Swampy Road, Florida Coastal Oil Landscape by Judy Batterson, Florida Artist

"Swampy Road" Off the beaten paths, sandy roads lead back into hammocks and lagoons. Untouched areas of coastal Florida with palms, pines and mangroves are there. Reflection of the blue sky made the brackish water appear blue. Hammock colors change depending on the sun and the sky. Framed 16x20 Oil at Let Us Frame It in Orlando.

Blue Cypress Sunset, Large Oil Painting of Old Florida, by Judy Batterson, Florida Artist

"Blue Cypress Sunset" If you're a fisherman, you may have been to this large lake 20 miles west of Vero Beach. Pristine Old Florida with one fish camp, cypress forests, osprey nests and gators. If you like nature, this peaceful place is magical, especially at sunset. Framed large oil painting on display at Let Us Frame It in Orlando, FL.

Palm Afternoon, a Tropical Florida Landscape Oil Painting by Judy Batterson, Florida Artist

This 16x20" oil landscape captured an Old Florida coastal feeling. The late afternoon sun made light and shadows appear in a secluded cove. I painted it hoping the viewer would feel the balmy breezes and tropical tranquility.

Palms Along the River, Florida Oil Landscape of St. John's River by Judy Batterson, Florida Artist

We rented a houseboat from Holly Bluff Marina near DeLand, Florida, and took it on the St. John's River for the weekend. What we found was total pristine wilderness with beautiful tall palms lining the river's edge. I took my sketchbook and paints to capture the water, birds, and trees. This painting has been chosen for the 2013 Artists Registry Exhibit which shows two works of art by 80 artists from around the state. 12x24 original oil.

Wekiva Moon, Night Florida Landscape by Judy Batterson Florida Artist

"Wekiva Moon"is a small 8x8 oil on black gallery wrapped canvas. I have several friends who live on large properties along the Wekiva River. When the moon is full, it shines like a spotlight on the land below. No urban lights diffuse it. My challenge was to capture this night scene on black canvas without any black paint!

Weeki Wachee Mermaid, Oil Painting Inspired by Vintage Florida Postcard by Judy Batterson

A fun 5x7 oil painting inspired by an old vintage Florida postcard. Before Disney World came to Florida, this was an exciting family trip to go see the mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs. This area is now a state park, and the mermaid shows have resumed. Quite an experience to see these swimmers, fish tail and breathing tube! $75 (framed) at the Orlando Museum of Art Museum Shop.

Weeki Wachee Mermaid, Original Oil Taken From a Vintage Florida Postcard by Judy Batterson

A fun 5x7 oil painting inspired by an old vintage Florida postcard. Before Disney World came to Florida, this was an exciting family trip to go see the mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs. This area is now a state park, and the mermaid shows have resumed. Quite an experience to see these swimmers, fish tail and breathing tube! $75 (framed) at the Orlando Museum of Art Museum Shop.

Old Florida, Framed Original Oil of Lake and Palm by Judy Batterson

Take a trip into the heart of Florida along trails next to lakes and creeks. There is dense foliage along the edge of the water. The lake reflects the blue sky and palms. Patches of sand and reeds are dotted along the water's edge. This is "Old Florida", a vast ecosystem of marshes and lakes. This is the old Florida I remember as a child when my friends and I would "go exploring" in the woods. In this painting, Florida's wild beauty translates into color and light. 8 x 10" framed original oil

Preserving the Paradise, Florida Oil Painting of Winter Park by Judy Batterson

This painting shows the history of Winter Park, Florida. With this conceptual process, I stood at the edge of the Genius Preserve looking across Lake Virginia at Rollins College. The Genius Preserve was the Windsong Estate of Jeannette Genius McKean and Hugh McKean. Jeannette was a quiet art crusader whose grandfather was Charles Hosmer Morse. He had given the land for Central Park in Winter Park. Hugh had been a young art student of Louis Tiffany and later became president of Rollins College. When the New York Tiffany estate burned, they saved the Tiffany glass and brought it to Winter Park. The McKeans made it a comprehensive collection now housed in the Morse Museum. Visitors from all over the world come to see the windows and glass. I was a young artist when I helped them at the Morse. My favorite window was the Wisteria Window, and, thus, the overlay on the painting. Tying culture and beauty together, I give homage to the McKeans for preserving the paradise of this area! 16"H x 12"W Price: $ 500.00 framed

Anastasia Palm, Old Florida Stately Palm Oil Landscape by Judy Batterson

On a beautiful afternoon, I set up my plein air easel in Lake Mary in front of a stately palm tree. With the sun shining on one side, the tree cast a shadow on the grass. Palms are my favorite trees because each one is so different, as if each has a different personality. This one sent out an Old Florida vibe. Tall, stately, and perfectly "coifed", the tree seemed more like a tropical sculpture. 12"H x 9"W

RUSTY ROOF, DMannion

Diane Mannion, RUSTY ROOF, 6x8" oil

On the way home from Arcadia, Florida, which is almost in the middle of the state, this great old house was on the side of a busy highway.  Had to stop and snap a few reference photos.  There were two main reasons why I didn't paint this en plein air.  1. Busy highway, trucks going 65 a few feet behind me.  2. A big dog.  And when I looked across the highway, a man was holding back two more.    

