Oregon Grape

The weather has been perfect for plein air sketching and painting. I didn't realize how rusty my drawing from nature skills have gotten, ugh! Fortunately, it is pure fun to be outside with a fountain pen and my tiny (4x2") palette in such sweet weather so I'm getting a little practice. I sat on a flat rock on a low bridge over a pond to sketch these Oregon grapes.

Southern Style (cropped)

After painting the original Southern Comfort, posting it here, and sending it off to Bill Guffey of the Virtual Paintout for posting, I plunked it in a mat with an 8x10 opening and I think it works a little better, maybe. It reduces the number of shapes, which seems more eye pleasing. What d'ya think?

Southern Style

We travel to Charleston, South Carolina with the Virtual Paintout this month. I love the stately, picturesque homes, especially the white ones that capture the feel of sunshine, set off by the lush tropical trees and flowers.

Palm Study

Just seeing how far I could push the color on this one. I might have gone a tad overboard but I've been feeling that my color has been heading toward the anemic end of the scale lately so this was good practice.