I did the sketch for this last year on one of the rare days of heavy snow. We're expecting a big snowstorm this weekend, so there will be more snow blanket paintings!This is gouache on Aquaboard panel. This panel is very forgiving! I didn't like the first painting so I completely washed this panel with water and re-painted this to make corrections. Some of the original color shows through in the left snow field, which I decided to leave. I pushed all of the colors a bit since the day was so cloudy and grey.

I did this painting in a class. I forgot my usual paper and a nice classmate gave me this sheet of slightly textured toned paper. Wow! I liked it! Changing materials can be very inspiring! This is a favorite walking place that can get very dramatic in late Fall.

This moon rise was from last year on November 15. The grass turns from gold to almost orange. I think there is a little purple color in there too. Done with a limited palette so things don’t get too complicated!

It’s November, but there are still more days in Blue and Gold season. This has been a beautiful October in the fields near my house. In a class, I tried a different surface – a toned multimedia paper. I like the effect, and it saves time as I usually paint an under layer.

I love North Hero in September. The lake has a different personality every morning, and every sunrise has cloud and color surprises. This is a view from the east side of the island at about 1:00 in the afternoon. I started this as an ink and watercolor drawing, but it wanted to be a gouache painting.

Every August for the past 16 years, we have been meeting with friends for a weekend-long party in Greene, RI. We talk, eat, and watch the kids run around. This year, I brought my painting gear and set up near the Moosup river, which runs through the property. No beavers this year, but it was a peaceful place with wildflowers and late summer sun.

I’ve been trying to teach myself how to paint outside. Should I go out alone or in a group? What is the best equipment? What are the best materials? Should I sit down or stand up? How to get quiet and concentrate.

These are the results of a Saturday trip to the Charles River Peninsula. I spent 2 hours on the first one. I did the second one in the studio with my favorite paper and materials – also about 2 hours. Two different results.

April showed up at the shelter when my mom was looking for a friend. For this one, I did a preliminary sketch as well. A square format adds composition challenges, but also really focusses attention on the expression.