WIP Finished,Crab Cakes,More progress

Painting of the Day



Marsh Sky
4x6 inches
gouache on acid free board
mounted to 5x7 for easy framing


40.00
2.00 shipping

Path on Lake Prevatt
Wekiva Springs State Park
24x24 inches
Oil on Canvas

I have finished this painting. It only took three sessions. I know there is more refinement I could do, but I don't want to. I like it a bit soft and loose. My goal for the painting was fairly successful. I wanted the three darker NOTAN elements to frame the composition and they form a loose triangle for the other elements. The dark tree mass on the right stops the viewer, acting as a barrier, so that the road doesn't lead them out of the painting. Instead, I have made the palm tree an area of interest by making the brushwork sharper and more textured; putting a strong light key on the grasses which lead out into the marsh. The two large limbs lead the viewer along the path toward the palm. I have kept much of the tree masses soft and neutral, as they are not as important, ditto for the near right grasses in the painting.

I like the palette too for this painting. That worked out very well. With an adjustment here and there, I think it will work fine for the Heart of Florida. It has great range, but is also easy to cut back with to just a few colors, either as a cool bias painting or a warm bias painting.

As I have said before, doing plein air studies on location and then moving into the studio for larger more thoughtful works is the absolute best way to paint I think. In fact, just being out and observing, taking field notes and doing compositional sketches works just as well as actually doing plein air work. The main focus is to be in these beautiful places so that you can observe what happens with light and so forth. My experience out at Lake Prevatt along that path made the painting in the studio so much more fun, because I had that memory of my wonderful time.

For a few years I have been concerned that at some point I will be too old and decrepid to paint on location, dragging all of that heavy equipment around. It's because of the Arthritis, not my age. Plein air painting is pretty demanding physically and so I know there will come a time when it is just not worth the effort I must go through to paint out. It occured to me today, that it is not the painting itself which is the most important out in the field. It is the observation and study time which helps me later in the studio. I could have lived in the park for a week, making notes and color sketches and photos as a supplement to my notes. I would probably have more information that way than I do in actual painting time.


It gives me a new way to think about painting and what I will be able to do for the rest of my life. A good feeling for this old girl. The best is yet to come. In fact I was gratified to realize that my stamina seems to be improving over last year. I am very much looking forward to the Heart of Florida Paint Out as a new experience. I also feel great in knowing that I know that part of Florida and paint there regularly, a bonus in knowing where I wish to paint.




I got a bit more done today. I almost have all of the garden party paintings priced and ready to deliver. I just have to buy the cake or make one in my spare time. ;>)

I have all of the paintings ready for the bookshop sale, and all of my paintings I did pre-paint out ready and framed for the paint out.

My workshop notebooks are ready to go, unless I get more than 7 painters. So far I have seven, so I may need to whip out some more notebooks. The more the merrier.

Now I must pack for Disney for the Epcot Center International Flower and Garden Festival. I can't wait!! It is the best trip all year and it goes by so fast. We are going to have a blast!!! If you are at the festival the weekend of April 4-6th, look for me in the world showcase at either France, UK, Canada or Italy.


Today's Recipe:

These are really good. You can adjust the hot sauce to make them spicier or mild.

Pan Fried Crab Cakes

1/2 C mayo
2 egg yolks beaten
1 T Dijon mustard
1 T white wine
1/2 Tsp hot sauce
1 pound fresh lump crab meat or 1 pound of the fake crab.
1 cup crushed saltine crackers
3 T butter

Stir together mayo,eggs,mustard,white wine,hot sauce.
Fold in crackers and crab meat. Shape into 8 patties and put them on wax paper. leave in the fridge for at least one hour. Fry in butter until crisp and browned. Serve with tarter sauce and lemon wedges.