I’ve been doing a bunch of small, colorful watercolors lately. Some have been done out on location, and others in the studio during these colder or rainy days. Above are some of my favorites. The sizes range from about 3 1/2 x 5 1/2″ to 4×6″, and will arrive custom matted to 8×10″, with a backing board included. They will fit into any standard 8×10″ frame, making them perfect holiday art gifts.

Upper row, left: The Winter Path
Upper row, center: Autumn at the Riverfront Park
Upper row, right: Flamingos at Play
Middle row, center: Winter Sunrise at the Lake – SOLD
Middle row, right: Strolling at Sunset
Lower row, left: Winter in the Mountains
Lower row, center: Hudson River from Boscobel at Sunset
Lower row, right: Autumn at Marshlands Conservancy

Here’s an image you can click on for a larger, sharper view of each painting:

You can purchase directly through the PayPal link below. Be sure to let me know which painting you’d like to receive when you make your payment.

$100.00 plus free shipping and insurance within the Continental United States. For local sales, shipping charge will be allocated to NYS Sales Tax. Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com for International purchases or with any questions.

Here is an example of one of the paintings, mounted in the custom, ivory mat:

Questions? You can always email me at JamieWG@ aol.com. (Remove space in email address before sending!)

8x10 and smaller, Available, Beacon, Birds, Boats and Ships, Brewster and North Salem, Catskill Mountains, Cold Spring and Garrison, Color Inspirations, Fall, Greene County, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Valley, Lakes and Streams, Landscape, Miniature Paintings, Palenville and Catskill, Peach Lake and Brook, Plein Air--painted on location, Sales and Specials, Sunrise/Sunset, Trees, Watercolor, Westchester, Winter and Snow Scenes | No Comments »

8×10″, Acrylic
$260.00 plus $15 shipping and insurance within the Continental United States. For local sales, shipping charge will be allocated to NYS Sales Tax. Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com for International purchases or with any questions.

This past fall, I took two trips up to Mystic, CT. The first was so wonderful that I went back a second time. I did a lot of sketches up there, and took a lot of reference images for future paintings. I’m finally getting the studio time I’ve needed to do some paintings from them. This is my first from Mystic. For a larger, clearer image, you can click the thumbnail image below.

8x10 and smaller, Acrylic paintings, Available, Boats and Ships, Flowers, Gardens and Flowering Trees, Landscape, Ocean Views | No Comments »

6×12″, oil on linen panel

SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

This is another of this week’s paintings of the Sleepy Hollow lighthouse on the Hudson River. I don’t know if I’ll ever get enough of this subject; these have been so much fun to paint!
Below is an image you can click for a larger, clearer view of the painting:

8x10 and smaller, Boats and Ships, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Lighthouses, Oil paintings, Palisades, Sold, Tarrytown and Hastings Area | No Comments »

8×16″, oil on linen panel

SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

I had a wonderful autumn day last week painting with friends along the Hudson River. We went to Boscobel Restoration in Garrison NY, where there is a long bluff overlooking Constitution Marsh and the river. The marsh was just starting to take on that reddish autumn glow, and an enormous sailing yacht went by, providing a great focal point out in the river. This is always one of my favorite vistas to paint — especially as the marsh turns to warm colors in spring and fall.

Below is an image you can click on for a larger, clearer view of the painting.

8x12 to 12x24, Boats and Ships, Cold Spring and Garrison, Fall, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Oil paintings, Plein Air--painted on location, Sold | No Comments »

12×16″, watercolor on paper. Includes mat and backing board (7 1/2 x 11″ painting size, matted to 12×16″).
Will fit any standard 12×16″ frame, or I can frame for you for a small additional fee.

$225.00 plus $12 shipping and insurance within the Continental United States. For local sales, shipping charge will be allocated to NYS Sales Tax. Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com for International purchases or with any questions.

This painting of a moored boat with dramatic skies was painted from a photo I took a few years ago. I made several attempts at a watercolor rendition of this scene before coming up with this one, and hope to do more. I like the drama of it, and the way these colors work together. Below is an image that you can click on for a larger, clearer view of the painting.

8x12 to 12x24, Available, Boats and Ships, Lakes and Streams, Landscape, Ocean Views, Watercolor | No Comments »

24×36″, acrylic on Ampersand Gessoboard

SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

This large painting of the Hudson River and Palisades was done as a commission, so it is already spoken for. You can see some available paintings I have of the Palisades and Hudson River by clicking the categories on the right side of my website, or click here to pull up my Palisade paintings, then scroll down to see them. Large paintings are very difficult to store, so I generally do them on a commission basis. I’m always happy to paint a special commission for you if you don’t see the size/scene/season you’re looking for!

