A New Day Blooms, Plein Air Painting by Judy Batterson, Florida Artist

Having set up my easel in a field in the early morning, I painted the light and shadows of the trees and flowers. It's always so beautiful to see how the sunlight can make a dramatic composition with the resulting shadows. Framed 9" x 12" Oil, Price: $225.00

Castaway Point, 6x8 Original Oil Painting by Carmen Beecher

$99, Click to Purchase

My painting group, Pieces of 8, is doing weekly challenges and the challenge for this week was to paint en plein air, using four tubes of paint only. We were at a beautiful spot called Castaway Point, and there were so many lovely views. It is surprising how many colors can be made with three colors and white. Makes me wonder why I have so many different colors in my paint box. I do notice that my painting is a bit softer than usual, and I am not sure if it was because of the paint colors, the bright sunshine, or my canvas being in the shade. 

Fall Afternoon at Valley River Mountain, a Plein Air Painting By Judy Batterson

This Florida girl took a trip to the NC Mountains to see beautiful fall leaves. And by taking my easel and paints, I was able to capture some dazzling color on a small canvas. This painting sold right from my easel! A 6 x 6" original oil, painted on site.

Reeds and Red Boat, Soft Impressionistic Plein Air Painting by Judy Batterson, Florida artist

Central Florida has so many beautiful lakes. This was painted at Lake Jessamine in Orlando. Across from where I set up my easel, was a small cove where a little red rowboat was pulled up into the reeds. The early morning light made soft atmospheric blocks of color. And the lily pads made a peaceful scene. 9x12 original oil.

Rose Garden Trellis, an Original Plein Air Oil Landscape by Judy Batterson

Looking through the trellis, the sunlight was intense on yellow roses. I stood in the shade of the red roses. This painting was a joy to paint because the day was so beautiful outside. Cypress Grove Park in Orlando has beautiful gardens, fields, and dock on a large lake. What fun to capture it in oils!

Plein Air Morning, a Florida Oil Landscape by Judy Batterson

The weather was perfect when I set up to paint in the middle of the field at Cypress Grove Park. The morning sunlight hit the large oak trees and the grass with intensity. This painting is all about the dramatic darks and lights that I saw before me. I loved mixing the oils and capturing the morning on canvas! I would call this style Contemporary Impressionism. 9 x 12" oil on canvas. $225 framed. Available at The Orlando Museum of Art.

Morning at Little Econ River, a Florida Plein Air Oil Painting by Judy Batterson

I arrived at the Little Econ River early in the morning and set up my pochade box easel next to a small tributary of the river. Birds were fishing and flying as the water flowed quietly. It was such a peaceful experience of capturing misty light and shadow on the canvas. I ended up with a feeling of impressionism. 5"H x 7"W Price: $ 75.00

"Afternoon Fun" after EH Potthast

"Afternoon Fun" after EH Potthast
(4x4") - 201217
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Bon voyage..... At last, our summer vacation has arrived!  We'll be heading out tomorrow morning; returning next weekend. I will not be bringing my painting equipment, but will have my camera close by.  This is one of the years we'll go to Anna Maria Island here in Florida.  PLENTY of beach scenes!
All I'm bringing is my suit, hat, sunscreen & flip flops.  Oh - a beach chair too (critical). Today's painting was all about cadmium yellow.  It's a tricky one, to be sure.  For me anyway.  It rather goes along with the last study I did of Potthast (below), Balloon Vendor.  Though this time I really wanted to explore what cool, cold weather light looks like.  This too is on gesso board.  I'm loving it!


Don't forget - if you happen to be in the Orlando area during the month of July, you can see my paintings in person at Steinway Piano Gallery (SEE BELOW ANNOUNCEMENT FOR INFO).  There will be an artists' reception on Thursday July 12th, from 6-9.  It's not likely that I will be able to be there, but I will have a 'spokesperson' there to talk to.  I can also meet people by appointment anytime after July 16th. 


There's much in the works lately, and though you haven't heard from me in over a week, rest assured I am working away at organizing my upcoming year.  Workshop Survey will hopefully go out tonight.  However - as you know, I am known to have a hard time doing things exactly when I hope too.
Anyone who has recently asked, I've put you on the list of artists who are interested and you will be part of the survey.  I want to get some idea of where and when the vast majority of folks would be able to attend.

Contact me regarding purchase and commission requests.

Unless otherwise noted, listed prices are offered to my subscribed blog members. If you are interested in purchasing a painting, but are not yet subscribed, simply enter your email address in the join box on my home page. As a subscriber you will receive special values on your purchases and periodic promotions will give you the opportunity to enjoy my paintings in real life at even more affordable prices!

