Southern Plein Air Painters

Daily Painting 1365 Seagrape Splendor Plein air Alla Prima at Pepper Park

2012-01-24T21:59:00.002-04:00

I painted this today at Pepper Park. This is on the Indian River side of the park. I started walking around on the ocean side, it was beautiful and I saw a lot of nice scenes to paint but it was very bright out with no shade where I would have to be.
I did some editing of the scene, in real life there is a dark black asphalt drive where the sandy trail is. I also left out the trash can and dock. The sea grapes are gorgeous right now, bright red and orange, each leaf is a work of art if you zoom your sight in. It feels so much like fall now, our hickory trees are golden and there are red Virginia creeper vines all over.
The painting is 8 x 10 inches, oil on masonite.

Daily Painting 1363 The Bismark Palm at Heathcote Botanical Gardens

2012-01-17T19:31:00.000-04:00

I painted this today at Heathcote Botanical Gardens here in Fort Pierce. I have painted this palm before, it has grown a lot taller since I have been painting it. The fronds have changed colors too, when it was young they were a silvery gray. I took some liberties with the background, there are some white walls I didn't care for so I got rid of them. The painting is 8 x 10 inches, oil on masonite. No brush used at all, its all the pallet knife and some blending with my fingers. $200.

Daily Painting 1359 Winter in Heathcote Botanical Gardens Plein Air Alla Prima

2012-01-10T18:58:00.001-04:00

Perfect day today, the main difficulty I had was there is so much to choose from to paint! Those are impatiens in the flower pot and some kind of begonia with huge leaves next to it. In the back is the bauhinia orchid tree which is in bloom too. The bright pink plant is a dracaena.

The painting is in oil, nice thick texture. Its 8 x 10 inches, $200.

Daily Painting 1357 Oaks at Old Fort Pierce Plein Air Alla Prima

2012-01-05T23:53:00.000-04:00

Here are some more of the live oaks at the old fort park. I love painting their squiggly branches, they go in every direction to reach the sunlight. The painting is 8 x 10 inches, oil on masonite. $200.

Daily Painting 1356 Indian River Live Oaks Plein Air Alla Prima

2012-01-04T21:31:00.002-04:00

I painted this at the site of the original old fort that Fort Pierce is named after. There is a little park there on Indian River Drive and its a nice place to paint. Someday before I get too old and decrepit I have to work out a small plein air set up so I can climb down the river bank and paint from there, its really pretty down at the shore. The painting is oil on masonite, 12 x 16 inches,

Daily Painting 1354 Plein Air Pair

2012-01-02T22:33:00.002-04:00

Well this isn't a plein air but its of plein air painters so I thought I would put it on the blog anyhow. I painted this from a photo I took of fellow artists Julie Lounibos and Sherry Horton while they were painting in the garden at Hackberry Hammock. I painted it awhile ago and never got around to posting it. The painting is 6 x 8 inches, oil on canvas.

Daily Painting 1347 Perfect Morning in the Savannas Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-12-06T17:57:00.002-04:00

It was really nice today, perfect temperature and I got to paddle around in the kayak too. The clouds changed a lot while I was there, this is about how it was when I arrived at 9 am and when I left around noon it was clouded over. The painting is 12 x 16, oil on masonite.

Daily Painting 1345 Savannas Winter Plein Air

2011-12-02T00:16:00.001-04:00

Beautiful day out, started out cloudy but by the time I got to the park it cleared up nice. The painting is pretty big for a plein air, 12 x 16. I painted it at the Savannas Recreational area off Midway road.

Daily Painting 1341 Round Island Morning Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-11-21T19:29:00.002-04:00

I painted this at Round Island park, it was a real nice day out. The painting is oil on masonite, 8 x 10 inches,

Daily Painting 1339 Muddy Lane at Round Island plein air alla prima

2011-11-14T23:12:00.001-04:00

This is another plein air I did at Round Island. Its oil on masonite, 8 x 10 inches, $200.

Daily Painting 1338 Round Island Breezes plein air alla prima

2011-11-13T14:01:00.000-04:00

I painted this at Round Island, it was perfect out, not too hot or cold. The painting is 8 x 10, oil on masonite, $200.

Daily Painting 1329 North Fork View St. Lucie River Plein Air

2011-10-25T16:37:00.001-04:00

I went here and painted today, perfect day out. My husband said there were some alligators near the fishermen and so I went to see, there is a photo of one below. Came back and found since I wasn't sitting on my chair and weighing it down the wind caught the umbrella. I was very lucky, as you can see, the umbrella just missed the painting. The painting is 8 x 10, oil on masonite, $200.

Daily Painting 1326 By North Jetty Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-10-21T00:53:00.001-04:00

Its 8 x 10 inches, oil on masonite. I painted this at the Fort Pierce Inlet State Park. Beautiful morning out, lots of sparkles on the ocean.

Daily Painting 1321 Another Day in Paradise Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-10-05T23:49:00.001-04:00

Its 8 x 10 oil on masonite. Another plein air I did at the Ft. Pierce Inlet State park, perfect day! $200.

