So, I just finished 4 more oil paintings. I wanted to share with you to see if you had any comments that might help me progress. As usual, the photography does not do justice to the paintings. They are larger than the last group, these are 16 x 20 on canvas. I hope to start 4 more this week. The first one is a small pencil study I did for the painting. The first two paintings are scenes from Apalachicola, FL east of Panama City. Once a thriving port, mostly for sending wood up north for construction, it remains a fishing port, the shallow bay around the town and delta provide oyster fishing. First is the Franklin Co Press building in downtown, from a balcony across the street as the sun was setting; the second is titled White House Above Oyster Beds - in the original, the sky is much more dramatic; then 10-Mile Canal behind our housing community - it is the same point but looking north as the dark dramatic scene I had in my last batch. The storm was approaching from the south but the heavy clouds had not yet arrived overhead, so the sky was just hazy - again, in the original you can see traces of the blue that were reflected in the water. The final piece is a view down Bell Tower Park Blvd where I live, about 9 AM with the low February sun.

You can see more pieces on your mobile phone app: ArtLoupe.org. It was constructed by Art St Louis over the last 2 years. It still has a bug or two but for the most part it lets artists sell and buyers shop. I think you can search under Lyles; or, if you find one piece, click on it and it will give you the option to view other pieces by me. I recently uploaded 20 for sale including some of my older pieces I kept in my collection. One piece is NSF in that I no longer own it, Mizzou selected (confiscated) it from my first drawing class for their permeant collection. I was told it was part of a 2-year statewide show. At least they gave me a slide. 

Lastly, I am going to try some 3D pieces in white with small color squares to see where that leads me. I will have to finalize how I can best display them. We shall see how that works out.

I submitted 3 paintings to the juried show at Alliance For The Arts in Fort Myers. Also looked into joining a local coop. Meanwhile finishing 2 larger canvases, one a north view of Canal 10 and the other a street scene in Bell Tower Park.

First Spanish I class this evening. Ordered Spanish Is Fun...we'll see about that. Lots of good comments on the five easy pieces. Some strong observations, things to think about for the next 5.

This was difficult to de-emphsize the umbrella yet let it have some wind.

Just clouds and beach. Very serene. The violet glow was real. Rain on its way.

About 9 am, Venice (Florida) Beach. Sand was cool to my feet.

Just a simple view, walking home from the community fitness center.

Working in my "studio" this afternoon, listening to Fleetwood Mac: Penguin and Mystery To Me. Framing the five paintings I finished this month. Earlier I sent an email to friends and family with photos of the five - received wonderful encouragement. Interesting to hear top choices and then compare them to what I think are mine. And, it lead to a phone call from a special friend who lives too far away. 

Cleaned up the room. No more procrastination...I will start 5 more tonight or tomorrow. Thinking of another view of the drainage canal and then some scenes from Apalachicola Bay. 

Looking at my pastels, this one got me started, let me know that I could do something with what was a new medium to me. From a Taos, NM visit.

Summer 2015, visit to Apalachicola, Florida. Pencil and pastel from restaurant window, late afternoon.