Blue Wave Morning

16" x 20"
Acrylic


Here is the second painting that I completed while staying in this charming coastal town. This is another view from the porch, on a morning when the water decided to get a little testy. Again, I just couldn't resist painting those incredible tall pine trees that lined the edge of the dunes, as if to purposely frame the beautiful gulf view.

I was striving to produce different textures while using several different kinds of paintbrushes.I decided to keep this one to remind me of the great trip we enjoyed!

View from my Florida Sundeck

16" x 20"
Acrylic


I have (fortunately) returned to Florida on 2 different occasions within the last 6 months. Both visits proved wonderfully restful and rejuvenating.

The unique pines that grow along this particular stretch of Florida coastline absolutely fascinate me: they are so very tall, yet have only a few limbs, and a big "poof" of needles on top! (I believe that Mother Nature has a real sense of humour).

Also inspiring was the crystal blue ocean just before dusk every day. Once the sun descends on a clear day, there appears this orange/pink glow in the sky, juxtaposing the incredible pale blue of the water. This is my favorite time of day!

Here is one of two acrylic paintings that I created on my first visit to this small seaport. It is the view from my second story sundeck. And believe it or not, the colors are true-to-life!

Carousel Ponies

24" x 30"
Acrylic Painting


After creating a number of acrylic paintings featuring genuinely existing horses that I have seen and touched - horses that are traditional shades of brown, black, etc. - I decided that I wanted to break the mold, and paint some very non-traditional, brightly colored horses. In particular, I wanted to paint a very striking red horse I already had pictured in my mind. From these thoughts, "Carousel Ponies" was born. Actually, the black horse in this painting was orginally a zebra, but after much thought, I decided I needed to simplify it. I then "removed the stripes" and modifed to create a flatter, simpler, almost cartoonish look that would make the intense colors, rather than the details of the horses, the "mane attraction". (So sorry, but I just could NOT resist that one!)

Recent Acrylic Paintings: Abstract Horses

I cannot remember a time when I was not in awe of horses. As a young child, I attempted to draw and paint them...in fact, I would even try to mimic them, "galloping" about the backyard. An inspiring combination of strength and beauty, the horse remains a popular artist's subject. And I remain in awe of these creatures.

I find that my drawings and paintings of horses have become considerably more abstract and colorful over the last few years. One of my favorite is this young pony, (shown in a previous post).

I have also worked on a few other acrylic/mixed media abstract running horse paintings, including this large one seen here.

Goldie and Shadow

24" x 30"

Mixed Media

Also, this large acrylic painting was completed about a month ago, featuring 2 young ponies, Sadie and Brooks.

Running Ponies

24" x 30"

Acrylic

Paintings inspired by my Western Travels...

Prickly Pear

20" x 24"

Acrylic

Traveling is such a great source of inspiration for plein air paintings. I have spent a considerable amount of time in Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona, and Montana. I found each of these areas inspirational in their own right. I discovered that the cactus plant can be quite an interesting subject, just as the beautiful western mountain ranges can be.

I have decided to share a few of these paintings that I created during these travels. I hope that you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed the creative process.

The first (above) is a close-up view of the prickly pear cactus, which is a natural beauty in bloom. The juxtaposition of the sharp, dangerous needles and the delicately colored blooms is amazing!

This acrylic painting encompasses a much broader perspective, and includes a number of local flora.

Cactus Mountain

20" x 24"
Acrylic

Poppies I and II

16" x 20"

Acrylic Paintings

Here are a couple of acrylic paintings inspired by the wildflowers in California. These paintings are available as a set, or separately, as stand-alone paintings. Loosely rendered, impressionist appearance overall.

A Few of My Most Recent Paintings

I decided to get busy this weekend and post a few of my most recent acrylic paintings. The first of these was actually completed about 6 weeks ago, when I was in a "wintry" sort of mood. I thought it would be fun to capture the last light of a cold snowy day. The next 2 are small paintings that I did indoors. These were quick brushstroke paintings of green and red apples. The fun was in trying to get the reflections and shadows accurate, while using more than one light source. I actually enjoyed trying these smaller paintings, and found that they were much more challenging than I imagined!

Today I am working on several different projects; unfortunately only one of these involves painting. It shall be a busy weekend, but I really hope to get a few more paintings posted on this blog over the next few days. I have a picture in my mind that is screaming to be painted: it is a marina scene from a photo I took last week along the Florida coast. I'm really trying to get to it this weekend. Here is one of my more recently completed large acrylic paintings of a young horse, primarily created with large brushstrokes. I am pleased with the overall "looseness" of the painting, and the brightness of color. I believe the final result it is an improvement over the earlier work of two running horses, more tightly rendered in acrylic/mixed media.

Continuing...

Well, I admit that I have been much more dedicated to the creative process of painting than I have to blogging or posting anything new. Good grief! I just noticed that I started my last post over two months ago and just got around to finishing it. I will try to improve on this in the future. Actually, I have created a number of new landscapes during this time, including several fall foilage scenes, along with a few "staged" pics with apples and pears. I'll get those uploaded asap. (Please be patient with me...I am a novice at this blogging thing.)

A View of the World

I have always wondered how other people view the world. I can look at an image and be moved by its compelling beauty, utter simplicity, or gut-wrenching horror while another onlooker can pass by the same image with apparent oblivion.

Granted, the reverse can also be true. But still, I wonder how many of us pull over to the side of the road to watch the sunset, stop to take a deep breath of the fragrant pink honeysuckles trailing along the old wooden fence post, or notice the errant daisy struggling to grow - against all odds - through a small pavement crack near the median.

Now, I am not suggesting that we all rush out to do this, causing traffic jams for miles. But, I do think that we often dismiss the importance of these simple observances of nature at its best - or its worst.

I love creating art images. I always have.

I could never understand why the creation of art seemed like such an apparent mystery or a seemingly special gift to so many people. When asked how I "drew that" or "painted this", I would always reply that I simply recorded what I saw...whether transfering that from my visual cues or my imagination. My real task was only to move the image to the paper or canvas, because (at least for me) it already existed.

I have recently gone through my own personal rennaissiance, in that I have re-discovered the true joy and release that the creation of art provides to me. I have become a prolific painter of late, and have especially enjoyed creating both large and small landscapes splashed with color. Animals...horses in particular...are also a favorite painting subject. I enjoy both realistic and impressionisitic approaches to the challenge, and usually resolve my painting challenge via acrylic paint or mixed media.

Even more pleasing to me than the actual creative process of my art is the reaction it evokes from the viewer. To move someone emotionally by way of my paintings is truly gratifying. Of course, uplifting the human spirit would be my choice; however, even a negative reaction - when honestly felt - still trumps indifference.

For now, I will continue my evolution as a painter and an observer of nature. It is a pleasure to share my view of the world with others.