MSW "Bush" Painter

Lily Pads 6x6 

oil on panel

It's fun simplifying these lily pads into abstract paintings. The more I paint this scene the more familiar and comfortable I am with it. I could see going really large with these.

I bought this rolling tote at Michaels for half price and I really like it. It has four wheels. Spins as well as caddies, has pockets on three sides and a spacious compartment with a couple of removable zipper pouches which can be secured with plastic snap hooks. 
I stuffed some palmetto fronds into it to create some shade while I sat on the bank and painted. I felt like I was on a Safari.
My legs are covered with fire ant bites because I forgot the "stick" that goes with my Coulter easel and had to sit. Should have put the towel under my legs instead of just under my butt. WHATEVER! The show must go on.
I am really enjoying painting the chaotic scene in the lily pond and have been lazy about posting my progress, but I will share in a more timely fashion. Maybe.

Painting en Plein Aire

Studies @ Freedom Park

I have been going out to paint at a little oasis called Freedom Park. Water, palm trees, beautiful birds, gators, turtles, lily pads (my new obsession) and dragonflies, which represent the spirit of my mama, who, much to my delight, is always with me. 
It find it easier to divide my canvas into quarters and do studies instead of overwhelming myself with trying to get a finished painting of this very complicated scene. 
My favorite of this series is the closeup of the lily pads. I see so many possibilities with this subject

The Oasis

Painting "en Plein aire", sounds so chic but, it requires organizing and downsizing equipment for the lightest and least burdensome trip to the site. This has never been my strong suit but I'm working on it.

a visitor, oh wait, I'm the visitor :D

Great Egret 

Painting Shiny

Vermeil Cup

Class Demo

I'd like to say that I'm setting the world on fire here in Naples, but the fact is, I'm on island time. Sitting, reading, eating out and touring South Florida with Don and generally lazing about.
However, I have my students to keep me on the straight and narrow!
Tuesday, I painted this shiny silver cup. It's not metal but a soft vermeil kind of finish and it was extremely difficult to paint. Linda watched me sweat through my demo and then took on the task. The big issue with this finish was that it doesn't reflect mirror like images of the surrounding area as metal would, only color and shadow. We are going to go after it again next week which is the best way to understand it.
Meanwhile, I read a bunch of books including, The Boy Who Loved Anne Frank by Ellen Feldman, The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian, The First Phone Call from Heaven by Mitch Albom, The Selected Short Stories of William Faulkner, Local Girls by Alica Hoffman and Some Girls Some Hats and Hitler; a true love story by Trudi Kanter. They were all good in an "okay" kind of way, but I'm still looking for that really great read.