"Back to the Islands"

Back to the Islands, Oil on Linen, 12"x16"

The day we were leaving Sanibel, the tide was high and the water remarkably clear. This studio painting, inspired by the study below, captures both the translucence of the water, as well as the feel of the day as boats came and went around the eastern tip of the island.

This painting will be on exhibit at the 30th annual International Marine Art Exhibition at the Gallery at Mystic Seaport in September 2009.



















Back to the Islands Study, Oil on Linen, 8"x10"

Cloud Shadows on Sanibel

8" x 10" Oil on Linen

On a beautiful windy day, I went out painting with my son Ben. Sand was blowing everywhere, including into our paintings which are now permanently textured with Sanibel sand.

Beach Umbrellas

8" x 10" Oil on Linen

Blustery Day on Sanibel

8" x 10" Oil on Linen

This was my first morning to paint on our trip to Sanibel Island. It is always a challenge to paint in a new place. In a familiar environment, painters can develop techniques in plein air painting that speed up the process. In my experience living in Maine, I have gotten used to having rocks as compositional lead-ins to the painting. But down on the beach, I was searching for anything - grasses, shells, seaweed - any kind of foreground massing to lead the viewer into the painting. It is also different to deal with a landscape that is so flat - these objects become even more important as they are the only measure of distance and scale. Challenging but fun!

Sunlit Rock

8" x 12" Oil on Linen
Once again, I am playing with contrast in this painting. I chose a more blustery day as my background to enhance the strength of the warm sunlit rock. I may add a few birds in flight, working the shoreline to add a sense of life and energy to the scene.

Into the Shallows

8" x 10" Oil on Linen

Near the Summit

8"x10" Oil on Linen