A River Runs Through It....

Hi Folks,
Well, summer is in full swing these days. Days and weekends are filling up for the summertime fun. I hope you can get out to see me at a show, a workshop, or a demo. Although I cannot keep the blog up current, I do try to send out emails about where I am going to be next. If you are interested in being informed, send me an email letting me know to add you to my subscription list. my email is bradshaw72@gmail.com

here are a few paintings done in the last wk or so

Morning under 3 Peak
8 x 10
Oil
$275

Sunset behind Priest
8 x 10
Oil
$275

Crabtree Rocks of Time
12 x 12
Oil
$500

Crenshaw, looking from the south
12 x 9
Oil
$375.00

Also, I am teaching a workshop this weekend for Blue Skies gallery.
There are still a few spots open if you are interested and want to know more information
here's Leslie's phone number....757 727 0028

Hope to see you all out on the road!
Take care!
Tom

Lots of new information, but before that, we'll be right back with you....

Hi folks,
I've been so busy that I haven't posted anything new on here in over a month...well, this is just an update, but I will promise you this....There's big news right around the corner....stay tuned..
In the mean time, here's a few paintings to get you by....

The Whirlwind....

Hi folks,
I just want to post some updates to the blog. It's been far too long and there's been so much happening that I probably will not remember to discus so much with yall!!

I just returned from Winter Park, Fl. from a plein air event. It was great to reconnect with other artist, kinda like a homecoming, and meeting other new friends. Making new family friends, and staying with the most gracious host on the planet. Pam and Glenn Paisley opened their arms to a stranger, and I departed feeling loved and welcomed back anytime.

The Winter Park Plein air 2014 was just what the doctor ordered to start off a very busy painting season. With new sales and my client base extending is always a welcomed event. The weather was great, it's Florida how bad can that be, and the art was even hotter than the temps.

So with no more delaying, I'll share what happened and hopefully you will see something here you might like. If you do, don't hesitate to contact me via email.

Also, I am participating in LeGrand Fine Art's Salon again this quarter (http://www.legrandfineart.com). Sue puts on an amazing Salon and usually has clients walking out with smiles on their faces and paintings in their hands. Check her web site out for more info.

So, here's a few paintings that have sprung from my brushes.

Thanks for reading and for your support! Take care, Tom

It's time for a new YOU! New Year, New ways to do things.

Hey folks,
I hope you all had a great holiday season! I had an incredible one myself and if Santa was good to you all as much as he was to me we should all feel so stuffed with art supplies and armed for the new year!

This time of year I always take stock and look at my years work, annalize and set some goals for the next year and set goals on improvements. How many paintings to do this year, if I have any goals for major improvements I usually order enough small canvas's ( 6 x 8 ) for studies and usually get started on those right when the linen arrives. I stock up early because spring is right around the corner. That means I should already have met my goals, that means I need to get outside and paint. Not later, but NOW! One of the best parts of January is that the days are inherently getting longer and even though the temps are cold, painting in the winter time outside is spectacular! I have always loved the soft light, the long shadows, and the chill in the air. Summer is right around the corner and I've got to be ready for it!

Plans are for a very busy summer here with shows all over the east coast. The first being in Winter Park Florida April 20-27. This is a new event for me so it should be fun. Check back for more details soon and if you feel up to it, give me a jingle and talk about art sometime!

Have a great January! See you all further on down the road!
Tom

Season's Change

Hi Folks,
Fall is in the air! My favorite time of year, maybe I said that in the spring, or maybe even in the summer, but fall really is a painters dream. Colors are popping just around the corner. In a couple of wks, I'll be off to painters paradice. That means, I can set up office around any bend in the road, any old barn that I see, and any swamp or lake that I pass by.... Mother nature just begs to be seen and understood. I think painters are the most a-tuned to her power as far as,business people go. What I mean here is, we interpret her. We have to read what she gives us, interpret her givings, and try to make a painting out of it. She is perfect in all that she throws at us. She never rest, and she forces us to keep focused and goal oriented. The time is near, get your gear, rear your head, put the lead down, and get out there!!

Pre Fall preparations....including the bug spray

Hi Folks,
I am just taking a small chance to write on my blog tonight after a couple of wks of painting, a plein air exhibit (plein air 757) and the very next week preparations for my opening reception at Blue Skies Gallery. All this has happened so fast that I have not even had much time to recollect on my paintings that have come across my brush. I try to approach each painting differently from the one before, but still keeping the things I learned from the last painting fresh in my mind. This keeps everything fresh and free aspect about my work. I often look at some of my work and note to myself that one works, one doesn't or it doesnt have feeling with in itself. I do not like to put work out there that doesn't have it's own presence, so it usually get's covered up or painted over. I try to paint daily and even those that do not make the cut, it's still an opportunity to paint and it's still brush mileage. The result might not be up to par, but I usually do notice things to change and the process of change is recognized. Whether that sticks for the next painting? That remains to be seen in every case...

Well, here are a few paintings that have been painted over the past couple of wks. Hope you enjoy!
Tom

Easton follow.....An Update

Hi folks.
This past week has been a change from last wk's crazy paint fest up in a beautiful town of Easton,MD. If you have been a follower of this blog you are aware of my anticipation for this event. I will post some photo's of paintings done and I think I have photo's of 2 that have found new homes. All in all, Easton was a huge success with 2 new homes that my work now reside in! Meeting new collectors is always a joy and coming to a union with someone who doesn't paint is always a special bond. After having a relaxing and well deserved painting break it is time to start to prepare for the next one! Yes, Plein Air 757 is in just a few weeks away. Augest 8-10 with a quick draw over in Cape Charles on Sunday the 11th. So much Fun!!!!
Stay tuned for more updates!

All and all I was able to meet my goals in Easton. 20 paintings in 7 days. Some days I did 2 a day, others I was able to get in 4 in one day. The days were extremely hot! but that never stops a plein air painter! Did I mention the days were HOT!?

Take care folks, hope you enjoy!
Tom

Fresh Cut Grass.....

Hi Folks,
Now that we are full on into the summer season here in Virginia countryside I like to say how green everything is. We are getting rain on a nearly daily basis. It's tough for the painter in more ways than one. All this green that is out there reminds me just how important mixing your greens are vs. the boring ole technique of pulling out Varidian and just using green from a tube. I have stood by my color palet system now for almost 8 years and now it is more important than ever when out mixing greens. I found this system from a class I took from Scott Christensen. He teaches a large group of students the fundamentals on color theroy and composition. His goals are to go small, time limit, and mixing accurate color. All are so vital in plein air painting. If you ever want to take a top notch workshop (I think the best in the country) look up Scott. He has a wealth of knowledge and inspiration for all painters. Oh, his palet is unmatched and I think I'll be using this palet for the rest of my life. It's so much fun mixing color and it always get's the juices flowing from the start of any scene!

Here are a few paintings from my limited palet of
Ultramarine Blue
Cadminium Yellow Light
Permanent Red Medium
and Titanium White

Thanks for looking in!
Tom

Hi Folks, Ive settled into a new place here in Smithfield, Va. The country living is something I have viewed as the ideal lifestyle. Away from everything and lots of new items to paint, including old weathered barns, distant vistas, and strong shadows that happen when you are around lots of trees. I think this new location is going to be great for me artistically and emotionally. I have been painting nearly everyday since coming out here. My work is expanding on a daily basis! It has given me a chance to realize how important art is to my soul. Here are some recent paintings...Hope you enjoy! Tom