Painting Near The Lake

We had several days of nice weather last week, so Johnny took advantage and was out almost everyday painting. Sometimes in the morning, other days in the afternoon. When it isn't too windy, he gets out as much as possible.

He had a couple of sessions down near the lakeside. Lake Trasimeno is nearby, and as the trees and shrubs leaf out over spring, it really gets pretty along the shore.

There aren't many people around during the week, so it's easy to set up and paint near the lake, which is often quite crowded.

He is working for an upcoming show at Carmel Art Association in August.

 

This is a piece he had done earlier in the day.

Some of the paintings are small, but he's also doing some that are a bit larger.

It's just so green here now.

I like this larger, looser painting a lot...

Here is another painting done in the same area, but this is on a larger canvas. I'm looking forward to seeing this one when it's finished.

There is plenty of inspiration all around, so more to come soon.

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Painting A Favorite Chapel

I'm so happy that Johnny has returned to this sweet nearby chapel to paint again! This is a much beloved subject of his, and I love it, as well. I was thrilled to see him pull out a larger canvas on this day last week.

Enjoy!

The sunny days have made all the difference.

Taking some artistic license here by adding the lake in the distance.
In actuality, you can't see the lake at all from this spot.

 

Can't wait to see this one framed!

More to come, readers!

Day Trip : Florence #1

Since we are heading to Florence tomorrow to see an exhibition and buy more art supplies, I realized I had better post this piece about our trip to Florence a few weeks ago.

Time flies...I'll say that.

Johnny has a couple of art supply shops in Florence he likes. On this day trip, we headed straight to Ragacci, an old school place with great customer service. We love these folks!

Johnny was looking for paint, canvas and small panels to work on.

So much to choose from, but he always has a list to follow.

Making sure the color is just right.

Nice selection of rolled canvas.

Smaller stretched canvas as well as wooden panels.

I love this display!

Plenty of brushes to choose from, of course!

After shopping, we made a plan to pick it all up later so we could do some walking around Florence. 

We popped into the Museo Novecento to see a show which features one of the last self portraits by the Italian painter, Amedeo Modigliani. 

It also has a couple of nice Morandi pieces.

A lovely Morandi still life.

Another Morandi from a different era.

The self portrait by Modigliani is set in it's own alcove...you can't get very close to it, but it is lovely.

It was a fine show, but I must say, we were disappointed that there weren't more paintings by the two "biggies". There are several other Italian artists featured, though.

After a bite to eat, Johnny set up to paint again near the Ponte Vecchio. This time from the next bridge down the way.

 

It was a good day to paint, and almost no one stopped to chat.

Focusing in on the center 3 windows...

Nice reflections...

This will be part of a show back home in California at The Carmel Art Association in August.

He's been doing some nice plein-air pieces for the show on this trip.

Another one finished.

More to come, including another trip to Florence tomorrow, and the Venice Biennale later this month!

Painting In A Favorite Spot. Pastel & Oil Work

I return again and again to this particular spot to paint. This area is a balance between nature and man's interjection. The curve of the road...the trees that change from season to season. The colors are always shifting. I endeavor to try to embrace the moment.

And, most importantly, there is a nice pull out to set up my painting gear off the road.

This trip, I am working with some small pastel pieces. These will be "sketches" for larger studio works. On this day, I did one pastel, and followed with one small oil on canvas.

It was a nice spring day.

Pastel on paper

Setting up my kit to oil

 

Janelle usually takes photos, then she'll head out for a walk.

We'll be watching the leaves all come out on the various trees and shrubs over the next couple of weeks, so I'll most likely return for the different view.

A perfect spot to paint, and not too many cars come by.

Just keeping it loose here.

Waiting for Janelle to return to get a nice last photo before I put it all away.

Two completely different takes on the same scene.
I'm happy with these.

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