Golden Hour, 12x16, oil

"Golden Hour"

 12x16, oil

This painting was based on photos I took on the banks of the James River, Richmond, VA, after our first big snow in February. The evening light through the trees and the twilight shadows on the fresh snow... it was just remarkable. Nothing I can paint could do justice to the beauty of that moment. Oh, but I try. And it's all I can do to try, and point your eyes back to the creation and Creator who makes such beauty all around us.

Sunset

Some things (most things) are too beautiful, too momentary to record with paint... or camera.
And I am satisfied to witness the event.

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"Waterways" Exhibition Opening Tomorrow - Dec. 12 @ 5-8pm

 I hope you'll join us at For Art's Sake Gallery tomorrow for the opening reception of "Waterways".

The exhibit will include vibrant and expressive representational landscapes of the James River through the seasons, as well as various vistas around Virginia and the surrounding states. 

The exhibit runs December 1, 2014 – February 2, 2015. For Art’s Sake Gallery is located at 9770 Gayton Rd, Henrico, VA 23238. For more information call (804) 740-1400 or visit www.forartssakegallery.com. 

Artist Statement: "Everywhere I travel scenes beg to be painted. Light and vivid color captivates me. Of course God creates the most vibrant and dynamic colors and patterns-even so, I enjoy paying homage to His designs by rendering 2D versions of what I see. I love to paint the details of what I see: the contrasts in the lights and darks and the vibrancy of the world. The heavens truly tell the glory of God (Psalm 19:1) much more effectually than my paint. They are a marvelous mystery, but still I am constantly compelled to capture them on canvas." 

Amy studied at VCU's School of the Arts, receiving her BA in Communication Arts. Now she lives in Midlothian with her husband, Mark, and dog, Theo. She paints full-time both on location and in her home studio. While subject matter can vary, she is drawn to paint the light as it interacts with the land. Her artwork often includes a hint of man-made structures settled among the natural world - a house, a figure, a pathway. Amy's paintings attempt to depict both man and land as equally subject to the effects of the sun's light and earth's atmosphere.

James River Rocks

18x24, oil

Rushing Waters

11x14, oil

Sun Drenched

6x8, oil

"Winter Hues" 16x20, oil

Winter Hues

16x20, oil

sold

I created a smaller painting of this scene earlier in the year with the thought to do a larger work. The smaller painting was titled "Old Friend" because it was a recreation of the view you see as you drive across the Powhite Parkway Bridge over the James River.

This was one of the first to sell in my "Waterways" show.

“Waterways”
December 1, 2014 – February 2, 2015 For Art’s Sake Gallery
9770 Gayton Rd, Henrico, VA 23238
Opening reception: December 12, 5:00-8:00 pm

The Making Of: "Echoes of Mercy" 24x48, oil, Painting of the Nickel Bridge on the James River

While working on paintings for my show, I knew I wanted a few bigger ones, along with a good selection of small pieces.

See all 46 paintings in person:

  "Waterways"

Exhibit dates: Dec. 1, 2014 - Feb. 2, 2015

For Art's Sake Gallery 

9770 Gayton Rd, Henrico, VA 23238

 

I started with this study:

 

"High Point" 

10x20, oil on canvas

 View of the Nickel Bridge over the James River from Riverside Drive

Richmond, Virginia

I really enjoyed the process of painting the small one, especially the sky and the foreground trees. Getting the bridge at the right angle and in a straight line was tricky. As the last bits of the smaller painting were coming together I got an itch to turn it into a larger painting.

Enter the 4 foot canvas:

 

Above is the under-painting in alizarin and burnt umber.

I need to invest in a "big girl" easel, instead of spending so much time playing with wing nuts and levels on these tripod easels.

 

First step: the sky

 

Next: middle-ground

Not pictured: The step when I added the foreground trees and the 3-4 times I repainted them and the middle ground/river/Nickel Bridge.

"Echoes of Mercy"

24x48, oil on canvas

  View of Richmond's Nickel Bridge over the James River from Riverside Drive.

Richmond, Virginia

It was a challenge to get this painting properly exposed in a photograph. I might tweak the levels a bit more and repost later... Really, you gotta go see it in person. ;) It will be available at For Art's Sake Gallery during December 2014-January 2015.

Detail image:

Detail image:

Sun Spangled River, 18x48, oil

Another one for my upcoming show "Waterways"

Exhibit dates: Dec. 1, 2014 - Feb. 2, 2015

For Art's Sake Gallery 

9770 Gayton Rd, Henrico, VA 23238

Sun Spangled River

Pony Pasture, Richmond, VA

18x24 each, oil on canvas

The two above are the "big brother" of a diptych I posted a week or so ago.

 

6x10 each, oil on panel

sold

How to Title a Painting, Pt. 2

How to Title a Painting, Part 2

Missed Part 1? Here's the link.