Daily Painting 1320 Looking South Plein Air Alla Prima Ft. Pierce Inlet

2011-10-04T20:39:00.001-04:00

First time painting outside this season, it is finally cool enough! I went to the Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, it was gorgeous out, nice ocean breeze. The painting is 8 x 10, oil on masonite. $200.

All good dogs go to Heaven #35

2011-09-30T19:04:00.001-04:00

This little gem is 6 inches by 6 inches watercolor on paper

Near Sparta (watercolor 5x7) $80

2011-08-02T22:41:00.000-04:00

This is near Sparta TN. "Cadmium Scarlet, Cad Lemon and Ultramarine were the colors I used.

Local 'scapes (gouache)

2011-08-02T22:38:00.000-04:00

Some local 'scapes from my truck in my world famous 10 x 7 brown sketchbook. (gouache) It's been a while since I have posted...

Shields Lake panorama

2011-07-15T11:58:00.000-04:00

The OutDoors Girls painted at Shields Lake in June.
Jo N. Thomas, Rena Malone, Irma Herzog, and Sherry Hullender joined Sandra for a day of kayaking and painting.

VPAP paintout at Tuckahoe Plantation 2011

2011-06-25T08:58:00.004-04:00

Tuckahoe #548 8x10 oil on linen completed en Plein Air 6/25/2011

I don't know what the tree was, but it was "very yellow" and had to be painted - We had at least 25 artist in attendance - special thanks to Marla Colman (founder) and Stella Jones our host for the day.

Tuckahoe Plantation (1733) is a privately owned historic property, a working farm, and the boyhood home of Thomas Jefferson. It has lovely pastures and meadows (with cattle, sheep, chickens, horses, etc.), extensive formal and informal gardens, lovely old outbuildings, a historic house (tours are by appointment only), and a wooded slope down to the canal and the James River. There are bathrooms in the old stable, found in a collection of outbuildings near the house. There is plenty of shade, if the day is a hot one. It is a peaceful location, full of paintable scenes.

http://www.tuckahoeplantation.com

Daily Painting 1271 Royal Poinciana on Second Street Plein Air

2011-06-16T16:04:00.002-04:00

I did this during the Souvenirs of Downtown paintout, I hadn't gotten around to posting it, I did tweak it a bit. In real life the trunk of the tree was behind a wall, I didn't think it looked too good that way in the painting so I changed it. I found out if I would moved over a bit, the wall wouldn't be in the way anyhow! Its 12 x 16, oil on masonite. $400.
http://lorisart.blogspot.com

June 2, 2011

2011-06-02T20:23:00.000-04:00

Very early morning before the temperature went to 95+. St. Elmo.

Tall Skinny

2011-06-02T20:21:00.000-04:00

Plein air painted at the foot of Lookout Mountain in St. Elmo, TN.

Daily Painting 1265 Tillandsia Pathway Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-05-31T21:35:00.000-04:00

I painted this at Heathcote Botanical Gardens here in Fort Pierce. This shows their new air plant garden or tillandsias. They were all in bloom when I was there, it was very nice. They are the gray plants to the left.
The painting is 8 x 10 inches, oil on masonite. $250.
http://lorisart.blogspot.com

Daily Painting 1264 Purple Haze Jacaranda Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-05-26T18:53:00.001-04:00

I did this at the Heathcote Botanical Gardens, its 8 x 10 inches, oil on masonite. $200.
http://lorisart.blogspot.com

Smith-Gilbert Rose Garden

2011-05-23T21:24:00.000-04:00

Standing in a rose garden at the 3rd annual paint out in Kennesaw, GA May 5 and 6. The paintings from 46 artists will be exhibited at the Hiram Butler House through October 15, 2011 The address is2384 Pine Mountain Road.

Olga's Next Door Neighbor

2011-05-23T20:59:00.000-04:00

This home is next to Olga and Scott's and he planted the yellow iris to compliment his neighbor's blue house.
He is an artist of course and great gardener. Olga and Scott let no grass grow, only flowers.

St. Elmo #3

2011-05-23T20:57:00.001-04:00

This is a third house that was painted in the St. Elmo Community.

Scott and Olga Drucker's Dream Garden

2011-05-23T12:36:00.000-04:00

This plein air painting was published in the Chattanooga News Free Press May 14, in an interview with Scott, Olga, Rena, and myself in conjunction with the Rose Garden Tour in Chattanooga, TN. I had no idea the image would appear so large in the paper. Thanks to Holly Leber who reports the HOME Page.

Daily Painting 1261 Summer Colors Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-05-17T20:56:00.001-04:00

I painted this at Heathcote Botanical gardens here in Fort Pierce. Its oil painted on varnished plywood, you can see the wood grain, it shows up a bit too much to me in the photo, I think the painting looks much better in person. Not too long after I painted it, I had to pack up and go home, looked like rain and it was getting very dark out. Nice breezy day before that though, not too hot. $100.
http://lorisart.blogspot.com

Agecroft Hall and Gardens - VPAP 2011 May paintout

2011-05-14T15:16:00.006-04:00

Agecroft Hall - upper terrace - White Peonies #498 -8x10 oil on linen
It stated to rain as I finished my last and favorite painting of the day

Agecroft Hall - sunken garden pond #497 - 8x10 oil on linen
We had no sun as you can tell by gray tonal quality of my palette

Agecroft Hall from the sunken garden #496 - 8x10 oil on linen

Agecroft is a very tailored and well maintained Historical Home in Richmond, Virginia's Windsor Farms. If you ever get the opportunity this is a must for any Plein Air painter.

