Hello,
I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone for interest in my work. I built a new website in 2012 that includes a blog function. Therefore, I would direct you to the new website and encourage registering for my newsletter and blog there in order to keep up with future work and happenings.
Please use the links above or you can find my site here: www.chadsmithpaintings.com

I anticipate closing down this blog to avoid confusion.

Warm Regards,

Chad

Back To Easton!

Chad Smith at Easton pic by Curtis Brandt

Greetings!
I returned from Plein Air Richmond recently and am pleased to be heading back to Plein Air Easton in Maryland this week. From there I'll be on my way to Door County Wisconsin. It will be a great couple weeks of painting and traveling and I look forward to letting you know how it all went.

In the meantime, here are a few pics from my work in Richmond, Virginia.

Chad

Falls At Maymont 12x9"

The General 12x9"

St. James At Floodstage 12x9"

Libbie Hill Overlook 9x12"

Italian Gardens Afternoon 9x12"

Sunny Skies

Oil On Linen 9"x12"

"Sunny Skies"  was done on a brilliant afternoon at the Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area.
This picture continues with the Florida theme of blog postings from my painting trip in January of this year. This park is a gem just off I75 in North Fort Myers/ Punta Gorda.

I visited this park several times when I lived in this area and it hasn't changed a bit. One must be aware of the gators as they are known to be "enormous" in the many lakes, ponds, and waterways there. Thankfully, I had no issues and was able to capture this delightful moment without interruption. The cool breeze, water sparkle, silhouetted palm, and covered shelter all added up to a winning composition.

Looking at this painting I can still feel the heat of the afternoon in SW Florida and I hope you enjoy it as well.

Chad

At The Beach

12"x9" Oil On Linen

"At The Beach" was painted on another beautiful early afternoon looking out towards the Gulf in SW Florida.  The warm light was incredible and enhanced by the yellow, orange, and red ground foliage. A path of hot white sand opens up the painting leading the viewer to an unseen beach experience just over the drop off. The cool shadow and back-lit tree are the only major dark attracting a lot of attention and ballancing the work. Of course, I had to record a brilliant "sparkle" as the intense Florida sun reflected on the water in this contre jour' piece.

Chad

Palm Rhythms

12"x9" Oil On Linen

"Palm Rhythms" was painted on a beautiful SW Florida morning. I loved the textural qualities of the palms along with the musical pattern their overlapping provided. Of further interest was the mid-morning sky in the background that still held some "reddish" warmth at the horizon and more patterns.

To this point I've shared only back-lit paintings from my recent painting trip. This work has an almost face-lit quality. The challenges are different but Florida never disappoints.

Chad

From The Hip

Morning Shadows 9"x12" Oil On Linen

 "Morning Shadows" was the first painting from my January painting trip this year to SW Florida. It was painted early enough that I had lengthy shadows from Queen Palms across the light sand road. It was a gorgeous morning of course. This work was the first attempt at a little different approach in which I was shooting "From The Hip." The point was that I wanted more reference material this trip compared to "finished" plein air paintings. In the end, I was quite pleased with the result and it stands on its own without all the "fuss."

"Morning Shadows" is available at Gardner Colby Gallery in Naples, FL. (239) 403-7787

Chad

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