Daily Painting, "Blue Ridge Barn" 6x8"

During the hot summer months, we leave hot and humid Florida and head for the mountains of North Carolina.

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96

I am always attracted to the many shapes and character of the old barns that are found around every corner.
This one is located in the Smokey Mountain National Park, at the visitor center next to the Cherokee entrance.

It is not an original barn, but a replication that stands on the "pioneer farm" that is behind the center.

I cannot wait to get back in the cool and beautiful mountains this year.  Where do you go for summer vacation?

Daily Painting, "Intrecoastal Dock" 8x10, Oil, SOLD

If you have ever driven US1, down the eastern coast of Florida, you have probably seen the scene replicated many times.

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SOLD

With every major storm or hurricane, these old docks become fewer and fewer.  Many were destroyed in our area during the four hurricanes we experienced in 2004.  Boats dangled from trees or were thrown across US 1.

This depicts a much calmer day, just as the sun is starting to leave the sky.

The beautiful colors of the sky reflect in the water.

I hope your day is calm and colorful too!

Daily Painting, "Lowering the Sails", Original Oil

My husband and I used to own a sail boat.  Living on the coast of Florida, we spent a lot of time sailing the intercoastal waterway.

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95

We loved to find a special little spot, throw out the anchor, lower the sails, and have a little picnic or a glass of wine.

Our best times were with our friends and boat co-owners, Rose and Randy.  It was so pleasant to spend time with them without the distractions of everyday life getting in the way.  No noise, no phones, just good friends and good food.

Daily Painting, Original Oil Landscape, "Beach TIme" SOLD

Now that summer is officially here,  I thought I would post my latest beach painting.

SOLD

A day at the beach is always a good day, and for me, morning is the best time to visit.

I added a little texture to the panel, before painting, and then used my palette knife to describe the sea oats and other beach vegetation.

Hope you enjoy your first summer weekend!

16x20" Palette Knife Daily Painting, "Coastal Collision"

A few years ago, I was in the low country of South Carolina, when I did a photo shoot on the marshes.  I love the look of the marsh when a big storm moves in on it's way to the coast.

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595.

When the cool ocean breezes collide with the hot air over the interior of the state,  it produces monster rains.  Usually they are fierce, but short, dropping their rain and moving on quickly.

I like to build up layers of thick paint, with plenty of texture and colors.

When the rains come, you know the long hot summer days are here again.

Daily Abstract Painting, "Fire and Ice" 8x9"

This little piece is a mixed media abstract painted on a wood panel.

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It started out with molding paste, and acrylics.  Soon I switched to oils and a palette knife.

As you can see here, I included a bit of screening.  There is also some silver foil, which is not very visible in these images, but gives off a nice reflection in the evening.

There is also plenty of texture!

Daily Painting, Landscape, "Mountain Majesty" 6x8" SOLD

I enjoy doing these little wildflower paintings.  This one is from a photo taken in 1968 when I lived in Denver.

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Of course, back then, I didn't paint.  I was busy being an Air Force wife, with two babies in tow.

The mountains have not changed much over the years, but everything else has.  The babies have their own babies now, my husband is long retired from the Air Force, and I spend my days painting.

What was once a way of life for me, now seems like a distant dream.  Maybe that is why God gave us mountains and oceans, so that we would have some consistency in our lives.

Have a great weekend!