Junko Liesfeld garden pond 467

2011-05-02T13:35:00.002-04:00

20x20 oil on linen - Painted en plein air 4/29/2011 during the VPAP paint-out - Wonderful Japanese gardens in Montpelier, Va.

Daily Painting 1253 South of Saint Andrews Plein air Alla Prima

2011-04-27T11:43:00.001-04:00

I did this on Indian River Drive a bit South of the Saint Andrews Episcopal church. Its 8 x 10 inches oil, not available on my blog yet, its at the Backus House Gallery till June 1st.

Daily Painting 1252 Tickle Tummy Hill Bridge Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-04-25T19:48:00.000-04:00

This is one I did at the last paintout, its not available right now, its still hanging at the Backus House Gallery. This is the view from the front yard of the gallery of the Tickle Tummy Hill Bridge. When you go over it and you are a passenger, you close your eyes and your stomach will lurch. The painting is 5 x 7 inches, oil on masonite. There is some shadows from the frame on the side and top.

Daily Painting 1251 SOLD The Causeway Park Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-04-21T20:30:00.001-04:00

SOLD This one sold today at the Backus House reception. Its 8 x 10, oil on masonite. I painted it at the causeway park in Fort Pierce, perfect out, I had a nice shady spot.

Daily Painting 1250 Windswept at Ocean Village Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-04-20T20:42:00.000-04:00

Main Street Fort Pierce is hosting a big paintout this week, it started today and is going on for the next two days. We paint our paintings and then frame them and bring them to the Backus House gallery where they hang them for us. Its lots of fun and they are feeding us breakfast, lunch and dinner each day! Tomorrow and Friday they will have receptions that are open to the public, 5 to 8 in the evening.

The painting is 8 x 10 inches, not available here right now, you can get it at the Backus House though. Oh, its painted from life, I was sitting under the oak trees. It was in the morning, not too hot at all. But the sandflies or no-see-ums, acckkk! I have some brand new bug spray, they didn't mind it a bit. The painting was finished pretty fast.

Second Look, Florida Landscape

2011-04-19T12:05:00.004-04:00

"Second Look"

About This Painting:

This is the third painting I did at the Adams Ranch a little more than a week ago. I had packed up most of my gear, and then looked back at this view from the other side of the path before I loaded up my easel. I was tired and ready to leave, but it was so beautiful, and I wanted to at least get this one started. So i went back and unloaded everything! Got a great lay-in, and almost finished it on location...... I touched up a few things and added a little more detail when I got home. I just love the way it turned out! They don't all go so well.

This is the right side of the path I posted last week. The spring actually runs all the way around the little hill in that painting (End of the Road).

Enjoy!

Ready to frame.

Media: acrylic on hardboard

Size: 5 in X 7 in (12.7 cm X 17.8 cm)

Price: $100 USD

To see more originals: click here to see my gallery page.

Brant Park #463

2011-04-17T14:52:00.003-04:00

20x20 Oil on linen painted en Plein Air 4/15/2011 with small group from VPAP - nice day had by all. It was my first trip to one of Richmond's oldest city parks

Daily Painting 1247 Stretching to the Water Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-04-13T21:54:00.001-04:00

I did this at White City Park, it was perfect out, not hot at all. I was under another oak tree and there was a nice cool breeze. There were some young ospreys fishing, they weren't experts yet. They would crash into the water with a huge splash and three times out of four would come up with out a fish. The painting is 8 x 10 inches, oil on masonite. $300.

End of the Road, Florida landscape

2011-04-11T10:10:00.005-04:00

"End of the Road"

Finnally got to get out and paint!This is at the Adams Ranch at last Saturday's paint-out. The water actually runs all the way around the little hill. These natural springs are all over the ranch. Some of them have a sulfur smell to them, but this one didn't. The kite birds kept swooping down in front of me, and I was able to get some pretty good photos of them. It was cool and breezy too. What a perfect morning!

Ready to frame.

Media: acrylic on hardboard

Size: 7 in X 5 in (17.8 cm X 12.7 cm)

Price: $100 USD

SOLD

To see more originals: click here to see my gallery page.

Daily Painting 1244 Secret Waters Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-04-10T21:55:00.001-04:00

At Adam's ranch, my second painting of yesterday. Its 8 x 10 inches, oil on masonite. Saw an alligator and soft shelled turtles here. Photo below.

Daily Painting 1243 Day at the Ranch, plein air alla prima

2011-04-09T18:25:00.001-04:00

I did this today at Adam's ranch, beautiful out, saw lots of cows, 4 alligators and all kinds of fish. Saw an otter and some wild hogs too. The painting is oil, 8 x 10 inches, $300.

