Sunday Sketchbook: Bahamas

My studio here in the frozen north is full of just started and almost finished canvases, so my apologies for sparse postings--but this Tuesday I'll be on a plane and ferry heading to my workshop in the Bahamas, so I'll have a painting a day to share for the next week (and from a warm place...)

Sunday Sketchbook: Maine

Driving through a Maine town's jumble of pickup trucks, pine trees, and telephone poles on my way north to the border.

Six Apricots and a Cherry

And the fruit from a market stall in Provence tastes as good as it looks.

White Asparagus and Lemon

One of the pleasures of travel for me is finding a new still life among the fruit and vegetable stalls in the local market.

Valley in Twilight, Provence

Those few moments, both still and transient, before the end of one day and coming of another night.

Laundry and Lavender

Red-purple sheets hang in the distance, and in front, a field of purple-red lavender.

Sunday Sketchbook: Bahamas

Two faces of the islands: the workers who ride the ferry to their jobs in hotels and restaurants, and the vacationers who come for sun, sand and relaxation.

Sunday Sketchbook: Pacific Northwest

On the train from Seattle to Portland, eating a picnic of smoked salmon from Pikes Market, ciabatta, Oregon cream cheese, and blood oranges--with views to match.

Sunday Sketchbook: Road Trip

A couple of years ago, my son Colin and I went to Florida for the first time, and as we both are afficianados of out-of-the-way places, we enjoyed our stay in Everglades City. Tomorrow we're leaving on another trip together, this time to the opposite coast. We'll be in the Pacific Northwest for ten days, and I'll be posting (rain-spattered) paintings and sketches along the way.

Sunday Sketchbook: Montreal

I've been leading a workshop with Karen Kane in Montreal this weekend, touring studios and painting exhibits with a group of fellow art lovers. We've seen varied and exciting work, from academic realism to installations--and we also enjoyed sampling the wonderful selection of food that Montreal has to offer. It's an accessible, vibrant city that I hope to keep exploring in the coming years.

Sky and Maples

Looking up past a bank of orange foliage, towards blue sky and cumulus clouds.

Fields and Mountain, Stormy Morning

A constantly changing sky creating constant shifts in light and shadow across the landscape.

Bend in the Road

A look up Hollister Hill Road on an October afternoon.

Between Trees

Autumn has arrived since my last "From the Hill" study, and with this season there's a whole new range of oranges, violets and greens to mix from three primary colors.

Apple Trees

Morning light on the little orchard planted when I first moved up here on the hill.

Trees and Goldenrod

From the lower meadow, looking up and over a bordering ridge.

Looking West

In the early 1800's the great British landscape painter John Constable said, "There is room in the world for a natural painter." I think that's still true today. So in the spirit of the master Constable's plein air paintings, I'm starting a new journal series, "From the Hill." My rules: all work is outdoors and subjects within walking distance of my studio; pigments used are a triad of oil colors (any three primaries); size is 6" x 8" or smaller; and paintings are finished in under two hours. My goal: a regular meditation of sitting quietly and looking carefully.

Sunday Sketchbook: Provence

Another market morning, this time in St. Saturnin, our closest village.

Sunday Sketchbook: In Transit

Somewhere over the Atlantic, flying from Montreal to Marseilles for two weeks of painting and teaching in Provence.

Sunday Sketchbook: London

Two pages drawn in a London wine bar, and part of my continuing series, "Therapeutic Uses of the Common Sketchbook".