Into the Morning Light...

Am back in the studio for the next few weeks....got an order of canvases and frames and have even planned some of the images I hope to do. Had such a great response to the new pieces at Stockley it is making me a little nervous about warming up again... can I do more and better images? We'll see. This is just a minor thing that happens right before I plunge back into the "zone." Even with all the success, I wonder if I will still have the inspiration when I pick the brush back up again... It is a challenge to remember where I left off! Have three commissions to generate and that always helps; I can start with something I know and work out from there. This new piece is the first "under glass" piece I have done for some time. It was about three days in the making as I came to it, left it, and came back again. I have another one started, a landscape, and I'll take them to Marlboro MA November 15. The process is wonderful: I don't know of any work I could be engaged in that has such soul gratifying capacity! I am blest and thankful today, right now...

Great Weekend! For more art see www.tombarnesfineart.com

What a fantastic weekend... Gail and I made it to Norfolk VA on Thursday nite to sit down to a wonderful meal done by our dear hosts Barbara and Jim Reynolds. Barbara is always trying new recipes and this one was an Alfredo Concreto... so named because she was disappointed in the cream sauce... I had three helpings before I could decide just how good it was! On Friday Ben Crumrine and Walt Kelley came to help set up the show in Stockley Gardens and we were done in record time. Walt especially made the heroic effort of driving from NC up to Norfolk just to put together the tent. (How do I get such wonderful friends?) Ben is one of Tyler's buddies from way back and he is one of those totally Zen creatures who brings peace where ever he goes. Friday night we actually just sat around the kitchen table and played Dominoes! Saturday AM we were at the show and started selling immeditely. Lots of collectors came by and they were happy to take the new pieces off the walls and into their homes. Continual amazement on all our parts! Jim Reynolds worked the crowd and Barbara worked the charge machine and Gail acted as hostess for the multitudes! Talk about team work... Judy Hautala came in from Washington DC for the 36th time in our 18 year history of doing this show. On Saturday nite we were treated to a fine feast at the No Frill Grill even though Jerry and Deborah were in Ashville for vacation. Got to see him Saturday when he came by the show, straight out of the travel mist.... So many great friends came by to say "Hello," encourage me about the new images, and share a few lines about thier lives. New buddy John took this clown shot for posterity! In the wrap up: I took 34 pieces and sold 17! Great show! I am in the studio this AM, ordering more canvas, frames, paint and planning the display for Marlboro MA Paradise City Show Novemeber 19, 20 and 21st. Check out www.paradisecityarts.com . Am so looking forward to painting more. Am so blest to have an appreciative public and so humbled by my friends' love!

New Images for Your Approval

Small but powerful, eh? These are all watercolor on canvas and have been finished in the last couple of weeks... They are a few of the many I am getting ready for Stockley show October 16-17 in Norfolk VA....

Simple and pure watercolor

No drawing, sketching...just splatters

My retro-look

One of my favorites, new techniques of underpainting

Kandinsky inspired...

Classic look, new palate

Tyler likes this one and wants me to do BIG like it...

Toulouse influences everywhere

Bright new look of loose drawing

Larger version of a popular image inspired by Marsden Hartley

My Cezanne look with Savannah overtones...

Studio shots and Friends I love...

Settling In To New Spaces

So for those who may not know yet... Gail and I have moved from Chesapeake VA to Guyton GA... That's a small town of about 1000 people just 23 miles from Savannah GA. I have a new studio and have been painting in it like a crazy man. Had two wonderfully successful shows in Alexandria VA and Philly PA recently and sold all but 7 of my entire inventory pieces. Sooo... I came back with a vengence and midst the turmoil of new electricity, water, gas, dirst walls, etc. I began painting and the new works have been exciting for me. Others may not be able to tell the difference, but for me the way of wokring and planning and executing has changed and grown. I hope the new images are pleasing... a few of them are included here. The studio shots are random...