Maymont - Italian Gardens #456

2011-03-30T20:11:00.003-04:00

Maymont - Italian gardens - view towards the stone barn - 20x20 oil on linen - completed en plein air 3/25/2011 during VPAP paint-out.

Daily Painting 1241 Bottle Brush Tree at White City Park Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-03-29T19:02:00.001-04:00

I painted this today at White City Park, it was beautiful out. I was a little upset when I got there, all the beautiful pink water lilies from last year were all gone! Just the little round yellow ones were left. Some sort of lotus I think.

Well, I looked close at the water by the shore and I saw all these little red lily pads, about an inch or so across. I think and hope they are the pink lily plants. Maybe they just lose their pads in the winter.

Saw some pretty big fish, and also some big swirls, there must be a lot of fish in there now.

The painting is 8 x 10 inches, oil on masonite, $300.

James from Belle Isle 454

2011-03-24T19:54:00.002-04:00

Completed 3/17/2011 - 11x14 oil on linen - View of James River from western end of Belle Isle

James from Belle Isle 453

2011-03-24T19:48:00.003-04:00

Completed 3/17/2011 en plein air - 8x10 oil on linen - View from western end of Belle Isle
James River - Richmond, Virginia

Daily Painting 1235 Century Plant at Hackberry plein air alla prima

2011-03-21T22:05:00.000-04:00

Another painting I did at Hackberry hammock. Its 5 x 7 inches, oil on masonite. $100.

Daily Painting 1234 The Pond at Hackberry Hammock Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-03-20T11:05:00.001-04:00

I went here yesterday, it was perfect out. Art Mundo sponsored the paintout and it was lots of fun, got to catch up with some friends and meet new people. I took a nice long walk and I got lots of photos to paint from too. Saw a big woodpecker, a pilated and lots of painted buntings.

Art Mundo is having some other paintouts, the next one will be at Adam's Ranch. This is an 50,000 acre ranch, its a beautiful place to paint at. You will see a working cattle ranch with cows and cowboys, I have seen deer and lots of interesting birds like the everglades kite. Registration deadline for the paintout is April 1st. $25. Register here for the paintout: http://www.artmundo.org/

This one is 8 x 10 inches, oil on masonite. $300.

Daily Painting 1233 Indrio Savannas Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-03-15T16:53:00.001-04:00

Its oil on masonite, 8 x 10 inches. It was perfect out, a beautiful day. Started out the lake was like glass, perfect reflections, then a few minutes later the wind came up and the reflections broke up. The park is getting prettier and prettier over the years, there are some nice young cypress trees and lots of cattail reeds.

I had blocked in about half the painting and felt something crawling on my feet, it was fire ants. I had looked before I sat down, there were no hives, this was a parade of them moving to a new place. I moved over and all was well for a little while when they came back. This went on until I finally finished the painting and left. I just got a few nibbles, no real stings, I guess because they didn't feel threatened and weren't protecting their hill.

$300.

Daily Painting 1230 Port Saint Lucie Botanical Gardens Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-03-11T20:33:00.000-04:00

My fellow artist and friend Betsy Moser and I went out here and painted. It was very windy out and Betsy's easel blew down and broke. Other than that we had a good time. The painting is 8 x 10, oil on masonite, $300.

Daily Painting 1227 This Old House in Fort Pierce Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-03-08T18:02:00.001-04:00

I painted this today at the South Causeway Park of the old house that is by the historical museum there. It was a perfect day, not too hot or cold. A few people came by and looked when I had the big shapes blocked in, no details at all and they said they loved it! I said it would look hopefully a whole lot better when it was finished. I am always stumped about what to say to people like that, when the painting is not really there yet. Its 8 x 10, oil on masonite $300.

Daily Painting 1224 Half a Dozen Palm Trees Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-03-02T23:46:00.001-04:00

I painted this at the South Causeway Park here in Fort Pierce. It was nice and breezy out. Its 8 x 10, oil on masonite. $300.

Daily Painting 1221 Dance in the Woods Fort Pierce Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-02-22T16:14:00.002-04:00

I have been in a bit of a funk again, I hope I am done with it! Went painting today here at the Old Fort Park. It was a beautiful morning when I got there, perfect for painting. The last few times I have been painting here I have been attracted to those squiggly trees in the back ground. Took a close look today, they have long leaves and aren't gumbo limbos, which is what I thought they were. Now I am wondering just what they are. Its 8 x 10 oil on masonite,

Daily Painting 1220 The Old Oak Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-02-15T23:01:00.002-04:00

This oak is in the old Fort park in Fort Pierce. I loved how it looked like a giant bonsai tree. I think it was naturally pruned by a number of hurricanes over the years but it is still strong. The painting is 8 x 10 inches on masonite, painted from life.

Daily Painting 1219 Across the Way Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-02-14T23:23:00.002-04:00

This was done in Vero Beach of a building across the street from me. Its 4 x 6 inches, oil on masonite, framed,

Daily Painting 1218 Looking West Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-02-13T18:33:00.002-04:00

I did this for the Vero Show, its oil on plywood. 5 x 7 inches. Well not too many sales at the show, I heard one sold from someone, don't know if anyone else sold any. When I was at the reception, it looked like mostly artists and their families. I guess maybe the weather had something to do with it, it was outside and pretty chilly.

