Bristol Harbor Blue Boat

Bristol, England: an old, but still very busy harbor. It was a wonderful mix of classic boats and old cranes, with lots of warehouses and sheds, alongside huge, new cranes and freighters. How could I resist? I took some liberties in reducing the clutter a bit and amping up the colors (not to mention eliminating tourists, like us) in the scene. American harbors don't have quite this same charm...sorry.

Wood Duck Solo

This is a first for me - pastel on 400 sanded paper! Who knew? Thanks to Jan Perley for the tip to use sanded (not sand paper) paper, made just for pastels. So after she showed my art class this amazing product, I had to have some! This poor wood duck was all by his lonesome on our nearby pond - the other, much less colorful ducks, wouldn't let him play duck games. So he's my first subject on this material - albeit a quick study. Onward and hopefully upward...

Stairway In Wells Cathedral

My second European trip painting, but my first watercolor, and my first painting since I put in hardwood floors in our study (not that that really should make a difference in the painting thing!). I loved these steps (yes, they are really that worn) and the light coming in from the windows. The stairs curve sharply up to the right into a large, round room. They also climb up to a mysterious door through the archway. Can't figure out what the little steps on the left are for...to look out the windows?

Watermill In Bayeux

My first painting (in pastels) of a site we saw in France on our way to Omaha Beach. It was actually kind of a fortunate stop, in that we actually had a few minutes to look around before leaving on the next leg. I liked the composition, colors, and water with buildings rarely fails to grab my attention. So here you go...I'll dedicate this to our good (French) friends, the Foucachons!

Gone With the Wind

I freely admit this is kind of weird. I saw the original photo on Emma's facebook post weeks ago and liked the strange coloring and pose she and Monique had. I decided to paint it as a departure from my normal (no-people) approach. It was a fun diversion...nothing against the gals, but I think I'll stick to ships and buildings...

Kambry's Flat

This is the second commissioned flat (London apartment) I've done this summer - the two families knew each other and both wanted a memory of their time in Britain, since they both moved to Dallas. A fun deal was that when Julie and I were in London (with Mark and Carolyn), the bus we were on leaving the city drove down this street! The iron railings were different in each set of row houses, too. This piece is also 16 X 21, on 180 lb Arches.