 Note: This painting is part of a series for my upcoming show, "Waterways".

For Art's Sake Gallery 

9770 Gayton Rd, Henrico, VA 23238

Exhibit dates: Dec. 1, 2014 - Feb. 2, 2015

 Can't wait to share more of the paintings with you!

Contentment
View of the James River from the Belle Isle suspension bridge

18x24, oil

I could have named this "spring evening" or "view of the river from the suspension bridge" or something like that. Why "Contentment"? At times -- actually, at all times -- the things I am going through in my life spill over into my artwork. I have been reading verses in the Bible on trusting God and casting anxieties on Him.  I want to be better at dealing with my circumstances in a manner that acknowledges the truth: I am not in control, God is in control and He uses "bad" and difficult circumstances for my good, to grow my character, draw me closer to Himself, or make me love Him more and this world less. 

While working on this painting I was thinking about Philippians 4:11b-13.

The apostle Paul writes:  "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

I felt the colors and lighting in this painting expressed to me a quietness and trust, hence "Contentment". I wonder if it communicates contentment to you as well...

Pony Pasture Diptych from Summer

I wanted to paint a diptych on two panels. A few strategically placed stapes and success!

Now comes the decision to frame each panel separately or together in one frame.

Sun Swept - 12x24, oil

"Sun Swept"

Summer - James River at Pony Pasture

12x24, oil

I mentioned I would be painting the James in every season. Stay tuned for more from spring, summer, fall and winter!

Huguenot Flatwater - From small to large

 

Huguenot Flatwater

6x8, oil

I created this little painting one morning this summer. It seemed to capture the feel of summer on the James. Back in the studio it grew up into a larger piece - 18x24 inches. Worked on the "hazy day" feel as well as creating more of the illusion of distance just as the river bends.

Was hoping to include this piece in my upcoming show at For Art's Sake Gallery in December-January, but the gallery owner found a home for it right after I finished it.

More paintings of featuring the James River in all the different seasons of the year to come!

 

Huguenot Flatwater

18x24, oil

sold

"Evening Consolations" 8x8, oil

When the cares of my heart are many,
    your consolations cheer my soul.

Psalm 94:19

 

Evening Consolations

8x8, oil on canvas

"Rising" 8x8

"Rising"

8x8, oil

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised... His glory is above the heavens.

Psalm 113:3-4

Old Friend

Old Friend

6x8, oil

A simple one for a change.

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

Progression: Summer's Glow

 

Finished:

 

6x6, oil

sold

And for the larger piece I only have one progress photo besides the finished:

 

Finished:

 24x24, oil

From small painting to larger work: Summer's Glow, 24x24

 

Summer's Glow (small)

6x6, oil

sold

Often a small work turns into a larger, more "completed"& detailed piece. The small piece requires a little less investment -- of time and materials. If it flops I feel like it's no big deal. If it turns out well the study helps me know how to approach painting a larger work. I'll know how to mix the colors, what things to emphasize or tweak in the larger piece. There is usually one or two drawings as well as small paintings behind each larger work.

Here's an example of a 6x6" study that turned into a 24x24"piece.

Stay tuned for the step-by-step photos of these pieces later in the week.

Summer's Glow

24x24

Available at For Art's Sake Gallery May 1-28.

Process: Train Bridge Over the James

A few of you have mentioned you enjoy the step-by-step shots of my painting process.

I just gathered the shots from the Train Bridge Over the James painting which I completed a few months ago. I didn't get a shot of the underpainting (done in burnt umber, which is a rich brown).

First layers of color over top the underpainting: Glazes of alizarin crimson, indian yellow, cadmium yellow, and cadmium red in the sky as well as glazes of green (mixture of various yellows and blues) to define the trees in the background.

Giving some color definition to the trees/bushes/grass/plants in the middle and foreground and painting the bridge.

Lightening up the sky, starting to give the river some color, retouching the bridge & drenching it in sunlight, adding the highlights to the plants.

Darkening the dark areas, lighten the sky, give the background a dose of "summer haze" by glazing with color with a higher concentration of cool white.

Warming up the foreground, cooling down the colors of the background, toning down the sky.

And the final:

24x12, oil

sold

Eight New Paintings at Cafe Caturra

Over the past week I hung 8 new paintings at Cafe Caturra.

If you're still hoping to see the display (while enjoying a bite to eat or a glass of wine) the paintings will be up through April 21st. 

Below are the 8 new pieces: 

(click the images to see full size)

The Morrissette House

12x9, oil on canvas

sold

This is a bit larger version of the previously posted painting "Morrissette House 6x6".

      

Deliver at the Apothecary  // Midlothian Apothecary  // Lucky and the Girls sold

    

Summer's Glow sold// Quiet River sold// Winter Light on the Reservoir sold

    

The Morrissette House (small) sold // Turn at the Tree sold