More Florida Sparkle

Yacht Club Sparkle  9"x12" Oil On Linen

Here's another plein air piece from my recent trip to SW Florida. This was painted in late morning across the inlet from the Marco Island Yacht Club. Like my last post of "Naples Pier Sparkle" I again had overhead light creating magnificently blinding reflections on the water. Of note, the sailboat wasn't in my original idea but as I was just getting setup it cruised on by and I HAD to chip it in there.

This painting along with "Naples Pier Sparkle" with be available at Gardner Colby Gallery in Naples, Florida.

Chad

Naples Pier Sparkle

Naples Pier Sparkle 9"x12" Oil On Linen

 This 9"x12" was painted plein air on Naples Beach at the pier, hence the name. It was a busy day at the beach with lots of people on the beach and the pier itself. I always enjoy painting "into" the light and this one was timed perfectly. As the afternoon sun moved over the pier giving that glorious sparkle on the water I set to work. There was just enough time to capture the intensity of the experience before the sun had moved on.

As always, painting in public draws attention. I had the privilege of meeting several tourists and a local who insisted on making interesting conversation the last half of the painting time. Thankfully, I was able to do two things at once without offending him or the painting.

"Naples Pier Sparkle" is destined for Gardner Colby Gallery in Naples. I also look forward to working this up in the studio as a larger composition. Thanks for reading!

Chad

Evening Painting Adventures

"Bench Nocturne" 12"x9"

Last year's "Naples Pier Nocturne" 12"x9"

As promised, here is an image from my January trip to SW Florida. For this painting I went back to the Naples Pier after dark. I had spotted this arrangement earlier in the day and was pretty sure it had potential for a Nocturne with the overhead street lamp. I was not disappointed.

My buddy John the security officer was there on duty just like last year's Nocturne on the pier(see image). He was dealing with a vagrant when I arrived and had called the police who after interrogation took the "perp" to the local hospital I believe. He was mumbling to himself, incoherent, and not making sense. Painting in public is always an adventure! Nevertheless,we had nice conversation while I painted and it was good to catch up. In addition, I met several groups and couples out for a romantic evening stroll at the beach. A painter set up with all his gear always attracts attention. A great time was had by all.

  Chad

Florida Painting Trip

Extraordinary SW Florida

I have just returned from a wonderful opportunity to travel to SW Florida on a painting trip this January.  Please understand, I live in upstate NY where I left two+ feet of snow and freezing conditions so it goes without saying no one twisted my arm to take this trip.

Unfortunately, Erin had to stay behind and I was all work and no play while visiting my former home in the sunshine state. I produced close to 40 paintings/studies while there and look forward to posting several of the more finished pieces here. Studio pieces for Gardner Colby will also be forthcoming.

Speaking of Gardner Colby Gallery, I was able to extend my visit in order to attend an opening at the gallery.  The images below are four of my paintings hanging during the opening. Afterwards, I was invited to dinner with Nancy and Tony the owners along with Pamela the manager, and artists John Schuyler and Ran Adler. A great time was had by all.

Studio Paintings at Gardner Colby

Plein Air Paintings at Gardner Colby

Chad

Florida Studio Paintings

Naples Pier Nocturne 24"x18"

Evening Rain 18"x24"

 These two studio paintings are part of a series of paintings available at Gardner Colby Gallery in Naples, FL. They are both closely tied to field paintings, one of which has already sold through Gardner Colby. The "Naples Pier Nocturne" 12"x9" work was painted while chatting with a local policeman. We had an intriguing conversation about his present job and the local area. He was an interesting guy I hope to meet again during my painting trip in January.
The "Evening Rain" 9"x12" was painted just as it began to rain so I set up in the rental car and painted away. It was fast and furious but worth the extra effort. It has a twin painted right after when the rain cleared cleverly titled, "After The Rain". I will be doing a studio painting of that for Gardner Colby as well and be sure to post as soon as it is finished.

Regards,
Chad

Easton Pics

Grey Goose Sunset 12"x9" (Honorable Mention)

Morning Light At Blackwater 12"x9"

Against The Light 12"x9"

 These images are from my time at the Plein Air Easton competition in Maryland this summer. I will be posting most of the images from the painting trip in subsequent posts. I want to thank Bryan Mark Taylor for the use of his camera to get these images. Unfortunately, I "didn't think I'd need mine" and he was kind enough to lend me his. It's a good thing because all three of these paintings found homes at the exhibition and I'll likely not see them again.

You'll notice all three of these painting are in the "portrait" format. It wasn't until later in the week that I noticed this trend in my work at Easton. I found it quite odd because Easton is as flat as Florida for the most part and one would expect horizontal formats. Not so for me this year, I found the vertical compositions far more engaging.


Chad

Plein Air Easton!

I had a great time at the Plein Air Easton! event. Al and Jess from the Avalon Foundation were great and it was well run top to bottom.  I was thrilled to receive an honorable mention award(see mug shot above) from judge Tim Newton of the Salmagundi Club in NY for my painting "Grey Goose Sunset". This painting was also part of the "Vanishing Landscape" category. I painted this subject once in the morning and once at sunset to capture the obvious and subtle differences in light and composition. I also did a radio interview while painting the morning painting.

I also participated in the quick draw paint out which Erin and I dubbed the "rain out". It was an incredible deluge for about half the time we had to paint but it was loads of fun. As you can see from the pic above I am thoroughly enjoying myself!

One of the best parts of an event like this is meeting new artist friends and reaquainting with old ones. I had the opportunity to do both at Easton.

Chad