Bon Giorno

Newest Paintings for the November Gallery show

These three are the first from this summer's stay in Tuscany and Rome. What a glorious setting for a painter. Unfortunately, the weather was brutally hot, so I shot photographs as quickly as I could and then rushed to find a cooler spot...or another gelato. The first is titled Ruins Repose and is of one of the residents in Rome's cat sanctuary. What a unique and interesting idea to give over some of the ruins to the feral cats!
The second, Amore, is of a wedding we came across in one of the Roman squares. The wedding photographer was posing the newlyweds in a number of glamorous poses, and I thought I must paint one of these. A romantic memory.
The last is called Tuscan Washday. I believe I shot the photo I based it on in Montepulciano. Although, it could have been in any of the Tuscan towns I visited. It was common architecture in many.

Four new paintings for the gallery

Once again it is time to change over the exhibits at the Plantation Artists' Guild and Gallery. I have completed four new paintings for the next show. This time I dug through some old photos that I had stockpiled and came up with ideas that provide some variety. I'm surprised that I hadn't used these as inspiration before, because they all appeal to me on a personal level.

Two of them are studies of sunsets on water. I am always fascinated with the colors and movement in that environment. Another has to do with motion of a different kind--bicycle racing. Although I don't race, I still like to ride and feel the exhilaration of pedaling through open country. Finally, the fourth is another study of flowers. This is always interesting to me because of the intricate details and subtle color shifts in nature. We'll see if the buying public feels as strongly about these new additions as I do.

New Show Coming Up

The Plantation Artists Guild and Gallery, where I serve as guild director, is planning its new show. The shows there are changed every three months in order to keep the gallery fresh for visitors. This next show will debut around Mothers' Day. I will be showing three new paintings that I have completed in my Tuesday morning painting group. One is of an evening sky here just before a storm. Another is based on a photo that a friend and fellow Tuesday painter gave me of his vacation in Canada. The third returns to our trip to the Greek Isles a couple of years ago. These are each quite different from the others, but all demonstrate the experimentation that I am doing in these group painting sessions. We find it to be both fun and productive to get together, share ideas, listen to music and gently critique each other.

Several new paintings from recent months

The most recent works cover some thoughts based on the North Carolina trip a year ago and also on bouquets for special occasions. The first one came from a slow boat ride past a park bench on a dock bathed in sunshine. I called it Afternoon Delight. The second was inspired by a little white dock contrasting with the autumn colors. I added a young boy fishing (Playin' Hooky) to provide a little whimsy.

The florals, Happy Anniversary and Mothers Day, were intended to prolong the special feelings stirred by gifts of flowers.


These four, along with Vineyard Parking, are currently on display at the Plantation Artists' Guild and Gallery here on Amelia Island. The last one mentioned is based on a photo I took from the ferry coming in to Martha's Vineyard. I liked the composition of numerous boats in front of the New England shingled houses amongst the trees.