Hill Farm, Early Spring (in progess)

I've been mostly out of the studio this last week celebrating my son Colin's graduation from college and getting the garden in (an activity taken very seriously here in Vermont), but am back now working on this under painting of a composition all about shapes, shadows and seasons.

Azaleas and Iris

Sun and shadow on my grandfather's stone wall, in my grandmother's garden.

Woman in a Garden

Now that I'm home again in my studio, here's one last painting (an experiment in the style of the "Douanier Rousseau") brought back from the past before I dig in for a new series of work and a long winter.

Portrait of a Woman

In loving memory of my mother, Ruth Grace Abbott.
March 19th, 1920-October 14th, 2009

Curio Cabinet (detail)

I'll be posting my "Elements" landscapes as I continue to develop that series. Meanwhile, here's another painting that I found in Washington on my recent trip. Seeing this still life again brings back that time in my life so vividly, as though these objects, reflections and shadows are a portal for my usually faulty memory to enter the past.

Lake Champlain after Storm

One of those April afternoons when spring pushes winter out with a warm wind, and winter throws back some chilly rain.

Stranahan Forest: Behind the Farm

600 open acres across the road from us were for sale last year for possible development. After months of worry we were ecstatic to hear that the owners had generously decided to sell the land at a very reduced cost to our town for public use. Last October I asked artist friends to join me at a "paint out" on the new town forest land, and with the Vermont Land Trust have organized a show of the paintings from that day (generously donated by the artists) to retire the last of our loan for the land purchase (click here for details.) We painters plan to keep meeting on the land (which has woods, ponds, wetlands, fields, mountain views, and an adjacent lovely farm) for plein air sessions this summer. Nice to get art on the roster of recreational uses.