Daily Painting 1217 Oak at Round Island Plein Air

2011-02-12T16:44:00.001-04:00

I still wasn't happy with this one so I tweaked it some, I think I am really finished with it now.

It was 48 when I started painting, I was in the sun but it was windy and damp. So I get the painting finished, I was happy with it. I ease it into the frame and I put the nails in and looked at it, it got pressed against the blanket in the Jeep, grrrr! Big smears. I was PO’ed! Well it wasn’t as bad as it looked, I scraped some off, took a little paint from here and there and patched it up. The benefits of painting with lots of paint, I have lots of paint on the panel to fix things with. Only took a minute or two. I wish I would have taken a photo first of the smears, LOL!

The painting is 8 x 10 inches, oil on masonite.

Daily Painting 1216 Good Morning Fisherman Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-02-11T16:41:00.001-04:00

I did this today at McWilliam Park in Vero Beach. It is entered into the "I Love Vero Beach Paintout" Its 8 x 10, oil on masonite, lots of nice textures, not available here right now but you can get it if you go to Vero in the next couple of days. The show is at the Plein Air Gallery tent on 1959 14th ave. 9 am to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday. I am planning on painting in Vero Saturday and Sunday too.

Daily Painting 1214 Three Old Friends Live Oaks

2011-02-08T20:32:00.001-04:00

I painted this at the Old Fort Park today on Indian River Drive. It was hard to come up with a subject, there are so many interesting old oaks all over the park. The painting is 8 x 10, oil on masonite, $250.

Daily Painting 1210 The Red Lifesaver Sailboat Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-02-04T00:07:00.001-04:00

I painted this by the Fort Pierce Marina from life. Its oil on plywood, 5 x 7 inches.

Daily Painting 1209 Sun Rays on the Indian River Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-02-03T00:10:00.001-04:00

I painted this today from life by the Fort Pierce Marina. It was a beautiful day not too warm or cold. Its 8 x 10 oil on masonite,

Daily Painting 1200 The Three Dancers Sea Grape Trees Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-01-18T21:50:00.001-04:00

I went out to South Beach Jetty today, these are some of the sea grape trees there. It started out very hazy and foggy and then turned into a nice day. The morning was very interesting even with the fog, the light was shining through and everything was glowing. This is from life, I was there from around 9 am till 1 o'clock. The painting is 8 x 10 inches, oil on masonite. It has some very nice textures. $250.

Daily Painting 1194 SOLD Sexton Barn work in progress

2011-01-07T13:18:00.002-04:00

SOLD This is a plein air I did at Sexton's ranch in Vero Beach. Its a nice ranch with interesting cattle, I walked around a whole bunch to see as much as I could and decide where to paint. So I was tired when I finally started, I am not happy with the saw grass and other foliage. The plan is when it dries to put some transparent oil glazes on, this should make the painting warmer and bring out the colors I want in the grasses.

Daily Painting 1193 Sea Grapes at South Beach Fort Pierce, Florida

2011-01-06T20:46:00.000-04:00

I have always enjoyed looking at the interesting trunks of sea grapes, I love the strange way they grow and the interesting colors in them. The painting is plein air or painted from life, its 5 x 7 oil on masonite. $100.

Daily Painting 1192 Pelicans on the Rocks Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-01-05T21:46:00.000-04:00

This was a fun one, it flowed together for me. Its another one I did at the Jetty Park on South Beach. Its oil on masonite, 5 x 7 inches. $100.

Daily Painting 1191 Pelicans at the South Jetty Plein Air Alla Prima

2011-01-04T19:31:00.001-04:00

First plein air of 2011! I haven't painted at the South Jetty before, been there a bunch fishing though. It was nice out, cloudy and the ocean was as smooth as glass. The pelicans are waiting for the fishermen to come and clean their fish so they can get some scraps. The painting is oil, 8 x 10 inches on plywood. $200.

From the field to the studio...

2010-12-18T00:22:00.000-04:00

"Standing Artist"
circa 1845-47
John Kensett

My love of history and art mesh as one when it comes to plein air painting, especially early American plein air painting history as exercised through the Hudson River School. The Hudson River School wasn't a school but an art movement during the mid-19th century embodied by a group of landscape painters whose aesthetic vision was influenced by romanticism. The paintings for which the movement is named depict the Hudson River Valley and the surrounding area, including the Catskill, Adirondack, and the White Mountains; eventually works by the second generation of artists associated with the school expanded to include other locales. Hudson River School paintings reflect three themes of America in the 19th century: discovery, exploration, and settlement. The paintings also depict the American landscape as a pastoral setting, where human beings and nature coexist peacefully. Hudson River School landscapes are characterized by their realistic, detailed, and sometimes idealized portrayal of nature.

