January paintings... hopefully the start to lots of art in 2012.

Below is a painting specifically done for DCF silent auction. Dental Community Fellowship is a Christian organization that ministers to dental students and organizes dental mission trips abroad. I've been so blessed by what the Lord has done through this ministry during my time in dental school- so many lives changed, including mine. If you're interested in learning more about it, check out http://www.dentalcommunityfellowship.net/. Below is a 22"x28" acrylic on canvas.

 Finished: 

This is a small study I did for the painting above. The marsh grass is a little more yellow, a little less brown. A great friend owns this now! 5"x7" acrylic on canvas board.

On the Intracoastal waterway near the Holden Beach bridge, there's this "hole in the wall" restaurant called Provision Company. My family (and now friends) love to journey there by boat for great shrimp burgers, conch fritters and other seafood! So many great memories here! This painting was actually inspired by a rustic frame given to me by my grandmother-in-law over Christmas. The wood felt very much like the worn wooden frame of Provision Company... and I wanted this painting to reflect the weathered, salty vibe of this place... especially in the fall and winter when the landscape is a little gray and the place is a little quieter.
This is 16x20 acrylic (very watered down) on wooden panel. I'm beginning to prefer wooden panel for the smooth surface and the way it absorbs water.

Getting started:

 Closer view of the focal point:

 I really like it from a little further back- the bare wood showing through, as well as the vertical brushstrokes can be appreciated better! Love the rustic frame on this!

This is the photo of the Provision Company that I worked from.

More to come soon. A few more commissions, some palette knife pieces, and hopefully some photography as I learn about my new camera!