Mid-August Update

Lots of stuff going on these days, and not much time to keep the blog up to date. That being said...a quick mid-August update. For those few who stumble upon it...

For our first out-of-the-house vacation in two years, we spent a Monday to Friday at the Windrift in Avalon, NJ, a place we have been to a half dozen or so times in the past. The kids liked the beach and the pool. I liked that it was cooler and more overcast than usual.

Avalon NJ beach at evening

Two weeks of band camp commence this coming Monday, and with Grace being a Drum Major, I am very much looking forward to Grace's senior year in high school. And dreading it at the same time. My baby girl is on the verge of going to college... Sigh. But I am jumping ahead.

As far as painting goes, after six weeks or so of lethargy, I have begun painting again. This feels good. The following are all first-pass works in progress, with more layers to come once the first layers dry. Be kind...they are works in process. Also, I am still struggling with the "too good" camera issue, but I am too lazy to put much time into figuring it out...

A lake through the trees. 8 by 10 stretched canvas in oils. [in process]

Lake through the trees (8 by 10)

A stream through the fields. 9 by 12 canvas panel. [in process]

Stream through the fields (9 by 12)

Sunset behind the trees. 5 by 7 "postcard" canvas panel. Painted as a practice exercise limiting myself to a 5 minute sketch. These quick exercises don't always produce the best results, but are valuable in terms of trying to focus on colors, forms and overall impression.

Sunset behind the trees (5 by 7 "postcard" in 5 minutes)

Maybe I will add some commentary on the cluster-f%&$ that is the US peoples' response to Covid. Or maybe not. Suffice to say, working in healthcare, I find myself shaking my head many times each day when reflecting on the situation we continue to face. We have effective vaccines and many people not willing to take them. So we all continue to suffer. And likely will for some time. I selfishly hope that none of this prevents Grace from having a somewhat normal senior year, but.... Let's hope for the best.