6-29-22 - Wednesday morning. On the Guilford Green. We found a nice shady spot. Very buggy- good thing I had bug spray in the car.

Steve chose a pathway with a park bench and street lamps to feature. I selected these three buildings on Whitfield Street. The red building was once the Greene Art Gallery and is now a Real Estate office, the small middle building is a cute little gift shop called Rock Paper Sista's and the third is a residential home. The red building adds a fun pop of color to a predominantly green landscape painting.    

Process: 
- canvas size: 12 x 16 panel
- mixed a yellow ochre and alizarin crimson tone to cover canvas.
- sketched in the main shapes with burnt umber and small round brush - long handle in order measure distances and angles
-Blocked in-
Largest shapes first -  blue sky, green background foliage, green shadow in foreground and green sun-lit grass.  
-next tree trunks, buildings, cars 
-last - tree foliage that overlaps buildings

Lesson Highlights:
- Overlapping elements:  the center tree overlaps the little yellow building.
- Contrasting values: the strong dark trunk of the tree is right next to the bright sun-light yellow building bringing your attention to this adorable structure.
 - Simplify subject and enhancement: There were many more cars in front but I selected the ones I wanted to paint in and I added the Kayak on the roof of the middle vehicle to add a playful summer feel to this piece. 
​
-Complementary colors: Colors directly across from each other on the color wheel are complementary colors: Red - to Green - Blue to Orange - Violet/Purple to Yellow.

​I try to add a pop of red into a mostly dominate green landscape. Red is the complement of green on the color wheel. In this case the red of the building was highly saturated  or intensity - other times the red can be a dull brownish red/orange

Keep Painting - Keep Creating - Don't give up!

Linda

​Painted en plein air on Friday Sept 10 and finished on Saturday September 11, 2021 - The Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society (CPAPS) join together with the International Plein Air Painters for a Worldwide Paint Out Weekend.

​Both days the weather was beautiful, a constant light breeze made the afternoon sun barely noticeable as the temperatures rose to about 82 degrees. On Friday, We had a larger group of about 12-15 artists from all over the state join us. On Saturday the group was smaller only 5 of us.

​I was inspired to paint this scene of the walkway at Meig's Point because of how the trees and surrounding foliage moved softly in the wind. A gentle swaying back and forth like a mother cradling her newborn in her arms, as she gently and rythmically shifts her weight from one foot to the other.

​ It was busy both days at the park, lots of folks walking the trails, climbing the rocks, taking photos, walking their dogs, relaxing in beach chairs and a few children knee-deep splashing in the water.

​Working on a gesso primed linen, my goal was to keep some of the surface peaking through especially along the path and sandy surfaces. 

​With fresh eyes on this piece this morning the idea of turning this piece into a diptych  or triptych is floating around in my mind. How cool it would be to extend the scene to left to include more of the water and rocks. Stay tune - this could be the beginnings of a larger set! 

Shown here in a natural wood frame but other framing options are available. Shop online here or contact me directly if you're interested in this piece. Linda@lindasmarinoart.com

Current Show: Beaches, Boats and Sunsets Art show at Chapter One Restaurant in Guilford, CT - 25 Whitfield Street across from the Guilford Green. Stop in, enjoy a meal and view the artwork. 

Save the Date: Shoreline Arts Trail - Open Studio is Happening - In- person! Saturday and Sunday November 13 and 14, 2021 - with over 30 local artists and artisans from Branford, Guilford and Madison opening their studios for showing and selling their artwork. I'll be at the Guilford Art Center this year - maps will be available soon - If you would me to mail you a map please send an email including your mailing address to: Linda@lindasmarinoart.com

Our second night out painting a nocturne at the Guilford Harbor.
I switched over from acrylics to oil to see if I like the medium better for a nocturne painting. There are some advantages like drying slower that acrylics but one big disadvantage I could find is that with the lamp light or over head street light a very hard glare happens when a layer of oil paint is on the canvas. I had to keep moving left to right to see if I could dodge the glare. But once I got use to it, I didn't even notice that it was there. 
Our second night was a little quieter than the first night. Although a few folks would drive by and yell out their car window "nice painting" - I was so slow to respond, I don't even think they heard me say "Thanks" as they drove off into the night.
One thing I do love about painting a nocturne is that the light source, usually a street lamp doesn't change like the way the sunlight changes throughout the day. 
I was thankful that Eileen had an extra clip on light for my easel but it still was a challenge to see the true colors that you were mixing. It wasn't until the next day in daylight I could truly assess whether the colors looked correct or were totally off!
Now that the winter is approaching and the days are getting shorter, I've been scoping out new places to paint a nocturne painting. I found the Branford Green with the tall white church and red doors a definite on my list of places to paint.

