Issues with my website and blog have finally been resolved thanks to my daughter Jennifer, who is my web rock star—Thanks, as always Jen. The new website is cleaner and HTML-based so viewers (few) should not have any iPad issues etc.
This is the first week of Spring and I am always drawn to flowering trees like a bee. Monday afternoon I took the afternoon off and hiked down the hill for this early spring view of the small stream that crosses Running Fox Dr. I’ve painted here several times before—most with good results. I was attracted by, of course, the water but also the chartreuse glow of new growth in the light contrasted against the still faded pinks of the poplars. This doesn’t last too long and I was glad to record it before the green turns darker and the whole view changes in character. Plein air has that ability to capture fleeting moments like this and I believe that is why I’m so enamored with it. Like poetry instead of a novel—in a few hours you can express the fleeting emotions of a view.
After the week’s work, I was rewarded with another fine Spring day on Saturday. I drove to Roswell looking for a view of the blooming pear trees and was rewarded with this almost canned composition looking up one of the roads off Alpharetta Hwy. towards the First Baptist Church on Mimosa Street. I kept the church high key with blues and purples as my darks and used only a few darker tones upfront on the trees to the right. I’m doing a lot of knife work on my painting as of late—certainly gives them a different look. Most likely it’s transitional as I get more comfortable using it. I drove home around three and had some time so I did a quick 9 x12 of the Chinese Magnolia that grows across the cul-de-sac from my home. The blue sky had clouded over so there was no light. I might take this out for another go if the weather improves—must be soon though these magnolia blooms don’t last long.
The new website allows me to sell my work now and if you see something you like look for it there.