Below is an image you can click on to see a larger view of this painting:

16x20 and larger, Acrylic paintings, Boats and Ships, Fall, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River School, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Palisades, Sold | No Comments »

Email me at JamieWG@aol.com if interested in this painting.

The other day, I varnished ten of my new Hudson River and Hudson Valley paintings. They range from scenes overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades from New York City, to Peach Lake in Brewster, and Burger Hill in Rhinebeck, up to the ledges of Sunset Rock overlooking North South Lake (beloved Hudson River School site), and the Catskill Mountains. Some of these were started on location and finished up in the studio, while others were painted from my photos and other plein air paintings. They represent much of the terrain I’ve traversed over the past six months or so, in search of the best of what the Hudson Valley has to offer my muse.

The varnishing process takes time to set up, so I like to do large batches at a time. Usually that means about 17-20 paintings. Lately I’ve worked on some larger pieces, which has lowered my production in terms of quantity. Working on those big paintings has meant that the little ones tend to hang out in the studio longer, before they get photographed, varnished, and up on my website. As the weeks go by, they get more touchups and adjustments as I see them. I think this has led to an overall increase in quality. As I look at this set of paintings now, I’m really happy with what I’ve achieved in this batch. Here’s a photo that you can click on, and you can then zoom in on specific paintings.

The large, framed painting of the Hudson River and Palisades is already spoken for, and out the door. (I do miss that one already! But there is a smaller version of it available among the others, and I can always do another large one for you on a commission basis.) The smaller works above it are all available and in search of new homes. If you see one that interests you, send me off an email (or comment below), and I’ll get back to you with more information. They will all be posted individually as I adjust the single images. Some of those have already been posted with prices, and are visible by going to my home page and scrolling down.

16x20 and larger, 8x10 and smaller, Acrylic paintings, Available, Bannerman Island, Boats and Ships, Brewster and North Salem, Catskill Mountains, Cold Spring and Garrison, Columbia County, Dutchess County NY, Fall, Farm Scenes, Greene County, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River School, Hudson River Valley, Lakes and Streams, Landscape, Oil paintings, Palisades, Peach Lake and Brook, Plein Air--painted on location, Shows and News, Sunrise/Sunset, Varnishing Oil and Acrylic Paintings, Westchester | No Comments »

6×9″, acrylic on multi media paper mounted to archival aluminum panel (frame without glass like an oil painting). Framing available upon request for an extra fee.

$190.00 plus $15 shipping and insurance within the Continental United States. For local sales, shipping charge will be allocated to NYS Sales Tax. Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com for International purchases or with any questions.

This Hudson River and Palisades painting is another scene from Wave Hill Gardens in Riverdale, New York. I recently posted one I’d painted without the wall in the scene; this one contains the stone wall that is so indicative of the Wave Hill location. I wanted to see if I’d like it better with the wall or without, but ended up liking both of them!
Below is an image you can click on for a slightly larger view of the painting.

If you’d like a larger painting, just ask! I’m always happy to do larger pieces on a commission basis of this scene or a special location of your choosing.

8x10 and smaller, Acrylic paintings, Available, Boats and Ships, Fall, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Palisades | No Comments »

6×9″, acrylic on multi media paper mounted to archival aluminum panel, sealed and varnished to frame without glass (like an oil painting). Framing available upon request for additional fee.

SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

I’ve been working on a large commissioned painting of this scene overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades. Wave Hill is a public garden in Riverdale, New York. It has a striking view of the Palisades, and sits high above the river. Before embarking on the giant, I did a couple of small paintings of the view, including this one.

Below is an image that you can click on for a slightly larger view of the painting:

8x10 and smaller, Acrylic paintings, Boats and Ships, Fall, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Palisades, Sold | No Comments »

12×9″, Oils on canvas covered hardboard, unframed
$380.00 plus $20 shipping and insurance within the Continental United States. For local sales, shipping charge will be allocated to NYS Sales Tax. Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com for International purchases or with any questions.

I’m fortunate to live by a lake with a great sunrise view. This was painted on a morning with a haze over the lake, creating spectacular colors as the sun came up. It glowed yellow-orange as it emerged above the tree line, casting warmth and light upon the whole scene.

