Winter Fishery 8x16

Yes, it has been a while....
....since my last post.  Early October, I think.  I'm back on track now.

Since then we have been in Italy on a very satisfying drawing/painting/teaching trip, found out our daughter is expecting twins, and made it through the holidays.  November was a rough month for me. Can't remember the last time I've been that bummed out for so long.  Painting, other than when I was teaching, was almost non-existent.   You might know why and share the feelings.

Anyway, this is a new year so on January 2nd, in weather down to 22 degrees and a strong wind (OK.  I know that doesn't seem anything but balmy to those in the rest of the northern U.S. but it has been unusual for here)  I headed out across the water to this spot.  The sun was setting fast and, as quickly as I worked, this was as much as I could get in but I'm satisfied with it....and it was so good to be back painting outdoors.

I used Cad Yellow Light, Cad Red, Rose Madder Permanent, Burnt Sienna and Cerulean Blue Hue from Gamblin.  Their CBH is basically Pthalo Blue and White and is much easier to control than straight Pthalo Blue and it is of a value that often works with little modification right out of the tube.

There are some more paintings hanging around to post and I'm back in the mood to paint so....

....I'll be back.

Thanks for looking.

Astilbe Garden, 9 x 12

Snoozing on the couch after the festivities of July 4th....

.....visions of unpainted paintings woke me up.  Really happened.  Grabbing my paint kit I headed to the front garden and found a group of astilbe beginning to catch a bit of afternoon light.  An hour later this painting emerged and I was glad I hadn't spent the time on the couch. 

I have to admit that I was still a bit in that dream stage when I painted it, proving again that I'm just as competent when half asleep.

Hope you all in the U.S. had a great holiday.....and that those in other countries were pleased not to have fireworks until one in the morning.  More gun powder was used just in our neighborhood than in all of the Revolutionary War.....  OK.  Maybe not the whole war.

This was the same limited palette of three colors as in the last post.

Awaiting High Tide, 11x14

Heading out on a Costco run I made it less than a mile before having to stop and paint.  I came around a corner and there it was.  All I had to do was walk two blocks down the beach in mud and seaweed, set up my gear and proceed to drop paper towels, paint and brushes in the muck.  It was a great time.

An hour later I was off to shop with wet muddy feet, but also a good feeling of having painted.  Even when I bomb it feels better than not having done it.....(maybe just a little better).

Here is a link to a Seattle sketcher and artist, Gabi Capanario....and a video about him.   Because the scenes he draws are so familiar (well, if you live in Seattle) it is extra fun to see what he did with them.  There is a lot to look at here and even a Google map link to several of the places he drew and you can see the actual scenes.

I'll try to get another post in before leaving for Maine....