"Race Day Volunteer" 6x6 oil on panel

A RaceVermont volunteer waiting for the racers to come through. It's a huge community effort to support these mini-triathlons. The race starts with a swim in the lake, then a bike ride and finishes with a run. Couldn't do it without all the volunteers -- and the orange cones. Gotta love 'em.

"Fire Island Lighthouse" 5x7 oil on panel

I love lighthouses. I shot this photo from the car, that lovely day that my husband and I went to Jones Beach to walk (and escape the City on a Sunday afternoon.) I've gotten a lot of paintings from that one day's photos. I was giving some thought to doing a larger version of this. These little daily paintings are great studies for helping to determine if something warrants a larger piece and all the time and effort that entails. Not sure this one does, but I like it as a 5x7.

"Buddies at the Bike Race" 8x8 oil on panel

Our health club sponsors a race series called Race Vermont (racevermont.com) and the mini-triathlons are a very fun event. People of all shapes and sizes come out to watch and cheer on the racers. I got some good pics yesterday to paint from.

"Neighbor's Old Red Barn" 5x7 oil on panel

More symbols of summer in VT: adirondack chairs, a flag flying in the breeze, flowers in a window box, shadows on the side of an old barn in need of a paint job. You just know the barn cat will be doing his rounds soon.

"My Sister Kayaking" 5x7 oil on panel

A perfect summer day on Lake Champlain. Puffy clouds, blue sky, Garden Island and Cedar Island in the background. My sister's first time in a kayak. She loved it! A very happy day.

"Fishin' on the Dock" 8x10 oil on panel

Garden Island across from our house. My sister and I were kayaking and I snapped this shot. Perfect summer image. Again, hard to photograph the painting and it doesn't do it justice. Feels good to be back painting after a few days off.

"Colorful Travelers" 8x8 oil on panel

At the Old Brick Store in the village of Charlotte, VT, a meeting place for many colorful characters. I started this painting last week but felt it needed some more time. Several things really bothered me, including how it reproduced. I think I made it better, and the photo is definitely more accurate. Although I'm constantly surprised at how much is lost in the photo. Oh, well. . . Tomorrow I will be starting a new painting and hopefully will have sufficient time to finish a good "daily painting." I have some fun new reference photos, so check back for new stuff late tomorrow and throughout the week.

"Father's Day Sunset" 18x18 oil on canvas

I gave this one another day. It needed more paint and there were some colors I didn't like. Given that it is 18x18 I think two days are OK. Fun to kind of go color-crazy. But, in truth, the photo seems awfully dark. So hard to photograph paintings.

"Our Neighbors' Docks" 5x7 oil on canvas

Lake toys. Quintessential summer scene. Photo shot from our beach where we launch the kayaks and throw the frisbee for Kate's dog. Summer in VT is wonderful!

"Going Home Alone" 6x6 oil on panel

This is the first painting I have "sold". Well, he wanted to buy it, but I gave it to him. It was my former boss, a serious art collector. He saw it on Facebook where I posted a few pics before starting the blog. I just couldn't bring myself to put a price on something so little, quick and easy. Is that silly? Anyway, it's the first painting that has gone to someone other than family. (Yes, I'm that new at it, and that insecure.) Feels kind of good. Shipped it out yesterday. Thank you, Michael!

"Nude Back - Maria" re-stretch to 13x20 oil on canvas

Here is the "cropped" image. I'm working on re-stretching. Sore fingers! But worth it, I think.

"Maria - Nude Back" 18x24 oil on canvas

This painting is from my figure class in NY with Sharon Sprung. I struggle with composition when painting from life. I've decided to "crop" it -- so easy in iPhoto. The project for the day is to re-stretch onto new stretcher bars.

"Shadows & Reflections" 5x7 oil on panel

Another in the beach series, my husband on a cool day at Jones Beach, a favorite place for an afternoon escape from the city especially "off season". I didn't expect to get a new painting today as it is so terribly hot here in VT. But the studio was surprisingly cool in the morning, and bearable in the afternoon when it was time to finish it. (My sweet husband came in to visit and promptly went in search of a window air conditioner. He's my biggest fan and supporter! So this one, for so many reasons, is dedicated to him.)

"Son at Sunset" 5x7 oil on panel

Here's an update of yesterday's post. For some reason this one is being very difficult to reproduce. The pinks are just not coming through. Who knows...

"Green Shoe" 6x6 oil on panel

This one is from the Karin Jurick workshop and NY photos. I started a new painting yesterday that I am really excited about, but didn't have the time to finish, photograph and post. We have major construction going on at our house, so lots of interruptions. So, I decided to post an older piece. Hopefully the new one will be ready later today, and at the latest tomorrow.