Painting at a wedding

Maui is a special place for weddings and honeymoons, of course, and when I was researching to find a particular beach I'd seen in photos and advertising, it was said that Secret Beach was a common place for nuptials. It's a "secret" because it's kind of hard to find. It's behind a rock wall between lava rock outcroppings that each have a house on them (you don't really see the houses). It's no more than 40 yards long and picture perfect.

At 7:45 in the morning I thought I might be there before anyone else, but I was wrong. A very small wedding was just about to get started. A Hawaiian minister officiating, a guitar player/ singer, a witness, a videographer, photographer and the bride and groom. I set up off to the side and was told I wouldn't be in the way. I got to watch the wedding while I painted and they were done and gone by the time I was half finished. The videographer even wanted to shoot a few minutes of me painting as part of the ambiance.

Another day in paradise.

Secret cove, oil, 16" x 12"

Aloha

Back on Maui for a week of painting, and I timed my trip to coincide with the Maui Plein Air Invitational. I know some of the participating painters and it's great to watch and be inspired by the great art they're doing. They have several public paint-outs including a quick-paint at the end of the week right before the gallery show. There's also a lecture on Impressionism by Jean Stern, executive director of the Irvine Museum in California.

Great weather so far, aside from a few passing showers of liquid sunshine. This painting is my first of the week done on the North Ka'anapali beach near the condo I'm staying at. More to come.

Looking toward Lanai, oil 9" x 12"

Remembering summer

A plein air piece I did at the end of last summer that I never posted. Nearing day's end along the Michigan shore. Looking forward to those days again.

Late day, summer, oil, 10" x 9"

Art and wine

I'm heading to Michigan this weekend where I've been invited to participate in The Art of Wine Country, a one-evening event at the Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor. Eight artists will be showing their work while attendees enjoy food and wine tastings from Leelanau area wineries. I did this little still life which I thought apropos for the area.

Wine and cherries, oil 10" x 8"

Whitewall tires

Another little sketch from last weeks trip. My mom lives in a "seniors" community. Most seem pretty active. Walking, swimming, or like this neighbor, that my mom says rides his bike everywhere.

Whitewall tires, oil 8" x 6"

Florida sunshine

This week was a perfect time to escape the Illinois winter and I found great weather in the middle of Florida, upper 70's and sunny. I have done a little exploring around these parts before while visiting my mother, but this first little painting is her next door neighbor's Honeybell oranges. I got to sample one too, so juicy.

oil, 8" x 10"

Camp canoes

My first studio piece of this new year, a large one. I have had it in mind since last summer up at camp on Portage Lake in Michigan. One of my favorite subjects: dappled sunlight.

I was recently considering entering a competition and looked at the judge’s portfolio online. He had a painting of an ordinary house with yard and trees. Well painted, but it was a gray day with totally flat light. I could never get excited about painting a scene like that. Had there been early or late-day sun, making interesting shadows with the contrast of warm and cool light, that would do it for me. Sunlight always puts me in a better mood. Even when it is 17 degrees here.

Off to FL next week where I hope to get a little plein air in while visiting my mother.

Camp canoes, oil, 18" x 36"