Day 17 of 30 Evening Sea Oats

Evening Sea Oats  - Day 17 of  30

Evening Sea Oats was painted from a picture I took in Englewood Beach, Florida.  Loved the way the sun caught the sea oats and made them glow.

Evening Sea Oats
 Diane Plaisted

Oil on Ampersand Gessobord
6x6 inces
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Day 8 of 30 - Fisherman's Warf Monterey, Ca

Fisherman's Warf Monterey, Ca  - Day 8 of  30

Mde it to day 8 of the 30 day challenge but it's getting harder to find enough time in the day

Still sticking with the water theme, I've chosen to paint Fisherman's Warf from a photo I took last year. Seems like there are stages of painting for me.  At first I had to learn the techniques in Oil painting which are almost reverse from what you do with watercolor which I have painted with my whole life.  I focused more on objects, like fruits, bowls, etc until I felt comfortable with them. Now I'm trying to really express a feeling.   The morning sunrise, a stormy sunset, a night view of the marina, and today I've tried to expres this clarity and beauty of the Monterey water.

Fisherman's Warf, Monterey
 Diane Plaisted

Pastel  on Ampersand Pastelbord
7x5 inces
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Day 7 of 30 - Stormy Sunset

Stormy Sunset  - Day 7 of  30

I'm done with day 7 of 30 paintings.  But today was a little harder as it was back to work today after vacation.  3 more weeks.

This was a sunset the night we arrived in Punta Gorda as the threat of Hurricane Erica diminished. This was the most amazing sunset, as it changed the whole time it was setting.

 Punta Gorda had been hit 10 years ago by Hurricane Charlie which, I was told, took the brunt of the storm and affected much of the town.  Much has been rebuilt or repaired. They've named an outside restaurant/bar on the water after Hurrican Charlie.

Thanks for viewing my artworks.

Stormy Sunset
Diane Plaisted

Oil on Ampersand Gessobord
6x6
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Day 6 of 30 - Marina Evening Punta Gorda

Marina Evening Punta Gorda  - Day 6 of  30

This is day 6th of 30 for me and I'm running a day behind. This painting is  of the marina at night - so quiet and pretty.  I've tried to show the effect of the dock lights.

Thanks for viewing my artworks.

Marina Evening Punta Gorda
Diane Plaisted

Oil on Ampersand Gessobord
6x6
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Day 5 of 30 - Marina Sunrise Punta Gorda

Marina Sunrise Punta Gorda  - Day 5 of  30

This is the fifth day of the 30 day challenge.   We were in Florida all week - Hot, Hot, Hot. - overlooking the marina.   But the purpose was to see my Mom which worked out perfect.

 What beautiful sunrises and sunsets there.  We would wake to the pale pinks, peach, and soft blue tones on the still morning water.  At night, we were steps away from the choppy water sunsets.   But what I loved most was meeting  several couples with sailboats and one with motorboat docked at the marina keeping safe from tropical storm Erica.  The storm dissipated  before causing trouble here, but I'm so glad we got to meet them.  Loved their stories and courage. They will stay on the Florida coast until about November/December and then head to Key West and then probably on to Bahamas and the Caribbean.  They were originally from Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky and Florida with their boats  being their homes now that they have retired..  What an amazing life.   This harbor picture is my first ever pastel and is a tribute the our new friends on the sea.

Marina Sunrise
Diane Plaisted

Pastel  on Ampersand Pastelbord
5x7
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Day 4 of 30 - Fort Myers Coconuts #2

Fort Myers Coconuts - Day 4 of  30

This is the fourth day of the 30 day challenge.  I've decided to paint these tropical themed paintings with the technique I learned with Dream Tolle Perry.  Her paiintings are very colorful and she uses a base coat of tranparent colors before adding opaques.  I have so much fun painting this way.   Thought I'd try another painting of coconut palm tree look upwards.

Fort Myers Coconuts #2

Diane Plaisted

Oil on Gessobord, 6x6
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Day 3 of 30 - Fort Myers Palms

Fort Myers Palms - Day 3 of  30

Love the palms at Fort Myers beach.  This spot is about half way down the island.

Fort Myers Palms

Diane Plaisted

Oil on Gessobord, 6x6
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Day 2 of 30 - Fort Myers Coconuts

Fort Myers Coconuts - Day 2 of  30

Yesterday we took a trip to Fort Myers beach to a wonderful quiet section of beach with soft waves and clear water but what fascinated me was the beautiful coconut palm trees.  While riding on the island we passed the Red Coconut which is a trailer park that  I went to with my family many many years ago.  I always remembered the name but never knew quite where it was so what a surprise and what a trip back in time.  I remember wanting to bring a coconut home somehow and my dad and I found a shorter palm tree and he hoisted me up on his shoulders and somehow I climbed the rest of the way and pulled one down.  We took it home to NJ and mom made at least one coconut cream pie but probably more.  Tasting coconut from your own pick is so much better.

Fort Myers Coconuts

Diane Plaisted

Oil on Gessobord, 6x6

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Day 1 of 30 day Challenge: Punta Gorda Sunset

Punta Gorda Sunset - Day 1 of  30

September is here at last.  Not that I want summer to end, but I have been looking forward to painting 30 paintings in 30 days in September with Leslie Saeta along with lots of artist from all over the world.  I did this last year and found it a real challenge to both work and paint.  It really helped me to paint quicker, as I often take too long to decide on the perfect subject.  But, it's not as much about finding  the perfect subject as it is portraying something that excites me.  I'm starting this challenge while on vacation. Tropical storm Erica decided to head to the gulf coast this week and while we are in Punta Gorda, we had the most beautiful sunset.

Punta Gorda Sunset

Diane Plaisted

Oil on Gessobord, 6x6
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Onions on the Chopping Block

I've been painting... really... just haven't been posting anything since last year.  It takes time and I've been trying to focus on getting enough paintings together for a show.  No plans yet, but that's the intention.   But I am glad to be back blogging and I will try to get my works out here where you can see what I'm doing. 

  

This spring, I started painting larger - 12x16.  Still doing the smaller ones too.   The larger paintings were  a bit to get used to but I'm loving it.

Even though I don't know who might be reading this blog, it's feels comfortable to be back.  

Onions on the Chopping Block

Diane Plaisted

Oil on Gessobord, 6x6