Farm House, Ohio

Once in a while I take a (quick) break from watercolor and dabble in Pen and Ink. This was done for a friend of mine, showing her childhood home in Ohio.
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Pen & Ink (don't remember the size!)

Dauphin Island

Latest news - read all about it - The painting shown in my previous post "Looking out" won a Honorable Mention in the Fur, Fin, and Feather Festival in Middleton, Tennessee. And my painting "Princeton University" won Second Place in the Amateur category. This was my first foray in a juried show and my head is so big today, it can't fit thru the door.
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Still staying in the Gulf Shores area, this quick sketch, just painted today, is from a photo I took in Dauphin Island, Alabama.

Watercolor 5x7", Fabriano paper

Looking Out, Fort Morgan

During our trip to Gulf Shores in 2004, we took a drive to Dauphin Island which required hopping on the Ferry. This scene is near the dock in Fort Morgan, Alabama. The bird ignored us while searching for his next meal.


Watercolor, 11x14", Arches 300 Lb cold pressed paper

Church of St. Mark

This small church caught my eye because of the two castle-like towers and also its interesting design. It is located near Highway 72 in South Collierville, TN.
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Watercolor 8x12", Fabriano Paper Rough

Central Station, Memphis

Built in 1914, Central Station, now renovated, hosts the "City of New Orleans" train on its way from Chicago to the Big Easy - and back. It is located in South Main Street. Some of the old-time electric trolleys roaming though Downtown came from my native country of Portugal. Maybe I even rode on one of them in my old college days...they do feel like old friends.
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Watercolor 5x7", Fabriano Paper

Road to Jersey III

This is another work based on roadside photos taken during one of our long drives to New Jersey. My best guess is this place is probably in Virginia.
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Watercolor, 9x12", Fabriano Paper

Fort Morgan, Alabama

I almost threw this picture out in the garbage. I tried to rush and the perspective lines were out of whack, the colors were too garish and the trees were too even in shape. Then I did my best to salvage it with a little pen and ink and used a sponge to tone the colors down a little.
I still don't like the trees, but I think I am gonna keep it.
When I think of tropical colors, Alabama is not the first place that comes to mind. Nevertheless, Alabama does have a small slice of the Gulf of Mexico and you will definitely find a tropical atmosphere here. I can't wait to go back. There is an old stone fort here along with a lot of beautiful homes on stilts. This is close to the Gulf Shores resort area.
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Watercolor, 5x7", Fabriano paper

Christmas in New Jersey

We visited some friends and relatives for Christmas in New Jersey a few years ago and we ran into a big snowstorm. I rummaged through some pictures over the weekend, and then completed this sketch. This house, where we stayed, overlooks a lake and the beautiful rolling hills of Northwestern New Jersey, near the Delaware River and the Delaware Water Gap.
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Watercolor, 5x7" Fabriano Paper

Elfreth's Alley

It is said that this is the oldest residential street in the United States and it is located in old -of course - Philadelphia. The black dohickeys in the windows are mirrors used by old-time residents to survey activity in the street without having to stick their heads out the window. This work is based on photos from my visit to Philadelphia last month.

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Watercolor 5x7", Fabriano cold-pressed paper

Dauphin Island, Alabama

After taking the Ferry from Fort Morgan, we landed on this relaxing small island off Mobile Bay in Alabama. I highly recommend a visit (from a family trip to Gulf Shores, 2004).
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Watercolor, 9 x 12", Fabriano paper, rough.

St. Mary's Cathedral

Memphis has many beautiful churches and this is just one example. I chose fall colors for some of the trees to try to balance the cool tones of the walls and roof. This church is located on Poplar Avenue near Downtown.
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Watercolor, 12 x 16", Arches Paper

Red Mill

I used to live not too far from the picturesque small town of Cinton, New Jersey where this well preserved mill is located.
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Watercolor, 5x7", Arches Paper

Earnestine and Hazel's

The South Main area, in downtown Memphis has become a lively neighborhood with many shops and galleries, and is served by the Mainstreet Trolley line. This corner caught my eye...I think it was the bright colors of the sign and store front.
Later on, I found that there is a lot of interesting history about this building where Otis Redding... and even Elvis... hung out in the sixties. You can read all about it here.
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Watercolor, 5x7", Fabriano paper

Yosemite Valley, California

It is hard to describe Yosemite Valley in words or images...I strongly suggest you see it with your own eyes. Half Dome is seen here in the background.
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Watercolor, 7 x 5", Strathmore paper

Palacio de Gobierno

This painting does not fully depict the beauty of this building...there, I said it (City of Monterrey, Northern Mexico).
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Watercolor, 12x9", Arches Paper

Port Lucaya, Bahamas

This small building caught my eye in Count Basie Square, Port Lucaya, Grand Bahama Island.
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Watercolor, 15x11", Arches Paper

The Courthouse

Elizabeth, New Jersey is my original American hometown. I was born and raised in Portugal, but it was very easy to settle in this town in 1978 because that is where my family already resided on the day of my first arrival. This building dominates downtown and it is a big local landmark for very good reasons.
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Watercolor, 7x5", Fabriano Paper

Lighthouse, Santa Cruz

I absolutely love lighthouses in all respects, but especially as painting subjects. I find them irresistible and this one, in Monterey Bay, California was no exception. I visited this beautiful place in 1994.
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Watercolor, 16x20", Arches paper

Parthenon, Athens

This is another rare work done from photos that I did not take myself. A good friend of mine, born in Greece asked me to paint this for him. Hopefully, I will get to take my own pictures of this great place one day.
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Watercolor, 30x20", Arches Paper

Handy's Park, Memphis

Now that the Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival is in full swing, it may be a good time to post this vision of Handy's Park. W.C. Handy is considered by many to be the "Father of the Blues".

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Watercolor, 16x12", Arches Paper