Sentinels
Why sentinels? Oooh I can’t wait to share with you. But first, I’d like to welcome you here. Where’s “here?” How about a quick back story?
I love to paint. Where? Well, I paint at my home studio, outdoors and on the road. On the road? Yes! For several months each year, we tow a small teardrop camper (and my mobile painting studio). I bring my paints and sketch and paint as we travel and trek. This year, we made it as far north as Newfoundland. Now we are back in Raleigh, North Carolina.
No matter where we are, each week I share a painting, sketch or study. My hope is that what I draw or paint might delight and inspire you. Sign up here to receive these colorful painting posts in your inbox.
The Setting for this Week’s Painting
Believe it or not, the setting for this week’s painting is my imagination. Lately, I have been doing timed color sketches. The subject matter? It varies. Sometimes I paint clouds (as I shared in last week’s post). This week I painted trees. These trees are inspired by our recent trip to Newfoundland (4-weeks) and Maine (2-weeks).
Maybe I’m over analyzing, but the trees in these northern places are sentinels of their edgy, hardy and tough environment. Each of these adjectives describe what I think it would take (for me) to survive in the colder months there. Anyway, I share this because the trees are different than here in North Carolina.
As I paint these hardy trees, I imagine their unique character. I love the colors and the characters I captured here! And, I am excited to be working on other, larger paintings where I’m intent on capturing these sentinels’ rugged personalities.
Sentinels Painting
Here’s this week’s color sketch. It’s 5×5 inches and painted in gouache. And, I’m excited to share it will be “dressed up” in an 11×14 inch mat, for sale and on view at my upcoming studio sale (as part of the Forest Park Art Walk) on Saturday, November 15th and Sunday, November 16th from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM each day.
All of these 5×5 inch color sketches will be priced $100 or less at my studio sale. So if you’re looking for one of a kind artwork for someone special on your Holiday List, come by! And, even if you want to look at the artwork and not buy, stop on by. After all, looking at art is really good for you. And, I would love to see you and to say “hi!”
More Painting News
And, here’s more painting news. My painting entitled “Oasis,” a 12″ x 16″ oil painting, has been accepted into the Fine Art League of Cary‘s “Interiors & Still Life” show. It will be on view at the Reflections Gallery in Wake Medical Center in Cary, North Carolina. The show will be up until Saturday, January 17, 2026. Here’s Oasis.
What’s Happening in Your World
Have you been exploring some new artistic ideas? Do you have tips or ideas on how you explore and harness new ideas? If so, please share in the comments below!
Wow and wow! Love “Sentinels” –
The colors and the story behind painting it. We can learn so much from what is right in front of us, yes? It seems that is part of what you are saying. At least that rings true for me. This makes me look at the trees around me in a new way. So thanks for that.
And congratulations on the acceptance of “Oasis” and its temporary home at the Wake Medical Center! I so appreciate the art in medical settings (most of the time!) and this painting of yours is well-named and a visual gift of normalcy. Something that is an important reminder in a medical place in my opinion! Very good news!
Hi Beth, How cool that you might look at your trees a bit differently! Thank youuuu
And, thank you, for acknowledging the merits of art in a medical center. Sending lots o love your wayyyy xoxo
Congratulations on getting Oasis juried into the Fine Arts league of Cary’s show! Well deserved! Such a lovely painting. So much depth and I especially love the texture and reflection of the floor. xoxo
Hi Alexandra, Thank youuuuuu and xoxo back at ya!
SIGNATURE COLORS!
LOVE THEM AND YOUR PAINTINGS TOO!
Hi Denise, I can’t get enough of Sevres Blue these days. It’s a “new-ish” color for me. Love back at youuu xoxo
Congrats on both, Julie!!!!!! 💪
Thank you, Kathyyyyy!!! xoxo
Congrats on Oasis, Julie! I’ve been loving Oasis ever since you first posted it. Now I’d just love to see you brush knee your way across this kitchen floor. Reminds me of this: https://slantedflying.com/a-poem-by-allen-ginsberg-about-tai-chi/
HA HA Barb!!!! Thank you so much oh mighty and awesome Tai Chi guru. And, gotta say poetry and painting make for a mighty fine combination. So thank you for sharing Ginsberg’s poem here.It and you make me smile!!! xoxo