Summer began with the Rockport Garden Tour, in which we were one of nine Rockport gardens open to the hundreds of curious gardeners from around the region and beyond. We also had a group of plein air painters, including myself, finding inspiration in the flora. It was fun for me to come home from the beach to take on the completely different subject of the garden with all of its complexities of flowers and architecture.
(Click images to enlarge)
Painting in the Garden
Garden House, 12 x 16, oil on linen
Back to the Beach
Painting “Summer Circle”
I then went back to the beach, naturally, to resume my studies of the Cape Ann light and figures. “Summer Circle” is a large piece that began on my plein air easel overlooking Long Beach.
Summer Circle, 24 x 36, oil on linen
Rescue, 12 x 16, oil on linen
Some pieces focus on the figures, others more so on the landscape; in both cases though it’s about the simplification of shapes and their colors and the interpretation of light and feeling.
As I paint I do think about those that have inspired me, like Hopper, Avery, Diebenkorn, and Kent, for example. Note each of these artists are very much about shape and color as well as the figure.
Hedge and Thacher, 20 x 30, oil on linen
Hope to see you on the tour, October 6, 7 & 8. You can also visit my studio any time by appointment, or you can find my works at Rocky Neck Gallery 53 (closes October 14th), Gloucester, and at Muzio Designs (year round), Essex.
Click here for more about Rob Diebboll
