Jones Beach

Jones Beach
16 x 20
oil on canvas

I finished this painting today of Jones Beach, NY. It felt a little different for me, maybe because there was no water to paint! I've been painting a lot of water lately which I love and I have also been painting mostly figures in a landscape. Doing all this landscape painting makes me feel a little like Bob Ross! I used to stick solely to portraits, but I am now branching out and, I have to say, I am really enjoying it.

What I love about water-filled landscape paintings is that they are calming and remind me of some of my favorite places and favorite things to do. They also generally include many shades of blue which is my favorite hue :) So, with this painting I wanted it to still have the same calming effect minus the water. I hope it worked. It does remind me of a fun trip!

One of the (many) goals of my painting is to create a "scrapbook" of this life. To thank God for the beautiful places I've seen and the amazing people I've met. I absolutely love painting, but sometimes it feels like I give up so many other things so that I have time to paint. When I look back at the paintings I've done though, I am so thankful for the life I've been blessed to have. That is when I am reminded of all that God has done and I don't ever want to stop thanking Him.

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him." 2 Corinthians 2:14

New York Street Dancer

Street Dancer
9 x 12
Oil on Canvas

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This painting is a little different for me, but I loved doing it! We, as artists, can get stuck in a rut painting the same thing under the guise that we are maintaining continuity. There is something to be said for trying something new and being open to new directions. For a long time now I've been painting portraits and I am branching out! I will continue with my portraits, of course, but why not paint anything that inspires me?! This guy was dancing in the street when I was in NYC a few years back. He was amazingly talented and entertaining. I love watching all kinds of dancing... break dancing is especially fun! It is a challenge to actually capture a great image, but it is possible!