Daily Painting 857 Heathcote Plant Sale

I did this a couple of months ago, I forgot to post it, it was really busy then. I did it as a demo at Heathcote Botanical Gardens, its 12 x 16, oil, plein air alla prima. $400.

15 Minute Sunrise # 46

This is turning out to be a very good exercise - you just don't have time to think about it.

Byrd Park - Red Building # 49

11x14 Panel - This is a maintenance building next to the lower lake. The Canadian geese came along as I was finishing up. The real painting however would have been the cloud cover - spectacular - it really came into play as I was leaving. If the clouds stay around we should have a nice sunset.

North from Snodgrass Hill by BJ Wright

May 22, '09, just before noon...it was overcast, then sunny, then drizzly...in short, painting en plein air was a bit of a challenge. The light was changing by the minute/second and capturing the correct colors was almost impossible. This is a slice of what I painted that day. Going too dark with my darks is something I need to work on, especially in such changeable light. This was a 6"x12" mini canvas, but I think a larger version would have better captured the meadow's expanse. Gonna work on that.

Painting At Spanish Point in Feb

 

15 Minute Sunrise # 45

8x10 Sunrise Study - I started late and wasn't prepared so.... I ended up with little time. The object was to catch the intensity of the sun - the problem - it's difficult to get the color values right around the sun so it will pop. You have a tendency to make it much too light, mostly because the sun alters your color perception. I think it will take a few more cracks at it.

Byrd Park @ Dusk # 43

11x14 Study @ the same location as # 42, but end of day. the sun sets to the left.

Byrd Park # 42

Plein Air paining of the day

Afternoon on the James # 41

I'm not sure who was having more fun, them or me.

Confederate Memorial Wreath by BJ Wright

9"x12" oil on Raymar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on Tuesday, April 28th '09, at Old Stone Church near Ringgold GA. $120 including shipping -
The wreath on the door commemorates Confederate Memorial Day which is a state holiday in some states in the US. In Georgia, it was April 27th. It gives people a chance to honor and remember the Confederate soldiers who died or were wounded during the Civil War in the 1860s. Old Stone Church was used as a hospital.

Painting # 31 James Rapids @ Belle Isle

The second of two 11x14 panels - painted later in the day as I was leaving Belle Isle - view toward Hollywood Cemetery.

Rainy Day on the James #34

This particular morning I set up on a rock pad in the James. It rained most of the session so rain water became one of my mixing mediums. A side benefit, water mixed with oil will tack up quickly. It might work for under painting in small amounts. A photographer, who started following me around a few days earlier was also there to get a silhouette shot of me painting. I, on the other hand was waiting for a dramatic sun break in the cloud cover....neither got our wish.

Swan Lake Fountain # 38

Many years ago Swan Lake @ Richmond's Byrd Park had swans...now Canadian Geese. I preferred the Swans far more appropriate for a beautiful park lake. Painted on a 12x12 Panel with a time limit of 1.5 hours

Daily Painting 841 Oleander Plein Air

Its oil, 5 x 7 Plein Air Alla Prima, I painted it at Pepper Park in Fort Pierce.

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Price: $100 USD
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James sunset @ Belle Isle # 36

This is a small 8x10 sunset study over a period of several hours. I had to adjust the color values through the whole process and stopped about a half hour before the sun set. I also use a jury rig set up that really worked well. I needed to be flexible. I have some new gear on order that will solve most issues. I used my palette as an easel with a simple clip to hold the panel. The palette also became the carrier. I think you could use this for panels up to 11x14 with ease. I was able to adjust for glare and check color value instantly. You just can't do that easily with the traditional easel set.

Belle Isle Hydro Dam # 30

My path, rain or shine is now leading to a series of paintings of the James River from Belle Isle and the North and South banks. The river is high and fast because of all the recent rain. I'm on a small narrow foot bridge at the top of an old hydro plant dam facing toward the south bank. I didn't realize it at the time but the right cascade was dropping onto a huge rock. The South front face drops another 10 or 15 feet and creates an imposing view from the south shore. This 11x14 panel was painted in the morning. The first of two over a 6 hour period that day. If any of you come to Richmond don't miss this area, perfect for a Plein Air painter. It will test your ability.

Painting with a Special Friend in Beautiful Callaway Gardens

 
One of the best days this spring was with Phyllis at Callaway Gardens. I know it was special to her because she did THREE PLEIN AIRS...way to go Phyllis.

Peonies # 32

I've been painting the James River rapids for the last few day from Belle Isle and needed a change of pace so I stayed home for a day and painted the peonies in our back garden. The peonies were planted by my mother-in-law more than 50 years ago. What made it interesting, the sun was to their backs - 12x12 panel

Rainbow Stream by BJ Wright

This is another plein air oil painting completed on site at the Historic Buford (GA) Paint out on April 24th. "Rainbow Stream" denotes not only the many colors reflected in the waters, but also the trout swimming about. The location is just downstream from the Buford dam. There were dozens of fishermen and kayakers enjoying the perfect morning. I popped the finished painting into a frame and delivered it (wet) to the Tannery Row Artist Colony for exhibit throughout the month of May.

James River Rapids # 29

Great sunny day on the river - 8x10 linen panel

Stormy James # 27

I'm not going to forget this one. Yesterday, Cooper my dog and I got caught in a nasty lighting and thunderstorm on a hill over looking the James River. I did have a small umbrella and was able to finish by staying with it a few more minutes. No way was I leaving, the river surface was absolutely luminous. I didn't have time to breakdown before taking shelter so my little 12x12 suffered more than 15 minutes of hard rain with no apparent damage. It makes you rethink your sanity and gear.