"At the Beach" (yellow skirt) by Sally Shisler

"At the Beach" (yellow skirt) after EH Potthast
(4x4") - 201215

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I have some 4x4" gesso board that's been laying around for a while, and I finally decided to go ahead and give it a try for painting.  My usual surface is Centurion oil primed linen that I cut down and mount onto gator board.  It's been my preference for about 2 years (after I went on a spree buying and trying all different kinds of 'stuff' to get the best of what I'd need to kill as many birds with one stone as possible).  I really enjoyed the gesso board though I believe there was some absorption of the paint rather than what I'm used to with the linen.  The linen allows the paint to sit on top of the surface more.  Just the same, I think I'll do several more like this to see where it goes. 

About workshops - so many have asked, and yes, I still do them and I am in the process of putting together the next few for this year.  Probably will aim for 2 more.  (Next year I will be teaching in GA, and hopefully in TX - thanks to the honor of being invited as a Signature Member of Contemporary Fine Art International).  I have also put feelers out for the central NJ area). I'll keep everyone posted.
Anyone who has asked, I've put you on the list of artists who are interested. 

Finally, I believe I'm going to send out a short questionnaire soon to ascertain who is interested in studying what.  My endeavors & methods have changed a lot since I first began teaching a few years ago, and I'd hate to plan something that not everyone was expecting.

Contact me regarding purchase and commission requests.

Unless otherwise noted, listed prices are offered to my subscribed blog members. If you are interested in purchasing a painting, but are not yet subscribed, simply enter your email address in the join box on my home page. As a subscriber you will receive special values on your purchases and periodic promotions will give you the opportunity to enjoy my paintings in real life at even more affordable prices!

"Walking in the Hills" 2 by Sally Shisler (after EH Potthast)

"Walking in the Hills - 2" after Edward Henry Potthast
(4x4") - 201209a

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Many of my most popular paintings have numerous purchase requests. For those who miss out, I always offer to paint a new version just for them (commission, if you will).  This is the second painting that I've done of this image.  The first one is a few posts below - it sold right away.  There are major differences in the two versions - on purpose, so that I'm not simply repainting the exact same thing.  The first version has a very high contrast quality with super white whites & dark darks.  I LOVE working this way, mainly because I'm pretty sure how to get the effect I'm looking for directly without spoiling the looseness and freshness of the paint application. Today's version has several mid-range gray valued colors. All are on the warm side of color temp, but some are warmer than others.  I'm thrilled that it's success comes not from strong contrast, but from well developed areas of local color.

I also wanted to thank all of you who have been leaving comments and emailing me.  It's wonderful to hear from so many people!  Of course, with that comes the pressure to try and get back to everyone - which I have to say that I'm not very good at.  I have good intentions, but those are worthless without some action.

About workshops - so many have asked, and yes, I still do them and I am in the process of putting together the next few for this year.  Probably will aim for 2 more.  (Next year I will be teaching in GA, and hopefully in TX - thanks to the honor of being invited as a Signature Member of Contemporary Fine Art International).  I have also put feelers out for the central NJ area). I'll keep everyone posted.

Anyone who has asked, I've put you on the list of artists who are interested. 

Finally, I believe I'm going to send out a short questionnaire soon to ascertain who is interested in studying what.  My endeavors & methods have changed a lot since I first began teaching a few years ago, and I'd hate to plan something that not everyone was expecting.

Contact me regarding purchase and commission requests.

Unless otherwise noted, listed prices are offered to my subscribed blog members. If you are interested in purchasing a painting, but are not yet subscribed, simply enter your email address in the join box on my home page. As a subscriber you will receive special values on your purchases and periodic promotions will give you the opportunity to enjoy my paintings in real life at even more affordable prices!

"At the Beach" after Edward H. Potthast

"At the Beach" after Edward H. Potthast (4x4") - 201214

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Hats and umbrellas; umbrellas and hats...  For whatever reason, they are a challenge.  More importantly, I want to discuss the inclusion of a black person.  Because everything I've painted up until now has been creamy white folks. One of my husband's best friends is black. She asked me the other day why I haven't ever including someone black.  What can I say?  It was a terrific question!  I have to tell on myself and say I just never had the occasion to or even thought of it.  Black skin has a wonderful quality with MANY more variations in color and value than that of white skin. From rich dark prussian blue hues, to light caramelly tones, it offers lots of mixing fun!

Contact me regarding purchase and commission requests.

