Bees in the Barn

"Bees in the Barn"
(6" x 6")

I pictured this painting in my head before I painted it. I had a photo of the honeycomb that I used as the reference. I added bees after studying pictures of them. Once I got those two elements I had to decide where they lived and chose a barn because the red wood is easily recognizable when you only see a small piece of it. I have so much more respect for their ability to build these combs after trying to paint one.

The Wasp Nest

"The Wasp Nest"
(5" x 7")

Walking my dog in the park one morning, I kept getting dive bombed every time I passed a certain set of trees. Sure enough just above the lowest leafy branches was a beautiful enormous wasp nest. I watched it for the entire summer and at some point in the Autumn, a thunderstorm knocked it out of the tree. I waited several weeks to make sure the wasps were all gone before getting photos of it.

Summer Dreams

"Summer Dreams"
(5" x 7")

You just can't beat the summer flower combinations of bright red poppies and happy faced daisies. I like to paint paths and enjoyed putting in this subtle trail through a pretty summer pasture.

Autumn

"Autumn"
(10" x 20")

This painting was a commission. She is going to be hanging in the home of a sweet fisherman friend of my husband and I. He is an avid fisher guy who tells great stories and occasionally goes to Costa Rica to deep sea fish. I think she will be very happy with him. Can you tell I'm ready for Fall?

Stained Glass in the Garden

"Stained Glass in the Garden"
(6" x 6")

I took several photos of bees and butterflies in my garden last spring. The dark colored wings on this butterfly caught the sunlight in all kinds of colors. The spots of luminous pigment reminded me of church windows when the light shines through and makes them glow.

Nantucket Twilight

"Nantucket Twilight"
(6" x 6")

Caught this pretty sunset over Nantucket Harbor near Children's Beach.

Cliff Top View

"Cliff Top View"
(5" x 7")

The reference for this painting was taken from the cliff tops in Truro on the Cape. It feels like you can see forever. There was great color in the grasses and scrub brush so that's what I concentrated on.

Keeping the Faith

"Keeping the Faith"
(11" x 14")

I am really interested in the history and restoration of wooden boats. I have been reading about them and how it is only recently that people have really begun to see the value of restoring these beautiful boats and getting them back on the water. In past years, unused wooden boats were burned or dismantled and allowed to simply disintegrate with the years. I think they are a tribute to the courage and workmanship of the whaling and fishing industry that used to face the wide ocean storms and currents in the ships they built themselves. The lines are beautiful and they are now regarded as works of art and family heirlooms.  Keeping the faith is about keeping their stories alive from the tall sailing ships to the lowly wooden dinghy.

Patterns of Summer

"Patterns of Summer"
(6" x 6")

When all the family gets together for those summer reunions at the beach there are always clotheslines of towels and bathing suits hanging up to dry at day's end. The colors and patterns and clothespins were just too much to resist. These two suits belong to my niece Lucy and her Uncle Stephen.

Let's Go!!

"Let's Go!!"
(5" x 7")

These two are so ready for their last beach run of the day. I really liked the orange tint that the setting sun gave the distant grasses, the tips of the sand in the foreground and of course made the golden boy more golden.

Daisy

"Daisy"
(9" x 12")

I painted this portrait for my niece, Lucy. Sadly, it is in memoriam as Daisy passed away from cancer a few weeks ago. She was a sweet kitty and greatly loved.

Pride and Joy

"Pride and Joy"
(5" x 7")

This painting was created for our latest DPW painting challenge. It really could been titled "have fun with color" because that is just what I did!!

'Sconset Surf

'Sconset Surf
6" x 6"

There were great waves at 'Sconset Beach. I took several shots and luckily captured one just as it curled. I love the translucent quality in the top of the wave and the strong colors, especially the olive green, in the water.

Cisco Beach Dune

Cisco Beach Dune
5" x 7"

I liked this image for the diagonal eye play.

Glory in the Flower

"Glory in the Flower"
5" x 7"

This painting was done specifically for our Daily Paintworks weekly challenge to paint a rose up close and personal. I took the reference photo out on Nantucket island where the flowers are numerous and quite glorious.