Train Wreck 8x10

Honestly, this title just sprang to me as I placed my cursor in the box. It's appropriate for today's fight with this painting I did at Naples Depot. I toughed it out for 4 plus hours scraping and editing. I just couldn't do anything with the uninteresting background, not to mention the rule breaking centered caboose. My color knowledge totally failed me here with the white gravel and the boring asphalt parking lot next to it. Anyway, I did get some good practice and a study. Next time.

Flamingo Isle, The Oasis 8x8

These folks are chilling at the Flamingo Isle outdoor bar. I was attracted to the blue tarp and the multi colored stools. I am off to the pool but I leave you with this thought. Have another one, just like the other one :)

Stylin' Ride 6x6

When I saw my neighbors refurbishing their golf cart I couldn't wait to paint it. The golf cart is a popular mode of transportation in Florida retirement communities. They have golf cart parades for Saint Patty's Day and 4th of July. We still walk and ride bikes to get around. No golf carts for us....yet ;)

3rd Street South Impatiens Study 6x8

SOLD

The Subject

My setup

Thursday is Naples Outdoor Painters day. I've met some nice people. Lotsa Massachusetts gals here. Snowbirds. Today's location was right in the heart of Third Street South and I crammed myself into a corner by a busy restaurant to tackle this complex scene. Usually I avoid locations like this. Too busy. Can't focus or concentrate. This time I was with one other sistah friend who set up near me. We both went to work and the time just flew by. No one was overly chatty and despite the fact that delivery trucks were passing 5 feet from my knees I was really in the zone. That doesn't mean that the painting is exactly what I hoped for but, I finished it. I'd like to try this again a bit larger using this reference. It's way overworked but today was mile stone for me in plein air painting. For those of you who know me well, notice my car is right next to me. You know that's all that really matters ;)

Banyan Tree 6x8

I'm not sure that I kept the design as close to the initial block in, as I might have but, I like this finish anyway. Painting Banyan trees is kind of like banging yourself on the head with a tire iron. I've still got two left to finish. One 6x6 and one 3x5. Keeping it simple? Not!

Dogwood Blossom

I should have stuck with the bananas maybe? A learning experience. That's what I call the ones that get away. I wiped this off 3 times before making a final effort. In the meantime my props wilted and I'm just not feeling the love for this piece. So, I'm wiping it off again and calling it a night. I included a detail here because it looks pretty out of context and because I wanted to post something for everyone who comes by here. You all make my day. The news isn't all bad though, the Red Sox came back to beat Cleveland just like they did last fall :D

Second Banana 6x8

I started painting with oils when I was 12, if you don't count the paint by number sets that I LOVED. Before that though, I drew often and I've kind of gotten away from it, preferring to map out my picture on the canvas and just begin to block in. Doing this preliminary sketchbook drawing helped me with the final painting. I did change the lighting on the painted version by moving the bananas out to the studio. Let me say that these babies were a nightmare that I stuck out. The shapes are not nearly as easy to draw as I thought and there was plenty of correction along the way. This makes me a step closer to painting better bananas. Hey, banyans? Bananas? Is there a theme here?

Banyan Tree #2 6x6

Back to the jungle today to paint the banyan tree yet again. I made a value drawing to start with and worked on a 6x6 square. I also premixed my dark using Ult. Blue, Alizarin and Viridean and some greens using Ultramarine with Cad Yellow Med and with Cad Yellow Light and a green mixed with Thalo blue and Cad Yellow Light. I still want to see more variations in the greens here but I'm more pleased with the shapes than last week. This is my second week painting with the Naples Outdoor Painters which has been meeting on Thursdays forever. I really enjoyed it.

Banyan Tree #1 6x8

I'm posting this as the finish, though after studying it while writing my post, I think the left side of the painting needs just a few small strikes of sunlight into that neutral mid tone to enhance the form of the trunk. I'll let it sit a while and it will tell me what it needs. We're going back to the same location this Thursday and I plan to stay with this subject. It's a good lesson in seeing the big picture in terms of design. This is just a small section of the trunk system of this massive Banyan tree. It happens that while I've been working this evening I listened to a inspirational PBS feature on Ansel Adams who was a fantastic artist with a camera.

Banyan Tree Watercolor 8x12

I've been studying my Banyan tree oil trying to 'see' the finish. Mostly everything is in shadow but the lights will define them and lead the eye. In order to not over do the oil painting, I embarked on a watercolor drawing to help me get a sense of all the shapes in the tree and shadows. Watercolor feels so carefree. I wonder why? I know. You all think I'm goofing off at the pool. You're right.

Banyan Tree block in 6x8

hour and a half in

At this point the colors are starting to work second stage and the pre mixes

The pattern

The Bully

I went out this morning with the Naples Outdoor painters to a private home with about 2 acres of lush tropical gardens. As I strolled about trying to choose a location I heard over and over, the complaint, "there's too much green" and, "I'm overwhelmed". And so was I. BUT, I decided on the banyan tree which had some sunlight on it, thus some contrast. I spent 20 minutes doing a value sketch to find shapes and place my darks. Then I did the premix, mapping out the colors so that when I started, I wouldn't run out of anything. This is making a huge difference for me. So much so that I wish I'd done it years ago. I worked for an hour and a half to get to this stage, where I decided to leave it while I plan the finish. It was 88 and humid and with sweat running down my neck, I rewarded my carefully planned and executed block in with a trip to the pool :) I wasn't able to get the photo right tonight but I will make up for it when I post the finish.