Elio Camacho Fall Workshop

Elio Camacho is having a workshop in Huntsville, Al. Oct.19-23 2009. The cost is $450.00 for the week and a $50.00 deposit will hold your spot. You can register and pay at  http://www.blog.eliocamacho.com/workshops  . If you have never had the opportunity to see Elio's work check it out on his website link above. Elio has studied under his mentor Russian Artist Ovanes Berberien (who studied under Sergei Bongart).You cannot imagine the attention Elio gives to his students as a group through demonstrations and lectures and as individual instruction. He is always available.  You will learn so much and learn to see the rich colors in nature.  Hurry and register because class size is limited to 14 students and spaces go fast.

Between Storms # 26

I painted this 12x12 view of our back garden yesterday afternoon during a storm break. The field is covered with wild yellow flowers even a gloomy day couldn't hide. It looks like today will hold the same.

NEW!!! Fall workshop in Tuscany!

Join me for a week of sketching, painting, sightseeing, eating.... and a lot of fun this September in Tuscany! You couldn't ask for better accommodations than the elegant San Fedele just outside Siena. Maybe you have been to Tuscany before, with family, or on one of those whirlwind tours. Now see it through your artist's eyes. I have structured this workshop for all levels of experience. Get as much or as little guidance as you wish. We will travel light with sketchbooks and watercolors and of course, our camera. Now it is the time to do something for yourself. Airfares are down, the dollar is up, and Tuscany is breathtaking in the fall.

Register now with Il Chiostro to ensure your place. Spaces are limited. I promise you will be thrilled with everything you will get for this special price. I will be happy to talk to you further about this once of a lifetime experience!

Now, let's go to Tuscany!

Ciao,

Durinda

Morning Iris # 25

The Iris are starting to bloom in our backyard - hard to resist especially at sunrise - 12x12 on panel

Watercolor Sketches

Watercolor sketches in my Aguabee sketchbook from last weekend.

Reaching for the Sky by BJ Wright

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on 4/24 at the Buford Dam during the "Historic Buford (GA) Plein Air Festival"...currently on display at the Tannery Row Artist Colony. There is a bit of shadow from my easel showing at the upper edge of this photo.

James @ Catfish cove # 22

Back to one of my favorite spots on the James - cloudy - cool and windy - 14x18 on panel

Catfish Hole # 19

Catfish Hole is a small cove off the James at The Great ships Locks - today it had a constant flow of visitors from Canadian Geese with chicks, Herrings fishing - I might add much better at it than the two cat fishermen I show in my small 12x12 painting. Great place to paint it has movement and dramatic light filtration through the trees. Did I mention a hot 96 degrees.

Cat Fishing on the James # 18

A morning view of the James from The Great Ship Locks and a favorite cat fishing spot for the locals. Sunny and warm weather here. Cat fishing was executed on a 14x18 panel.

Steps to park # 17 - Tree study 1

This mornings work - first tree study - a golden retriever and owner were sitting on the steps watching me - so I included them into my little 12 x12 painting on panel - very windy here today.

"Carolina Marsh" plein air by Bernie Rosage Jr.

"Carolina Marsh"... 5x7" Oil on panel, en plein aire, 4-2009.

We had a great location and day to paint outdoors last Sunday. We... as in OOPS!... the Onslow Outdoor Painters Society I am a member of. A great bunch of artists who carry on the tradition of painting "en plein aire". Read about our outing HERE...

I'm pictured below painting this one...

Bernie

Oak Study

"Oak Study"

I went to the coast and painted with my plein air group today. This old oak blew over years ago. The way it grew back interested me because of its very graceful shape. If I use it for a larger painting I will add a muddy bank and some water and a rope swing hanging over the water, now that sounds fun!

Ready to frame.

Media: acrylic on hardboard

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

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

Libby Terrace Fountain 15

Libby Terrace Fountain and the James river through the freshly budding Yellow Crepe Myrtles. Painted on a 14x18 panel and required two sessions. I want to do this again later this week once the trees are in full bloom - should be spectacular.

The Widows Garden 14 - Libby Terrace

An interesting view of the Widows garden on Franklin - it's growing wild including the public brick walkways with no upkeep. The little 12x12 painting turned out to be a challenge because it took two sessions. I got lucky both days the sun was out.

The Pink Dogwood

I painted this house in my neighborhood. Loved the pink dogwood with the pink house behind it. We were going to go to Calloway Gardens but my mother wasn't feeling up to it so we stayed nearby.

Azalea Stream

Spring at Callaway Gardens will overwhelm you with all the beauty around each turn. This year we have had days and days of rain. Painting in between the rain storms has been fun and now that the rain has stopped it will be fun to see the sun sparkle through the pine branches on to the azaleas at Overlook Garden inside Callaway. If you have ever been to Callaway Gardens in the spring, I hope this painting brings back memories for you. 9x12 oil on linen $300.00 studio sale.

James @ Libby Terrace - Easter # 12

Another great day - this spot is starting to become my favorite - 14x18 on panel

The James @ Libby Terrace

Great Day - ended up at Libby Terrace here in Richmond - View of the James River 11x14 on panel. I'm starting to get the hang of this :=)

Sandra at Pine Mountain

 
Phyllis invited me to paint with her at Callaway Gardens. Here I am painting a snowball bush in Mr. Cason's garden. A perfectly acceptable morning for April.

The Rauke Loggia at Fishing Bay # 6

Nice day so I headed for the bay with dog and paints in tow. Boy was it cold even with the sun I could only take 2 hours - managed to paint the Loggia 11x14 on board while I waited for the background paint to dry for a shot of Fishing Bay in the distance. The Rauke Loggia was painted from the pool. I'm going back this weekend to finish the bay shot.