Special Offer: From now until November 29th Artists Sunday - Free shipping on all commissioned Pet Portraits! Contact me for more information or go to my Pet Portrait Page

A wonderful day at Weir Farm in Wilton CT with the Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society. It was early autumn when just a few trees have started to turn. There were about 8 or 9 of us painting throughout the day. We were spread out on the 280 acre property. I would making my rounds to see how all the painters were doing. I enjoyed meeting several new artists.

 I was able to complete a quick block in for this painting and finished it up in my studio. I love this spot behind the main house where the Ranger's office is. There's a stone potting shed, sunken garden and a few smaller buildings in the back. I set up my easel in the shade of a large oak tree and right next to a stone wall. 
Painting at Weir Farm is so inspiring especially when one learns about the history of famous American painters who painted right there on the farm. Julian Alden Weir was the owner of the property and he would invite his friends to join him for an artist's retreat. I absolute love this idea because it's a secret dream I hope that one day Dean and I could own a small farm and hold Plein air painting artist retreats. 
Here's the link to read more about Weir Farm and the History. - 

what also makes visiting Weir Farm special this year is that the Farm has been selected as a National Park for the Arts and a US coin has been minted with a picture of Weir farm on the back! Thanks to the Friends of Weir Farms for selecting one of paintings to be on the cover of their mailers!

We will definitely be back to paint at Weir farm especially in the Winter and Spring seasons, I  can only imagine how beautiful and so different the place will look.

I'll be putting together a short video of our paint outs at Weir farm for CPAPS website. I'm just gathering the image and I have a few short interviews to include - I'll post it on our social media page for public viewing.

Thanks for being apart of my art journey - I hope it's inspired you to get creative and try something new!

Warmest regards,
Linda


P. S. Don't forget... Open Studio Visits are going on for the month of November and December 2020 - register for a visit - come and see the new artwork I've been creating all year and purchase a painting for yourself or as a gift. Art makes the best gift!

First time for me out painting by the moonlight. It was the perfect September evening out on the Guilford Harbor with my friend Eileen.

We painted from just after sunset to about 9pm.

There were a few folks walking by and we could hear the quiet chatter of the people enjoying a meal at the nearby restaurant. 

I could hear the fish popping in the water right below me. When my husband who was fishing on the other side of the parking lot came over to join us. I told him about the fish popping and he dropped his line.

​Within just a few seconds he hooked a blue fish. Just a little to small to keep so he tossed the fish back in and dropped the fishing line again.

We went back out a second night and I was able to complete a second painting of this scene.

Thanks for being apart of the journey!
Linda

P.S. Join me for an Open Studio Visit this month and next  if you live in the area.  - go to the Shoreline Arts Trail website to learn more about the open studio and to schedule a visit. Look forward to seeing you!

Our second painting out with the Connecticut Plein air painters society was at the New Britain Museum of American Art in New Britain, CT.

We met up on Saturday September 26- it started off rainy and drizzly on my way up to the museum but by the time we unpacked our gear and found a place to paint the sun came out and it was just a perfect day to paint - together.  

I've just stepped into the role of President for CPAPS and there's a lot to learn and organize. I'm hoping we'll have a board soon so that jobs can be delegated and the work load is a little lighter. But I enjoy gather with my fellow artists, finding new places in Connecticut to paint and seeking new ways to showcase our artwork.

This is our 25th year but we plan to celebrate next year because of all the restriction due to Covid.  I'm looking forward to meeting new painters and checking out all the beautiful spots in our small but picturesque state!

It was great to be back at the New Britain Museum of American Art. 12 years ago I in the educational department with a great group of ladies. Maura, Morgan, Linda M and Heather. We had such fun and worked hard to promote the education programs and events at the Museum.

​ If you live in Connecticut and have never visited NBMAA I would recommend that you do -It's a hidden gem of our wonderful state and offers an amazing collection of American Masterpieces. A few of my favorite collections are the Illustration Collection, The Ash Can Artists Collection and of course, the American Impressionists collection. 