Thomas Cole's Sketch Box
circa 1840

The artist Thomas Cole is generally acknowledged as the founder of the Hudson River School. Cole took a steamship up the Hudson in the autumn of 1825, the same year the Erie Canal opened, stopping first at West Point, then at Catskill landing where he ventured west high up into the eastern Catskill Mountains of New York State to paint the first landscapes of the area. The first review of his work appeared in the New York Evening Post on November 22, 1825

Cole's close friend, Asher Durand, became a prominent figure in the school as well. With the advent of photography, the need for realistic renderings gave way to the sublime as landscapes took on a more spiritual feel. There was no need to capture what a scene looked like, photography could do that, more emphasis was put on the mood, light, and feeling the artist gained from the scene and being in nature. This was the goal of the second generation Hudson River School painters (my favorites) like Frederic Church, John Kensett, and Sanford Gifford.

John F. Kensett
in his studio, 1864.

In gathering the visual data for their paintings, these artists would travel to rather extraordinary and extreme environments, the likes of which would not permit the act of painting in some cases. During these expeditions, plein air sketches and memories would be recorded and the paintings would be rendered later, upon the artists' safe return home. They would do their finished works in the studio from their sketches.

I recently returned from my own painting expedition in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina in September. I was accompanied on this journey with two of my artist friends, Mitchell Morton and Stephen Greer. The three of us and several other plein air artists had the pleasure of studying at the Florence Thomas Art School under the master artist, Tony Griffin.

Artist Tony Griffin giving plein air
demo at the Florence Thomas Art School.

A blog post a mile long could be wrote about Tony concerning his art training, his artwork, and his workshop but I'll save that for another day. Of all the gems I brought home from his workshop the greatest was this... to capture the essence of the scene! With Tony's guidance I learned to simplify... before his workshop, I was putting too much emphasis on getting a finished painting. Tony taught me that plein air painting is a a gathering of color notes, a simplified composition, and a spiritual experience. I can still hear him saying... "Observe, Mix, and Apply" while I work at my easel. Thanks Tony!

Bernie plein air painting along the New River.

Taking what I have learned from Tony Griffin and the Hudson River painters I now use my plein air pieces as studies for studio works. I am not so concerned about getting a finished painting in the field anymore. Below is one of the plein air paintings I did during the workshop. The scene is set along the New River in one of Tony's hidden spots.

Plein air oil sketch by Bernie Rosage Jr.
Along the New River, Glendale Springs, NC.
September 2010.

Below is the finished studio piece worked from the above sketch with the exercise of a little artistic license.

"Blue Ridge Afternnon"... 11x14" acrylic on canvas by Bernie Rosage Jr., 2010.

Thanks for dropping by... would love to hear your comments.

Bernie

Sources:
1) The Painted Sketch: American Impressions from Nature 1830-1880
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_River_School

Susie, Sandra, and Durinda

2010-11-30T21:41:00.000-04:00

Ain't we got fun?

Maymont - towards the James #408

2010-11-23T13:34:00.002-04:00

11x14 on linen canvas - painted en Plein Air during morning of 11/22/2010 - View from behind the stone barn towards James River below. Beautiful fall day, but occasional gusty winds kept you on your toes....this one also has a few embedded bugs in residence.

Fishing Bay Sparkle #407

2010-11-21T12:18:00.004-04:00

The sun is low at this time of the year causing the water sparkle to stay surprisingly constant during the day while it slowly moves towards the right.

8x10 on linen - painted en Plein Air in the morning hours of 11/20/2010 from the forecastle of our sailboat. Typically in this view line several sailboats are at anchor, but left for warmer waters earlier.

I started using driers last week to speed things up. Not wanting to use fast drying whites (washes out colour) I opted for a clear Gamblin product called Galkyd Lite, because its also a medium it sets up enough for over painting and wash glazes. Wind helps dry it a bit too. It would take several sessions to get this particular look otherwise.

Late Evening at Ft Myers Beach

2010-11-18T00:28:00.000-04:00

This 12 x 12 plein air painting was done the first evening I painted last week. It's for sale.

Sandra Participating in the Quick Draw

2010-11-18T00:23:00.000-04:00

On the beach behind the Holiday Inn were many "sand" activities. Here I'm shown trying to capture a professional artist building a lovely sandcastle. I got carried away with the onlookers and didn't finish the sandcastle that was being built.

Look at Us

2010-11-18T00:19:00.000-04:00

Susie Covert, Sandra, Durinda Cheek, and Ruth Cox stand in front of the Plein Air Festival Tent in Ft Myers Beach, FL on November 11, 2010.

Maymont - Italian Gardens #405

2010-11-17T19:44:00.002-04:00

11x14 on linen canvas - painted en Plein Air 11/15/2010 - Gray day with broken sun

Painting in the Quick Draw at Paint the Beach

2010-11-16T11:19:00.000-04:00

From November 8th -14th 2010 Fish-Tale Marina, Santini Marina Plaza and the Fort Myers Beach Art Association sponsored a Plein Air Art Festival. Here I am painting the last day. These paintings were entered in a contest.