Unless otherwise noted, listed prices are offered to my subscribed blog members. If you are interested in purchasing a painting, but are not yet subscribed, simply enter your email address in the join box on my home page. As a subscriber you will receive special values on your purchases and periodic promotions will give you the opportunity to enjoy my paintings in real life at even more affordable prices!

"Beach Time" by Sally Shisler

"Beach Time" (4x4") - 201213

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Contemporary subject; classical colors.  I wanted to break out a little bit, tone things down from the last few posts.  Again (like in the Skinny Dipping paintings-sexy nude), I was wary of this piece being pigeonholed into a genre (cutesy mother, child) taking away from any merits it might have as just a painting.  I really love working with very dark darks - the transparent ones.  Sap green, alizarin crimson & ultramarine blue. Mixed together, they create succulent colors.  I had been trying out the M. Graham oils for a while.  Very good quality pigment that has walnut oil for the medium.  Not to mention very nice tube openings and tops. I thought it might cut down on the amount of walnut oil I use when I'm mixing my paint.  But it didn't.  Also, as much as I wanted the brand to work, it was just too pasty for me.  I'm back to the good old Winton & Georgian brands. These are student grade, but in my opinion, the best for what I do. 

Contact me regarding purchase and commission requests.

Unless otherwise noted, listed prices are offered to my subscribed blog members. If you are interested in purchasing a painting, but are not yet subscribed, simply enter your email address in the join box on my home page. As a subscriber you will receive special values on your purchases and periodic promotions will give you the opportunity to enjoy my paintings in real life at even more affordable prices!

"Crashing In" by Sally Shisler

"Crashing In" (4x4") - 201212

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This was SO much fun!  You'll note that the bright white is actually from some glare off the outdoor light source (the sun).  It hits where the paint has the most depth, which is usually a challenge to get around when photographing the paintings. (There is a way around this).  But with this scene, the sparkles show me exactly where I can go back in and place pure white paint to suggest the waves even more effectively. 

Contact me regarding purchase and commission requests.

Unless otherwise noted, listed prices are offered to my subscribed blog members. If you are interested in purchasing a painting, but are not yet subscribed, simply enter your email address in the join box on my home page. As a subscriber you will receive special values on your purchases and periodic promotions will give you the opportunity to enjoy my paintings in real life at even more affordable prices!

Painting at Rothenbach Park

Edge of the River Acrylic on panel, 8 in. x 6 in. Painted at Rothenbach Park in Sarasota, Florida, with the Light Chasers group.Sharon Guy Art

Plein Air Painting at Boca Grande

Easter Morning
Acrylic on panel, 10 in. x 8 in.

I visited Gasparilla Island State Park on Boca Grande on Easter Morning. I walked past the lighthouse and found a spot where I could watch the barn swallows swooping over the dunes. It was so windy I had to sit in a beach chair and paint in my lap. To purchase this painting or to view my other artwork, visit Sharon Guy Art.

Plein Air Painting in the Wind

March Storm
Acrylic on panel, 10 in. x 8 in.

Here is the second of two paintings I did on a stormy, windy morning in March. The water had a greenish tinge, and the light fell on the horizon, creating a band of light green water. An occasional change of weather is a good thing in Florida, as far as I'm concerned. To purchase this painting or see more of my art, visit my website at Sharon Guy Art.

Plein Air Wave Studies by Sharon Guy

Wind and Waves, Acrylic on panel, 10 in. x 8 in.

On a stormy March morning, I sat in a chair near the water and studied the waves. It was too windy to use my easel, so I painted in my lap. A grey, stormy day is refreshing to me. The colors of the water changed as the sun came in and out of the clouds. To purchase this painting, visit my website at Sharon Guy Art.

Plein Air Painting of Beach Umbrellas

Stripes
Acrylic on canvas, 8 in. x 6 in.

I painted this from life early in the morning. The light is pleasing at that time. The umbrellas look beautiful against the blue-green water. The Gulf gradually changes from a blue-purple to a blue-green color as the sun rises. Sharon Guy Art

Plein Air Painting at Casperson Beach

Snowy Egrets, Casperson Beach
Watercolor, 8 in. x 6 in.

Casperson Beach in Venice, Florida is a quiet, uncrowded beach. It's a great place for plein air painting. These egrets were standing in the shallow water for a long time while I sat near them sketching and painting with watercolors. Sharon Guy Art

Studying Seagulls

Study of Gull
Watercolor, 8 in. x 6 in.

I did a preliminary drawing of a seagull from life, then I painted a watercolor. A few gulls stayed fairly close to my chair while I studied them. They stood fairly still while they groomed themselves and took short naps.
Sharon Guy Art