Green Swamp, 6x8 Oil Painting

$99, Click to Purchase

This primeval swamp is in Silver Springs State Park, Florida. If you ever go camping at Silver Springs, or stay in one of the comfy cabins for rent, be sure to find the Swamp Trail, because you will walk through this swamp (on a boardwalk), then see the beautiful Silver River at the end. That view is depicted in my previous blog on September 17th. Scroll down to see that one.

See those cypress knees that are kind of bent? I have a knee like that, and I am getting it replaced in October. I will be out of commission for a while, so my posts may be few and far between. I hope I will at least be up to Zentangling, but I'm not promising anything. 

Carmen 

Datura, 6x9 Oil Painting on Canvas Panel

$99, Click to Purchase

This beautiful flower was blooming in Silver Springs State Park. I was peacefully painting the river while the glass bottom boat floated by, as well as the occasional kayaker. We artists took many pictures of the huge Angel Trumpet (otherwise known as Datura) plant. 

Glass Bottom Boat

Swamp

Silver Springs is a beautifully maintained state park now, and well worth visiting.

Carmen

Silver River, 10x8 Original Oil Painting on Canvas Panel

$125, Click to Purchase

Our artists group, Pieces of 8, went on a retreat to Silver Springs State Park in Ocala, Florida. I first went there as a six-year-old with my parents and watched Ross Allen milk rattlesnakes. Though he is gone, the glass bottom boats are still there, and we enjoyed looking down into the depths of the river, where the springs produce 55 million gallons of water per day. 

Silver Springs had gotten a bit shabby after Disney got all the attention as a major attraction in Florida, but the state has taken it over and made it into a lovely place to visit. The cabins are wonderful. They are air-conditioned and have big porches. There are hiking trails and a surprisingly good museum in the campground area. The above painting is at the end of the Swamp Trail.

As an added bonus, the Appleton Art Museum is five minutes away, and it is fabulous. We were very surprised at the quality of art it contains. 

Below are a couple of photos from our trip.

On the Porch at Our Cabin

View of a Spring

Journalling at Silver Springs

Computers are so mysterious. In the words "stabilize" and "small" above, the letter "l" is missing. It's not missing in the journal. That is just weird. 

Above, looking down into a spring; below, a very interesting palm tree that loops out over the water.

White Sail, 7x5 Oil on Canvas Panel

$79, Click to Purchase

This is a breezy painting and I breezed right through it. It just gave me a good feeling, maybe because I was painting with my favorite artists. I am enjoying looking at it because outside the window I see gloom and rain. 

Please explore my Etsy shop at www.carmensart.etsy.com to see a variety of weather-on-the-beach paintings.

Carmen

Sky Blue Pink, 6x6 Oil Painting on Canvas

$79, Click to Purchase

My aunt used to describe a certain color as "sky blue pink," then laugh. I was never sure what that meant, but I believe it was something like this picture. 

By the time you read this I'll be at Silver Springs State Park (Florida) with my painting group. It's supposed to rain, but I hope we get enough sunny days to paint en plein air. Ohboyohboyohboy, I can't wait!

Carmen

Butterfly Tree, 5x7 Pen and Ink Zentangle-Inspired Drawing

SOLD

I went off on a flight of fancy with this one. It's not exactly a Zentangle, but it is a fantasy drawing. I just never get tired of drawing trees.

It's been a little crazy here lately. I started a collage, painted an oil painting, did a couple Zentangles, and today I'm going back to the collage. Sometimes I wonder why I can't just relax and retire. What is wrong with me? Maybe it's because I waited so long to do art full-time. Or maybe it's just because I love doing it.

Carmen 

The Cotswolds, 12x9 Oil on Canvas

NFS

I must be something of an Anglophile, because I love little English villages, magnificent English cathedrals, and I am just awed by thatched roofs. I wish there were some in this painting. Those things are works of art.

I also love books by Kate Atkinson, Alexander McCall Smith, Charles Dickens and many others. I love Beatles music and the beautiful ancient sculptured hedges. I love London. I especially love the sweet Ricky Gervais TV show on Netflix, "Derek." Yep, I think maybe I'm an Anglophile.

Carmen

Reflections of Venice, 14x11, Oil on Canvas

NFS

As I was reflecting on my trip to Venice, I realized that I had never published this painting on my blog. Venice is a city I would love to revisit. I certainly understand why John Singer Sargent spent so much time in this beautiful and unique city. There is a painting around each corner.

Carmen