Maymont - Italian Gardens #402

2010-11-16T08:47:00.004-04:00

11x14 Oil on linen - Painted en Plein Air 11/11/2010 at Richmond's Maymont Park - The Italian Gardens were freshly planted a few days before. Sunny and reasonably warm - I used Naples yellow in place of white - very effective at reducing colour. I did a quick 8x10 study of the far fountain on 11/8/2010 in preparation (top) using titanium white

Maymont - Fountain study #401

2010-11-14T21:32:00.002-04:00

8x10 Oil on linen canvas - Painted en plein Air 11/10/2010 at Richmond's Maymont Park the fountain is located close to the Hamilton Street entrance.

Maymont - fall study #397

2010-11-12T10:46:00.002-04:00

Fall colours are in full swing here in Richmond - Painted en Plein Air 11/6/2010 - This view is near the Maymont Park Hamilton St. entrance.

I'm in the process of selecting a number of views for a 12-month series showing the different seasonal moods at Maymont.

Bernie takes a time trip....

2010-11-09T14:50:00.000-04:00

I donned 1860's period attire two weekends in a row portraying a civilian plein air artist. Last weekend Olivia and I attended the Civil War reenactment at Fort Branch. The weekend before Olivia, my grandson, Christian, and I attended a Living History program at Hammocks Beach State Park. The three of us are pictured above.

Here I am working from my small cigar box pochade box painting an old house on the grounds of Fort Branch near Hamilton, NC. Marsha Harris took this photo of me while I was painting.

Here's the 6x8" finished painting from the sitting. Olivia met some friends and they all played in the old house while I painted it.

I met some nice people as well and had many interesting conversations while painting. One was Tom Whelan, a photographer who was kind enough to share these photos with me. Thanks again Tom!

As I was painting I used the "Complementary Color" technique where I paint the opposite color to what I see in the first stage. The spectators that dropped by while I was working this stage must have scratched their heads and asked themselves, "What kind of drug is this guy on?"

I chose an more intimate setting for my painting on Sunday morning. This 8x10" painting is a view across the field where the battle took place later that afternoon.

At the Hammocks Beach Living History program I portrayed a younger Claude Monet and gave a demo on plein air painting.

In 1863 Monet discovers Manet's painting and paints "en plein air" in the Fontainebleau forest for the first time. My age and impression are closer to Monet as seen in his self portrait painted in 1886 posted here.

The day was full of excitement!

I gave my finished painting to Charlie Wilton who commanded the artillery battery in above photo.
.

Two GREAT weekends spent with old and new friends, Olivia, and Christian, topped with plein air painting... PRIMO!

Koi at Maymont #395

2010-11-09T07:22:00.005-04:00

Painted en Plein Air with (VPAP) Virginia Plein Air Painters, (OPA)Oil Painters of America sponsored Paint-out at Richmond's Maymont Park October 30, 2010.

(top) 24x30 on linen panel (largest to date) of the Japaneses gardens - the pond, of course full of spoiled Koi was perfect, because of my current Koi and Lilies series.

(bottom) 14x11 on linen - detail study

My location, under a small structure made it difficult to see my palette much less my canvas. I should have moved, but it was the best Koi viewing spot.....stuck with it vowing never to do it again!

Belmont - paintout #386

2010-11-07T22:46:00.002-04:00

I started painting en Plein Air again with a fledgling Plein air group called Virginia Plein Air painters from Richmond, Va. My first paint-out was at the Gari Melchers (American painter - first part of 19th century)1790 Historical home and studio called Belmont located near Fredericksburg, Va.

It was a great day, well attended and I completed (2) panels both 8x10 - this one sold later to one of the members

Daily Painting 1175 SOLD Beachcomber Tortoise Plein Air

2010-11-03T22:24:00.001-04:00

SOLD I did this at the Inlet State Park its 8 x 10 inch oil. It was beautiful out, a perfect day.

Daily Painting 1174 Cottages at Edenlawn Plantation Plein Air Alla Prima

2010-11-02T22:35:00.001-04:00

Its oil, 8 x 10 inches on masonite. I went to Edenlawn this morning and had a nice time, got pretty hot in the afternoon, around 87 degrees. Wore me out! $200.

Enchanted Morning, landscape with lilies and egret

2010-10-26T19:07:00.002-04:00

"Enchanted Morning"

About This Painting:

This painting is from last week. This great egret kept posing for us at White City Park. I hope to do a few more paintings of him from the pictures I took. I think this is the most wonderful place I have ever worked at out on location!

Ready to frame.

Media: acrylic on canvas

Size: 8 in X 10 in (20.3 cm X 25.4 cm)

Price: $200 USD
To see more originals: click here to see my gallery page.

Daily Painting 1169 SOLD Ocean View Plein Air Alla Prima

2010-10-26T17:00:00.001-04:00

SOLD I painted this today from life, sold it hot off the easel! :o) Its 5 x 7 inches on masonite.

Daily Painting 1168 Pads 'n Palms Plein Air Alla Prima

2010-10-25T21:52:00.001-04:00

There is a little story about the palm trees, the two behind the egret. Used to be three, there is the horizontal stump right in back of the bird. I painted that tree, oh maybe seven years ago with the other two, then it was taken out by hurricane Jeanne or Frances. The reason they grew like that is because they had gotten knocked flat by a hurricane years ago, then grew back towards the sun. Its oil on masonite, $200.

