Dude on the Beach

6x6 oil on panel Click to purchase $50
How it might looked framed: Pictured is a Randy Higbee frame from King of Frame

I painted this a couple days ago from a photo reference of my time on the boat this past summer. This guy had the right idea, up to his ankles in the water that felt like a spa on a 90 degree day.....I'm going to wish I saved all these summer pics in the middle of February but I can't help myself, I miss summer already!

Yellow Chair in the Surf

6x6 oil on panel $50 click here to buy

6x6 oil on panel $50 click here to buy

This is a painting from a photo I took this summer at the beach. I don't why this light chair didn't get tossed away by the waves, but it looked like a lovely place to just sit and enjoy the day....The owner must not be far off, as she left her hat behind! The other painting from today was this seagull. There was hudreds on the beach that day, but when I went to take a picture, this one just stared at me like "I dare you!"

Here's how they might looked framed. These are Randy Higbee frames, he has an incredible selection of frames, including "floater" frames and you just pop in the painting, no expert framing necessary. His website is called King of Frames. I also use American Frame here in Ohio, I like that you can view the painting in any frame on their website before you buy, just copy the image to your computer and upload it on their site. Here is their website

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year....

Ok, at the risk of offending some, (as I clearly did on Facebook earlier today) I can't tell you how excited I am that the kids are going back to school. I have 4 children, one with autism who graduated but is seeking out his first job, one that just started college, one in high school AND college (Mr. Smartypants) and one in Jr. High. I love them all dearly and enjoyed my time with them this summer. HOWEVER....anyone that tries to work at home knows how difficult it can be with all the interruptions. Sooo...as I said in my title "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the YEEAARRRRR....."

Ok, celebration done. The junior higher is still at home, but I did manage to finish a painting I started on my Staycation. When I was painting it on the boat I knew the values were all off, so today I took the photo of it and turned it black and white so I could just deal with value. I had no color reference, except for memory of the day, and it was very very difficult. However, I do feel that I stayed true to the values, and that is a big plus for me, I tend to make everything too dark and intense.....

View from Aft

6x6 oil on panel $60 click here to purchase.

ok, even though I was in the Navy, I'm not sure if I'm using the proper terminology here...I know "fore" means forward part of a boat, and "aft" means after, so I suppose I am correct....this is the view from the back of our boat we have docked at Gem Beach Marina on Catawba Island in Ohio. This summer I've been a bit out of sorts with my painting because of distraction at home. I have 4 kids all home from school, and the in and out and interruption is very hard for someone who works at home. It hit me that I should take my own working staycation on the boat! It has a cabin with all the necessary living needs, air conditioning , refridgeratr, stove etc, and it just sits idly docked all week long. I'm thinking this week or next I'm going to pack my paints and escape for the week. If you are local, feel free to join me and paint, or just sit on the deck and enjoy the sound of seagulls and water.......