This is a painting I just completed for a collector who lives near me.  Humpback Rocks is a place where alot of locals go to hike and take in all of the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  It's a vigorous climb up, but once there, you're really glad that you did it!  She asked me to paint this for a gift for a friend who loves the beauty from the top!

This is my most recent work that I've completed!  Wow, what a beautiful place.  I was sitting next to the Blue Ridge Parkway during the most colorful time of autumn.  My family always loves traveling up and down the parkway in the various seasons - mostly at my urging.  There are just so many beautiful images-- sky, trees, bushes, the mountains etc.  Also, each time we go, the mountains have a different look or feel to them.  That's my challenge, to get the differences down on canvas.  Sometimes it's overwhelming trying to caputure all of the different color in a scene like this, but I enjoy reliving the day while trying!

6" x 8" - oil on Canvas.  This was a beautiful hot sunny day on the 4th of July, and I loved the way all of the flags were flying in the wind.  They were flapping all over the place, flickering their light and color.  The wind was relentless, but it definitly set the scene for the flags.

6" x 8" - Oil on Canvas.  This scene attraced my attention when I noticed how pretty the sun was shining through the fabric of the umbrella.  I also loved the way the morning sun was dancing off of the ocean.  It was all hot and bright!

6 " x 8" - Oil on Panel.  I've finally gotten some of the "studies" that I completed photographed and ready for this blog.  As I mentioned before, these are studies that I've painted from locations that I've visited and not yet decided wheather or not to paint a larger studio painting.  They are smaller and more spontaneously painted.

This week I am going to add to this blog spot my "daily" paintings that I paint.  These are not completed "studio" paintings, as much as they are "studies" on a smaller and quicker scale that I do to keep myself focused and the paint flowing.  I hope you enjoy viewing them as much as I enjoy painting them!