Rose Begonias in a Pitcher

 I have some rose begonias in hanging baskets on my patio that are getting very leggy. I cut some of the plant back and put the pieces with flowers in a small pitcher...a good still life.

The Catbird Seat

 I have had some of my artwork in The Catbird Seat in Sayville for quite a while. Debbie's shop has a fun collection of artwork, clothing, vintage items, and things pertaining to the beach and Sayville. A while ago she said she would love it if I did a sketch of her shop. It is located on the main street of Sayville, but is in an awkward spot for me to sit and sketch it. I would have to be peeking between two parked cars across the normal traffic in the town. As I was passing through the other day I noticed that the parking spot directly across from The Catbird was empty. I pulled in and sat in my mobile studio to sketch, and included a lot of what was outside the store as well as inside the store. When I finished I brought it in to her and gave it to her as a gift. She was so touched! She said she's going to frame it and keep it forever.

Setauket Water View

 My plein air group, PALS, was invited to paint at the home of one of our members who overlooks the water in Setauket. Her house and property are lovely and the views are spectacular. In the distance you can see Connecticut across Long Island Sound. Many thanks, Chris!

Dockside

It seems like I haven't done any boat paintings in a while. This was done at a marina in Sayville. 

Queens Botanic Garden

Last Saturday the NYC Urban Sketchers had our annual "picnic" at the Queens Botanic Garden. We used to have a Christmas Party but the group got too large for us to find a venue where we could hold it. After Covid hit and we were able to gather again, it was decided to have it at the Queens Botanic Garden in the summer. There's lots of room for us and we also have an indoor room where we have our raffles, auctions, garage sale and refereshments. 

Here is the first sketch I did for the day of an area of flowers with the visitor's center behind them.

Here are two photos of Kim, myself, and Mark facing that view.

Outside the gates of the garden were some interesting buildings. Many residents of the community came by to see what I was painting and to compliment me. I alway worry about the signs and hope I've done a good enough job that I haven't written something inappropriate. lol

After lunch one of our members, Mel Barranco, led us on a sketchwalk. For most of our stops we were limited to a 2 minute sketch, although our last stop lasted 5 minutes. We were given the task of sketching anything that was in the area. I did a combination of people and plants.

 

Here are a few photos of the sketch walk. Not everyone participated.

The sketch walk was followed by the auction, raffles, etc. This event is part of our fundraising for the year. It was fun to see everyone!

To the Marina (SOLD)

 I am participating in a plein air event being held by the South Bay Art Association. We have had about a week to paint scenes in and around Bellport. I had already done one painting of the Bellport Historical Society, but wanted to do a second painting so I would have a choice of what I could put into the exhibition which is being held tomorrow at Bellport Day. The event will be judged.

Update: This painting sold the day after the exhibit.

For this painting I painted from an area on Bellport Lane where I've done smaller paintings before. I parked my car under a nice, big shady tree. Then I took out my easel and set it up in front of my car. I was able to lean against the hood of my car while I was painting. Looking down the street at the end is the Bellport Yacht Club behind the security gate. I always like the strong shadows across the lane in this area.

Here is the finished painting.

Here is my setup at the start of the day.

I

The painting was nearly done here.


In the finished painting I darkened the building behind the security gate house to separate the buildings a little more. 

Flowers at Rotary Park

The Patchogue Sketch Club was scheduled to sketch at a concert in Rotary Park in Sayville last Wednesday. The weather forecast was for the possibility of strong thunderstorms...although it looked fairly nice. Three of us showed up at the park only to find a sign saying the concert had been postponed due to weather. We decided to stay and sketch the flowers in the area. FYI...we didn't have any storms.

 

What Is It?

 I like sketching odd things when I see them. This was parked in a parking lot locally. I'm not sure what it is. It looks like an assortment of junk(?) with no actual theme. There was a lighthouse, shutters for windows, life preservers, a body board and assorted other things. Looks like it will float too.

Patio Flowers

I decided to do a direct watercolor of my rose begonias that are out on the patio. They made a good subject. 

Bellport Historic Society

 I am participating in a plein air event sponsored by the South Bay Art Association. Our paintings are being done in Bellport and Brookhaven, and then one piece from each participating artist will be exhibited in a juried show on Bellport Day, July 27. My first painting is of one of the Bellport Historical Society buildings. There is a museum inside with artifacts and information about Bellport.

Oysters & Clams & More

Last week I bought some oysters and clams on the half-shell from The Fish Store in Bayport as an appetizer for dinner. I did a Procreate sketch of them, and I was pleasantly surprised with how they came out. 

One of the items for the CreativeSpark Scavenger Hunt was something related to childhood. I though about a slide immediately.

