Painting in Florida

Painting in Florida

Being in Florida during the winter is a joy and a relief from the cold. Do I sound like a snowbird?!

Since I prefer being outdoors painting every day that I can, why not be warm?

I got a new little plein air setup for myself upon arriving and I’m really enjoying it. It’s lighter and still portable by bicycle, so it works out perfectly.

In exploring near my mother’s house, the most obvious thing to paint is the woods. It is also one of the most challenging subjects.

floridawoods300dpi

The Wooded Path, Florida
Oil on Canvas
14 x 12″
$575
Available

Someone asked me if it is difficult to adjust to the different kind of light. That is a good question.

Really I don’t find it difficult, especially in sunny Florida. There was just a world of green in this picture.

The depths of the deep recesses in the woods are mysterious and inviting. I kept wondering if an alligator was going to sneak up behind me, like something out of a horror film.

But no alligators, just the sound of palm trees blowing in the wind and the striking light cutting through the trees in the afternoon.

Paradise.

8 Comments
  • leslie heuer

    January 30, 2015 at 3:19 pm

    Oh those greens! So gorgeous but so challenging! I’m curious about the new set up, do you mind sharing? 🙂

    • Kelly

      January 31, 2015 at 6:03 am

      Hi Leslie, sure I don’t mind sharing at all. I will write a blog post about it, but in short I am using Judson’s French Resistance medium box with the tripod. I slightly modified the box to put a palette directly in it and so far so good- I’ve been using it for about a week now.

  • Molly Preston

    January 30, 2015 at 5:48 pm

    Kelly
    Interested to know what plein air set up you chose…always looking for simpler, lighter. Thnx.

    • Kelly

      January 31, 2015 at 6:01 am

      Hi Molly!
      I will do a post in a few days showing the new setup since there seems to be an interest in that. It’s just a Judson’s French Resistance (medium size) box that I modified slightly with the great tripod. It is so easy to carry and incredibly light, I’m really enjoying it.

  • Anna

    January 30, 2015 at 6:54 pm

    This is a beautiful piece, wish I could be the one to buy it! Thanks for sharing!

    • Kelly

      January 31, 2015 at 6:04 am

      Hi Anna and thank you, so glad you enjoy this piece, all of those rich greens found everywhere you turn here in Florida.

  • Cindy Michaud

    January 31, 2015 at 1:51 pm

    Love the light…you got Florida spot on! Best bright light contrasted with really, really blue skies and tons of green! Well done……

    • Kelly

      January 31, 2015 at 9:03 pm

      Thanks Cindy, these landscapes here are rich and deep- and a real challenge! A real compliment coming from a native Floridian!