October Show-off

"October Show-off"... 6x8" Oil on panel, alla prima, 10-2007.
Thanks again Stephanie E.!

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This fall painting titled, "October Show-off", depicts a lone tree in an open field dressed in all its Autumn slendor... as if to say... "look at me, aren't I beautiful?". I'll have to agree... it is a beautiful sight!

20 1950 2/3/103
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Southern Sunset

"Southern Sunset"... 6x8" Oil on panel, alla prima, 10-2007.
Thanks Stephanie E.!

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Take a peaceful stroll down this country road with its inviting scene and warm golden light of evening. "Southern Sunset" was created from memory... growing up in the Coastal Plains of North Carolina, I strolled many sandy roads like this as a boy on my way to fishing ponds and through farming fields. I can almost hear mom calling us in for supper about this time of evening... my brother and I would run full speed only to be slowed by the occasional sand spur... ouch!

30 3100 3/4/92
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Pelletier House... Plein Air

"Pelletier House"... 6x8" Oil on panel, en plein aire, 10-2007.
SOLD... Thanks Kim A.!

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Recently a group of artist calling themselves OOPS! organized for the sole reason of keeping the tradition of plein air painting alive in Eastern North Carolina. OOPS! stands for the Onslow Outdoor Painters Society which gathers once a month for "Paint Outs". The first "Paint Out" was held in downtown Jacksonville at the Pelletier House near the waterfront giving our artists a variety of subject matter to paint from. I chose the historic Pelletier House and this small plein air painting was the result of a GREAT day of fellowshipping with other artists and painting.

En plein aire
A group of local artists have found a new creative outlet in an old form of painting... Daily News article by Timmi Toler... Sunday Oct. 28, 2007

40 4400 4/8/120

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Pear-a-dice

"Pear-a-dice"... 7x5" Oil on panel, alla prima, 10-2007.
SOLD... Thanks Marc!

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I often browse the produce section at my neighborhood grocery store for willing subjects to paint from life. Pears are among my favorites and usually end up in my shopping basket. I took a gamble and could not pass up the opportunity to paint this "play-on-objects" as a "play-on-words". Hope you enjoy it as much as I did painting it.

Everyday objects painted from life is the essence of the "Painting a Day" art movement that is gaining momentum in the art collecting market.

20 1849 3/2/74
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Carolina Marsh

"Carolina Marsh"... 6x8" Oil on panel, alla prima, 10-2007.
SOLD... Thanks again Richard D.!

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The beaches of the Carolinas' are visual treats... anyone who has ever visited them or lives near them will surely attest to that. I love the beach and ocean but it doesn't quite hold the intrigue for me that the coastal marshlands do. I could paint marshes everyday and love every minute of it. They are alive with beauty and wildlife... we must do everything in our power to protect these beautiful spots that are a gift to us.

30 3900 13/8/130
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Blue Ridge Splendor

"Blue Ridge Splendor"... 6x8" Oil on panel, alla prima, 10-2007.
SOLD... Thanks Richard D.!

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October in the Blue Ridge Mountains shows the exquisite palette of color that God uses each Autumn. I am a privileged artist to have such an awesome display to work from.

50 5499 8/4/123
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Olivia... Testing the Waters

"Olivia... Testing the Waters"... 30x24" Oil on Stretched Canvas, 2007. Private Collection... This one is for me... Olivia is my daughter.

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Click here to read the details and interesting stories behind this portrait... Olivia's Portrait FINALLY Finished...

November OOPS Plein Air "Paint Out" date set.

Click here for info about OOPS!

Kellum's Lane... Plein Air

"Kellum's Lane"... 6x8" Oil on panel, en plein aire, 9-2007.
SOLD... Thanks Lloyd!

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Another small plein air done near my home. Winding roads, lanes, and paths always give me a peaceful feeling and I seldom pass one by without at least taking a photo for a future painting... but... if I had my druthers... I'd rather set my easel up right on the spot and paint away like I did with this scene. What seems to be a field of beautiful wild flowers is really a field of soy beans. This time of year in Eastern North Carolina they turn a beautiful yellow that soon gives way to a dingy brown. I have captured them here at their color peak in this impressionist painting titled, "Kellum's Lane".

