Painting on the beach, Nags Head, NC

Last week my parents rented a beach house & invited the family for our 3rd annual beach vacation.

We did some biking, some sunset watching and of course a lot of swimming.

 

I brought my painting gear. I have a whole new respect for those everyday beach plein air painters. I  got more sand in my palette and on my paintings than I thought possible. My painting almost blew away once when I was packing up to leave. I think I even got a little sea sick while painting (on solid ground -- the beach) at Jockey's Ridge one particularly gusty day. Someone said the wind was in the middle 20's mph.

Despite all that painting on the beach, battling the wind and the sand beats painting in the studio any day! Below are a few of my favorites from the week. (Most of the sand has been scrapped off the paintings & a few touch-ups were made once I returned home.)

 

Afternoon at the Beach

8x10, oil on panel

sold

The Blue House on the Beach

9x12, oil on panel

sold

Clouds Over Jockey's Ridge

6x6, oil on panel

sold

The Best Thing That Happened to Me...

I married this boy 4 years ago yesterday. Seriously these have been the best years of my life.

He's been my biggest support and closest friend.

  

 He's been a patient subject of my artwork.

  

 

  

 

And has made life just incredibly fun.

  

Happy 4th Anniversary, Mark. It's been an incredible blessing being your wife.

Looking forward to the next 40, and the rest of our lives.

James River Rocks, 6x8

This is definitely a favorite angle of this bridge. I've painted from this view a number of times.

Here and here.

And a small one here:

James River Rocks

Richmond, VA

oil, 6x8

Waterfall at Maymont, 6x8

A popular place to be for adults and children alike during the summer months...

Waterfall at Maymont

 Maymont Park, Richmond, VA

oil, 6x8

On the Reservoir, 6x6

On the Reservoir

6x6, oil

A view of the gazebo at Celebrations on the Reservoir from Woolridge Road, Midlothian, VA.

Published!

It was an honor to open the Chesterfield Monthly yesterday and see two of my paintings featured.

"Hanover Tomatoes and Summer Squash"
Farmers Stand, Midlothian Turnpike
12x24, oil

(Click to view)

"Blue and White"
Sunday Park, Midlothian, VA
8x10, oil

(Click to view)

Cloud Break Over Watkins Field, 9x12

 

Just gotta mention how much I enjoy mornings at the "office". :)

 

Cloud Break Over Watkins Field

9x12, oil on board