Boats

Anyone who has been reading my blog lately knows I've been into painting boats and with all the rain and flooding we have had recently in South Louisiana, its kind of fitting.  We had about 6 inches of rain yesterday but other areas near here had up to 14 inches with more rain today. Thankfully we did not get the deluge of yesterday.

Here are a grouping of boats I completed recently.   The photos I painted from were taken on my plein air excursions.  All boats, except the black boat on the bottom left, were taken in Intracoastal City, LA.  The bottom left boat was taken in Ft. Meyers Beach, FL.

"Boats"

11 x 14 - oils on canvas panel

On another note, here is a picture of a visitor we had in our back yard Tuesday.  Maybe he was trying to tell us something.

This was the rain we got the next day...

Anyway, rain is over and the sun is out...
Happy Painting!

The Captain James

I headed out to paint last week with a friend, Kaye Landry, searching for shrimp boats in Intracoastal City.  The days here are getting a little warmer so we decided to leave earlier.  We arrived on location a little after 8 a.m., set up in the shade and enjoyed a nice breezy morning of painting.

There weren't quite as many boats as last time, maybe six or so.

After a few hours we packed up and headed home. Below is my finished painting.  I added my final details out of the wind...

The Captain James

12 x 12 - oils on gallery wrapped linen

Shrimp Boats...Again

I headed out Thursday morning with a couple of friends to hunt down shrimp boats.  We all met at my house and followed one another to Intracoastal City to our spot we found in the fall.  We hit the jackpot!  Why are there so many blue boats?  There were probably 10-15 boats there, all blue except two.

I was looking for the Captain Charley and was so excited when I spotted the boat down on the point. I setup down there and painted for a few hours.  I took some pictures of the area for future reference and headed home.

"Charlie & Friends"

12 x 12 - oils on gallery wrapped linen

$150

Until next time,
Happy Painting!

Grand Coteau

I headed out with Lucy to meet my friend, Kaye Landry, in Grand Coteau.  We met at the exit and decided upon the Jesuit Seminary Grounds.  There is an old barn with a herd of cows in the pasture.  I chose a spot to paint the a chunk of the barn.

Lucy and I have a painting routine we've established.  When we arrive on location, I set her up in her little dog yard with her blanket, food and water (she likes to dine out for breakfast).  While she eats breakfast I unload and setup to paint right next to her.  She usually lays down and chills out...not today.

Lucy was very excited today because she made a new friend.  I kid you not this cow stayed right there watching us for over 2 hours.

I was going to paint that barn back there and ditched the painting to watch that curious cow.  I was so distracted and could have just sat down and enjoyed the beautiful day watching that crazy cow. Instead I played decided to paint a small study of the cow and the barn.  I laugh every time I look at that little cow painting...I need practice.  I think he looks closer to a calf...lol

We had a great play day today..Miss Queen Lucy did too; finally settled down in her little yard...patiently waiting for her new friend to return.

Until next time....

Happy Painting!

Mystery House at Lake Martin

This is a studio painting I've been working on of a house on the road that runs through the Lake Martin preserve (near Breaux Bridge, LA).  The Lake Martin Preserve is known for its beautiful cypress lake and has one of the largest concentrations of migratory birds in the world...and I am painting houses from there...lol

Anyway, I have always been intrigued about this house which is located not far from the boat launch in Lake Martin.  It's set back from the road, nestled in the woods, hiding there among the huge trees. At first glance, you might think it was some kind of abandoned tower. Someone recently told me it was haunted but I haven't been able to find anything written about it.  I once spotted a man at the top floor peering out.  I wonder if he was the ghost?  I thought it would be fun to put his essence in the painting.

Excuse the photograph, this photo does not do this painting justice, but...I'm a painter not a photographer.

This painting will be hanging for sale in a local restaurant in Lafayette but can also be purchased on my website for sale.

"The Mystery House at Lake Martin"

18 x 14 - oils on gallery wrapped linen

$200

Here is one of my pictures of the house.  There is a "No Trespassing" sign on the front gate and a red Keep Out sign behind.  Do you think someone doesn't want me in there?

Until next time...
Happy Painting!

"Flowers for Dessert" Solo Exhibit

My solo exhibit featuring my "Flowers for Dessert" is hanging at Poupart's Bistro in Downtown Lafayette.  I'm very excited because I have 30 + floral pieces in the exhibit.  Poupart's is a sweet little bistro located on Jefferson Street across from the Acadiana Center for the Arts.

I will be at Poupart's today for Lafayette's 2nd Saturday monthly Art Walk, Saturday, May 10, 2014 from 6-9 p.m.  Please stop by to visit with me and view and/or buy art!

Here is a preview of some pieces you will see there:

Nestled In The Poppies

I woke up Sunday morning at 1:00 a.m. with an idea for this painting and got up.  I painted until sunrise, got a few hours of sleep and worked on it off and on Sunday and Monday.  I often wake in the middle of the night and go into my studio to paint.

This painting is on display for sale at the Village Cafe Lafayette located in River Ranch Town Square.  If you are in the area, please stop by to view this painting in person.  My photos are not very good quality and do not do the painting justice (lots of glare in this one).  While you are at the Village Cafe, have a bite to eat and enjoy the wonderful food and atmosphere there.

"Nestled In The Poppies"
24 x 48 - oils on gallery wrapped canvas










He is hidden there...do you see him?

























More to come.......stay tuned.
Happy Painting!

Catching up

I've been taking the time these last couple of days to catch up on some things I've been neglecting like putting finishing touches on a few paintings, cataloging and photographing my paintings, updating my website, blogging and final organization of my artwork that will be on display at Pouparts May and June.  I've been a busy bee these last couple of days!

Below are most of the paintings that I have completed from the days in Abbeville which can be purchased on my website, www.mariarandolph.com.

St. Mary Magdalen Church

The Depot

Black's Seafood and Oyster Restaurant

Magdalen Place

Dupuy's Oyster Shop

St. Paul's Episcopal Church

St. Mary's Congressional Church

The Long Walk Home

I was supposed to head out this morning on a plein air excursion, but the sky was real cloudy, so I decided to paint in my studio instead.  I met the sweetest Jesuit Brother Wednesday (see previous blog post) while painting in Grand Coteau, LA.  He visited with us as we were painting the church there.  I snapped a picture of him as he walked past the graveyard headed back home.

The Long Walk Home

8 x 10 - oils on canvas

I'm continuing on my journey towards impressionism and spontaneity in my work.

Happy Painting!

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church

I headed out Wednesday, April 30th to meet friends in Grand Coteau, Louisiana.  After walking and driving the area, we settled on a spot behind St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.  This beautiful church was built in 1880 on 140 arpents of land donated by Charles Smith.  The Church was named after Mr. Smith's patron saint, Charles Borromeo.

This picture is from the rear of the church.  What you are looking at is the bell tower, which was built in 1886.  The Jesuit graveyard is in the foreground.

I walked around the area taking pictures of the beautiful grounds and architecture before settling down to paint a chunk of the tower.

We were visited by many interesting people.  One of the visitors who spent some time with us was Brother John Puza, a Jesuit Brother, born in Pennsylvania.  Brother John, who lives  down the lane we were painting on, had some wonderful stories to tell.   I really enjoyed my visit with him and took this picture of him as he headed back home.

Below is my completed painting...a chunk of the bell tower I took home with me.

Happy Painting Y'all!