Blog

Several years ago I visited New Harbor, Maine, an artists' dream. I'm still reviewing and revising some of the pleinair pieces that I painted there. This boathouse in Back Cove is one of the most frequently painted and photographed boathouses in the state. ...Read More...

This portrait of Trin was painted in Open Studio. Trin is a photographer and an actress in Nashville, TN. She is also a good friend. ...Read More...

My great grandson loves trains and so do I. I couldn't resist painting the colorful "Chuggington" train set when I saw the light shining through it. It's such fun to be able to relive childhood through grandchildren. ...Read More...

Sue posed for my portrait painting workshop for the Chestnut Group of pleinair painters. Sue was one of the very first people I met when I first began taking portrait classes 16 years ago. ...Read More...

Now and then my husband brings flowers home. These were so beautiful that I couldn't pass up the opportunity to paint them. ...Read More...

Marcus is a new model for the Southgate Portrait Open Studio group. He was lighted on his left side with a little ambient north light on his right side. This made wonderful warm and cool light and shadow patterns on his face. ...Read More...

"Tennessee Timber" is the title given to this oil painting of a logging truck. I was stuck behind this truck on Rt. 70 between Dickson and Waverly. I was captivated by the pattern of light and dark created by the stacked logs and also by the red, white and yellow caution flags. ...Read More...

Recently the Chestnut Group of pleinair painters brought Skip Whitcomb and Dan Young to Nashville to advance our knowledge of pleinair painting (painting in the open air). It was such a privilege to learn from these experienced artists and to paint on some of the most beautiful property in Williamson ...Read More...

Sydney was asked to keep her eyes downcast so we could practice portrait painting without focusing on the eyes as a prominent feature. She was a lovely a model and I would like to paint her again sometimes, next time with eyes wide open. ...Read More...

Isabella is a beautiful model and fun to paint. For this sitting she wore a lovely colorful scarf that enhanced her warm skin tones. ...Read More...

When drawing with charcoal there is no "color" to distract. The focus is on values, simply black/white and all shades of gray in between. It's good practice for an oil painter to draw from life in an effort to improve values comprehension. Ian was an excellent subject. ...Read More...

Continuing to paint scenes related to my love of trains brought me to the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee.  The L&N train trestle across the Cumberland River is a drawbridge and was build in 1850. It is still being used today.  You are most likely to see a CSX coal train coming from the coal ...Read More...

The great Union Pacific engine was parked in the Radnor Bowl beside a CSX engine. On the third track was a coal car awaiting transport.  These engines and many others may be observed on the many tracks that run through Nashville.  Great grandson, Charlie, is always ready to go "train scouting" just ...Read More...

   While recovering from recent surgery I was gifted with lovely floral arrangements.  While unable to pursue my love of pleinair painting outside during this time, I determined to immortalize the beautiful flowers. ...Read More...

  I seldom have an opportunity to paint the beautiful rich colors of dark skin.  Isabella was a lovely model with rich warm skin and cool shadow tones. Her mouth was soft with lips slightly parted which was challenging to paint without losing their softness. She was such fun to paint.  I hope she ...Read More...

"Ready To Roll" was recently purchased by a private art collector.  Glad to know that it will have a good home.  I'll miss it, though. ...Read More...

Thanks you LeQuire And Company Gallery for selling "Sun Dried" painted on Monhegan Island off the coast of New Harbor, Maine.  This is one of my favorites. ...Read More...

Painting portraits from life is the best way to train the eye to "see".  While photographs reproduce the image they fail to provide the subtlety of light, temperature, edge and value that is only visible with the human eye. These images illustrate this process.  The first is a photograph of the model.  ...Read More...

There is no substitute for painting from life. An accomplished pianist will say, "When I miss a practice, I can tell the difference.  When I miss two practices, you can tell the difference."  It has something to do with eye/hand coordination and muscle memory.  That's why it's important to paint regularly ...Read More...

Nothing helps maintain and improve any skill like PRACTICE.  This model has posed for Southgate Studio's Portrait Open Studio in Nashville, Tennessee many times.  He knows that we painters need practice painting many different types of models.  He tries to alter his appearance each time for our benefit.  ...Read More...