Duxbury Beach Waves in the Setting Sun #2

We were at the beach for one of the last comfortable evenings of the summer.  The sun setting in the west put warm light on waves rolling in from the east.  I took picture after picture of the beauty hoping that it would carry me through the winter.  

 Can't get enough of the Beach in September...

The October wind is blowing and we say good-bye to the last days of summer.  I visited our beach an evening two weeks ago and the waves were crashing in against with the most beautiful translucency as the sun beginning to set.   I clicked away hoping to revisit these images during the winter months for a breath of summer.

Thank you for viewing.

Painting, Painting, Painting!

I have spent many years painting part-time, mainly doing portrait commissions, while also working as a Financial Aid Counselor at a local community college.  While I LOVE portraits and portrait commissions, I yearned for more time at the easel to stretch myself creatively in other directions as well. 

I am thrilled to now be fruitfully painting full-time every day!   This was one of the sliver linings of the past several sheltered years.  I began working from home like many people, which allowed me to paint and study more through the many on-line events and offerings that became available.  Eventually I felt it was time to leave my "day" job to be able to finally pursue painting full-time!  What a gift and such a joy!

I have been immersing myself in the last days of summer by painting seascapes.  I am so happy to share my painting journey going forth!  Thank you for visiting!

Seascape No. 1

Pounce and Prance

I just spent the most delightful 2 days with my great niece, Regan, a sweet budding artist!  We had a sleep over together with another fellow artist- my daughter, Callie.

Regan is 8 years old and loves painting.   After she painted a picture for me for Christmas, we decided that we needed some time to paint together.  When she visits, she often digs through the collection of old Beanie Babies from my kid's childhood.  She picked out two favorites to take home this time so we decided they would be the subject for our first painting:  "Pounce and Prance".  I worked in pastel and Regan worked with acrylic paint.  Callie also worked with acrylics but didn't have time to finish hers.  We had a ball!

The joy Regan (and Callie) displays while painting brought me such joy as well.   Thank you, Regan!

LEMONS # 2 AND #3

I thought after my first lemon attempt, I would continue to paint a few more.  Not only did I have all the paints mixed up, but I rarely work with yellow!  I also rarely work with fruit!  So it was a great exercise.  I appreciated how the different ground on the canvas really makes a difference.

My second attempt, below was on a salmon colored board. I aborted that attempt as I just didn't like the colors.  For the third attempt above, I went back to a sepia toned canvas, changed the arrangement and threw some blueberries in.  I am attempting to stay loose and not get caught up in the details!  It is a challenge when you are used to focusing on small details on a face!

I just finished this pastel commission.  I so enjoyed painting this darling, bright eyed child.  

#1 Lemons

After focusing on pastel portraits for the past half year- all from photographs,  I want to dig back in to oils.  And I want to begin again painting from life - Ala Prima!  So out came some lemons and a cutting board.  Was it ever fun!  I am rusty for sure but I hope to continue with these studies!