Zombie Study

"Zombie Study"
(5" x 7")

This painting was done for our weekly Dailypaintworks challenge. The challenge being to paint our version of "zombiness". I had so much fun I can't even tell you. I painted my zombies on the sandpaper that I use in an unfinished style that reminded me of the scary comics I used to read when I was a kid. I left the background unpainted because I just really liked the graphic feel. What a blast!!

"Yellow in the Field"

"Yellow in the Field"
(5" x 7")

Another Autumn foliage installment. I never tire of painting the beautiful leaf colors.

Ride At First Light

"Ride At First Light"
(8" x 10")

I have been wanting to do this piece for quite some time. I didn't want to paint trees today so I took several of my favorite pictures and placed them face down on the table and chose one at random and this was the one I chose. It still feels like autumn, but misty and fresh. The light was what drew me to this piece. The light and the relationship between a rider and their horse. Such dedication.

Mount Timpanogos, Alpine Loop"

"Mount Timpanogos, Alpine Loop
(5" x 7")

This was a commissioned piece for one of my clients out in Utah. She wanted something reflecting Autumn and the West where she lives. I had travelled out there many years ago before my kids were born and taken lots of pictures. I totally lucked out with this one. Turns out my client can see this mountain range from her house. Sometimes things just happen for a reason.

Red Sky At Morning

"Red Sky At Morning"
(6" x 6")

This painting was created for this weeks Dailypaintworks challenge "The Sky's the Limit". The challenge being to create a painting with the sky as the focal point. My photo reference for this was taken off the coast of Florida last month. It was early morning and we were in for quite a storm that day so I guess the Sailor's saying of "red sky at morning ....sailor take warning" was very accurate.

The Last Leaves

"The Last Leaves"
(5" x 7")

We've had a lot of windy days on the Cape and today it is supposed to rain most of the day. Our beautiful leaves are already starting to get a bit threadbare on some of the trees, especially near the tops where the wind really whips the branches around. I caught a last bit of pretty color on these birches.

Color on the Forest Floor

"Color on the Forest Floor"
(5" x 7")

This painting was fun because all the color was on the ground instead of in the branches.

Birches & Red Sumac

"Birches & Red Sumac
(5" x 7")

I have had such a great response to my birch tree paintings that I decided to do a few more. They are such interesting trees and you can't beat the Fall color.

Raging Winds

"Raging Winds"
(6" x 6")

This painting was done in response to the Dailypaintworks challenge last week to depict an emotion. I chose Rage because it is such a strong out of control feeling to me. I really pushed myself to work in a more abstract manner than I usually would. I wasn't sure about the face at first. but the response I've had from viewers has pretty much agreed that it works. I thought this was a really great challenge to take an abstract feeling and make it come to life.

'Gator Trail

'Gator Trail
(5" x 7")

The reference for this painting comes from my trip to St. George Island in Florida. We spent one afternoon hiking through the St. George Conservation Area and it was full of marsh life. Lots of crabs, birds and butterflies. I don't know if a gator actually made this path through the marsh grass to the water, but some creature did.

A Host of Birches and One Red Maple

"A Host of Birches and One Red Maple"
(5" x 7")

Okay, this is my last Birch Tree installment for the DPW Challenge this week. I really enjoyed painting the tall white trees.

Falling Gold

"Falling Gold"
(6" x 6")

Another installment in my Birch Tree series:  

And every year there is a brief, startling moment When we pause in the middle of a long walk home and Suddenly feel something invisible and weightless Touching our shoulders, sweeping down from the air: It is the autumn wind pressing against our bodies; It is the changing light of fall falling on us. - Edward Hirsch, Fall

Autumn Spirits

"Autumn Spirits"
(5" x 7")

This painting was created for a Dailypaintworks weekly challenge. The challenge was to paint birch trees in some form or other. I never realized how birch bark is like a fingerprint for that particular tree. Their lovely white presence is like a spirit in the forest.