Burning Bush

“Burning Bush” 9x12 oil on panel

I painted outdoors on one of the last warm days and was struck by the light shining through the foliage of this flaming orange bush, against the dark background. I knew I had to take it on! It was a struggle to “make” something out of the area around the bush, which was actually a stone wall, but I figured it out using temperature and color.  I had only to create some shadow areas with a grayed down mid range dark. I toned the canvas orange which preserved the glow of the bush.

Storm On Trouants Island Road

 

Trouants Island is connected to the Marshfield Hills mainland by a dirt road through the marsh, which is only passable at low tide. 

I was out there recently during a summer rainstorm. Suddenly the sun broke through the still black sky and lit up the marsh in a dazzling display of bright greens! Check out our paintings for this month’s challenge “Marshfield Hills”, at GJWP.

December Marsh, Green Harbor

Green Harbor Sunset

5x5 oil on panel

I'm busily painting a couple of commissions and needed to prime the pump before working on larger paintings so, I painted this little sunset down by Green Harbor. 

It wasn't that cold today and it felt great to be outside!

By the way. Don't miss the North River Arts Holiday Sale going on all week at the GAR Hall at 157 Old Main Street in Marshfield. They have gone all out as always, beautifully arranging the art and artisan work. I have a bin with some serious bargains there! 

Girls Just Wanna Paint Monthly Challenge

"Standish Shore"

8x10 oil on panel
$250

I thank all of you for the emails and comments sharing your experience and advice on how you all stoke your creative muse and move through the normal ups and downs of being an artist.

The weather has been fantastic and I've been bringing my watercolor sketchbook out onto the deck with me while I have my tea each morning and doing contour drawings just to enjoy the process. All I really need to do when I feel like the well has run dry is to take a look at the work of the wonderful artists I have featured in my sidebar, and that is only the tip of the iceberg. 

I'm reaching into the archives for this painting of the local scenery for the Girls Just Wanna Paint challenge which is "Marsh".

Winter Marsh

"Winter Glow" 

6x6 oil on board

I've been a bit reluctant to write about this but, this blog is about my real life, so I'll share. Little by little, I'm finding my painting mojo again. It's been a hard time and I am consumed with the chore of sorting and tossing and resolving the 'beloved flotsam and jetsam' of my dear Mama's and our family's life.

Report cards from grade school, every card/invite she ever received, newspapers containing momentous news events (Oy), bookshelves full of books and souvenirs. Precious family 'stuff' in the china cabinets. And photos, photos and more photos. 

I picked up some boxes and marked them with the names of my siblings and as I sort, I drop things into each box for them to enjoy along with things I think should be theirs. Because I insisted upon looking at every single piece of paper, they have left me to that and I don't mind except that the volume after 43 years in the same house is, um, voluminous. My dear husband is the God send to this whole task and is also on the receiving end of my prickly emotions :( Without his guidance (lists, lists, lists and advice and more advice)  I'd be lost. He is the left brain balance in my right brain world. 

So, I'm sad but, I'm grateful for my family and my dear friends near and far who continue to lift me up. Thank you all for your continued support.

About the painting. One thing I love about the winter is how the setting sun lights up the tops of the trees creating a beautiful complimentary color scheme. 

Edge of the Marsh #2

Click to bid

This is my second painting from our wonderful day on the farm, done between 5 and 7 pm when the light is best. If you wonder why I didn't paint the actual animals or the buildings it's because I wanted to concentrate on a simple composition with atmospheric perspective. Besides, the animals move ;)

Edge of the Marsh

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I spent yesterday painting at Taylor Bray Farm in Yarmouth. This fabulous little farm is open to the public and has a collection of farm animals including goats, sheep, two of the sweetest little donkeys, chickens, and a couple of Scottish Highlander cows named Scotty and Fiona. I painted two views of this tree and had a great time with my friends. Kelley and I stayed late and had the thrill of seeing a red tailed hawk up close as he hunted for his supper.