Wagner Farm Arboretum

My father once told me, "you cannot show an Irishman a hill without him wanting to see the other side."  I have come to understand the truth of this saying.  Driving home from work I would often glimpse these grain silos, literally across the highway and through the woods.  Finding them (and then painting them) became a goal.  This is one of those spots that I might have to come back to in different seasons,especially in winter.

                         Watercolor 11 x 8.5 on heavy weight paper 270 gsm

Washington Valley Reservoir

I have no idea what this building is or what its purpose is, but I wonder about it every time I go hiking around the Washington Valley Reservoir.  It probably had something to do with controlling the dam of the west branch of the Middle Brook (the brown berm in the mid-ground) that created the reservoir. 

What ever its function was, I think it is pretty cool.  And having just finished  Mark Lawrence's second trilogy set in the Broken Empire (think violent post-apocalyptic Game of Thrones), I imagine the building holds a long metal rung ladder that goes deep below the reservoir leading to a bunker where Builder-ghosts seek to influence the events of the Red Queen's War.

                            Watercolor 11 x 8.5 on heavy weight paper 270 gsm

A feast for woodpeckers

Woodpeckers are starting to take a toll on my old friend.  Mostly we get Red-bellied and the occasional downy wood peckers feasting in the old growth woods.  Last week a rarely seen Pileated woodpecker went to town on my favorite tree.  It acted more like an axe beak, hacking wood chips on an upper branch.  Giant, gaping holes are testament to the damage.  

                           Watercolor, Pen & ink on paper

Done using Diamine Damson ink (a grayish purple ink) and a touch of watercolor for emphasis.

Neighbor's Tree -- Winter

I have not had the opportunity to get out and sketch, so I have returned to a favorite subject, my neighbor's backyard tree. Even without the lush greenery of Spring/Summer it is still a majestic subject.

I think I might paint a picture of this tree every month as a season study.

                                     Watercolor on 140 lbs paper 7x10

Highland Lakes (Beach Seven)

It is a small world.  While getting ready to paint in Highland Lakes, Tina's uncle told me I needed to visit the Expeditionary Art website because the artist, Maria Coryell-Martin, does some cool nature watercolors.   I already knew about the site because T had bought me my first (and second) Pocket Palette from Maria.  In addition, Maria was very generous with her time and expertise.  She provided her insights and advice to me while I was preparing to buy artist grade watercolors (Daniel Smith).  Here is my first painting using the Pocket Palette and new paints on site.

Why is it a small world?  Well, it turns out T's cousin went on the same expedition as Maria.  In fact, Maria even did a watercolor portrait of her cousin in watercolors (it is a really cool and unique piece).

Here is my sketch of small lake where T's aunt and uncle live using, of course, my Pocket Palette and Daniel Smith watercolors! 

                         Watercolor and pen & ink on paper 5.5x8.25

Boat House by the Duck Pond

I often admire the legions of Urban Sketchers in their cool European cities as they dazzle with their eye popping work of old world buildings and parks.  One day I will join them on an urban sketch crawl.  But in the interim, I will contend myself with painting more locally.  I think that Central Jersey has its own charm and appeal.  That is why I am challenging myself to start my own Central Jersey Project to help me grow, but to also showcase the beauty of Central Jersey (and I will be taking a liberal view of where that actually is).  Plus, it forces me to use my en plein air easel and tripod set up.

This painting is of the boat house by the Duck Pond, which is a small park (less than 2 mile area) that meanders around the Ambrose Brook, complete with its own little waterfall.  This area is prone to flooding, especially after the last two big hurricanes.  And, as its name implies, is home to many ducks, though none were to be seen this weekend.  I think I was able to actually achieve a nice contrast between light and dark, especially in the bushes in the far ground.  

                        Watercolor on 140 lbs watercolor block 9x12

                            The view up from the docks to the boat house

Hiking in Washington Valley Park

I did a simple hike in Washington Valley Park and for the first time brought tube paints along with my Pocket Palette (dried paints).  It was crazy windy by the East Branch Reservoir where I set up but the sun was warm.  With the wind whipping by, I had to work fast.  The result was this groovy, abstract painting.  I love the juicy washes in the sky and the evergreen trees using the tube paint.  I can see why many Urban Sketchers bring tubes along with them on site.

                           Watercolor on 140 lbs watercolor board 9x12

Here is the actual photo.  It was so windy that the clouds were constantly changing and moving by, altering the shadows they threw on the trees and water below.  While I painted, several college-aged kids hop across the little rock bridge in the foreground that was partially submerged.  None fell in.

 

Final Hike of the Year -- Washington Valley Park

December is not going to be a very productive between end of year work, Christmas and (hopefully) vacation.  Even if I do get to paint on vacation, chances are I will not post them until January.  So, here is me beginning the month in earnest to keep the goal of four paintings per month.  

This tiny postcard was done on my final hike of the year in the various NJ parks I have recently rediscovered.  I had the overly ambitious idea of doing a series of postcards in the Fall but was only able to get this one done.  I am not completely satisfied with it, but it is a unique reminder of a great day.  As I continue on this journey of painting, I feel these little watercolors provide more vivid memories than digital photos ever could.

                             Pastel over Watercolor on 140lbs postcard paper 6x4

Lone Tree in the Valley -- Natirar County Park

I do not normally use the back of paper (I am just weird that way) but I have seen so many sketch crawlers do these amazing double page spreads. It has been something I have been considering for awhile.  Plus, what drew me to the tree was the fact that it was the only tree in the well manicured valley in the park.  As I started to draw it on the single page, it just looked too crowded on the page (defeating the purpose for painting it in the first place), so I kept drawing on the other page.  I am quite pleased with the final result.

                                       watercolor on paper 5.5 x 16.50

The Daniel Smith paints continue to be enjoyable.  The colors seem brighter than the cotman and the washes are easier to manage.

                    My kit: Pocket Pallette, niji water brush, 1/2 inch brush, spray bottle

The entrance to the walking path at Natirar County Park, you can see the tree I painted off to the right.  It was just a perfect day for sitting outside and painting.

Shade in the Valley

I probably should have used a bigger brush.  However, I wanted to be outside painting rather than in my studio, so I had my cotman travel set and the niji waterbrushes, not the larger flat brushes.  The cool shadows below the tree did not turn out the way I intended, but I think the final effect was quite pleasing.

                                      Watercolor on 120lbs paper 9x12


This is the first painting with my modified cotman set.  I finally, after much internal debating, swapped out some of the pan colors that came with set (that I do not use) for other student grade paints.  I say student grade because I have made the leap (finally) to more expensive artist grade watercolor paints.  They should arrive in a week.  I will use them both in the studio and as my new, customizable travel Pocket Palette.  I can hardly wait.