Seneca school

Sometimes I drive around and drive around looking for a subject to paint. Often the problem is not finding a convenient place to pull off the road. I don't like to attract attention....this leads me to paint the same subjects....but actually, a subject is never really exhausted. There is a different perspective, or a different season, or time of day. This is Seneca school for the fourth time this year.

Swain's Lock

This is a great view along the C&O canal when you're riding your bike. Swain's lock house was usually the end of my return trip. Great day for painting outdoors.

Linden farm

This is Linden farm in Montgomery Co. Md. This is the second time I've painted this subject. The weather was much more pleasant today then the first time I painted here. I really enjoy painting barns.

Copying

These sketches and the corresponding Vogue magazine photo are intended to be exercises only and not finished artwork. I lay it all out here in terms of success or failure of a likeness but that seems a good thing to me. I find free hand sketching to be very difficult and portraiture its ultimate test. If I had gone to an atelier school perhaps my skills would reflect improvement but I am not disappointed with what I am trying to do here.

Sketches from the National Gallery, Wash. D.C.

Riley's

This is Riley's lock house along the C&O canal, in Montgomery County, Md. The foot bridge is atop the old aqueduct bridge that crosses Seneca creek.

St Paul Community Church

This is St Paul Community Church in Montgomery County Maryland. This area around Sugarland Rd. was founded by former slaves in the late 19th century.

Swains lock bypass flume

This is the bypass flume to Swains lock, Montgomery Co. Md. This was perfect weather today. The highly oxygenated water is favorable to fish. When I left, a man walked up to this spot and immediately caught a fish on a top water lure.

Potomac River

The Potomac River at Swains lock, Montgomery Co. Md. A pleasant breeze cam through as I sat and painted this picture. You could not ask for a more perfect day.

Farm

This is a large prominent farm on Rt. 28 in Frederick Co. Md. The light was in and out all day today. It made things difficult.

Edwards' Ferry

Edwards' Ferry. Painted for the fourth time this year. I think I like the location because I get away from people here.

Black Rock

This is Seneca Creek at Black Rock Maryland. It was a pleasant warm day for painting.

Matchbox

This beat up truck sits on a lot in Boyd's Md. It reminded me of a matchbox toy so I decided to make a painting of it.

Two more

The first painting is of a pathway adjacent to the C&O Canal (painted last Sunday) and the next is of a stable along Bucklodge Rd. Montgomery Co. Md. (painted today).

Canal at Pennyfield

Nice to get back outside again.