Burton boat house

My dream is to have one of these someday.
I met a fellow plein air painter while getting ready to do this one, he set up next to me and we both caught this scene just as light was failing. He's from the area and we intend to get together for some more painting soon. This is the last painting I did before the Whisson workshop and I'm interested to see what influence he will will have on my work.

The Fisher's house 8 AM

I've been wanting to paint the beautiful effect of the sun as it first rises on this house which is just next door. It's only taken me 14 years to do it. It's a bit higher than our house on a hill and the first rays of morning light it up like a candle. The hard part about this was getting up and out in the cul-de-sac before breakfast.

5 PM at Mountain Park

My favorite place to paint gave me another on Sunday 11/23. I struggled a bit with the color but everything came together in the end on this one and the light really works. I've been attempting to get the paint a bit thicker and looser and this worked out well. Interestingly, this was done on a pannel that I had wiped clean. It had a pinkish color left over and slicker finish to it. I think it helped, so I'm going to tint a few panels with a darker color and see if I can keep the mojo going on the next ones.

Running Fox Drive 9/26/11

A few Saturdays ago I did this view of my neighborhood. Last Fall I did several from photos but this is plein air and I think it's very much better. It's rather complicated with crisscrossing shadows, and several layers of trees but surprisingly accurate and I like the bright light. A few of the local kids come bye and really were amazed — made me feel good.

Tribute

This view of Smith Lake, the small lake in Unicoi Park is dedicated to my father-in-law Bob Wurl, who passed away this week. He was master woodworker and a wonderful guy who taught me to mindful of my tools and always do what makes your wife happy. I learned the first quite well and am working on the second.
He was 92 so lived a good long life, the last 40 or so near this place. Both he and my mother-in-law were still devoted to this beautiful little corner of the world. I could paint there every day for the rest of my life and be happy.

A glorious Hilton Head vacation.

I was looking forward to our yearly vacation with the thought of doing a lot of painting. Usually I'm lucky to get one or two finished, but with my new quicker techniques and equipment I dedicated myself to spending 4 hours a day on locations all over the island. I was so so delighted with our rental, right on the beach, it enabled me to do several paintings right off the decks and porches. With the beach just steps away I was able to set up, paint and and get back to the confines of the house in short order and never missed any of the fun with the family.On a few days I loaded up the truck and explored, doing a view from the north shore across Port Royal Sound and two others at a local marina. All in all, eight paintings in seven days.

The way is was on Wesley Chapel Rd.

Just about a mile from my house on Wesley Chapel Rd. is one of the last vestiges of rural Cobb county in this area. Its about a 5 acre plot that actually has horses still pastured on it. A beautiful older home sits on the property and I'm sure that only the economic downturn has prevented it from being scooped up by some McMansion building developer. For now I can enjoy it, as it's along my jogging path. For years I've been running by whistling at the horses and enjoying the sunrise over this rare open space. It's fronted by black walnut trees and a muscadine grape vineyard. This first painting is true to the view but I was bit to concerned about portraying the walnut tree and my horse is too much in the middle. The second is of the muscadine vine as it stretches out along the front of the property.
Recently a group of equestrian enthusiast bought a plot across the street and put in a corral and a riding ring. They did a great job and even kept a run down farm house on the property that must date 100 years. The nice thing is that they pretty much kept it as it was. I'll be painting it's portrait soon.