WOW, so soon?

LOL, told you I'd be back soon!

This was my first attempt at plein air...it's an 8x8 in oil, that I painted over the summer. I love it. Much better than my clouds. Nothing spectacular, but I was pleased with the way I made the trees seem individual rather than one giant bush! I was concerned with that when I started and was happy with the end result.

Thankfully I haven't been purged...

WOW, it's been a long time...surprised I still have a blog! I'm not going to make excuses, it's very hard to find time to paint with the expectations I have for myself as well as keep updating a blog. I'm a very, very slow painter (understatement)so even if I had the time to paint, I'd be lucky to put out more than 8 paintings a year. So, that being said, as most of us have, I've put together a very LOOONNNNGGGGG list of New Years Resolutions and while I've already failed at enforcing some, I've already kept up on one and that is painting. I've worked on some pastels this week, so for the short term, I'm somewhat satisfied. So, before I get to some of my new stuff, I'm going to post some of my paintings I've finished last year.

This painting you see here is a painting of a picture I shot last year at Plum Island during the Hurricane (can't remember which one) two summers ago. I brought my kids to the beach in the evening to see the large waves and feel the high winds, it was an amazing evening. I did not do the photo justice. It's a 12x16 in oil and my first attempt at clouds. I feel, I failed miserably! I truly don't like it and struggled mightily with it. I must have spent 8 months on it, no exaggeration. I almost trashed it a couple times, but was encouraged to continue with it.

Stay tuned...more to come. Promise!

NO, SERIOUSLY I AM!

It's been a craaazzzy year. So much to talk about, not enough time. I am still painting and have been working on a few paintings. I've been using my pastels and oils and have come up with a couple of pieces I'm proud of. This is an 8x12 pastel of Sandy Point at Plum Island. Hope you like. I'll be posting more soon. Promise.

Still Painting...

So sorry I have not posted in a while. I've been pretty busy. It's amazing what Spring brings to the table. You're pulled into a thousand different directions. I am still painting...the one thing I have managed to do consistently. I've been working on my oils and hope to have a few paintings posted soon. This is a new challenge for me since I've spent the better time of the last year using pastels.

I'm currently unemployed, but I'm very busy painting, doing some freelance advertising and design work, coaching two baseball teams and are looking forward to the 90 degree humidity, New England so graciously offers. I've never looked forward to the beach so much in my life. The beach offers a tranquility for me I can't explain. Maybe it's putting the worst winter of my life behind me, or maybe seeing how much fun my kids have....either way, It's right on our door step. I can't wait.

see you soon.

Jeff

"How Sweet it is Too"

I've actually posted the Valentine's Day candy on ebay for those who may be interested in purchasing it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260360004783&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab%3DSelling

When in Rome, do as...

I've actually named this "How Sweet It Is Too," second in my candy series. If you remember my candy corn at Halloween. 

I painted this because it seems everyone is doing it and I wanted to have some fun too. Only problem is, I really don't like it at all. Down to the photo I shot. Actually...I guess I like the background. That's about it. 

It's a 4x4 pastel of some candy, my son kept eating while I was painting. I finished it in about 30 minutes. I think it shows. I just splashed them on the table and didn't use anything other than the room lighting.

It was a lot of fun. Challenging actually. Writing with large pastels is not easy. Sorry, I don't like the colors, shadows, highlights, writing, composition...I don't even think I like my signature.

I guess I'll bail myself out and call it practice for the next great work of art.LOL. See you soon.

"Rocks Village Firehouse" Haverhill, MA

Hello Everyone...Sorry, I've been away. I've been working on this pastel during the week. It's 12x16 and it's the first larger painting I've started and finished in a reasonable time frame in a while. This is a little red house right around the Haverhill, Merrimack border. It's a photo I shot last summer. It's the historical Rocks Village Firehouse right next to the Merrimack River. It was build in 1861.

As I drove by the house stood out like a sore thumb. Luckily I had my camera and immediately thought "I have to paint that!" I must like the end result because I signed it. I usually take 5 months to do that. I painted this in about 5 hours I think. I'm very happy with it. I'm not sure if it's the painting or remembering what a perfect day it was. I hope everyone likes it. Thanks for looking.