40 4100 5/8/134

Long Leaf ~ Bright Leaf... Plein Air

"Long Leaf... Bright Leaf"... 7x5" Oil on panel,
en plein aire, 9-2007.
SOLD... Thanks again Thomas!

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This plein air outing took place right across the street from my house. In Eastern North Carolina... one can hardly go a 100 yards without seeing long leaf pine trees or bright leaf tobacco. Tobacco used to be the main cash crop in Eastern North Carolina but it has rapidly been replaced with cotton and sod farms. I sure don't miss working in those fields as a young boy and teenager... I'd rather paint them any day! The angles and leading lines of the tobacco and trees in this scene caught my eye and make an interesting composition.

This painting, on a Gessoed Panel with painted sides, is easily framed or displayed with a decorative easel.

All my paintings are signed originals using artist grade oils and archival surfaces. "Certificate of Authenticity" included.

20 1899 1/6/104

Greenfield Lake... Plein Air

"Greenfield Lake"... Wilmington, NC... 6x8" Oil on Canvas Board,
en plein aire, 9-2007.
SOLD... Thanks Thomas!

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I love plein air painting... I find it relaxing and invigorating at the same time. I must confess... this day was not the best of outings. It all started when I made a trip to Wilmington, NC to paint at the aboretum... turns out there was an outdoor wedding ruining those plans so my wife dropped me off at Greenfield Lake while she and my daughters went shopping. Not a bad "Plan B" if it were not for the rap concert that was going on across the lake in a near by ampitheater... nothing against those who like rap music... I'm just not one of them... give me some good ol' blues or a jig on a Scottish fiddle. The rap music was mild compared to what came next... ALLIGATORS... two in fact... on two separate occasions. Luckily I saw them from a distance and kept mine! Hope you enjoy this painting... I can honestly say it didn't get my full attention!

This painting, on a Canvas board with painted sides, is easily framed or displayed with a decorative easel.

All my paintings are signed originals using artist grade oils and archival surfaces. "Certificate of Authenticity" included.

20 1799 1/3/98

OOPS! First Plein Air "Paint Out" this Sunday!

Visit the OOPS! site for more details...

Pears as a Couple

"Pears as a Couple"... 6x8" Oil on Panel, alla prima, 10-2007
SOLD... Thanks again Donna S.!

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I promised more "pear" paintings... here's another one titled, "Pears as a Couple". As I set up this small still life in my studio I moved them around in various poses but this one... them leaning in toward each other... stuck me as the ONE! It immediately made think of them as not just a couple of pears but two pears as a couple. In fact... not just newlyweds but they had the feel of a couple who have been together many years sharing many great memories and weathering many storms together. See what happens when you get into the mind of an artist sometimes... Hope you enjoy this old couple!

I love capturing the beauty in everyday objects like these pears and showing them in a different light. Everyday objects painted from life is the essence of the "Painting a Day" art movement that is gaining momentum in the art collecting market.

20 2700 7/5/102

Toy Sailboat

"Toy Sailboat"... 8x6" Oil on canvas board, alla prima, 10-2007

SOLD... Thanks Donna S.!

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Another small "Painting a Day" still life set up in my studio. This small sailboat captures the innocence of childhood and a time when toys were often hand made. My son (now 17) played with this boat in the tub many at time as a small boy. I bet I have hot glued that sail on twenty times. This is one of those timeless toys that children never tire of... not many of those left!

Everyday objects painted from life is the essence of the "Painting a Day" art movement that is gaining momentum in the art collecting market.

20 2250 4/5/119

Fields of Gold

"Fields of Gold"... 5x7" Oil on Panel, alla prima, 8-2007.
SOLD... Thanks Sharman!

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Can't you just feel the warm summer sun on your face with this scene titled, "Fields of Gold"? Open fields are among my favorite subjects to paint. This scene with it's array of flowers has a peaceful feel.


20 1799 1/4/83
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