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This 16 x 20 acrylic on canvas was a view I liked while watching the annual golf tournament called “The Memorial”, hosted by Jack Nicklaus. The scene reflects morning with streaming sunlight and bright spring foliage. I love golf because it has views like this. Maybe this is why my game is not so great…I get distracted!

I started this 21 x 14 piece in a watercolor demonstration for the Prince William Art Society at their monthly meeting in April 2009. On that night, I had thumbnail paintings used to setup the composition (I’ve done this scene many times) but was only able place initial washes and blocks of color to explain value differences. We ran out of time!

I finished the piece at home. A few changes were made. Had to scrub out some rocks, add wildflowers for interest to the foreground. Increased the value of middle distance rocks and move them out into the water to lead the viewer away from the building.

Thank you PWAS for having me at your meeting!

The use of florals as subject matter is always enjoyable. This simple one is a bit of a “hybrid” as it combines features of roses with cherry blossoms! The key to a interesting floral composition is to include stages of growth in flowers, with some full blooms, some partially opened , and a few emerging buds. Branches and leaves add to the interest. Here, the use of hard and soft edges helps to keep the eye moving into different areas of the piece.

The annual “Paint Manassas!” art contest was held in the month of May 2009, where artists can paint or take photographs in Old Town or at the Manassas Battlefield Park. “Plein air” painting was encouraged and enjoyable. This was my watercolor entry in the contest (11 x 14 image) and it was judged “First Place”. I photographed the station from the new parking garage. I started the piece outside, then finished it at home. After getting the main blocks of color nearly complete, I found there was empty white space in the foreground.  I decided to paint the street to appear wet from a recent rain, and used the reflection as a foil to the large,  red, tile-roofed structure. I added a few people for interest. The result satisfied me!

Beginning Wed., April 1 through May 3, 2009 several of my artwork pieces, both watercolor and acrylic, will be featured at the ArtBeat Gallery, 9407 Main Street, Manassas, VA 20110. A reception will be held Friday, April 3, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The public is welcome. 

 Another drummer asked me whether I could paint a portrait of Carter Beauford, drummer with the Dave Matthews Band. So I tried and used a photograph. Instead of my usual medium of watercolor, I tried arcylic on canvas. Coincidently, I saw him perform with the band on cable a few nights after I finished painting. Great sound and talent!

 Another watercolor piece done in a series on sports that I have enjoyed. I’ve played the game of golf since I was a kid and once could shoot in the 80’s…best round was a score of 81 in about 1982 in Myrtle Beach,SC…and the Acushnet putter (seen here) was in my bag! I don’t recall what brand of golfball was used, but I could have been any one of these which were popular at the time. 

My friends and I at the ArtBeat Gallery cooperative in Manassas, VA are having a new gallery show entitled “The Object Project”, featuring member’s interpretations of a single still life. The exhibit dates are Jan. 7 - March 1, 2009.  An opening  reception is Friday Jan. 9 from 6:00 - 9:00pm. There are five objects (ribbon, glassware, book, dulcimer and grapevine) which were selected months ago, and each artist will present them in their chosen medium. My chosen medium is watercolor for this show and the 22″ x 28″ piece is entitled “Dulcimer and Friends”.

I recently finished up some small acrylic-on-canvas pieces for a holiday show, where everything is 8 x 10 and smaller. It’s different when you haven’t worked much on small surfaces. I continue to explore acrylics, using brushes and palette knives. I found it helpful to keep the scene simple, especially on a small surface, where you could start thinking about small details too. I got started with the big shapes and finished with details, but not too many. I also tried a limited color palette. It helps to work with just three primaries, a few earthy colors and white. It’s enjoyable and challenging to work with acrylics because it’s such a different method from watercolor in establishing darks and lights and to mix paint and color on the canvas!

The annual Collector’s Showcase is the small works show and fundraiser at the Workhouse Gallery at Lorton. It will feature original art 8 x 10 and smaller for sale to beginning collectors and holiday shoppers. In addition, Workhouse artists are donating a 10 x 10 original piece of art, unframed, unmatted to be judged for the Workhouse calendar. Selected works will be published in the 2010 calendar and notecards. This piece SUNFLOWERS is my entry. I will also have several original acrylic-on-canvas small works for sale in Gallery Building W-16. More information see www.WorkhouseArts.org