Painted with the Fairfield County Plein Air Painters on Thursday October 1, 2020. It was a beautiful day down in Rowayton, there were about 8 of us. It's always nice to meet new painters and engage in conversations about art, materials, exhibitions and more.

I love the colors of the sky, the loose interpretation of the boats, the American flags and lobster boat. I also love the seagulls hovering around the lobster boat looking for their next meal.

Thank you for taking the time to view my work - art sales would be greatly appreciated!
Interested in a commissioned painting? please contact me I would be happy to create a one of a kind original of your pet, home, boat, family, wedding, or vacation!

Warmest regards
Linda

​In Lieu of our annual Open Studios Weekend, this year we are scheduling individual in-studio appointments or purchases online. November 1-December 31, 2020
Here's the link to schedule an Open Studio Visit -  Hope you stop in for a visit  - I will be offering my Latest Work framed or unframed and Older works will be priced to sell!

On Saturday October 31st a small group of us from the Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society meet up at Silverman's Farm in Easton, CT. 

It was a cold morning, just the day before it snowed and up in the northern part of Connecticut they had about 3 inches. It was just a dusting for us along the coast but it did usher in the colder winter weather. 

I have to confess, I had never been to Silverman's Farms but Mom took my kids there a few times to pick pumpkins and see the farm animals. It's quit the operation along Sport Hill Road in Easton. It's a fun attraction for the whole family with lots of farm animals, if I had to guess there were about 100 animals. Lots of goats, sheep, reindeer, buffalo, donkeys, llamas, chickens, roosters, bunnies and so many more! 

There are pick your own apples, pears and peaches, a farmers market, food trucks, activities for the kids, a general store and much more. 

Our small group met and then scattered choosing different locations to set up. I decided to paint the billy goats. I loved the tall water tower with the rooster weathervane and the red covered structures that provided shade for the animals while they eat their hay.

These goats where very smart, as soon as they saw me stop by the fence they came over right away, probably to see if I had food. But once I set up my easel, they all scattered to different parts of their pen so that there were none in my canvas view. After about an hour I think they forgot about me and made their way back to the hay barrel. Some would grab the hay from the bottom while others would jump up with their hooves on the metal frame and eat from the tippy top of the stack. It was fun to watch and observe as the little children and their parents would walk by. If the kids had a handful or hat full of food, the larger billy goats would jump onto the fence, stretch their necks and stick out their tongues to get a bit of food. 

It was Halloween day and folks young and old were dressed in costumes. Some braved the cold but others had big winter parkas on over their princess gowns. 
​
When I arrived I met Mr. Silverman and he suggested that our group of painters take a walk to the top of hillside to see the view. And what a view! It was a hike up the hill past the orchard trees but so worth the climb. I would love to return to paint the animals and the incredible view.

Thank you for being apart of this art journey -
Linda

I'm really excited to share with you that I'll be offering a 2021 Art Calendar! I'm gathering a variety of paintings I created over the past year, still life, figurative and of course Connecticut landscape paintings. Each month will feature a different painting. 

The calendar will be available for $24.95 which includes shipping. Order more than one and save on shipping!

I'll make an announcement as soon as the calendar is ready to order.

Purchase a painting either from my website on during an Open Studio visit and receive a 2021 Calendar for FREE! 

Tides are Changing Study was done on location at Stony Creek village. This is one of my favorite places to paint and I often talk about it in my blog posts, but this time I'd like to share about my painting process.

Painting from life is truly the best way to learn to paint. Back in 2012 when I started painting again, I would set up still life arrangements in my studio and paint small paintings 6 x 6 inches up to 12 x 12 inches. I was able to complete 2-3 small paintings a week even with a busy schedule of shuffling kids around from school to activities.  Reflecting now this training was vital when it came time to paint en plein air. I didn't know this at the time, because  plein air painting wasn't even on my radar. I was enjoying these small still life pieces. posting and sharing on Daily paintwork art gallery and displaying them in a local coffee shop. 

It was in the spring of 2012 that one day after dropping off my step daughter at elementary school I pulled into the driveway and looked over at our garden and decided, that's it I have to paint this. I had a portable easel used a TV table and set up right in the driveway. I can remember that day so clearly because it was the absolute best feeling to be outside capture this incredible scene in real life, not from a photo. 

