Nova Scotia scene

                               
                                                      6"x8" Oil on board
                                                            Sold

Boats were high up on this beach in Nova Scotia and I had taken a lot of photos, I had my pochade box, a small board, and a beautiful day, so I did this quick oil sketch.  Nova Scotia has many very paintable maritime locations and multihued fishing boats everywhere.  Marine Artist paradise!  I hope to go there again, someday.                                Mike

Barbados beach scene

                                                        6"x 8"  Oil on board

                                                              Sold

I was on a Caribbean cruise some years ago, and this scene was on the left as we entered a harbor in Barbados.   I took a quick photo, and later painted this little sketch while sitting on the top deck with my pochade box.  I don't do many small paintings like this any more.  I like using my old french easel, and doing 8"x 10" minimum size work.  In the field, I usually go no larger than 14"x 18".  In my studio, I do anything up to 30"x 36".  Maybe I'll start doing small pastels, when I travel.       Mike

Survivor

                                                     11"x14" Oil on linen panel
                                                           Sold


This painting was actually titled "At the Fuel Dock", I believe, but when I finished it and leaned it against my french easel, a gust of wind picked it up and blew it off the end of the wharf.  There was only one boat on that side, and when I raced over to see if it was floating-----it had landed, paint side up, on the aft deck of the boat.  I climbed down, retrieved it totally undamaged, and one of the people watching the incident offered to buy it.  Happy ending!   I have had a few similar experiences I will tell you about some time in the future.        Mike

Gray day at Peggy's cove

                                                  8"x10"Oil on linen panel
                                                    Click here to buy painting

 Some blogs back, I talked about doing another "gray" painting, and one of my photos of Nova Scotia caught my attention, again.   The shacks on the water are typical of that region and, on that particular day, seemed to be deserted.  The dramatic starkness of the scene came across beautifully in the camera shot; I'm not sure my painting  captures it as well.  In any event, I did get away from the bright, color filled work that I normally do.  Hope you like it a little.    Mike

Peggy's cove in winter

                                                        16"x20" Oil on linen
                                                             Sold

Peggy's cove is probably the most photographed and painted spot in Nova Scotia.  I painted there a few years ago and also took many photos.  This was painted from one of the photos, but I decided to make  it snow a lot more with my brush.  I have seen many other photos in magazines and calendars from this viewpoint, and the house on top has changed colors several times.  It must be interesting to the occupants to know how famous their property has become.        Mike

Boats at Rocky Neck

                                                    8"x10" Oil on linen panel
                                                 Click here to buy this painting
A painting from a photo I took a while back in Massachusetts.  Rocky Neck is near Gloucester and is a wonderful place to find New England type fishing boats, boatyards, etc.  On this occasion, I was out painting with Anita Hampton, a well known California artist, and an old friend. We painted all over the Cape Ann area, produced several "keepers", and had a great time.  You have one ,too.      Mike

Oregon scene

                                      
                                                      20"x24" Oil on linen
                                                          Sold
Painted from a small sketch I did on the Oregon coast.  It was a misty, dreary, day, but I had an overhang over me and a really good subject in front of me, so I enjoyed it.  The small boat in front was one of several running back and forth, and my camera was handy for reference.  Turned out to be a nice day.       Mike

Boats at dock

                                                  9"x12" Oil on linen panel
                                                Click here to buy this painting
I have painted this small dock in Morro Bay many times, usually with my friend Anita Hampton.   I showed her in a group photo a while back, but I'd like to include another of her.   I always ask first, unfortunately, she doesn't answer her phone right now.  Probably out painting.   Anyway, this is a nice site, many boats, fairly predictable weather, and lots of places to get coffee or food.    Tomorrow I'm going out with NC friends to do some local autumn stuff.      Mike

Hazy morning at the harbor

                                             11"x14" Oil on linen board
                                                SOLD

The fog of the morning had started to disappear. but it still was a gray, hazy morning.  A cold morning.  I painted this with an old sweat sock over my painting hand and a cup of hot coffee in the other.  Started about 8am and finished about 10:30am.  Walked around looking for another viewpoint and around noon the sun really broke through and my friends and I had lunch.  That afternoon did another small one which I'll show some other day.  In case you're concerned, the sock was laundry clean when I started.           Mike      

Unknown harbor

                                             20"x30" Oil on linen
                                                     (NA)
This is sort of a composite work done from several photos and sketches of different locations.  I wanted to do something a little larger and looser than my usual work, and it was enjoyable.   I usually like to paint on location, but it's not always possible, due to weather, time constraints, or other factors, so I do try to take photographs if I can.   This painting is now owned by another fine artist, who has become a good friend, Jane Kirkpatrick, of South Carolina.  I intend to nag her to go plein air painting with me a lot.      Mike     

Top Cat

                                          14"x18" Oil on linen
                                                 SOLD


I haven't posted a boat painting in a while, so I thought I'd show one today.   This is my favorite harbor, again, Morro Bay CA.   The two boats were both visitors, and they made a nice composition and contrast, since I usually paint commercial fishing boats when I'm there.   If I remember correctly, I was with my artist friend, Anita Hampton, that day.   She is fun to paint with; she is a wonderful artist and laughs at everything I say.   Most of the time that's good!    I tried to post this yesterday and it would not work. No text.  Crazy!  Mike    

Old Man River

                                                            9"x12"  Oil on Linen Panel
                                                                       Sold


I was born a long time ago in a small town on the west bank of the Mississippi river in New Orleans, and painted this view as it would look from the levee there.  The background has been greatly simplified.  When I was young (just after the glaciers retreated), we would go dancing on the beautiful dance floor of a riverboat like the one shown here.   Those were the days, my friend.                 Mike

Shipyard Scene

                                                      8"x10" Oil on linen panel.
                                                 Click here to buy painting
                                           

Recently I went to Wilmington NC to the regional OPA show and got to do a little plein air work while I was there.  This isn't one of those paintings.  All artists encounter perfect subjects like this --  but with no place to set up.  I did this one in my studio from a photo taken while "harbor cruising" on a paddle wheeler   The brightly colored container ship was very paintable and I intend to do a large work later.        Mike

Noyo

                                                       9"x12"  Oil on Linen on board
                                                                        Sold


Noyo is a harbor located in northern Cal. and is very picturesque and paintable. I was about halfway into a sketch when this small boat obligingly pulled up in front of me and laid up to the wharf.   In my painting,  I happily put it back to where it was just approaching..   A fun day!                  Mike

Work and Play

                                    11"x14 Oil on  linen panel                                                           
                                                        SOLD


Hello,
This is my first attempt at blogging, and I hope you all will be tolerant.  I'm floundering.  For example, I think my self photo is embarrassingly large, but, at this point I don't see a way to reduce it. Ah Well!  Thats a minor problem, I'll live with it.  Then, there's email problems I don't yet understand,  text columns that realign themselves--Argh!   Anyway, the painting above ( At least, I hope it will be above! ) was done in Morro Bay, Cal. near where I lived until very recently.  The title was prompted by the old fishing boat in the background with the pleasure boats in front.  As indicated, it has already been sold.

As soon as I am able to get on DPW Auctions, which I think will be around June 15th, I will show available "art for sale".   Although I do paint almost daily, I won't attempt to provide paintings for auction every day.  I am old, supposedly "retired", and obligated to provide work to my galleries , (and a little lazy).  Until DPW is available, I will continue to show paintings that are already sold.   Perhaps by then, I will better understand the mechanics of blogging and auction.  Let's hope!  Wow! I sure used a lot of exclamation points.              Mike