Using photos to paint from

 I shoot lots of photos when I see something that inspires me.    These were taken at Grape Bay, Bermuda, where I walked a few days ago.

I edit out many photos from my shots, and find I'm - here we go - drawn to contrasts!  I want more than one thing going on in the image - the rock pool against the ocean waters, the vertical surf against the horizontal sky line of the horizon,  the languid edge of the water curling back towards me against the firm curl of land going away from me. 

Why paint from photos?  Why aren't the photos "enough?" 
I paint for the experience of getting into the feel of these contrasts and to bring them forward to the viewer as well as myself, emphasizing the contrasts with brush stokes, color, and composition.  I hope to bring the same satisfaction and exhilaration to the viewer as I experience here. 

It's a busy week preparing to leave for Bemuda for Christmas with my family.  My best 2 hours were in the studio, beginning studies for new painting.  Yup, Kalanchoe Tree again.  These are thumbnail sketches. 

Rosedon Kalanchoe Tree: oil painting

In and Out: Rosedon Kalanchoe Tree, 2012, oil, 24X18

In the midst of Christmas prep I find myself burrowing into this painting.  Surely, more to come.

Opening in a "smalls" exhibit tomorrow at Windjammer II, Bermuda

I'm so happy to be included in the small's exhibit at Windjammer  II Gallery.  They are representing my work in Bermuda now and last week I saw a few of my paintings hanging in the gallery.  

 The two small beach paintings I've put on this blog the last two weeks are there in the smalls show opening tomorrow night.  If you're in Bermuda and can go to the opening it's at 5:30 - 7:30pm.