As I lie here in bed recovering from my second surgery in just over a month (knee this time, back four weeks before), the scene through the window makes me long for the outdoors. I am anxious to feel the warmth of the sun and the promise of a fresh canvas as I dip my brush into bright colors. But, the doctors say I must be patient, "perhaps in a week or two".
Since my last posting I have managed to complete three new paintings, start a fourth and do preliminary sketches for a commission piece from a good client.
While on a visit with relatives in south Florida I wandered outside to do a little exploring. The property backs up to a canal which gives the residents boating access to deeper waters. I was amazed at how still and quiet it was. The only sounds were the rustlings of the iguanas as they searched the plantings for a tasty morsel. There was almost no movement in the water giving it a mirror-like appearance. Almost every detail was reflected. So, I titled that painting "Still Waters".Here on the island the first weekend in May is time for the annual "Shrimp Fest". Every year there is the celebration of what was a major industry here in the past along with a very important outdoor show of art and antiques. Estimates are up to 100,000 visitors come to enjoy the food and art. The part that has always interested me has been the colorful crowds. The diversity of the people enjoying themselves all together is more exciting than most of the exhibits. Since I was not going to be able to join in the festivities this year, I tried to capture some of the feeling based on snapshots from previous years. I call this painting "Centre Street Crowd".
