My Office

my office

When I first began painting, I painted from photos and often spent 40 hours or more on my relatively small paintings. After a couple of years, it occurred to me that I wasn't getting the enjoyment I experienced when I first began, nor was I learning as quickly as I wanted. It simply made sense to paint smaller and faster, the thinking being that I could have many more experiences--learning opportunites!--in a shorter time.

These days, nearly all of my work is painted "en plein air" or outdoors, directly from life and most pieces are painted "alla prima" or all in one session. Painting directly from life forces me to observe my subjects more closely and to give special attention to drawing accurately. I've discovered, however, that painting en plein air is not for sissies! The light is constantly changing, for example, and we won't even talk about the bugs or the cold!

"A studio is a good place to smoke your pipe." --Joaquin Sorolla

I think what I've enjoyed most about painting en plein air is the interaction with people and it's the same wherever I've painted. It is so different from studio painting--so much more "alive"--having short chit-chats as I work. These photos were all taken by people who stumbled across me, took my photo and send me the image.

Painting "Peterson Rock" in Fredericton Junction, New Brunswick, Canada. click to enlarge	Painting "Mt. Bourgeau" at 3rd Vermillion Lake near Banff, Alberta, Canada. click to enlarge	Painting "The 4th at The Lynx at Kingswood Park" in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. click to enlarge

Painting "Dog Days" in Lincoln, New Brunswick, Canada. click to enlarge	Painting "The Algonquin's 13th" at St. Andrews-By-The-Sea, New Brunswick, Canada. click to enlarge	Painting "Heritage Lost" in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. click to enlarge

Preliminary sketch for "Mt. Rundle" near Banff, Alberta, Canada. click to enlarge	Painting "Spring Rush" in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. click to enlarge	Painting "Hood House: Sally's Place" near Bear Island, New Brunswick, Canada. click to enlarge

Painting at Stickney Brook Falls near Putney, VT, USA click to enlarge	Painting at Pemaquid Point near New Harbor, ME, USA click to enlarge	Painting "Awash" at Beavertail Light near Providence, RI, USA click to enlarge

Painting in Taylors Falls, MN on the Wisconsin border click to enlarge	Painting at Ocean Point near East Boothbay, Maine. click to enlarge	Painting a nocturne in Fredericton, NB, Canada click to enlarge

Painting at Acadia State Park in Bar Harbor, Maine. click to enlarge	Painting at the Wilmington Flume in Wilmington, New York. click to enlarge