Back to my ususal mess,thinking about partnerships,Tater Tots

Ichetucknee River
24x24 inches
oil on canvas
Work in Progress


The studio is back to its usual mess. I got out a 24x24 inch canvas to start a new painting of the Ichetucknee River. I have toned it orange, and have put the block in on the canvas. Now I'm ready to go. First I did a few studies in gouache to come up with the plan of action. There is such a joy to starting each painting. I love the adventure of it, the anticipation of something wonderful to happen. The meandering through the process, the smell of the oil paints and the sound of the brush on canvas. Spending time in a real art studio, where paints and brushes are everywhere feels great everyday. In fact, I become very dependent on my studio. I hate to leave and will find reasons to stay here. That's why I still teach and do paint out events. I am afraid that I would become a complete hermit if I weren't forced out to experience new people,places and things. I'm not joking, it's really that ridiculous.

I've been thinking about my visit Saturday with Mrs. Holbrook and her Conservation Center in Costa Rica. It occurs to me that conservation centers are ideal for artist residencies for landscape painters. It seems the perfect partnership in fact. What better way to inform and attract visitors than seeing the work of a good artist who will promote their center far and wide.


Last year I was resident arist for the Florida Trail Association. Through them I was able to talk to a woman about possible state park residencies. She seemed interested but I never heard back from her and got busy myself with other projects. Those of you who read my blog know that my big dream is to get a van and pimp it out to go around the South painting in state parks. Getting residencies in Nature Centers and Parks would be ideal for this and I wouldn't even have to buy a van. I'm going to research this and see what I can find out. I'll let you know because I'm sure many of you would find this information to be useful for your own careers.


Here are a couple of studies from yesterday both 4x6 inches gouache on WC cold press:



This image is a bit blurry but the painting isn't :>)

This one was a bit of a challenge with all of the cypress lined up but I was able to sort it out pretty well.



This one is "a hot mess!" as my daughter would say. In spite of the errors in composition( trees leaning, all in a row with poor intervals and one reflection missing,)I still like it. I may do a bit of correction, but it is lively and fresh I think, with nice color, so not a total loss.



Todays Recipe:

Have you ever thought about how useful Tater Tots are? They are great with chili and cheese and in casseroles. Today I made Tater Tot hash browns and they were awesome.

8 oz Tator Tots
2 T EVOO
1/2 small onion diced
pinch of paprika
pinch of dried thyme
pinch of dried parsley
salt and pepper to taste. Go easy on the salt. They are already salted.

Throw it all on a griddle or in a skillet (cast iron of course :>)
Fry them up, cutting the tots up with your spatuala as they thaw. When crispy and brown eat them up!!!