Early Morning at Bowdich park

                                

This morning, Jan 27, the weather finally turned. It is warm today and sunny, with soft breezes off the Gulf. We decided first thing to go to the beach. I set up my paints and my husband set off walking. What a pleasurable morning I had. The shadows were wonderful and I painted to my hearts content. After a couple of hours we went to Junkanoos for lunch. A sunny deck on the beach, a beer and a shrimp and crab meat wrap followed. What a satisfying way to spend a day. By the way, Junkanoos is a restaurant on the Gulf, with the biggest bar I have ever seen and a party reputation.

The Old Guardian

 Last week,Jan.15, the plein air group met at Edison Estates. Since this group is from Ft. Myers Beach Art Assoc., the Estate waves the entry fee and about 20 of us, got busy painting. I was so looking forward to taking some photos, for future reference, that I was disappointed that it was cloudy the whole time we were there. Also very chilly, with a brisk wind off the Callusahatchsee River. I saved this photo to paint at home and I hope you an tell that I enjoyed painting it. It is on an 11x14 board. These trees spread over vast areas and you can see much of there strong root systems. They spread though,  from roots that come down from the branches, find the ground and start a new tree. Doesn't that Old Guardian look like he has been there for hundreds of years? He has!

                               

A Porch at Edison Estates in Ft. Myers, Fl.

On Wed. January 15, our Plein Air group went to The Edison estates in Ft. Myers. to paint. Special permission had been obtained, so we were not required to pay admission and we all wore tags that said "Art in the Garden". The group was about 18, since this is a popular place to paint, right on the Calusahatchee River. We were all looking forward to wonderful shadows and values on the buildings and big porches, BUT, the sun did not come out. It was cloudy and a strong north wind was blowing. The temperature hovered in the sixties, and I shivered as I painted. I found a sheltered spot on a wonderful wide veranda and started. It was then that a guide came and asked me to move off the verandah as my oil paints might stain the decking. It was supposed to be all the original wood, from the time that Edison himself lived there. I moved off the porch into the wind and proceeded with the work. By 11:30 I was very cold even with long pants, socks and shoes and a fleece jacket. Thank goodness I was done, so I moved to the Gift Shop, where we were eating lunch and holding the critique. They had very tasty coffee, which warmed me up. Here is the finished oil painting on an 11x14 board.

                              

The Shrimp Fleet

I had photos of the shrimp fleet in Ft. Myers Beach, from last year, so when I needed something to paint,  this was the logical choice. I found the boats challenging with their nets and fishing winches, but against the dark background they seemed to stand out nicely. The waters of Back Bay in the foreground, were fun to do and I enjoyed the whole creation. This is painted on a 12x24 inch canvas.

                                

The Heavenly Biscuit

This really is the name of this wonderful, tiny little cafe on Ft. Myers Beach. It is also the name of the most popular thing on the menu, of course, the heavenly biscuit. It is a flaky, very tasty biscuit. Wonderful!!! I wanted to paint this on the road outside of the cafe but the weather here just did not cooperate. It has been in the low fifties, with strong winds and cloudy. Not the best weather for painting outside, so I took photos and worked inside. The 11x14 board was covered with an orange under painting and I like the way it shows through the finished painting. The sun was just sparkling on the two buildings and I think I captured that. I hope so, because I like the finished painting. Hope you do too.