Transitioning from studio painting to painting en plein air can present a new set of challenges for any painter. With weather changes, wind shifts, clouds moving and the sun is always on the move, no wonder it's easy to get frustrated.  

This night a Stony Creek the sky had this beautiful pinkish orange glow, and just as the sun was setting it looked like it would be a magnificent sunset. Like so many we had seen before. But that wasn't the case tonight. The purplish blue clouds rolled in and eclipsed the sun and blanketed the sky leaving only a sliver of that gorgeous color to poke through. 

This is when I had to make a decision, did I go with what I original saw or should I modify the painting to match what I saw before me. From past experience and many failed pieces, I have found it best to stay with the original vision, to the best of my ability. It's hard because that means you need to rely on your memory for color and your sketches for shapes. And that's exactly what I did. 

 The next morning I worked a little bit more on the plein air study back in my studio with a few quick glances at the photo references. Which were really not that much help because they didn't capture the beauty that I saw with my own eyes. 

I knew I wanted to turn this piece into a large painting. I had 30 x 36 canvas available and started the "block in" or first layer. This is one of my favorite stages, it moves quickly and within an hour I have the base down. Like a skeleton, it's the bones of the painting. From there I start to work the larger areas, the sky, clouds and water.  It was when I got to the details of the boats and the houses on the islands I found myself stuck.

My small plein air piece didn't give me enough information, nor did the photos. So that night we head over  to Stony Creek just about the same time the night before. But this time the sun was just too bright, the glare was too strong and the photos were completely washed out. 

On to plan B, the next morning I headed back again around 8am, I knew the lighting would be completely different but my goal was to spend an hour just sitting on the dock with my sketchbook in hand drawing just the boats, islands and houses.  

Back to the easel I go, I had enough information to tackle just about all the missing pieces but the lobster boat in the foreground.  Since the boat was turned the other direction I couldn't get a clear view inside and at the angle I thought was just right. 

So, what did I do, yep, I headed back to Stony Creek the next day hoping the star of the show would be in the right place to capture another sketch. No chance, I did a few sketches waited about a half an hour to see if it would turn but it wouldn't budge.

 Plan C, I hopped in my car, drove down the street, parked my car in front of the library and walked down Hull's Point Road. Peaking between each house to see if I could capture the lobster boat in just the right angle. I truly hope the neighbors weren't watching me.  And then I spotted it, I had to hold my camera up high in the air to shoot a photo over the dock in the foreground but I did it! Back to the studio I go!

With this last round of reference photos I was able to complete the painting. What an adventure but so worth the effort. I'm so thrilled with the way this painting came out and now, I'm ready to start another!

Thanks for reading and enjoying the creative process with me - it's always nice to have fellow sojourners to travel with -


PS. Are you on the mailing list? click here to join - to receive up-to-date information on latest works and shows. 

PSS - Do you know we are planning to have the Shoreline Arts Trail Open Studios 2020? Join the mailing list to hear more about the Open Studios and to reserve your space for a studio visit. We have over 24 artists from Branford, Madison and Guilford participating this year. 

Artists Sunday is the nationwide movement dedicated to supporting artists and recognizing the impact they have in enriching our lives, communities and the economy.

the powerful new effort is designed to make the Sunday after Thanksgiving the most profitable day of the year for artists. Consumers are encouraged to shop with artists and purchase creative, handcrafted gifts for the holidays. Artists Sunday follows Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, prior to Cyber Monday.

This is such great news since 2020 has been such a challenging year for most artists since shows, exhibitions, fairs and festivals have all been canceled. 

Purchase one of kind original art as gifts for those on your shopping list is one of the best ways to say I love you!

Go here to visit the website and artist directory

Painted at Branford Point in the the park near the pier. It was late July into early August when I set up my easel one morning. I love painting at Branford Park there are always folks walking around, fishing, swimming, jogging and biking. It's a busy spot but it never seems too crowded.... well, expect for weekends. 
Behind me is a quickly ascending hill that's covered with trees and foliage. It makes for great shady spots to paint and gives a nice panoramic view of the harbor and Branford River. 
I met so many wonder people while painting. A father with his young son in the stroller, a couple who the husband's name is Bob Ross! A lovely lady who grew up in Branford and shared a few fun stories about what the local scene and how it's changed over the years.
I truly love living here in Branford. It's a very friendly community.