I just brought this painting over to RiverWinds Gallery today, along with five others, for their grand re-opening celebration. The reception for the new show will be this Saturday, January 14, from 5-8pm. The address is 172 Main Street, Beacon NY. If you cannot make it to the opening, the gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 6pm.

8x12 to 12x24, Available, Boats and Ships, Brewster and North Salem, Hudson River Valley, Lakes and Streams, Landscape, Oil paintings, Peach Lake and Brook, Plein Air--painted on location, Sunrise/Sunset | No Comments »

7×5″, oil on linen panel

SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

It’s not often that I find a vertical composition I really like of a Boscobel scene. I usually paint that vista in a panoramic fashion, but the path of the marsh channels works well this way too. Maybe there is a new series of verticals coming!It would certainly be a different way for me to explore this landscape that I’ve been painting for so many years.

This was painted on location at Boscobel Restoration in Garrison, New York, toward the end of one of those stellar, long, summer days. The scene overlooks Constitution Marsh and the Hudson River. Helicopters were flying overhead in formation from West Point as I painted!

8x10 and smaller, Boats and Ships, Cold Spring and Garrison, Gallery, Hendrick Hudson Library, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River School, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Oil paintings, Plein Air--painted on location, Sold | No Comments »

24×36″, acrylic on sealed archival foam board
$3,000.00 plus $125 shipping and insurance within the Continental United States. For local sales, shipping charge will be allocated to NYS Sales Tax. Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com for International purchases or with any questions.

I wanted this Hudson River painting to depict the colors of a summer day on vacation, and to take me to that “happy place” with all the time in the world, and without cares. I think I captured the warm Caribbean feel I was after, while maintaining the strong sense of the Hudson that the mountains of the Hudson Highlands provide. The photo for this painting was taken out on the river near Beacon.

Below is an image that you can click on for a larger view of the painting.

16x20 and larger, Acrylic paintings, Available, Bannerman Island, Beacon, Boats and Ships, Cold Spring and Garrison, Color Inspirations, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Monochromatic Paintings | No Comments »

6×12″, oil on canvas board, unframed (Framing available at extra cost.)
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

I spent a magical day painting at Boscobel. The weather was ideal, and a huge buck was staring at me from the distance. (Expect to see a painting of him soon!) There was tug and barge traffic out on the river, helicopter formations flying overhead from West Point, and good company with other artists. It’s hard to beat a day like that.

Below is an image you can click for a larger view of the painting.

8x10 and smaller, Boats and Ships, Cold Spring and Garrison, Gallery, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Oil paintings, Plein Air--painted on location, Sold | No Comments »

18×24″, acrylic on linen board

$1,150.00 plus $35 shipping and insurance within the Continental United States. For local sales, shipping charge will be allocated to NYS Sales Tax. Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com for International purchases or with any questions.

This fall painting was done standing along the lakeshore at the DEC North South Lake Campground. There were fisherman and kayakers, as well as changing light, especially since I had to make a return trip to finish the painting. But the biggest change of all was when a DEC work crew came to trim the foliage I was painting! The guys were so nice, and agreed to leave this foreground tree alone so that I could finish the painting. Below is an image that you can click on for a larger, clearer view of the painting:

16x20 and larger, Acrylic paintings, Available, Boats and Ships, Catskill Mountains, Fall, Flowers, Gardens and Flowering Trees, Greene County, Lakes and Streams, Landscape, Plein Air--painted on location, Trees | No Comments »

5×7″, acrylic on board

SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

This scene was painted at North South Lake Campground in the Catskill Mountains. Just as I was thinking it could use a little splash of color, three kayakers came along to help me out! They provided the perfect finishing touch. This vista was painted by many of the Hudson River School painters, including Thomas Cole and Jasper Cropsey.

8x10 and smaller, Acrylic paintings, Boats and Ships, Catskill Mountains, Greene County, Hudson River School, Lakes and Streams, Landscape, Plein Air--painted on location, Sold | No Comments »

5×7″, acrylic on board
$135.00 plus $12 shipping and insurance within the Continental United States. For local sales, shipping charge will be allocated to NYS Sales Tax. Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com for International purchases or with any questions.

I’ve been picking up some ship models at flea markets to paint and sketch.This is a really old model of the Santa Maria, wonky and aged and appears hand carved. It has a character that I fell in love with as soon as I saw it! I brought it out to the patio and painted it in acrylic.

