Painting sunlight

"Falling Water" 18x24 Oil

Every season our family spends time in New Hampshire. As a child it was summers at the lake with friends and skiing on vacations and weekends. In 1978, I bought a timeshare and we now go up in the fall and spring as well. Activities have expanded over the years with painting becoming a favorite. Hiking the woods and White Mountains I have encountered so many new painting spots that I couldn't possibly paint them all. The one thing that always captures my attention is the light. It changes the landscape by the minute as it filters in in the morning, dances through the trees and across the snow, hills and water during the day,  creates dramatic skies at dusk and a calming darkness at night. Consistent in the woodland streams are rocky paths cut through the land by rushing water, downed branches that gather along the edges and transparent pools that reveal the bed of the streams concealed elsewhere by white foam and deep dark pools of water.
What attracted me here was the serpentine curve of the stream that created rhythmic patterns of light and dark. The reddish tone of the rocks, pine needles and reflected light compliments the greens of the lush woods. The birches are quintessential NH. This painting represents the feeling I get when walking through the wooded landscape of NH.

I began with an underpainting of transparent red oxide to establish values and  composition. I wanted  to give a warmth that could show through in the final painting. I used underpainting white to establish the flow of the water. After that dried, I blocked in large areas using local color establishing some dark transparent layers first. The painting was built up with a number of layers finding areas to suggest rock forms under the rushing water and illuminating other areas with bright light to bring the viewers eye through the woods and down the stream.

Romancing Capitola

Taking a break in Capitola 30x40 oil painting

After a co worker of my daughter's saw my paintings at her house in Aptos, she asked if I would create a painting of her with her husband as a surprise for their anniversary. I said I would. She texted me a photo to use.
At first I thought the shadows on the rocks were off, but when I enlarged the area I realized they were mussels, not shadows. The photo wasn't too clear, so I enlarged it and then delved into my photos of Capitola so I could get the background area as accurate as possible. The pastel colored homes along the beachfront are iconic as well as the pier and stream. The stream cuts through the beach to flow under a bridge between the yellow restaurant on the right and the pastel homes to it's left. Although the bridge isn't in the photo or painting, I  know it's an important landmark for the downtown. The small stream leading back toward that area is put in to ensure the bridge is acknowledged, although not seen.
I had never painted with florescent colors so had to order the paint. Creating shadows with the new paint were a challenge.  I tested out colors on a canvas pad trying shadows with blues and violets and until I determined what looked right.  Initially I was going to omit the bike on the lower right, but in the end decided to put it in. First, it confirms there are two riders, and second, it leads the viewer into the painting with a diagonal.  Eliminating most of the bicycle's detail prevents the  viewer from lingering there. Since the canvas was so large, I made the birds on the beach in the far left and the mussels prominent details. They are a big part of the sensory experience when visiting this beach. The gulls are always present, moving about in large groups, soaring, then resting and repeating the cycle all day long. The outgoing tide exposes the rocks many treasures then hides them again until the next tide cycle.
When I felt the painting was complete, I texted a photo for approval before shipping. She texted me back:
"IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT! I keep getting my phone to look at your artwork. Honestly, I've looked at about 20 times since you texted. It's breathtaking!"
The painting was challenging. It was large and both a landscape and informal portrait all in one. My daughter visited while I was working on it and told me the figures looked just like them.  I was encouraged. When I got the text, I was both relieved and very happy. The painting now resides in CA.

Remembering special moments

Grandfather's precious Moment 18x24 Oil

A friend of a friend referred Sarah to me. Sarah lives in Manhatten and was looking to commemorate a special moment between her father in law and her new baby. The grandfather met his new grandson at the family's vacation home in VT. Sarah had a photo of the two and wanted a painting setting it in their back yard at their VT home. Shortly after the photo was taken, the grandfather passed away. Sarah wanted to preserve the moment for her husband and son. She asked if I could combine some photos to set them in the yard with the family Burmese mountain dog. I looked forward to the challenge.  I did some preliminary sketches for her approval and she was excited with the ideas I showed her. 

The most difficult part was establishing a perspective that looked like the figures belonged in the setting; establishing the perspective and the light source. I removed boxes from the photos that were in the yard from unpacking adirondack chairs and included 2 chairs in the setting to give a sense of the scene she had described to me. Spending 24 years visiting my daughter and son when they lived in VT gave me a solid sense of what it felt like to sit surrounded by mountains and expansive views. I positioned the red leash to make a connection between the family and the landscape. The adirondack chairs provided a nice sunlit focal point to lead the viewer back into the landscape after pausing to take in the figures. The green expanse is warmed up to emphasize the feeling of the midday sun.
Update:
Just received this message from NYC-where this painting now resides, 
"Hi Ellen,
I gave the painting to my husband a bit early, and it brought him to tears. It is a very special piece that will hang in our home for a lifetime. Thank you for perfectly bringing the vision to life. It means so much to us.
Happy Holidays-"
I wondered if it would make it til Christmas.🥰

Surf's Up!

