Five Little Peppers 5x5

I never read the story but I remember the title of the book Five Little Peppers and How They Grew . You can probably get it from your local library. I was always a reader but the computer and painting have largely taken its place. I like books on cd but find that my mind wanders and I have to rewind unless of course it's a fascinating book like Into Thin Air, which was the first book on tape I listened to. It was 9 hours long and I did the whole thing in one day.

Sea Star Gallery, Matlacha 5x7

I finally finished it. I tried to leave the composition loose yet complete to the viewer's eyes. You'd think that after all the time I've spent around palm trees, they'd be second nature by now. Not. This one gave me fits. I need to paint them more often is all. I'm going to reward myself for my diligence today with a trip to the Dollar Tree ::big smile:::: Again, I thank these people for their fabulous color scheme.

Back to Painting

Last night I worked on this Matlacha (Mat-la-shay) piece. I'm focusing on keeping it very painterly and loose. I love that these folks gave me such a hot color scheme to work with. This is stage two and I won't be able to get back to it until tomorrow. I'm living my last few weeks of Florida Retiree lifestyle before heading North. My latest adventure with our grandsons is over on Not Really a Cleaning Lady. I also read and would like to share this title with you. The God of Animals by Aryn Kyle. I compare this book to Old Yeller and The Red Pony. It was with me for days.

Three's A Crowd 5x5

As if I don't have enough 'stuff' to paint, I went shopping at the Goodwill Store and found this great nasturtium plate. I'm sure I'll be using it again and again.

Hanging Out 5x7

I thought I posted this yesterday but now remember that I actually posted it on Daily Painter's Marketplace. This is my backyard clothesline with all my white shorts and tee shirts on it. After struggling some with the whites I added a couple of items with color to break it up more. I'll definitely try this subject again.

Little Carlos Pass, Bonita 9x12

Painting a day is a huge commitment and I am in awe of the many who are doing it. I have been painting almost everyday but over the last week we've had company and social time with some of our friends who are leaving South Florida to go North. Thus, not much painting. Sometimes my tendency to over complicate my subject gets in my way and the painting isn't good enough to post. This painting was done on site in Bonita Springs, Florida. Back to the easel I go.....thanks for stopping by.

Rubber Duckie You're the One 4x4

I should've been a stand up comedienne with these title's. It's true. I have a bit of a corny side but, I wouldn't dare publish this post without a link to Rubber Duckie. At some point in the '70's you could actually hear this on a bar room jukebox. That speaks volumes about the '70's. If you want a good laugh click here to hear Bert & Ernie sing Rubber Duckie in Hebrew!

You Say Tomato 5x5

This is a little study I did in about half an hour.

I planted a whole package of Beefsteak tomato seeds (from the dollar store) when I arrived here in January. There are about 25 of them all in different stages of growth. I gave away some of the bigger ones which are already sporting flowers, to my neighbors. Still I have about a dozen left and some are still tiny. I planted one in a coffee can just so I could paint it. I'm entertaining the idea of bringing a few of them home with me in the car when we drive North in May. That's a typical snowbird kind of craziness. As if I could fit another thing into the car, the way I usually pack.

Partridge Island 6x8

Don sat in the car reading while I did this little painting of Partridge Island in beautiful Parrsboro, Nova Scotia. The rock formations are dramatic here on the Fundy Shore. It's a geologists dream.

Just the Two of Us 5x5

I'm very into the produce section of the super market. So many colors and shapes. I'd like to set up right there and paint all the lovely veggies.

Light House Mist 8x10

This Lighthouse is in Parrsboro Nova Scotia on the magnificent Bay of Fundy. We spend two weeks in June here in a little cottage on the shore. That happens to still be black fly season there but the lupines are in bloom and that's a can't miss situation. So I have my bug spray and my benadryl spray and my paints and I'm one happy woman. Don and I consider the 11 hour drive well worth it and you should too. Don't miss out on the beauty of the Canadian Maritimes.

Looks A Bit Seedy 5x5

Tommy, Anne and the babies went out to the beach this afternoon and I scurried to the studio and painted this orange, picked while riding around the Park on Pat's 3 wheeler with Ryan in the rear basket. It seems to take longer to edit and upload the painting than it does to paint it.

Duxbury Shore

SOLD Since my brother and his family (two toddlers) are here visiting me in Florida, I had to lock up the studio for a week. I did this painting onsite near where I live. The little marsh 'cottage' that was a landmark there has recently been replaced with a bigger house. This painting is in the collection of an art lover from Beacon Hill.

You Look Radishing 4.5"x8"

Radishes are so pretty but I don't eat them.

Capri Boat Yard 6"x8"

This is another painting from my day in Isles of Capri. I don't mind saying that I had an awful time getting a good photo of this one. I'm a bit behind in posts because my Mama was here visiting me in sunny, but chilly, SW Florida. I know, I know. It's better than home.

Pepper Trio 6.5"x4.5"

Inspired by my friend and fellow painter Kelley MacDonald whose link you'll find on the right, I ran out and bought these little peppers. I hate to admit it but in the interest of aesthetics, I traded a few out of my pack for a couple of 'lookers' in another pack. Such is the life of a painter. Always setting the scene.

Click on the MSW eBay link to the right to see others on my current eBay listing .

Capri Cafe miniature 2.5x3.5

Just for fun I did a miniature of the original. I also put a quarter there for size reference.

Lemons on Black 2.5x3.5

This painting is 2.5x3.5 on masonite. I've attached saw tooth hangers to the back of these miniatures and finished the sides so there's no need to frame. Although I do try to keep important elements of the work away from the edges, sometimes small paintings lose something when they are 'cropped' by the frame.

Outdoor Painting

I love to paint outside because you have to see it to paint it. Yesterday I went to Isles of Capri, a teeny village with a fish house and some restaurants and some beautiful scenery. After much reconoitering, I finally set up and proceeded to block in this little painting. I fought my way through for about 90 minutes because the wind was strong and I had to use one hand to hold onto my box, leaving only one hand to paint with. Well, you need two. You have to wipe the brush etc.. My towels were blowing away and I just finally packed it up after I felt I'd gotten a good sketch and finished it in the studio.

Parrsboro Lobster Boat

SOLD

This is Parrsboro, Nova Scotia on the Bay of Fundy in Canada's Maritime Provinces. It's the location of the highest rise and fall of tides in the world, and one of the most beautiful places I've been. My husband's mother's family is from the Parrsboro area and we spend 2 weeks each summer here in a little cottage on the shore. The landscape is a stunning contrast of reds and purples in the mud and rocks and deep blues to Carribean like, teal greens in the water. Enormous craggy cliffs rise hundreds of feet along the shore conjuring dramatic paintings every where the eye looks. The light is shimmery, like island light and the mornings are frequently foggy, even as the sun tries to break through. For me, it's the most magical place. Coincidently, through the vast reaches of the blogosphere I have bumped into a blogger who is from there. She works with the tourism industry and is keeping a blog all about Bay http://bayoffundy.blogspot.com .

I sat on the sand at low tide and painted this lobster boat waiting for the tide to come in. I called this painting 'A Distant View of Berry's' because in the left background you can see the tiny gray building which is Berry's Restaurant and the brick Town Hall up the hill from it.

This painting is 9x12, oil on board and can be seen on my website http://marysheehanwinn.com along with others painted in beautiful Nova Scotia.

See some of my fantastic photos of the area on my other blog http://marewheeee.blogspot.com