8x10 and smaller, Acrylic paintings, Available, Boats and Ships, Still Life | No Comments »

12×24″, acrylic on Ampersand Gessoboard
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

Following two days of painting for the Olana Plein Air Event, (home of Hudson River School artist Frederic Church), this is the painting I selected to put into the auction that marked the culmination of the event. Actually, I laid out all the paintings I’d done during that period, and my husband chose this one! The painting sold at the auction.

Thirty wonderful artists were juried into the event. With tough competition, I felt very fortunate indeed to have been selected to participate. Even though I live so close and get to paint at Olana frequently, it’s always a magical experience.

Below is an image of the painting that you can click on for a larger view. It’s hard to show these panorama-format paintings in the space allocated for a blog image!

I set the painting into a gold plein air style frame and it looked completely washed out. So instead, I opted for this dark, coppery-wood frame with gold trim.

I’ll be posting the rest of the Olana paintings I did in the days to come. I have some from a month or two ago to post also, so you can expect a lot of Olana pieces to materialize in these posts as I try to catch up with myself!

8x12 to 12x24, Acrylic paintings, Boats and Ships, Catskill Mountains, Columbia County, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River School, Landscape, Olana and Hudson NY, Plein Air--painted on location, Sold | 2 Comments »

5×7″, oil on linen panel
$135.00 plus $12 shipping and insurance within the Continental United States. For local sales, shipping charge will be allocated to NYS Sales Tax. Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com for International purchases or with any questions.

My husband and I went for a hike and photo expedition in late fall along the Hudson River. I loved this scene with the kayak ramp, marsh, and Catskill Mountains in the background. When a kayaker came in to land and pulled her bright red kayak up onto the dock, I made sure to get the photo before she had a chance to take it away! I loved that pop of strong color in the scene.

8x10 and smaller, Available, Boats and Ships, Catskill Mountains, Dutchess County NY, Fall, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Valley, Lakes and Streams, Landscape, Oil paintings | 1 Comment »

12×24″, oil on Ampersand Gessoboard

$1,010.00 plus $30 shipping and insurance within the Continental United States. For local sales, shipping charge will be allocated to NYS Sales Tax. Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com for International purchases or with any questions.

This was painted from a scenic drive on Bear Mountain. Facing upriver there’s a great view of Iona Island (which I’ve also painted many times), and downriver is this fabulous vista through the Hudson Highlands. The Appalachian Trail crosses the Hudson on this bridge. There were large boats and barges going by, and sailboats off in the distance, which I put into the painting as I saw them. With the autumn colors, it was truly a spectacular day. It’s taken me awhile to get around to taking the photo of the painting and posting it. But the good news is that by now the painting is dry and can be sent out to a new home!

Below is an image that you can click on for a larger, clearer view of the painting:

8x12 to 12x24, Appalachian Trail, Available, Bear Mountain and Iona Island, Boats and Ships, Fall, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Oil paintings, Plein Air--painted on location | No Comments »

12×16″, Oil on oil primed linen panel
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

This painting was started early one morning up on Bear Mountain, overlooking the Hudson River and Iona Island. The strong, early morning like lit up the river, and the island and mountains were all silhouetted. As I worked and the morning wore on, that colorful, angled morning light gave way to a different scene. Much as I initially intended to hold onto what I started with, I found myself changing the character of the light for a different, though still beautiful interpretation of the scene. I went back the following day to finish it, and caught the barge and tug going by, as well as the freight trains crossing over the bridge from the island. The box cars provided some great pops of color!

Below is an image you can click on for a slightly larger, clearer view of the painting:

8x12 to 12x24, Appalachian Trail, Bear Mountain and Iona Island, Boats and Ships, Fall, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Valley, Lakes and Streams, Landscape, Oil paintings, Plein Air--painted on location, Sold | 2 Comments »

8×10″, oil on canvas board, unframed (Framing available at extra cost.)

$280.00 plus $15 shipping and insurance within the Continental United States. For local sales, shipping charge will be allocated to NYS Sales Tax. Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com for International purchases or with any questions.

