December 16, 2022. Due to illness, I will not be posting new paintings on this site. Thanks to all that followed me in the past. I hope to resume painting at some point, but I have no idea when.

Sunrise Cove 

I’m happy to announce that The Arts Council of Anne Arundel County has selected the below painting titled “Sunrise Cove” for the BWI Thurgood Marshall Exhibit 35, “Bright Skies”.

This painting is based on multiple reference photographs of sunrises, beaches, and coves. It is not intended to represent any specific location. My intent was to present my impression of the clouds becoming a spectrum and revealing multiple colors as the rising morning sunlight is filtered through the clouds and reflects upon the water and grassy shoreline.

It is my hope that this painting might remind you of a pleasant scene you’ve enjoyed either from your past or even more so from your current time.

Additionally, The Arts Council of Anne Arundel County has selected another of my paintings titled “Celestial Lightshow” for the “Bright Skies” exhibit. “Celestial Lightshow” can be seen by clicking on the EXHIBITED PAINTINGS button. 

The show will officially open on Friday, November 18, 2022 and run through March 12, 2023 An artist’s reception is to be determined. There will be an online gallery to view on the Arts Council’s website as well as BWI’s website. Also, the Arts Council has requested that If you visit the exhibit in person and mention your visit on Facebook or Instagram, please tag the Arts Council @artscouncilaac, so they can share it! 

By The Light Of The Moon

The painting below is based on a photograph posted in the recent past on Facebook by Tony Pann, WBAL Baltimore TV channel 11 Meteorologist. I thank Mr. Pann for sharing his inspiring photograph and hope my painting compliments his shared photo.

For me, there is something intriguing about the glow of the moon on a hazy night. I attempted to capture that feeling of interest in this painting by making the sky hazy and have the glow of the moonlight filter through the haze with just a hint of moonlight on the ground, and trees.

For centuries, people have believed that the moon affects human behavior. The word lunacy derived from the Latin lunaticus, meaning “moonstruck”, and both the Greek philosopher Aristotle and the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder believed that madness and epilepsy were caused by the moon. Pregnant women are also rumored to be more likely to give birth on a full moon, but scientific evidence for this, is inconsistent. There are also theories that moonlight, and moon cycles affect mood and sleep cycles, increases violence among psychiatric patients or prison inmates but thus far all of these beliefs and perceptions have yet to be scientifically proven.

Here’s a link to check out if you’d like more information on this subject. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190731-is-the-moon-impacting-your-mood-and-wellbeing

I think for me, I’ll just stick to appreciating the inspiring scenes provided by the light of the moon.

Dockside Discussion

This was my first painting started and finished since my stroke this past July 2022. It is based on photographs of a lovely neighborhood boating and beach area sent to me by a friend. I’m thankful for the friendship and the photographs that I was able to use as reference for the painting.

I’m not sure what type of birds they are – maybe sandhill cranes. Regardless they appear to be having a discussion - perhaps where the best place might be to find a meal. Since one appears larger than the other, could this be a parent training their young one on what to watch for when looking for lunch?

It is my hope this painting can bring a smile to you, and perhaps allow you to close your eyes and imagine yourself relaxing while viewing these birds along with the quiet, tranquil, dockside background.

End of Overnight Snowfall

it’s been snowing all night. The folks in the cabin are awakening to the distant morning sunrise as the last of the snow falls. They’ll have some clearing of the snow to do around their cabin after a hearty breakfast.I started this painting in early July 2022 with the intention of posting it by mid-July to offer a cooling scene during the hot July weather. However, my stroke on July 17th prevented me from fulfilling my goal. This is my first post since having my stroke. At this time, I’m able to spend some time painting and as a result, I was able to get this painting to a point of posting it. I hope to get back to a normal posting routine, but I’m not fully recovered as yet.

It is my hope, this scene is enjoyable viewing for you.

Eagle's View

For a long time, I’ve had the idea of doing a painting from a view that focused on tops of trees rather than the typical ground level sight line. However, I struggled to find a scene that I thought to be of interest. I did attempt a painting of various colored treetops, but the result equated to what appeared to be paint spillage of several colors that didn’t play well together.

Recently, I happened upon photographs of the Haghartsin Monastery in Tavush Province, Armenia. Some of the photographs were of a view above the monastery located in the mountainous, forested setting in northern Amenia. The photographs were of various viewpoints and seasonal views.

I used the reference photos to paint “Eagles View” as an early fall scene where the forest and foliage were in process of transition from summer greens to fall shades of reds.

If you would like to learn more about the Haghartsin Monastery, here’s a link that may be of interest to you and also provide a hint as to why I titled the painting "Eagles View" https://spiritofhaghartsin.weebly.com/.

I hope you enjoy viewing my paintings on this site. Also, I invite you to check me out and follow me on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/RickSchimpf64

Till next time.