Fall at Western Lake

Fall at Western Lake

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

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Happy new year! I apologize for my absence, but I took a much needed post-move break over the holidays. School began again today for the girls, so my attention turned back to my work. I entered doorway of my new studio this morning with total anticipation (and trepidation) about painting in a new space, on a new easel, and after what was for me, an extended amount of time "off the brush."

I painted this piece over Thanksgiving, in a favorite spot of mine--Watercolor, Florida. Fall there is so beautiful, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect for plein air painting. I began a larger version of this today, then ditched it for a small tree study when I realized what I really needed in my new environment was something familiar. Very soon, I'll post a larger version.

-julie davis

Still Waters

Still Waters, 12 x 9 in.
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This is another piece that I've prepared for the show at Davis Gallery here in Austin. It's a scene from one of my favorite places: Watercolor, Florida. Some of the most peaceful, reflective times I've had while painting have been there. I also love the simplicity of the palette I used in this piece--the grayed tones appeal to me and really describe this particular day.

*please come by and see the show if you're in Austin--it runs April 2 through May 7, and the opening is April 9th from 7-9 p.m. Here's a link to Davis Gallery.

-julie davis

Inlet on the Lake

Inlet on the Lake, 6 x 8in

The spot we love in Florida has a beautiful lake (Western Lake) that has numerous inlets, piers, and bridges. I love painting there when we go. This is one view off the pier from which I paint most often. In the morning before the sun is fully up it's truly serene.

-julie davis

Evening on the Lake

Evening on the Lake, 8 x 10

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This is from one of our last evenings in Florida--there are several docks and piers on Western Lake, and this is one of my favorites. Just around the dock is Hwy 30A, a two-lane road that runs along the coast (and crosses this lake). Walk across 30A, cross some dunes, and you're on the beach. I wanted to capture the almost black-and-white effect that the evening creates on the lake--it silhouettes the trees on the oceanside and can be very dramatic. There is a bit too much reflection on the darks in this photo--they're a bit darker in person, but I like the way it turned out.

-julie davis

Break in the Reeds

Break in the Reeds, 10 x 8

Another painting from one of the piers on Western Lake in Watercolor, FL. It's such the peaceful place, and I love heading out there in the late afternoon. These trees seem to group themselves just for me.

-julie davis

Western Lake Marsh

Western Lake Marsh, 6 x 8

For a while I'll be posting paintings done from photographs from our trip. All the previous FL ones were plein air, but there are a few scenes I wanted to paint but didn't have the time to get back to in person This is one such scene, and I hope maybe next time we're there I'll be able to go back and paint it from life. I just loved these marsh grasses--especially in large masses---they become a beautiful neutral carpet adjoining the water.

-julie davis

Boathouse in the Trees

Boathouse in the Trees, 8 x 10

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On Western Lake in Watercolor, there is a boathouse where the kids can rent cane poles to fish, or take a canoe or kayak out for an hour. I had a view of it from the pier near our home, and painted this early one morning.  Again, I've got to get a handle on my photography of these greens...bear with me!

-julie davis

Sunrise On Western Lake

Sunrise On Western Lake, 6 x 8

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Well those of you who were so impressed that I was painting and blogging on vacation spoke too soon! I've been unable to post for a while because the Internet connection went down in the home we were in for the week....now we're home and I can catch up! I did continue to paint despite the inability to post, so I was here in spirit.

I painted this one on Friday morning as the sun was peeking through the trees, before my family awoke (not hard with teens). I'd seen this group of five trees from our second floor porch, and they kept catching my eye until I painted them. These greens are a challenge to photograph--I have a bit too much reflection here, but you get the idea.

-julie davis

Western Lake Peninsula

Western Lake Peninsula, 8 x 10

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Another poor photo, but the painting I like. This is the inlet that welcomes everyone to Watercolor from the west. I liked theses five trees and the reeds and grasses that grow out with them. The ocean lies right behind the far trees and the dunes in the distance.

-julie davis

Quiet Lake

Quiet Lake, 6 x 8
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I haven't quite found the best spot for taking photos of my work while here, so this one is a bit shiny....northern edge of Western Lake across from our house. It's been completely calm in the mornings.

-julie davis

East Edge of the Lake

East Edge of the Lake, 6 x 8

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There is a beautiful lake in Watercolor, Florida, that I am lucky enough to be living on the edge of for the week. I painted this after I arrived the other afternoon and the sun was still hot, but heading down. I found a shaded fishing pier with wonderful painting opportunities in every direction. Lots of grass, trees, lily pads. Tomorrow's post will be a morning version of the same lake.

-julie davis

Western Lake Inlet

Western Lake Inlet, 5 x 7

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One of my favorite spots.  A small lake near the coast of Florida with these beautiful trees that so gracefully line the water's edge.  As it rained most of this (extremely busy) weekend, I looked back at some old vacation photos for something to paint, and found this and another I'll post tomorrow.  Fortunately, we get to go back this summer, and this time I'll have my EasyL......

-julie davis