Moon Garden

Last week my plein air group was invited to a private garden. The homeowner had a part of the garden she called her "moon garden." It had lots of blue orbs tucked in amid the flowers. It was a really pretty area.

 

Quiet Street

 This was painted near Old Broadway in Sayville...a pretty quiet end of the street.

Susan's Garden

Last week my friend, Susan, invited the Patchogue Sketch Club to sketch her garden. I've sketched there many times, but this was the first time the group did. At the end of the evening we gathered together to make s'mores over a small fire. We had fun!

 

Still Life

I did this still life combining elements for Creative Spark.art...a butter dish, a vegetable, something red, and a mushroom. It is a continuous line sketch.

Here is the original line sketch.

Carriage House

 I've sketched at The Grange in Sayville many time, but I don't think I did a close-up of the carriage house before. The Town of Islip is responsible for the upkeep of the property, and they have really let things go. There is a big opening through the back of the structure and many, many holes in the roof. It is a shame that they haven't taken better care of the buildings.

Garden Market

This is a side view of The Farm on Lakeland, a local garden market and farmstand in Sayville. 

 

Procreate Sketches

It seemed like I hadn't done any digital sketching in a while so I did a few items for the CreativeSpark.art Scavenger Hunt that way. These sketches are from two different hunts...a vacuum, footware, a car, and something related to a vacation.

 

Summer Refreshment

 I really enjoy watermelon if it is nice and sweet, but I don't seem to have good luck picking a whole watermelon. Another thing I have against them is they are so messy to cut up. But they do make some nice models for paintings. lol

Things I Collect

One of the prompts for the Scavenger Hunt on CreativeSpark.com was things you collect. I have a big jar of seashells of all kinds. Some I've bought but most of them I've collected from various places.

Carriage House

The other night the Patchogue Sketch Club met at The Grange in Sayville. I've sketched there many times before and have drawn most of the buildings several times. This time my focus was on the carriage house, which as you can tell needs a lot of TLC. The Town of Islip has been really negligent in taking care of these old buildings and if something isn't done soon some of them will be too far gone to save. 

Greek Festival

Last Sunday the forecast was for scattered strong storms. I went to the pool early to do my exercise, but it didn't seem nice enough to stay there. After I came home I decided to check out the Blue Point Greek Fest held by St. John's Greek Orthodox Church in Blue Point. There was a very small area with rides and carnival games. I sat across from the booth where you threw darts at balloons. It was a colorful spot for sketching. Unfortunately right next to me was the game where you test your strength with the sledgehammer and try to ring the bell. Nobody was ringing the bell, but the sledgehammer was very loud.

What I liked best at the festival was listening to the live music by Tommy Kavounidis (tommykavounidis.com). I sketched him while he was playing a Greek bouzouki. He loved that I sketched him.

I didn't try any of the food (which looked yummy) while I was at the festival but I got a piece of baklava to go. All week long I had been seeing postings on Facebook showing photos of the women making huge trays of it ... so I couldn't resist. It was delicious!

Peconic Herb Farm

 I love going to the Peconic Herb Farm to paint/sketch. They sell flowers, plants, trees, urns, pottery, and all kinds of fun stuff. Everywhere you look is a possible painting. This display was on the patio in front of one of the barns.

Rose Trellises 2

Somehow I missed posting yesterday...sorry about that. 

I went back to the Planting Fields Arboretum recently to capture the blooming rose trellises before they were done for the season. It is a special spot and my friend, Suzala joined me to paint them.

The above painting is very similar to one I had done in June, even though I did them from opposite ends of the trellises. The coloring is a little different. Which is your favorite?

Kalers Pond View

 My plein air group went to paint at Kalers Pond in Center Moriches. It was hot and sunny so I hid in the shade under some big trees. You could see the pond peeking out.

Pat's Hollyhocks

 I love painting hollyhocks, but don't see them very often. These were in my friend, Pat's garden. She graciously let me sit and do a direct watercolor of them.

Lombardi's

 As I said I couldn't stop painting direct watercolors. This is a gourmet market near me...a bit of brickwork, flowers, trees, an umbrella, and some lettering. The white lettering was done with a white gel pen.

Viva La Vida

Viva La Vida is a Spanish/Mexican restaurant in Oakdale. This was done as a direct watercolor. I just love the bright colors of the pottery and the walls. 

30x30 Direct Watercolor #32 - Drift 82

This direct watercolor is of the restaurant Drift 82 in Patchogue. 

30x30 Direct Watercolor #31 - Islip Farmers Market

I was still in a direct watercolor mood and did that method at the Islip Farmers Market the other day.