      What I liked about this ramshackled residence was the care someone took to prop up a tender, young hibiscus tree blooming with pink flowers at the edge of the driveway.  The place has seen quite a few hurricanes, especially hurricane Charley that ripped across the state destroying everything in its path.  The roof is wind warped and rusted but still there!

Stillness on the Tomoka, Oil Painting of Old Florida by Judy Batterson

On the east coast of Florida, the Tomoka River is a pristine wilderness that has not changed. I was asked to capture this in a painting by a friend who grew up on the Tomoka. I did site visits, sketches and took photos of this beautiful river. There was such a sense of peace with the gentle flow of the river. Some areas had dense areas of mangroves, palms and underbrush. Other mangrove clumps opened up to the sky, allowing sunlight to reflect off of the water. A white egret stood out against the darker water while other birds flew overhead. This river is "old Florida" appreciated by nature lovers everywhere. Original Oil 24"H x 36"W.

"Gail's Old Florida Garden", 12x16, oil on canvas, plein air, alla prima by Maryanne Jacobsen

"Gail's Old Florida Garden", 12x16, oil on canvas, plein air, alla prima by Maryanne Jacobsen

This plein air painting will be in the Light Chaser's show. The Light Chasers are the Suncoast plein air group that I am part of. We paint every Thursday at a specified location in the Sarasota area. This is our first show! The gala reception will be this Friday night and there will be original paintings there by over 40 plein air artists, many of them known nationally. I hope you will join us if you are in the area!



To see more of my work, please visit my blog at Paint Dance.

The Orange Picker, a Florida Vintage Postcard Oil Painting by Judy Batterson

Citrus groves shaped Florida's history. The first groves were planted in the 1500's by Spanish explorers, and, by the late 1800's, workers had poured into the state to pick oranges from the thriving trees. Picked at the peak of freshness, oranges were put into
shoulder sacks, emptied into crates and then shipped all over the US. Oranges helped make Florida famous! 5 x 7" original oil painting. Part of my vintage "Postcards from Florida" painting project.

Swampy Road, A Florida Oil Landscape of Old Florida by Judy Batterson

Off the beaten paths, sandy roads lead back into hammocks and lagoons. I saw some beautiful untouched areas of coastal Florida by walking down a road on a sunny day until it ended in the water. Palms, pines and mangroves were in abundance. The reflection of the blue sky made the brackish water appear to be a beautiful blue. The palette of cool colors captured the feel of the green flora as well as the blue water and sky. Hammocks reflect different values and colors depending on the sun and the sky. Very refreshing in a back to nature way. 16 x 20" Framed Oil on masonite $1200

Rock of Ages, a sequence showing oil layering, by Judy Batterson

The finished painting! In the woods in Arcadia, Florida, there is a dry creek bed that serves as a trail that goes deep into the palmettos, palms and trees. When the sun is high, the light hits a clearing and highlights a rock where a person can rest while hunting or hiking. The rock marks a special place for all who walk through these woods. It never changes like the shifting shadows, thus the title. This painting was a commission and a joy to paint every layer. This commission was painted in memory of a very special man who loved to hunt in these woods. 11 x 14" giclees and prints available on request.

Poinciana and Oranges, a Florida Oil Landscape of Orange Grove, Poinciana Tree, Old Florida by Judy Batterson

A large poinciana tree is in bloom with brilliant red blossoms. Across the path is an orange grove laden with fruit. The interplay of light and shadow is shown by the sunlight on the bright colors of red, orange and green while billowing clouds stand out against a dark sky. Florida heat leads to afternoon thunderstorms, and the painting tells this story. Large and colorful, this is a painting of Florida the way it used to be and can still be found down sandy back roads. Original Oil on masonite. 21 x 36 " $2400

Old Florida, a Florida Oil Landscape with Palm and Water by Judy Batterson

Take a trip into the heart of Florida along trails next to lakes and creeks. There is always dense foliage along the edge of the dark water which reflects the blue sky and palms. Patches of sand and reeds are dotted between the land and water. This is "Old Florida", a vast ecosystem of saltwater marshes and freshwater lakes. This painting captures the sunlight highlighting the edge of a Florida lake. The light beams into the shadows and highlights the palms and sand. This is the old Florida I remember as a child when my friends and I would "go exploring" in the woods. The good news is the beauty of hidden lakes can be found today not only down hiking trails but also in parks and preserves. In this painting, Florida's wild beauty translates into color and light. Original oil on masonite. $395 Framed www.judybatterson.com

Poinciana and Oranges, a Florida Oil Landscape of Orange Grove, Poinciana Tree, Old Florida by Judy Batterson

A friend called me to say that she had just seen her first poinciana tree in full bloom and was amazed by the vivid beauty of the
bright red blossoms. The reason she recognized the tree is because she had seen this painting. This painting captures the feel of old Florida with a sandy road, an orange grove, and a small lake next to a blooming poinciana tree. The Highwaymen loved to paint the poinciana trees, too, and now I know why. The bright blossoms lend themselves to thick brushstrokes and built up oil texture which make the scene pop with color. This is a 21 x 36" original oil on masonite. For more Florida landscapes, visit my website at www.judybatterson.com.