Alla Prima Portrait: Linda and Toby (Acrylic 20 x 16)

This morning, shortly after I pulled out my car and hit the road, I noticed a warning on my dashboard saying "Low Tire Pressure." "Uh-oh," I said to myself. "It must be yesterday when I was at Owl Creek Boatyard and somehow I got a nail or something in the tire." So, I made a U-turn and drove directly to the Walmart. I waited there for more than an hour and it turned out to be just low tire pressure and no nails were found. It was late, so I decided to go to the First Community Congregational Church to see if I was able to find someone to paint. Luckily, they had the food pantry in the morning and quite a few volunteers were working there. After I asked around, Linda said she was willing to sit for me but her pet Toby should be included.

En Plein Air: Time for maintenance (Acrylic, 12 x 16)

I went to the Owl Creek Boatyard this morning. A boat happened to be hanging there on the lifter. Without too much thinking, I settled to paint it.

En Plein Air: The Hawkins' Residence (Acrylic 9 x 12)

I couldn't help but go to Taylor Road again this morning. Even though I could not see the outdoor staircase from that angle, I still like the composition with the house partially shaded by the colorful trees and a pond and a jetty in the foreground. Put all together, it was so quiet there. 

When I was about to finish the painting, a gentleman came. He first went to the house and obviously, he came to check out the Hawkins first. He must be one of the family's friends or neighbors. Then he stopped by where I was toiling. As he was approaching, I asked, "Am I trespassing?" "Yes, you are," he answered. "And you shouldn't be here." I apologized for my trespassing and introduced myself by giving him my card. Then he said, "I think you are a good person." However, having said these words, he precautiously took a picture of me with his cell and then left me alone.

Ala Prima Portrait: Alisha (Acrylic, 20 x 16)

Aisha sat for us again today for the Portrait Studio.

En Plein Air: Two Trees (Acrylic 10 x 17)

I drove westbound along N. River Road (Highway 78), this morning. After passing the Fichter Creek, I turned right into a country road in an attempt to find something paintable but in vain. When I was back on the roadside of the highway, preparing to get into the traffic, I notice on my left a car coming out of a street named Taylor Road. Suddenly I got an impulse to check it out in spite of the fact that there was a tag of No Outlet under the road sign. The road led me to a beautiful place on the Caloosathachee River. There were three houses: big, medium and small. The big house was kind of modern. The other two were wooden houses. I especially like the small one, very cozy and stylish with outdoor vase and staircase. There was on the railing a sign saying: The Hawkins Are at Play. There was a gravel road circle in front of it. I had never seen such a spacious lawn on the river bank. I saw a golf cart parked near a house. No wonder they took such good care fo the lawn.

I knew I was trespassing, so I stopped my car on the gravel drive circle. I walked over to the small house and holler to find the owner. After a while, I decided there was no one inside. Therefore, I helped myself to the property. I went to my car to get  out the painting kit and set up to paint.

En Plein Air: Terry's Drive (Acrylic 10 x 17)

I went to Terry's place this morning. It was very quiet. The corner of the fence stood out against the glaringly bright roof of his father's garage. 

En Plein Air: Colorful Harns Marsh (Acrylic 10 x 17)

It is a quick sketch which took only an hour and a half.