Painting inspiration of the state parks

As an artist, I am always looking for images that spark an interest in me.  Most of the time all I have to do is look around my own locale, but if I want to challenge myself to go deep with thematic imagery, I visit a state park.  There are many that are within a few hours drive that provide unique painting opportunities.

One of my very favorite haunts is Wakulla State Park and Lodge just south of Tallahassee, Florida.
The Lodge is beautiful and historical with only 27 guest rooms and a stellar dining room, but the real treat is outside in the deep, mysterious water of the spring that the Lodge faces.  The spring is clean and full of wildlife.  There are fish, wading birds, ducks, alligators (lots of alligators) and manatees.  All can be seen from the shore, but the best viewing can be had from one of the boats run by the knowledgeable river guides.  It is a magical place that brings much peace and provides endless painting inspiration.

 

Manatee drifting in the spring

 

 

Grandeur of the spring

 

My interpretation of sunset on the spring

 

I invite you to visit your closest state park and see what nature has to offer.



What White Christmas?

I live in the South and spend a lot of time in Florida dedicating my painting time to those familiar images.  Meanwhile, all the latest magazines are arriving full of images of jack-o-lantern pumpkins, roasted turkey dinners and snowy winter scenes.  Stores are full of sparkly Christmas ornaments and brightly lit fir trees.  I adore bright and sparkly, but the White Christmas image escapes me.

There are paths to grandmother's house (as it says in the song) but the paths I know go through pine trees and palmettos.

We have deer, but they don't know about sleighs and tend to be hard to find.

We don't have partridges in pear trees, but we do have ibises in mangrove swamps.

No snowy fir trees, but lots of sunlit cabbage palms and live oaks.

So I relish my familiar sights and live among them.  I have seen one or two white Christmases in years past by travel to colder climates, but these days the only way I expect to see snow at Christmas is in my dreams.

Studio space in home remodel chaos

I am learning the benefits of keeping my studio set up flexible while in the middle of remodeling the house.  The good part of having a studio in a space that will be remodeled is that it doesn't matter where the accidents happen.  The bad part of having a studio in a post-remodeled space is that it does matter where the accidents happen.  Here are some pointers for all you home studio artists and crafters working in less than ideal conditions:

1.  Keep furnishings easy to move. 

 

This is at the end of a long, narrow great room.  Furnishings have wheels wherever possible.  Lights are all multi-directional.  Easel is lightweight but sturdy.  I put protective rubber interlocking matting on the floor to spare our new wood floor.  The cushioned matting spares my back too.  The matting is from Home Depot and goes by the name "Best Step".  It comes in packages of four interlocking pieces of two feet by two feet.

 

 

2.  Simple is better.

 

I need lights, easel, paints, canvas and my computer.  This is my corner where I have lightweight shelving units (easy to move).  I use my laptop to display my photos as needed for painting references.  You can see a spare piece of interlocking rubber floor matting behind the easel.

 

 This is my table for still life setups or when I need a flat surface.  I protect the table from paint with a plastic tablecloth from Dollar General.  More storage area is under the table.

 

 

3. Take advantage of vertical space.

 

This is a long wall in the same room that will be painted as we progress with the remodeling.  Right now I can put all the nails I want into it so I use it to display my work.  Seeing everything up is both inspirational and a great way to keep paintings out of harms' way.

 

 Here is another view.  This area serves also serves as our living room.  I can change the display easily, and the wall is a great conversation piece.

 

 

4. Be patient.  Most good things take time.

 

 

I invite you to post your favorite home studio tips.



 



Fanning Springs State Park, Florida

I am a huge fan of Florida's State Parks. This past week I visited Fanning Springs and was awed by it's beautiful arching oaks and sturdy cabbage palms. Big mullets were cruising the clear spring. The park was quiet with only a couple of families swimming and sunning.  Here are a few of the photos for you to enjoy. Be on the look out for paintings to come....

Persimmon Trees in the South

Every year in September the Persimmon trees surprise me with their bright orange fruit.  Driving along I see these trees in what seems like every other yard, around old buildings, randomly near fences and in fields.  The rest of the year they are gnarled leafy innocuous parts of the landscape, but this time of the year they are lush and glorious and not to be ignored.

Labor Day

I hope that you are able to rest and relax this Labor Day.  This holiday reminds me of the vacation places I have visited.  St. Augustine, Florida comes to mind with it's old landmarks and quiet seaside presence.  Enjoy your day!

www.simplystaugustine.com

Hurricane Season

Hurricane Isaac has finally drifted away leaving only minor debris in the area.  We were lucky this round.  The sky has been gray for days on end, and I long for sharp-edged shadows and bright splashes of sunlight across open fields.  Those days will come with September.