did the above study) I found a chair so was able to take a load off my legs and sit in the shade. There was this long out building that was full of fun shapes the whole length of it which I may someday play with in its entirety. I chose to crop this bit off for a myriad of reasons. Of course I loved the truck door leaning against the wall as well as the pink doormat to go with it. That it is a Wash House only added to it and of course the diagonal ladder and the yellow whatever it is diagonal was an extra treat.

Wash House, 9x12, oil on panel

Being Catholic I love the idea of this retreat house. It is a perfect place to go and be with God in all his handiwork. Peaceful with one way in and one way out. Come on your horse, there is a hitching post. We were allowed access to all the buildings  with the one caveat to be sure all doors were closed! Oh my. To paint outdoors and have toilets and running water is always a bonus. The Lodge is beautifully furnished and includes a game room. I could not interest anyone in a game of fuss ball much to my chagrin. I do hope to get a chance to go back there, sooner than later. Already have my spots picked out. Another reminder to get my butt in gear and paint outdoors more often.

Anticipation

Anticipation, 16x12, oil on linen

In the heat of the summer we have been experiencing here, it seemed apropos to dive into something to cool me off! I saw this young boy while walking the beach in western Italy. We were on a tour, and the first day of the tour was a 'free' day or you could add on a day trip to St. Lucia with the guide. We opted to go to the beach by train instead. I had hoped we could go to Cinque Terra, but that was going to make for too long a day, so this was next best. There were not many people in the water as the orange flags were out. I watched his intensity of finding "the" wave to catch. Someone recently made the comment that of course this is not a beach in the USA because he is wearing a speedo! For some reason that never crossed my mind that boys here don't wear speedo type swim suits.

Below is the block in for this painting. As is my want, I picked an unfinished start of a portrait to paint over. I thought you might like to see the big shapes and patterns I use to build upon.

Block in over unfinished painting

Evening Glow over the Gulf

Evening Glow over the Gulf, 20x30, oil on linen, available

Seems appropriate with Hurricane Dorian wrecking havoc and approaching the east side of Florida to post this recent painting from Florida's west coast. A bucolic scene if ever there was one.

Here we have the proverbial walking on the beach at sunset. What can I say? It was a beautiful time spent on  a Florida key near Tampa Bay. The light was just perfect. It isn't a dramatic sunset but these calm colors are soothing to the soul sandwiched between the gathering clouds and the still warm sand.

Overall the colors are impacted by the sunset except that one little slice of cool blue water. The long triangular shape of the water is repeated with a bit of cooler sand in the path in the lower right hand corner.