This was painted on a rainy day along the Hudson River in Cold Spring. The red barge and tug that came along added that splash of color that I’d been looking for to complete the scene! Below is an image that you can click on for a larger view of the painting:

8x10 and smaller, Available, Boats and Ships, Cold Spring and Garrison, Fall, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Oil paintings, Plein Air--painted on location | 1 Comment »

Click the image below to expand it to full size:

8×16″, acrylic on Arches board
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

This is the view of the Hudson River as seen from Hasbrouck Park in Kingston. This spot was recently added to the Hudson River School Art Trail, as one of the places where the Hudson River School artists visited and painted. It features one of the enormous ships we sometimes see along the river. The ship gives some scale to the width of the river at that spot, and the height of my vantage point overlooking the scene. I also placed some sailboats near the ship as they passed by, so that viewers can get an idea of how massive that ship is!

8x12 to 12x24, Acrylic paintings, Boats and Ships, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River School, Hudson River Valley, Landscape, Plein Air--painted on location, Sold | No Comments »

6×6″, Oils on Ampersand Gessoboard
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

I painted this during the winter, when all the blizzards, snowstorms, and ice storms in the Northeast got me thinking about summertime sails in Maine! I pulled out some of my photos that I took up in Bar Harbor and around Acadia National Park to get a color fix! I remember this sail out in Frenchman’s Bay at sunset so well. The blues and pinks were to die for, and they reflected off the water and anything white. This boat went by with all of its white sails hoisted. They became a rainbow of colors as the sun went down.

8x10 and smaller, Boats and Ships, Landscape, Maine, Ocean Views, Oil paintings, Sold, Sunrise/Sunset | 4 Comments »

5×7″, oil on board
$135.00 plus $12 shipping and insurance within the Continental United States. For local sales, shipping charge will be allocated to NYS Sales Tax. Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com for International purchases or with any questions.

When my friend Marianne suggested we paint in Kingston, I was thrilled. I hadn’t been there for a long time. The Kingston waterfront area, where the Rondout Creek meets up with the Hudson River, is always a bustling place — filled with restaurants, the Maritime Museum, Trolly Museum, and boats coming in and out of the harbor.

We scouted up and down the brick-lined walkway with subject matter all around us, but when we came upon this tugboat, I knew I’d found my spot for the morning! Most of the tugs I see along the Hudson are brightly colored, or white with colorful trim. There was something about the earthy tones of this one, and the way the buckskin color glowed in the morning light, that stole my attention. I’d never seen one quite like it. I wonder if it’s still down there; I’d like to go back and do a larger version!

Below is an image you can click on for a larger, clearer view of the painting:

8x10 and smaller, Available, Boats and Ships, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Valley, Lakes and Streams, Landscape, Oil paintings, Plein Air--painted on location | No Comments »

5×7″, oil on linen panel

$150.00 plus $10 shipping and insurance within the Continental United States. For local sales, shipping charge will be allocated to NYS Sales Tax. Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com for International purchases or with any questions.

This is one of my favorite river vistas — the Hudson River looking south from Plum Point to the Hudson Highlands. In addition to the towering Storm King Mountain, there is always interesting river boat traffic and that famous Hudson River atmosphere.

Below is an image you can click on for a larger view of the painting. It’s a little brighter than what is showing in my images.

8x10 and smaller, Available, Boats and Ships, Fall, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River School, Lakes and Streams, Landscape, Oil paintings, Plein Air--painted on location | No Comments »

Ridge Road Vista
5×7″, oil on linen panel, unframed
$150.00 plus $12 shipping and insurance within the Continental United States. For local sales, shipping charge will be allocated to NYS Sales Tax. Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com for International purchases or with any questions.

This is a spot at the Olana estate of Frederic Church, Hudson River School painter. I’ve painted from this location many times, at all times of day and evening, and it never ceases to thrill me. I think Frederic Church felt that way about it too, and did many paintings from this hillside above the Hudson. This little 5×7″ oil painting takes in the expanse of the Catskill Mountains overlooking the Hudson River, and some of the old houses and barns down along the near shoreline. There were a few sailboats off in the distance that I popped into the painting too!

Below is an image you can click on for a larger view of the painting:

8x10 and smaller, Available, Boats and Ships, Catskill Mountains, Columbia County, Fall, Farm Scenes, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River School, Hudson River Valley, Lakes and Streams, Landscape, Oil paintings, Olana and Hudson NY, Plein Air--painted on location | No Comments »

5×7″, archival canvas covered hardboard panel
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

My husband and I took a boat tour of Bannerman Island a couple of months ago, and I took a ton of photos. It was a gorgeous day with beautiful cloud formations. This was painted from one of my photo references. Bannerman Island has fascinating castle ruins, and sits at the entrance to the Hudson Highlands out in the river. The tower showing in the water is Margaret Tower — one of the three that sit guard around the island.

