White Ibis in the Surf

The White Ibis is one of my favorite shore birds. Here on the west coast of Florida we see them everywhere ~ on the beaches, in marshes and estuaries, even on our lawns and city parks. They are a sociable bird often traveling and feeding in groups or pairs. We used to call the Durante birds because their long bill resembled Jimmy Durante's nose. Like Jimmy Durante they are comical with a long curving bill and beautiful blue eyes that stand out against the orange skin of it's face.

The White Ibis is a wader. It wades along the beaches foraging for food, sweeping its head from side to side in the hopes of catching some little fish or sea creature to eat. I, too, do a fair amount of wading in the shallows of the surf looking for shells and interesting sea creatures. When at the beach I love the feel of the sand and surf on my feet even when the water is cold. I don't feel like I've been there unless I get my feet wet.

Mixed Media on archival paper. 16 x 20 inches. 2015.

Ready for Winter

I have become interested in paintings dogs in a variety of media and poses.  This fellow is ready for winter.  Bring it on!

Watercolor on archival paper. 14 x 17 inches. 2015.

Light in the Darkness

"Heron comes into our lives to teach us the power of precision. When we make decisions in our lives with precision, everything we do reaches a heightened level of effectiveness. 
We waste no energy, we conserve our internal power, and we save time! 
 Heron teaches us the value of watching and waiting in order to get what you need. In other words, heron teaches us the value of patience. It is not a passive patience, but an active one. We wait in our lives to grab opportunity when it arises, it is not a passive patience waiting for life to happen to us. . ." ~ Matthew James.

Watercolor on archival paper. 16 x 20 inches. 2015

Quiet Reverie

A peaceful moment spent in quiet reverie ~ dreaming alone lost in one's thoughts in a dream-like atmosphere . . . timeless and drifting ~ serene, soothing and relaxing

Oil on canvas. 16 x 20 inches. 2015

"The aim of art is 

to represent not 

the outward appearance 

of things, but their 

inward 

significance."

ARISTOTLE

Tupelo on 4th

I love all the little old Key West style houses here in Safety Harbor.  They epitomize the charm and character of our little town on the shoreline of Tampa Bay. 

From time to time I do a painting or two of different ones.  Years ago I did a watercolor, One Thirty Five of this same little two story bungalow.  Over time, the house changed hands and the new owner worked diligently to update and renovate it without losing it's original charm.  The owner recently commissioned me to do a watercolor of this darling little house which is now called Tupelo on 4th.

Watercolor on archival paper. 16 x 20 inches. 2015.