The Beauty of an Unkempt Alley

In downtown Charleston, people take their side alleys very seriously. They are clipped and snipped, bricked and manicured... to perfection. When the painting Group was downtown painting last week I spotted this unkempted alley. It had an unfettered and honest beauty all its own...had to paint it.

Ashem Plantation; View from the Trees 8x10 oil on foam board

Morning Light

I tried to keep the shapes very simple in this one because there was a lot going on. I'm not so sure the composition works but I like the simple shapes and clean color. Thanks for inviting us to the farm to paint Anne! What a gorgeous day it was!!

Brenda's Boat 6x8 oil on gessoed board

I wish I could take credit for this charming photo. My sister Brenda took it when she was on Cape Cod last summer. Boats, (especially forshortened perspective) have always challenged me; so it was good to practice painting one that was very simple and straightforward like this.

Shem Creek Boathouse II

The folks at Shemcreek Bar and Grill were nice enough to let the painting group to use their shaded dock to paint today. The sky was particularly beautiful that day. I hope I captured it. So much fun.

Wading Through 24x36

This is so different from what I usually paint, but I have to say, I like painting birds. I think it I would have liked to get the water looking more "reflective." I like the bird though. I think painters tend to do a better job painting things they feel a connection to... and I do feel that with birds. This painting will be for sale in the Columbus Museam Show in Columbus, Georgia. The price will be $2600.00 and 40% of that will go to support the museum. I'm so happy to support them. They are some of the friendliest, most hard working people I've ever met.

A3 24x18 mixed media

sold I may never go back to regular painting again. These mixed media peices are so exhilarating to do. There is an amazing mixed media artist named Michel Keck from Indiana that is the absolute master of this genre. I was very inspired by her amazing art. She sells her originals for upwards of 10,000 dollars. Someday I will own one. I will need to sell a lot of paintings.

She Keeps Her Wisdom in a Box 16x16 mixed media on board

sold Another fun mixed media. Its interesting, I wasnt sure what it was about till I was almost done. The subconscious is amazing. This feels like art therapy! The materials used for this are oil paint, paper, copper leaf, duct tape, and oil pastel. For all my clients who might be reading this...I take my wisdon out of the box when you come see me...tee hee.

Blue Through Me 18.5x24 mixed media on board

sold It was really fun to paint this. I have never done any mixed media before but it is such an exciting process. It is a combination oc oil paint, duct tape, stencil, oil pastel, and copper leaf. Can't wait to do more of these.

Sullivan's Island Beach Path 8x10 oil on gatorboard

soldThis is another one of my favorite places on Sullivan's Island. I can't tell you how many times I've walked this path. Its beauty never fails to captivate. Available on http://www.charlestonartistcollective.org/

Heirloom Tomatoes 6x8 oil on gatorborad

SOLD

 This little painting was a joy to paint. I felt like I was in the zone and really just paid down color in a very deliberate way. It ended up looking much more realistic thatn I thought it woild or even intended!

Better Days 16x16 oil on board

I just had to try my luck at an Airstream. I loved the way the light was hitting the scene and tried to capture it from a photo. I was pretty happy with it overall.

St. Michael's Church 16x16 oil on board

SOLD

I have an courious and inexplicable attraction to churches. This one is in the heart of downtown Charleston. The bells were chiming and the sun was hitting the side of the steeple in such a striking way on the afternoon I painted it. It was a lovely site to see and hear.

Wellfleet Dune 16x16 oil on board

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 This is one of my favorite places in the world. It is in Wellfleet Mass. at the Beachcomber Restaurant

  and bar which overlooks this fantastic beach. We have spent many a summer day climbing up and down this monstrous dune.

Rocks, Sand, Water 8x16 oil on board

SOLD

This is what I see every morning when I walk my much loved dog Stewey. I thought it deserved to be honored with a painting. I like the straightforward simplicity of it. It was purchased by one of my favorite yoga buddies.

Jaguar XKE and Flower 8x16 oil on board

What can I say? Still lifes can get boring. You have to mix it up and have fun.

price: 275.00

Ashem Plantation; Color Reflections 8x16 oil on board

SOLD

Another painting from the Ashem property. This was so much fun to paint. I really just looked at shapes and color and laid them in and did not olook back. It was purchased by a dear friend. Thanks Janny

Ashem Plantation; Upriver 11x14 oil on Gatorboard

SOLD

What a magical place this was to paint. Ashem Plantation is in Charleston SC and is now owned by Charleston County Parks. The Lowcountry Open Land Trust held the property and sold it to the county -- a deal that had the blessing of its former longtime owner, the late Emily Ravenel Farrow. Thanks you Elizabeth, for inviting us to paint here. It was unforgettable!

My Pool 8x16 oil on board

SOLD

This painting was bought by a friend at the Charlestonartistcollective.org live show. He said it reminded him of David Hockney. Thanks Rob. That is high praise! I ended up taking the ladder out and it actually really improved the painting (thanks Ian). I dont have a photo of the improved version though.

Dreaming 16x16

SOLD

 This idea for a painting actually came to me in a dream. The style is much tighter that I usually paint. Its more like I painted 15 years ago. I think its about feeling your limits and accepting them but still wondering about the possibilities. price 550.00 unframed.