Roar of the Surf 30x40 Oil

     Visiting my daughter in CA always leads to a new painting. Her home at Seacliff in Aptos gives me constant access to the beautiful beach and surf. She works and I paint. When I get back to MA,  I use my photos and sketches to paint big. In this painting I wanted to portray a sense of the power of the waves as they crashed onto the shore. The surf, with it's multiple layers of waves and criss crossing currents, are fascinating to watch and they command a respect for the force they unleash. The sunlight provides a sculptural effect to the ephemeral forms as they roar in and transform into spindrift and then wash out again.  I used a limited palette with a cloudless sky so that the viewer would focus on the surf and the myriad subtleties of colors within the blues. I hope it evokes a sense of sound as one imagines the senses at this place and time.

A sign from above; painting a story

Show Me a Sign! 30x 40 oil

     When our  god-daughter got engaged, she called to tell me before posting it on social media. She wanted to be sure we knew first. She told me about the proposal and the magical evening at Cold Springs Resort in NH where they were staying.

Her fiance had lost his brother in a motorcycle accident the year before. She had lost her father to ALS at the age of 39. When they returned to the condo that night, they went out on the balcony to toast to their engagement and to tell Steven and Jimmy that they wished they could be there with them. They proclaimed their love to each other and to Steven and Jimmy saying" if you can hear us, give us a sign". At that moment a shooting star crossed the sky.

     I knew the view across the golf course from my many visits over the years. It was off season and night time. I painted the story as their wedding gift and look forward to presenting it to them as a reminder of a special night; and a tribute to 4 special people.

The Marginal Way

Take time to sit by the Sea 18x24 oil

One of my college friends has a summer place on the Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine. We are very fortunate to be invited up to stay with them and enjoy the beautiful coast and it's unique Marginal Way. The walkway runs from Big beach in town all along the coast to Perkins Cove. Plein air painting is a given when I visit. There are so many places to set up and the views are fantastic in any direction. My husband was sitting on the bench contemplating the sea and it was a scene repeated all up and down the miles of walkway as people soaked in the beauty of the ocean views. I liked that his back was to me and that the experience was a universal one. It is my wish that more people would value the wonders of nature and respect it. I hope these experiences are here for future generations. 

Fenway Park

Fenway Park 12x16 Oil

When i heard my nephew was getting married, I knew just what I wanted to paint for a wedding gift. Raised in New England, Kevin is an avid Red Sox fan. He was uprooted to Colorado many years ago as a child, but his passion for the Red Sox remains strong. For several years our son got tickets by 3rd base and we spent many a game sitting  by the Gulf sign. I set out to include the sign and the "green monster". The red fan attire and "green monster" established a perfect color harmony. Afternoon sun provided some nice shadow effects. The painting was really fun to paint and got a warm reception when presented. Kevin's wife has even taken to cheering for the Sox.

Update: They now have a baby boy- a Red Sox fan already!

Inspiration abounds at Bird Park

 Bird Park in Walpole has been providing me with continuous inspiration for many years. As a child, I would go to swim in the "frog pond". Never have I seen the pond lined with forget-me- knots like I saw this spring. The area around the pond was a carpet of blue. I called two of my painting companions and encouraged them to meet me at the park to paint. We spent the morning painting plein air. The sunlight was filtering through the trees and the area was alive with geese, turtles, dog walkers and families. I completed this small 9x12 in one session. I like the spontaneous feel of the blue carpet lining the tiny stream meanders from the pond  leading the viewer to the bridge.

 I have painted 5 of the 9 bridges now, but there is one I keep returning to. The bridge that brings you into the park by the weeping willow is my favorite. I can't count how many times I have painted it, but there is always a change. I heard the willow was being removed and knew it would change the scene drastically. I had to get in one last painting before it was gone. I used a transparent red oxide underpainting to establish my values and to create a soft glow for the scene. I completed it just in time, as the willow is gone now. Next time will be a different angle or a favorite new bridge. I'm going to miss this tree.

The amazing KRUMMHOLZ

Rocky Mountain High 9x12 oil

The Amazing Krummholz 9x12 oil




When my brother first moved to Colorado, he took me hiking everywhere we could squeeze in in a day.

On one of our hikes up a 14,000 footer, where the air was thin,  the vegetation was amazing. He then introduced me to the krummholz and the story of how the tiny little trees persisted for years under incredible conditions. The wind and terrain and all of the things that worked against sustainable and favorable growing conditions created these marvelous twisted tiny trees that outlasted all the "normal" trees that lived at lower altitudes on the mountains. After that I became intrigued by the character of the trees that grew in the Rockies and in challenging conditions. These two paintings are of trees at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado. Not quite hovering close to the ground like the krummholz I had seen before, they displayed the twists and turns and color that set them apart from other trees. Short in stature and with limbs dying and broken, they displayed a tenacious spirit that kept them strong against all odds.

