I just dropped off two paintings at Susan Powell Fine Art in Madison. "Madison Reflections" was painted using a study which was completed at the west wharf in Madison, CT... the same place where I painted "Charm'd" The same boat which was the subject of that painting is also in this painting. The water was so calm that it reflected not only the boats, but the shoreline as well. "Beach Cottage Blossoms" was painted for a plein air show at Susan Powell. I brought it back from the gallery and reworked the cottage. Initially, I had painted the windows more loosely, being a plein air painting. I began thinking that the cottage was actually the focal point of my painting, and therefore should have more detail/sharper edges... the hydrangea was deliberately painted loosely for the eye to go beyond. I ended up reworking on all aspects of the cottage: the drawing, the value of the roof (which I made lighter) and the edges. I probably should have painted an entirely new painting, considering the time spent, but there were parts of the painting that I felt really captured the time and place, and I didn't want to lose that. Overall, I think it resulted in a much better painting .

Nantucket 2009

I've recently completed several new Nantucket paintings which are on exhibit and for sale at Cheryl Fudge, 23 Federal Street on Nantucket island. There will be an artist reception on Tuesday evening, July 28th from 7 to 10 pm.

Dogwood Festival Art Show

Beginning with the preview party tonight, four of my paintings will be for sale through Sunday at the Dogwood Festival Art Show at the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church in Fairfield, CT. These paintings are pictured at right: Bountiful Blossoms, Early Pansies, Griswold Grey and Water Lilies.

I'm back...

This is day two working on a painting looking over the bluff towards the sea in Sconset, Nantucket. It will be aptly titled "O'er the Bluff". I'm painting from a photo taken last summer when the clematis was blooming. I visit the "bluff walk" in Sconset at least once every year.

Cash and Carry Art

A fundraiser to benefit fellow artists Pam and David Lussier is being held from November 26th through December 1st at the Vanilla Bean Cafe, 450 Deerfield Road, Pomfret CT. 100% of the proceeds will help to defray ongoing medical expenses related to Pam's cancer and kidney problems. A phenomenal group of artists have donated paintings for this event creating the opportunity for you to collect fine art at an extreme bargain price and do a good deed in the process. Unframed paintings are all $50 and framed are all $100. I have donated "Carriage Barn", a framed piece. This and other donated paintings can be seen at: http://carolbrightmanjohnsonfineart.blogspot.com.
Earlybird sales link at www.joanjardineart.com

The not-even-quite-monthly painting journal?...

Caught up in the speeding current of life... that's the best way I can describe my activity over the past couple of months. Hoping to slow down a bit and post more frequently from here on.

I was thrilled to receive notification of my acceptance into the Salmagundi Club a couple of weeks ago! Two new paintings are currently on exhibit there: "Toward Sankaty at Sunset" ("On the Beach-All Things Summer" Theme Exhibition) and "Water Lilies" (Annual Summer Exhibition). Both exhibits run concurrently from Monday, August 4th through Friday, August 22nd.

Nevermind the daily painting journal...

Or even the weekly painting journal... let's just call this the painting journal from here forward. Somehow, it just isn't working to do this on a schedule, so I'll just continue to post as often as I can.
Last week I was painting in Nantucket... there will be lots of new work to show you later when I have time to photo. In the meanwhile, I can share one new painting which was delivered to the Nantucket Stock Exchange last week. More to come....