The Swamp

Tree Paintings

Notes From My Tree Journal

I've had a very busy spring and I'll be leaving on Monday for a week to do a residency in St Augustine Beach.

I really had fun with this painting. it is a bit dreamy, moody and loose in construction. It's fun to let a painting lead you around the easel now and then. I'm very fond of Bald Cypress trees and have painted them for years. I find them to be exotic and beautiful, all having individual personalities. Luckily there are many around this part of Florida for me to observe and practice painting. most of the rivers are lined with them and there are many young ones growing at Fair Oaks where I paint often. 

I am on the hunt for a bald cypress bonsai tree. I would love to have a nice little one. 

Tree Paintings

Notes From My Tree Journal

I've been sidetracked for awhile, teaching a sky workshop and painting flowers. I finally got back to my favorite subject of trees. I have started doing some oils in the painting studio just for the fun of it. This one is 24x24 inches. I love these kinds of jungly paintings with lots of overgrown bushes and trees, so common in the wild places of Florida. I love painting all of the textures, and the tall graceful trunks of these cabbage palms.

 One of the interesting things about oils is that the palette is slightly different from the acrylics I am now used to. Also, I seem to have much closer values and less contrast with the oils, at least in painting wet on wet. It is all an interesting experiment, this wonderful experience of painting.