I loved the color harmonies of the landscape as well and painted both with the same limited palette. I was honored when "The Amazing Krummholz" won Best in Show at the spring 2018 show at the Artists Gallery at  Patriot Place in Foxborough, MA.

A Man and his Sunflowers

Be Still my Heart 24x30 oil
After painting the previous large canvas of sunflowers, my friend told me she was in love with the painting and interested in purchasing it. She told me the story of her father, her boys and the sunflowers they grew together every summer up in Maine when the boys were young. Later that day she sent me a photo of her father and the boys when they were young  growing sunflowers and creating memories. I decided right then to paint her father surrounded by sunflowers. When I showed her the painting, in reaction her words were "Be still my heart!". The painting now hangs in her office and I hope that she and her boys will cherish it and that her father will be happy he is honored in this way.

Sunflowers 6x6 oil

Happiness is a field of sunflowers

Tangerini's sunflowers /24x30 oil

Tangerini's farm in Millis, MA is not just an amazing farm with great owners and produce, but a mecca for artists. Artists are welcome to come and paint on the property and each week offers new subject matter as the fields come to life with flowers and fruits and vegetables. The flowering trees and bushes are set against the architecture of an old New England farm. The ice cream stand is buzzing with families and the picnic area is alive with people enjoying the food offered at their take out window. One of my favorite themes is sunflowers. To me they are a symbol of happiness and hope. They turn their faces to the sun creating  a spectacular display of color against the clear summer skies and a majestic pattern of shapes against evening sunsets.
My stars in this piece are the two sunflowers that rose above the others with the light playing off of their radiating petals. I kept the sky a clear blue to push the flowers out to the viewer. To keep the focus on the two stars, I left the jumble of leaves and other flowers soft and suggestive, hoping to create the sense of the crowded field. The perspective of the viewer is below the subject to emphasize the height of the flowers and sensation of being there among them.

NAPA Valley

The Blue Tractor/ oil painting

Napa vineyard/oil

We celebrated my daughter's birthday vacationing in Napa. After the fires of 2017, I couldn't stop thinking about the beauty of the valley and it's  people being devastated by the inferno. I used photo references and memories from our trip to paint what I hoped remained. The light and color of the vineyards was stunning that October visit. The paintings were a way to come to grips with what had happened.

Beautiful Vermont!

Another beautiful Vermont scene 18x24

Our friends live in Morrisville, Vermont. When we visit I am constantly finding scenes that make my heart skip a beat. This one is right down the street from their house. Each season it takes on a completely different feeling as the colors and moods change. There are several angles that offer great composition possibilities. I chose this one because I liked the vibrant foreground contrasting with the softness of the distant mountains. I  also was drawn to the light on the barn creating a a rhythmic connection between the two.
I began by blocking in the large masses with multiple thin layers in the dark areas. As more layers were applied to add definition to the scene, I was conscious of subtle color variations to define areas while keeping details at a minimum. I intentionally kept edges of the mountains soft, and foreground flowers as clusters of color and shadow to bring the viewer back to pause at the barn, but then to keep the viewer's eye continuing to move throughout the painting. The foreground tree also helps the viewer to focus on the barn.
Painting in a high key keeps the painting warm and cheerful, reminiscent of the day.

Making Memories

 Trips to California to visit my daughter always inspire new work. Living on separate coasts makes every visit special. We don't get to see each other too often, so each trip is a memory maker.

"Sharing the Moment"  16x20 OIL

Before my daughter leaves for work in the morning, a beach walk starts the day. After work, watching the sunset is a ritual for us. During the day I descend the steep cliff to paint on the beach while she is gone. Other days I paint from the top of Seacliff. The colors are amazing and always changing.  The colors are reflected in the water and wet sand and move with the rhythm of the sea. The sounds vary depending on the wind and surf. Along with artists and photographers there are couples, people with families, or with pets and sometimes just a solo person. The desire to experience and share with someone the beach magic seems universal. I love to capture these moments both to share with others and to internalize the beauty that each of these experiences brings. 

Moody scenes

11x14 oil-"SOLITUDE" at Wild Dunes, SC

 Not all days are filled with sunshine and glowing color. But that's OK. Life isn't like that. On this particular day, I was on vacation in the Carolina's and had gone out for an early morning walk. No one wanted to go with me since it was the tail end of a storm and cold and windy. However, the surf was rolling in with huge energy and a roar. The "beach boys" had set up the chairs and umbrellas for the day, even though no one was venturing out. I loved the optimism they represented and the vitality that surrounded me. Although with an overcast sky I missed the usual play of light that I am so drawn to, the wind and noise and taste of salt in the air as it stung my face had a distinct moody appeal. I limited  my colors  to focus on the solo empty chairs, the deserted beach and the challenging weather. My goal was to capture the  mood.