Daily Painting 1166 Vista at White City Park Pink Water Lilies

2010-10-19T22:01:00.002-04:00

Here is another plein air painting I did at White City Park. The tan thing in the middle top is my easel. The painting is 8 x 10 inches, oil on masonite. Its sold! :o)

Daily Painting 1165 Great American Egret at White City Park

2010-10-18T00:46:00.002-04:00

I painted this from life at White City Park. The egret was very tame and posed for me. The painting is 5 x 7 oil on masonite. Its sold! :o)

Below see me and my paintings at the orchid show, I won second place! The top two next to me are mine.

Daily Painting 1164 Lovely Day at White City Park Plein Air Alla Prima

2010-10-15T21:15:00.002-04:00

Went painting again in White City park, it was a wonderful day, lots of birds and squirrels.

The painting is oil, on masonite 8 x 10 inches, Its sold! :o)
http://lorisart.blogspot.com/

2010-10-07T15:05:00.004-04:00

"At the Park"

About This Painting:

Had wonderful paint-out in Fort Peirce with Lori McNamara -- Everything was bright and colorful. It was my first time out in a few months. A cool breeze, warm sunshine, lilies blooming, and all kinds of birds posing right in front of me.... Got a lot of great pictures while I painted this scene. Totally enjoyed myself.

Thanks for looking!

Ready to frame.

Media: acrylic on canvas

Size: 8 in X 10 in (20.3 cm X 25.4 cm)

Price: $175 USD

To see more originals: click here to see my gallery page.

Daily Painting 1157 Water Lily Day Plein Air Alla Prima

2010-10-05T21:37:00.001-04:00

I went out painting with fellow Daily Painter Fawn McNeil Barr today.
It was wonderful! Hundreds of water lilies, all shades of pink,
white and bright fuchsia,
they were growing all over.

...I did one painting, was going to do more but this big egret came walking by,
right in front of me,
he was catching blue dragonflies!

Then some ibis came along too,
I just sat and watched and took photos.
I figured I could paint from them.
I am thinking if I paint these things,
nobody will believe me,
big white birds and big pink waterlilies!
Not too hot or cold,
lovely breeze, just perfect.

The painting is oil 8 x 10 inches on gessoed plywood, I did it on site from life. $200.

Tunnel Hill paint out

2010-09-20T17:07:00.001-04:00

Cathy Cooksey working on a painting of historic downtown Tunnel Hill (GA).
Several members of the Art Alliance of North Georgia participated in a paint out during the annual "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment. This painting sold the next day.

A Land Apart by BJ Wright

2010-09-17T14:25:00.001-04:00

9"x12" oil, painted en plein air, alla prima, on September 8th (completed at 12:10pm)...$120 (including shipping but NOT the frame)...This was painted a few days before the annual "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment. I popped it into this frame for display at our Art Alliance of North Georgia tent.

please try to ignore the glare

Daily Painting 1105 Pots of Salvia Plein Air

2010-07-20T21:01:00.001-04:00

Its 8 x 10 oil, I did this awhile ago at Heathcote Botanical gardens and felt it wasn't quite finished, so I tweaked it a bit and here is is. Its 8 x 10, oil on panel, $200.

Provost HQ by BJ Wright

2010-07-14T16:19:00.001-04:00

12"x6" oil on stretched canvas, painted en plein air on May 15, 2009, at the Battle of Resaca(GA)...$80 including shipping...This Confederate tent was set up under a clump of trees on a hill's crest overlooking the battlefield.

They Fought Bravely by BJ Wright

2010-07-13T10:09:00.001-04:00

12"x6" oil over acrylic on stretched canvas, painted en plein air on May 5, 2008, at the Confederate Cemetary in West Hill Cemetary in Dalton, GA. This painting is $80 including shipping.

Daily Painting 1100 Savanna Pines Plein Air

2010-07-09T15:30:00.001-04:00

This is a painting I did from life awhile ago, its oil on masonite, 8 x 10 inches. $300.

Sunny September Morning by BJ Wright

2010-07-09T09:30:00.001-04:00

8"x10", oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on September 8, '09...$85 including shipping...This late morning painting of a Tunnel Hill (GA) meadow reminds me that Fall will be here before we know it. I've painted this scene dozens of times and each time it's fresh and different.

July Afternoon Late by BJ Wright

2010-07-07T09:52:00.000-04:00

12"x9" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on July 4 (completed at 8:10pm)...$135 including shipping...Since I'm usually painting outdoors during morning hours, the idea of painting in the afternoon took a bit of adjustment. The light and shadows play differently and I could quickly run out of daylight...just in time for a nocturnal painting.

North from Snodgrass Hill by BJ Wright

2010-07-06T11:25:00.001-04:00

6"x12" oil on stretched canvas, painted en plein air, alla prima, on May 22, 2009...$80 including shipping...Last Spring I painted at Chickamauga (GA) Civil War Battlefield. It was around noon when this was completed, so the shadows are short beneath the treeline. I prefer painting in early morning, but it's good to paint outside my comfort zone.