Postcard From SSI

4x4 oil on Gesso Board

I've been on the lam on St Simon's Island, Georgia with a 'gaggle' of notorious painters who shall remain nameless unless they choose to reveal their identity and let y'all know who they are ;) 
Yes, you heard me say 'Y'all' and I 'might could' be using some other Southern slang after hanging around in Georgia 'on my mind'.
This tiny study which includes the causeway onto the Island is 4x4 inches and was done on Monday afternoon when the weather was rainy and overcast giving a misty violet grey light to the marsh.

Strawberries Revolt

4x4 oil on board $100 plus S&H

I did this second painting on Monday and these strawberries just wouldn't cooperate. I tried to get a great composition with them but they just fell into 'line' like a bunch of pre-schoolers going out for recess. I paid them back by eating them ;)

Von Liebig Center for the Arts

Susan Romanot and Instructor Mary Sheehan Winn
at Von Liebig Center for the Arts in  Naples, Florida

I've so enjoyed teaching here in Naples this season and each group of students has surprised me with their ability to go from-dare I say- fear?.. trepidation?.. to a painting in which they achieved more than they dared think they might. 
They all 'got it' and that has been the Holy Grail of my experience with these fabulous artists who are hungry to express themselves through their brushes as I always have been. I feel their journey and actually get goosebumps when I see their AHA moment.
This was my final class of the season at the Von Liebig Center for the Arts here in Naples and Susan's joy in seeing what she could do with paint was so exciting.
Here is our Face Book 'moment', posted by Callie Spilane, Director of Education at the Von Liebig. I'll see you next season. Same time, same place.

Goodnight Irene



Black Eyed Susan 6x6 oil on board

I'll make this short and sweet. We have no power and although things could be much worse it might be a while before we are plugged in again. The storm for us, wasn't all that bad although we lost our favorite shade tree. No biggie. Sitting in a dark house at night is a drag. Reading by candlelight doesn't work for me because two curious cats are way intrigued by the flickering candles. This little painting was a one stroke at a time exercise that I did on Saturday.
I'll be back. Really.

Snowed In

Virginia Sunset

We awoke to snow Sunday morning and our plan to leave early ended up being 8 am. But can I just say that my hyper-hubby was really cool about it? After a beautiful sunny drive we pulled into our fabulous pet friendly Best Western in  Fredricksburg, Virgina and had our Gerard Farms turkey sandwiches for supper. Woke up early today ready to make Brunswick, Georgia. All went well until around mile 280 of the drive when the snow began to spit and suddenly the road was covered with three inches of snow with cars skidding and sliding. I was on the phone in a flash and got us a room at the BW in Lumberton. We checked in at 12:30. Thank Heaven because North Carolina is shut down. They have one snowplow and they don't use salt. The parking lot is rutted with frozen ice and we are hunkered down until this weather clears. Seriously, snowed in in North Carolina?
Since I don't have a painting for you let me share the work of Robin J. Mitchell a fellow member of Fresh Paint Daily Painters. 

View from our room

 

 

Tea Time

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I'm still not quite myself after losing my dear Wendell but this was done a few weeks back and I finally got a good photo of it. I'm okay but I'm taking it easy. No pressure. Check out Fresh Paint Daily Painters to see more fine work from some fabulous artists. 

Carol Marine Workshop

Next week I'm attending my second Carol Marine workshop hosted by Kelley MacDonald in her Warren, Rhode Island Studio. The dates are September 8-10. Carol has blogged her way to success with over one thousand and counting, daily paintings most of which are snatched up on eBay. It seems that there is one slot left if anyone would like to come. I highly recommend it.
You may have noticed that I'm slacking a bit on the paintings and it's true. I've been busy with summer fun but I have been doing a couple of 16x20 studio paintings of Cape scenes which I'll reveal soon. Don't forget to check out Fresh Paint Daily Painters where I am one of the featured artists. They've added some new artists and they rock!

Take Me Out #2

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I love these little take out cartons that are sold in the party stores. My favorite kind of food is already cooked (not by me) and just lands on my table.  The painting is, as always, more subtle and fresh in the 'real'. I don't even want to talk about the difficulty of taking and resizing photos ;(  Be sure to check out the Fresh Paint Daily Painters site to see the work of some of my fellow artists.

Cosmos

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My 'kids' left to go home to Naples but we had a wonderful time and the weather couldn't have been better. Very unusual summer here in New England. Today I got back on the horse so to speak. I say this whenever I haven't painted in a while and it's true. It's almost like I've never painted at all.

I'm Away from My Desk ;)

Ray and Chrissie at Green Harbor

My favorite niece Chrissie and her sweet husband Ray are here on a rare vacation from their business in Naples, Florida to attend a family wedding and are staying with Don and me this week. The wedding which took place on Saturday evening was a fabulous family time. I saw cousins and relatives I've not seen in too long. It was a magical day and we're all still under the spell. I will paint again soon. Really ;)

Melissa and David~ August 7, 2010

 

 

Our Lady Help of Christians Church