8x10 and smaller, Acrylic paintings, Bannerman Gallery, Bannerman Island, Beacon, Boats and Ships, Cold Spring and Garrison, Dutchess County NY, Gallery, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River Valley, Lakes and Streams, Landscape, Sold | No Comments »

15×20″, acrylic on illustration board
$350.00 plus $25 shipping and insurance within the Continental United States. For local sales, shipping charge will be allocated to NYS Sales Tax. Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com for International purchases or with any questions.

This is another in my series of large acrylic sketches on illustration board. They are really fun to paint, and I’ve found that calling them “sketches” sets me free to experiment with brushwork, drips, colors, compositions, and other boundaries that I might be hesitant to explore if I call them “paintings” from the outset. I go into it thinking “sketch”, and whatever emerges is what it is!

Below is an image that you can click on for a larger, clearer view of the painting:

16x20 and larger, Acrylic paintings, Available, Boats and Ships, Brewster and North Salem, Fall, Hudson River Valley, Lakes and Streams, Landscape, Peach Lake and Brook, Sketches | No Comments »

12×16″, oil on linen panel
SOLD! Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com to inquire about a similar painting.

On Saturday, October 5, I had the great honor of receiving the Second Place award at the Olana Plein Air event. Entry into the event was highly competitive and they only took 25 of us to begin with, so I was especially grateful to receive the award among such an accomplished group of artists. Olana is the homestead of Hudson River School painter Frederic Church. His 250 acre property and Moorish style mansion are a painter’s haven at any time of year, but especially in fall.

We had two and a half days to paint. I was feeling stressed by time factors because I had my dogs at home and knew I would not be able to spend as much as I’d like on location. I had a petsitter walk them at noon, but that still didn’t give me until sunset, and of course sunset is The time to paint at Olana!

This is a view off Ridge Road at Olana, and it’s one of my special favorite spots. It features Kaaterskill Clove in the distance, which was one of the areas painted by many of the Hudson River School painters. Knowing I was pressed for time, I set my easel out at the site at 7:45am on the first day, and then went to the 8am breakfast orientation/registration meeting. When the meeting broke, I was all set to paint. As I was nearing the end of the painting, this fabulous barge and tugboat went by! Sometimes they appear at the wrong time in the painting process, but I pretty much had that area completed and was able to pop them in as they passed.

I did five paintings during the two and a half days, and in the end, was torn between two of them in deciding what to submit for the juror and auction. Each artist had to select just one painting. Everybody’s paintings were beautiful!

Many thanks to the Olana and Columbia County Council for the Arts staffs for their hard work before, after, and during the event, and to all the art lovers who came to the auction and bid on paintings. I’d also like to thank my fellow painters for making it such an enjoyable event and being so supportive of one another.

Here is an image you can click on for a larger view:

8x12 to 12x24, Boats and Ships, Catskill Mountains, Columbia County, Fall, Farm Scenes, Hudson River Paintings, Hudson River School, Hudson River Valley, Lakes and Streams, Landscape, Oil paintings, Olana and Hudson NY, Palenville and Catskill, Plein Air--painted on location, Shows and News, Sold | 3 Comments »

5×7″, acrylic on linen panel
$135.00 plus $12 shipping and insurance within the Continental United States. For local sales, shipping charge will be allocated to NYS Sales Tax. Please email me at JamieWG@aol.com for International purchases or with any questions.

I gathered with a group of painter friends one morning out by the lake in front of my house. We had a wonderful time together chatting and relaxing while painting the lake in the morning light. This little boat gave the scene a nice focal point. I wondered for awhile how the owner got to the boat. Upon closer inspection, I saw that he had devised a clever pulley system from the shore, which could draw the boat to the land for boarding, and then pull it back out to the post in the water after disembarking. I considered putting those rope lines into the painting, but decided instead to leave the viewer guessing about how the boat could be accessed, just as I had to when first encountering the scene!

On a side note, it never ceases to amaze me how far behind I can get on photographing, adjusting and posting images of my paintings. I thank my lucky stars every day that I am a painter and not a photographer! (Though I often wish I had a better photography skill set.)

8x10 and smaller, Acrylic paintings, Available, Boats and Ships, Brewster and North Salem, Hudson River Valley, Lakes and Streams, Landscape, Peach Lake and Brook, Plein Air--painted on location | No Comments »