chattahoochee

The weather was so incredible the last few days, there was no way I could let the weekend go without painting in it. The light, the temperature, everything was fantastic. And it is the last few days of the Fall colors. So I took Illy out to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. At first I was going paint from a similar spot as the work I did during the Paint Out back in August. I was going to paint a fall scene to contrast with the same design with summer greens. But then behind me I saw a view that I've had on my list for a long time - a dense forest with lots of illuminated colors. So I turned my paint box around and painted this hill with the light coming through the trees. Illy was on her best behavior, and I was assuming it was because she was as anxious to see how it turned out as I was. This is the third densely wooded forest piece I've done (the other two being in swamps), and I've learned a lot each time. One important part of landscape painting is to simplify, which is a tough task on such a complex subject. 

"Fall Forest"

10x8 oil on lead primed canvas

SOLD

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I finished up the Paint Out Thursday and Friday with these two pieces. I chose the first one ("The River ") and the piece I did Wednesday ("Fishin'") to submit to the show. The reception is tonight at the CNREA Island Ford Headquarters from 7:30 to 9:30. There was a ton of artwork there this morning when I dropped my pieces off. It was a lot of fun to meet the other landscape painters and to see what they did.

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Yesterday was the first day of the Great Chattahoochee Paint Out, and I went to the Island Ford unit of the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area. Since the Paint Out is about the river, I chose the river as my point of interest. I really liked how the sky made the water so light and how it contrasted against the trees on the shore. Then about halfway into the painting, I saw a guy out there fishing. It was the perfect thing to throw in to really highlight how cool this river - which is in the Atlanta metro area - is.

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Tommorrow starts the Great Chattahoochee Paint Out (http://visitroswellga.com/great-chattahoochee-river-paint-out.html). The registration was tonight, and there are over 75 artists that are planning to paint over the next 3 days. I'll be going to work early so that I can leave early and do a painting each evening. Each artist can submit 2 paintings to be displayed at the reception at the Island Ford HQ. I'm excited to have a piece displayed at a National Park facility.

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One of the many fine things about the Chattahooche River is that you get to call it "The Hooch". You also can enjoy it within the Perimeter of Atlanta (I-285). Today was a great day to be out there. Kate and our bluetick Illy joined me for a fun day hanging on a little beach area in the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area. There were several families and dozens of dogs for Illy to meet and charm with her easy going hound dog personality. I was able to catch her in a typical pose of hers while wading around.

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Last Sunday wrapped up the TFAS 2008 (www.thetelephonefactoryartshow.com). Many thanks to Judge, Grant and Michelle for their hard work making it happen. Also thanks to the Fireball Collective (www.fireballcollective.com) for participating in the show with us. Also thanks to Kate for the wonderful food and to all my friends that stopped in to support the show. We had a blast and I sold several pieces.

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I went out yesterday and painted the Chattahoochee River along a bank at the Chattahoochee National Rec Area. I've painted the Hooch a few times before, although not at this specific spot. I'm getting better, as the subject matter - big mess of trees - is quite challenging. One really nice thing about this spot was wading in the water during a break. It wasn't too hot out, only about 85F, but the river was very cold and it felt fantastic. In a couple of weeks I'm taking out my boat (The Olive) to scout around some additional spots along the banks. They call that Shootin' the Hooch.

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I feel more integrated with the landscape when I spend the night out in the woods. I'm very happy that I've added camping to my painting trips. You do have to pay careful attention to the sounds at night when in the mountains of North Georgia: A snake rattle. A bear rustling. Banjo music. But with proper preparation, the experience is very rewarding. This past weekend, my girlfriend Kate, my bluetick hound Illy and I spent Saturday night under the stars at Unicoi State Park. The Georgia State Park system is very good and Unicoi is the nicest state park I've visited so far.

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Laundry. Bills. New drivers license. This was my to do list for today, along with many other mundane errands. But it was too damn nice outside. Way too nice. About 65 degrees, not a cloud in the sky. Chamber of Commerce weather. So I grabbed my pack and went to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. The visitor center is about 20 miles north of Atlanta, but parts of the park are scattered all around the city. I was able to hike and find a good painting spot.

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