Alla Prima Portrait: Maureen (Oil, 16 x 12)

I went this morning to the Veteran Park. There happened to be two ladies and a gentleman from the Jehovah Witness Church, who had set their booth right by the parking lot. I introduced myself and asked if I could paint and use one of them as my model. I would like to practice painting figures outdoors. The gentleman flatly refused. One of the ladies, Maureen, was pretty brave and was willing to trust an unknown street artist like me. I like to paint people out in the open. The sketch took about two hours.

Sketches of Images at the Lakes Park

En Plein Air: The Island at the Charlie Bethany Park (Oil, 9 x 12)

After Christmas Shopping

En Plein Air: A Trail Running Along the Canal (Oil, 9 x 12)

It was a chilling cloudy morning in the sense of Florida winter even though I still wore short sleeves. Driving off Wheeler Road, I got into the wide belt area of wilderness along the big canal. People often came to this area to fish, ride dirt bikes, or practice shooting. Vehicles coming and going had carved a trail which, like a snake, slithered all the way down side by side with the canal.

En Plein Air: A Clearing in the Woods (Oil, 9 x 12)

It was Lan and Debbie's horse farm. I went there this morning and made this sketch.

Sketches at Key West

The Singer at the Lucy's Bar

A Lady Sitting at the Lucy's Bar

A Lady at the Clinton Square Market

Alla Prima Portrait: Artist Harriet (Oil, 20 x 16)

It was Thursday, the VAC Portrait Studio day. Unfortunately, the model called off the appointment in the last minute this morning. It was very nice of Harriet, our fellow artist, to sit for us. I believe I got her likeness.

Study: The Interior of a Church (Oil, 10 x 16)

I went to the First Community Congregational Church this afternoon. Since it was Christmas time, the Church was decorated, of course. I know Pastor Deb and some other people in the church. The church has been very active in the area's social work, helping the needy with food or other livelihood material. I have painted there quite a few times, mainly outside, including their yard sales.

The church was an A-frame building. The floor of the hall happened to be under repair and could not be walked on, so PD opened the side door for me. Between the pews and the podium, there was a white grand piano and a keyboard. I set up on the right-hand aisle. The air inside felt muggy. Before long I was sweaty all over. Evidently, the A/C unit was not on. I had to open the doors on both sides to have some breezes. The study took a little more than two hours altogether.

En Plein Air: December Clouds in Florida (Oil, 12 x 16)

I went to the Harns Marsh this afternoon and painted the above scene in oil. I painted clouds not long ago but in acrylic. I realized I felt much more comfortable with painting in oil. These were the clouds lingering along the coastline as the weatherman reported early in the morning. I painted it quickly, starting with a palette knife. I didn't switch to brushes till after the whole canvas was covered with paint. Glad I finished it before it poured down. 

Figure Painting: Ceramic Artist Heidi (Oil, 20 x 16)

Drawing: Resting by the Pool

En Plein Air: Southern Florida in December (Acrylic, 11 x 14)

En Plein Air: Trees at the Park (Acrylic 11 x 14)

I didn't go very far this afternoon. There was a small recently developed park not far from my home. When I entered the park, I saw three wild palm trees growing  next to a pine, with the sun shining from behind them. I immediately settle down and paint the scene.

Alla Prima Portrait: Bo (Acrylic, 20 x 16)

Bo is VAC's regular model. It was the second time I painted her. We all like Bo because she is always very considerate and prepares for the image she was about to present. This morning, she brought a shawl and wrapped her head with it so that she looked like a Muslim woman.

En Plein Air: David's Business (Acrylic, 10 x 16)

It was the Maloy Hay Company. I went there this afternoon. I had drizzles on and off quite a few times during the two hours.

Water Aerobics: The Coach and the Learners

En Plein Air: Owl Creek Boat Works (Acrylic, 10 x 16)

I went to the owl Creek Boat Works this morning and did this plein air sketch.

Sketches at the Miromar Shopping Center

Today we went to the Miromar Shopping Center. The chief shopping commander in my family officially began to exert her passion for holiday shopping. In the meanwhile, as the habit we have formed over the decades, I went to the Starbucks. With a cup of coffee, I sat outside under the cover and sketch the shoppers there.

En Plein Air: Road End (Acrylic, 9 x 12)

I went with the Lee Plein Air Group to the Harns Marsh this morning. Standing on the marsh, I saw, across from the canal, a warning sign pole on a dirt mound which indicated the end of the road. The street could be E 37th or E 36th Street. I was almost facing the sun.

Alla Prima Portrait: Camilla (Acrylic, 20 x 16)

Camilla is today's model at the VAC portrait studio.

En Plein Air: Roadside Weeds (Acrylic, 9 x 12)

Since yesterday, I have switched to acrylic in terms of the medium I used. I felt kind of like readapting to it. However, shortly after, I began to like it again. It is known to many artists that the problem with acrylic is the fact that it dries too fast to have a smooth color transition. I have never used any commercial tarders, but I learned from other artists online that the glycerine which you may get from the pharmacy works just the same. 

Alla Prima Portrait: Mary (Acrylic, 20 x 16)

Mary is a resident at the Winkler Court Nursing Home. Yesterday, I called my friend Kirsten saying I would like to go and paint portrait there today. She told me to go there in the afternoon when she was working the late shift. I usually set up to paint in the hall, right in front of Mary's room, so I was familiar with her. At first, Kirsten arranged for a lady named Connie to sit for me. Somehow, Connie seemed to have changed her mind and didn't want to sit. Since in this section, residents more or less suffered from Altheimer. I was not really surprised when things like that happened. Therefore, Kirsten asked Mary to sit for me. She looked a little stern as she said herself that she didn't smile very often. 

Sketch: Sharon

For my foraminal stenosis, I have to exercise my back. Recently I go to the community pool, a couple of times a week. This afternoon I took my sketchbook with me. By the time I finished my swimming workout, there were not many adults left. A granny was sitting by the pool watching kids play. So I sketched her. I didn't know she noticed what i was doing. When I finished the drawing and was about to leave, she stopped me and said, "May I see your drawing, please?" I let her see but was a little embarrassed because I drew her as she was with no prettification. Therefore, I said sheepishly, "No sure if I did you justice." She responded with a smile,"very nice." And then she introduced herself. Her name was Sharon.

En Plein Air: A View at the Prairie Pines Preserve (Oil, 12 x 9)

It was the first time I went to the Prairie Pines Preserve today. The Lee Prein Air group met there. I used a very simple composition. In order to break the boring straight line across the paper, I added an egret to it.

Alla Prima Portrait: Artist Susan (Oil, 20 x 16)

It was VAC's regular Portrait Studio day. Susan is a VAC artist. I painted her portrait before. This time I preferred to paint the figure instead.

En Plein Air: Tracks Crisscrossing (Oil, 12 x 9)

It is a local roadside view.