A Slice of Summer...Watermelon

'Slice of Summer' 6x6 pastel

I wanted to try some close-up watermelons slices and had some fun with this one. I used an irridescent red pastel at the end and in real life it really shimmers making the watermelon wet and juicy! I have to order some more of those pastels!!

Queen Anne's Lace by the Roadside

'In the Weeds' 5x7 pastel

Here is my addition to the Daily Painter's Gallery 'Weed & Wildflower' Theme Day. I am looking forward to seeing how the other artists interpret the theme. I happen to love painting weeds & wildflowers. I found this scene along the road in Murphy, North Carolina. I am heading there tomorrow so I will be on the hunt for more roadside beauty!

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Watermelons, Watermelons!

'Watermelons, Watermelons! 8x10 pastel

I was in a summer mood today so I decided to paint some watermelons. I had the painting up on my easel when my son came over...he gave me an idea to do another version of these watermelons so maybe I will try that tonight. This one was fun!

Fighting Conch Florida Sea Shell

'Florida Fighting Conch' 8x10 pastel

I think it's time to paint more Shells! This is one from our trip last summer to Sanibel Island. At low tide we saw many of the Fighting Conchs on the sand bar. I'm glad they have the law against collecting live shells so others can enjoy seeing them.

Beaufort South Carolina Sunset

'Million Dollar View' 5x7 pastel

I was going through my reference photos looking for wildflower pictures. The Daily Painter's site will be having 'Weeds & Wildflowers Day' theme painting day for this Saturday. I found one but I also found this South Carolina sunset photo that begged to be painted today. Wouldn't it be nice to live where you had this kind of view every evening!?

Ouray Colorado Aspens in Summer

'Ouray Aspens' 8x10 pastel

I think I love Aspens as much as I love Palm Trees! If I saw an aspen grove on my trip to Colorado...I just had to stop for photos! This little grove was found on a hike we did in Ouray, Colorado. It was labled as a very easy hike in the book....I sure would not like to try a difficult hike!! But the scenery was amazing. We had a wonderful view over the town of Ouray and crossed some streams and hiked through idyllic meadows...and when we were finished, we agreed that it was worth the effort!

Taos Pueblo ACEO

'Taos Pueblo Door' 2.5 x 3.5 pastel

I had time to paint this little ACEO. I am still trying to let my elbow rest so I haven't done too much yet. It's giving me some time to get organized! We loved our visit to Taos Pueblo. We got there as it first opening in the morning and we had perfect early morning light and no crowds. We spent about 2 hours, bought some watermelon juice and some jewelry. As we were leaving...the whole scene had changed dramatically. Crowds of people filed in and the colorful doors were opened to welcome people into the shops. I am glad we saw the magic of the early morning!

Note to Carol....I have received and replied to your emails!! If you don't get a reply today give me a call so we can catch up!!!

Skies over New Mexico

'Skies over New Mexico' 8x10 pastel

Many of the photos I took on my trip to the SW were taken from the passenger seat as we drove from place to place. I got pretty good at taking photos at 70 miles per hour!! We saw some wonderful skies and clouds.....which I love to paint. This scene is in Northern New Mexico close to the Colorado border. We were on our way to Great Sand Dunes National Park...which is a very cool place!

Red Cliffs Moab, Utah

'Red Cliffs in the Afternoon' 5x7 pastel

Here is another plein air painting from my recent trip to the Southwest. I was so happy to be outside painting that I spent a couple of hours painting this scene as the light changed. I had been watching this same view on the hotlel's live webcam for weeks before my trip so I felt like I had been there already! This is just a quick impression on LaCarte paper using Great American and Terry Ludwig pastels.

Daisy Flower ACEO

'Daisy Up Close' 2.5 x 3.5 pastel

I love to paint daisies and I took some great photos from a garden out in Santa Fe...they will be fun to paint. This little painting is ACEO size. I would love to do one super large!!! This week I am not painting...trying to rest my sore arm. I am getting antsy though...I printed out some photos and set up my paper...maybe this weekend I'll try something small.

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South Georgia Spanish Moss

'Whispering Moss' 12x18 pastel

On a visit to Providence Canyon in South Georgia last spring we stayed near a lake. Late one afternoon, the light on the moss was just magical. Looking at this painting I can still hear the breeze whisper past the hanging moss.

Plein Air Painting at Red Cliffs Lodge

I thought I'd share some photos of my plein air set up from my trip. If anyone is looking to splurge on a fantastic place to paint in Moab, Utah...I highly recommend the Red Cliffs Lodge. The accomodations were wonderful, the staff so friendly and the setting was breathtaking! As you can see from the top photo, the view from the patio was amazing! There is a table and chairs and a lounger on the patio...so it was easy to set up my supplies and stay in the shade. And the dip in the pool and hot tub after painting was a nice finishing touch. And did I mention the delicious brunch and the onsite winery????????

Moab Utah Plein Air

'Red Cliffs View' 8x10 pastel

I am back home after a wonderful trip to the Southwest. We saw so much beautiful scenery and had many adventures. I didn't have any time to paint...I was much to busy taking photos...I have about 3000 photos! The last place we stayed I finally had a chance to take out my pastels which, by the way travelled perfectly in my homemade cigar box. We stayed at the Red Cliffs Lodge in Moab Utah (I highly recommend this place!) We had the most awesome view of the red cliffs and the Colorado River from our patio. I quickly painted 5 paintings in about 2 hours...it was 105 degrees!! This one is my favorite of the bunch. I really can't wait to start painting again...but I somehow hurt my elbow on the trip and so really I should let it rest so I don't make it worse...we'll see how good I will be!

North Carolina Country

'Fields of Gold' 12x18 pastel

In early summer this filed was covered with tiny yellow flowers and it just glowed! I drove past it on my way to Murphy where my parents live and had to stop! I'll be heading back to North Carolina some more this sumer and hope to paint more scenes like this.

Trip Report....Colorado

I finally had some time to upload some of my photos. I lost count but I think I am close to 2000 photos. I am not going to know what to paint first when I get home!!! Here is my daughter Caitlin trying some gold panning at our last stop. We actually found some flakes and I wish we had more time there...I wanted to find a nugget! Today we head to Moab, Utah. Maybe I will get a chance to paint there??