Santa Fe, New Mexico Santa Fe, New Mexico has long been on my bucket list of places to visit in the American west.  I finally planned ahead enough to score affordable plane tickets, lodging and car rental.  We spent the week in an adorable adobe studio home a few blocks from the main plaza.  Perfect for a quick walk to dinner after a long day of hiking. Day 1 – Visit Georgia O’Keefe Museum, lunch on the patio at The Shed & afternoon hike at nearby Dale Balls Trail (3 miles). First time working with gouache Hmm- it dries two values darker Dale Balls Trail, Santa Fe ..read more

Plein Air Painting on the Trail There is nothing better than hiking into the woods for a little plein air painting surrounded by nature. The atmosphere of the location somehow infuses your painting style and, for me, is the best form of meditation available. Deciding on the essentials is important as the weight of your backpack quickly adds up, especially with oil painting. As an oil and watercolor plein air painter, I have experience packing for both that may help you to decide on your best easel before making the investment. Some important considerations to make when choosing plein air ..read more

Want to explore (and paint) Narrow River?  Here are the five best options: WALK along Narragansett Beach to the mouth of the river DRIVE to Sprague Bridge or Middle Bridge HIKE at Garrison House Acres or King Benson Preserve KAYAK from the Narrow River Inlet 1. Walk on Narragansett beach Narrow River is a tidal river with the entrance to Narragansett Bay at the north end of Narragansett Beach. The sand banks formed by the winter storms make this a favorite area for boaters to raft up and enjoy the beach. The river mouth and narrow tidal inlet have a very strong current. Sunse ..read more

Painting the Rocky Shore Just a short drive north on Ocean Road from Scarborough State Beach, is the small, tucked away parking lot for Black Point Fishing Area. The Black Point trailhead begins here with a short walk along a dirt trail to some of the most rugged and beautiful ocean views in southern Rhode Island. The Malcolm Grant Trail is a 2.1 mile hike along the rocky shores of Narragansett Bay. Black Point Trail A short way in, the trail forks right or left, with the left taking you on a grassy woodland loop that is favored by dog walkers. To the right is an in and out path alo ..read more

The Perfect Place for Surf, Sand and Sun There is no substitute for being at the beach.  Narragansett Town Beach is one of my favorite local plein air painting destinations, especially in the off season when there are no crowds. The only sounds are of the waves crashing and washing up onto the shore and the gulls calling. A short walk along the beach takes your from surfers, to sunbathers, to fishermen and boaters braving the strong tidal waters of the Narrow River Inlet.    'Beach Day' Narragansett Beach and Towers oil painting (SOLD) 'Narragansett Dunes', oil pai ..read more

Plein air oil painting at Gilbert Stuart birthplace museum We often drive by the Gilbert Stuart birthplace museum on our way to walking dogs at King Preserve.  The historic buildings and mill are beautifully maintained.  I love that a famous American painter was born in our little state.  The mill itself is beautiful and deserves it’s own painting.  The museum was closed the day I went, so instead I parked a bit down the road and walked on a path along the stream until I came to this spot.  I loved the snow covered banks bordering the stream and the juxtaposition ..read more

Hiking the loop trail around Tillinghast Pond Our latest All Trails find… an easy loop trail around Tillinghast Pond. Quiet dog walk in the woods The Pond Loop Trail is a beautiful, easy walk in the woods that our 15 year old pup handled with no problem.   The trail loops around the circumference of the pond, meandering near and far from the pond edge.  There are multiple benches to rest and enjoy the view along the way.  The soft pine needles were lovely to smell in the scattered stands of pine. Phebe’s Grove is a beautiful grove of pine trees on a little ..read more

An afternoon plein air painting in wild New England weather  Sachuest Point is amazing to visit for it’s accessible walking paths to a stunning rocky coastline with dramatic stone outcrops and wild, pounding surf.  Today was no exception with a steady breeze creating gorgeous, white crested waves beating on the shore. New England winter weather at its finest… the ever dynamic sky changed dramatically every half hour.  From threatening storm clouds to sunshine and blue sky,  the only constant was the wind and crashing waves. The steady wind was blowing sea spray ..read more

A bike ride and plein air watercolor painting day trip to Isleboro Island A quick 3-mile ferry ride to Isleboro Island gets you away from the mainland to this understated paradise.  On the fall day we went, there were more construction workers with happy dogs commuting than tourists.  I spent the short ferry ride petting an adorable yellow lab and enjoying the beautiful view of the bay.  We walked off the ferry with our bikes and set off on our way to the town beach.  We came here ten years ago with our kids and had a fabulous day so we anticipated another great experie ..read more