The End of a Good Night

This was at the end of a evening of fishing. I watched as my wife Maria put down her rod for a minute and took out her camera to record the beautiful clouds above.
Below is a short video of Maria catching a nice largemouth after we went two hours of not getting a hit.

12x16


This was painted from the location sketch and photos from the last trip.
It was overcast that morning so I experimented with the lighting in the painting to give it a little more punch than the original scene.

Sketching at Tyler State Park

Here are some sketches done on a early May Sunday morning at Tyler State Park. The weather for that Sunday was supposed to be sunny in the morning but when I was loading the car the skies were solid grey overcast.
My plan was to paint the fields and groups of trees with sunlight illuminating the upright trees trying to catch the early morning light.

When I walked into the one field with a horse path I saw a field of yellow and decided to sketch this bit of color on a drab morning. I am currently working on a 12x16 painting of this scene using this sketch as reference.

After I finished this I wanted to take a look at a farmhouse a couple of fields over. On the way I stopped to watch  a baby Grey Catbird catching insects on the path. It was amusing watching him fly a little, look and grab a morsel.

When I got to the farmhouse the skies were starting to brighten up a little so I set up to paint.

                                         (SOLD)

Both sketches are 5x7

On my way back who do I run into but the Catbird sleeping right in the middle of the path.

                                                                                                

I gently picked him up and put him under some bushes out of harms way because the path is used by bike riders, joggers, and people walking who might not see him.

It turned out to be a good morning after all.

Fly Fishing in the Pocono's

My brother Tom and I got out Saturday for a day trip in the Pocono Mountains.  I was thinking of bring ing my paintbox but the weather was calling for overcast skies with possible rain, they didn't lie.

We had a good day fishing, in the morning the trout were active because of the insect activity and the highlight of the day was we both caught 17" brown trout. At noon the rain started and kept going till we left at 4:30. We put on the rain gear and continued to have a good time.

Tom with his fish.

Me with mine.

Forest Road

Forest Road Cross Fork Creek 18x24  oil painting

This is a gravel road that winds along Cross Fork Creek a trout stream in north central Pa. My brother and I  use this road to get back to the car after a long day of fishing. Its a lot easier and less tiring than walking on all the rocks.
We came by at just the right time to catch the late afternoon light filtering thru the trees.

Tropical Scene

Ocean Catamaran  12x16 oil

This was our view from the balcony of our hotel room in Antigua.

Spring Color

I pass this forsythia bush on the way to work on the exit to lower morrisville rd. Its one of the first bushes to show its color in the spring and adds a little something to the drab landscape left over from winter.