Afternoon Light of Autumn by Roxanne Steed

8"x10" oil on Belgian linen mounted on archival panel

Back to the same site at Harkness Park, where I painted "Butterfly Song" just a month ago back in August. Now the purple Joe-Pye weeds have almost gone by, they've turned a bit brownish purple. I chose to catch the view from a slightly different angle on this day - as I really liked the afternoon shadow shapes along the left side walls of the barns. Hurricane Irene really did some weird damage to the foliage on most of the trees. Many have browned out and are dropping leaves rather than turning color. Even the evergreens have browned out on the side facing south, where salt-spray comes off the ocean. I'm really curious as to whether we'll get much more color at all this fall here on the shoreline?!

Contact me here for more information about this painting!

Butterfly Song (Harkness Park) by Roxanne Steed

20"x20" oil on stretched canvas

"This was one of those perfect New England days in late summer where the spirit of autumn takes a first stealing flight, like a spy, through the ripening country-side, and, with feigned sympathy for those who droop with August heat, puts her cool cloak of bracing air about leaf and flower and human shoulders." ~Sarah Orne Jewett

This quote describes the weather today so well. It did feel like just a touch of fall was in the air. A bit scary/suspicious if you ask me, as I'm not ready at all for summer to end. It feels like it just got here! This scene is back at Harkness Park, the joe-pye weeds in this field are so pretty. Butterflies love it, and are flitting along the blossom tops.

This painting is available directly from the artist in my DailyPainter.com gallery store.

Summer Coastal Fog, Harkness Park, Coastal CT

10"x8" oil on linen mounted on archival board

"It's hotter than hell, but not as hot as Texas!" - R. Steed


Seems like I had vanished off the planet for a while there. I just survived a pretty big computer crash/mishap/disaster. What ever you call it, it was not fun. Two weeks without my work-companion left me feeling adrift! At the same time we had our credit card number stolen, and I got a nail in my tire (that was not pluggable). They say things come in threes, so looks like I'm over that hump and am coasting for some good things to come my way! At least that's how one friend suggested I look at it!

In the mean time, I did do a lot of painting done. On the first day back to my easel after "the crash" (as we'll call this computer disaster) I went over to Harkness Park, a favorite spot of mine, whether to paint, walk, or just un-wind. The fog was thick over the coast line during this morning of painting, and was just starting to burn-off, a ray of light seeming to cut through to the garden space I was viewing. For those familiar with the park, this is the area behind the old mansion, where weddings are now held, looking over into the walled garden. The fairy-roses were in their full glory arching over the walls of that garden space.


My postings to come will be like a garden tour of sorts. Today I'm continuing a large painting (24"x24") I started yesterday on the back deck. It's a certainly a challenge to go big when you're working outside. Most of my plein air works are 9"x12" or smaller. But that's a post for another day!

Thanks for following along, and thanks to those of you who asked "where are you"!

Can be purchased directly from my DailyPainters.com gallery store.

Hazy Summer Morning at Harkness Park by Roxanne Steed

8"x10" oil on Belgian linen mounted on archival panel


"Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it." ~Russel Baker

This morning came all cloudy, remnants of the previous nights storm. The humidity was rising, and as the sun tried to burn through, you knew it had the potential to be sweltering! But I found a place in the shade, with a good view, and an ocean breeze, what could be better? A bit of protection from the sun and swelter, fog-horns off shore a constant reminder of the weather. The horizon melded with sky in the distant haze, looking like there was no beginning, no end. What a feeling for a summer day!

For more information about this painting, contact me here.

Romantic Garden By The Sea - Sold! - by Roxanne Steed

8"x10" oil on Belgian linen mounted on archival panel

"Happiness seems made to be shared."

- Pierre Corneille

This painting, is from one of my favorite local parks to go paint, Harkness Park, over in Waterford, CT. Apparently, it's a favorite place for weddings to happen as well! And I can certainly see why - in July it's filled with blooms in it's many garden spaces. This particular area that I painted in that afternoon, is a large, walled in garden, with one of the gate openings facing a view to the sea. Such a romantic setting!

Yes -it's another painting to bring out of the 'archive'! I am offering these 'Valentines' at 2009 prices during the month of February. They are dry and ready to ship as soon as your Paypal payment clears! I also accept personal checks - it just takes a good bit longer for it to travel through the mail from your house to my bank. Paypal is that sure bet to receive it in time for Valentines Day!

******For these Valentine special offerings, I'll cover shipping via Priority Mail (for continental US) between now (Feb 1st) and Feb. 14th! Treat your sweet-heart to something wonderful, that lasts forever, isn't fattening, and is the perfect size! Forwarding this email to 'the likely suspects' might be helpful as a gift-giving guide! OR be good to yourself, a personal Valentine 'from you to you' might be just what you need.

My fifth Valentine offering for my subscribers this month is, "Garden By The Sea, Summer Afternoon" an 8"x10" oil on Belgian linen mounted on archival panel. Reply to this email to let me know you'd like this piece & preferred payment method. Your Valentine price is $125 +zero for shipping (see above)! ...all in the name of love!
Contact me at roxannesteed@gmail.com for purchase information.

Now go on, work on that love life!

Yes, indeed, I have been painting new pieces while posting these older works, I have a couple saved up ready to post soon!

Turning Into Autumn

8"x10" oil on Belgian linen mounted on archival board

"Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves,
We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!
- Humbert Wolfe

Today I took the time to go over to Harkness Park and paint outdoors - on our first sunny day this week. The trees are turning, the wind was up a bit, but the air was so clear- you could see forever across the Long Island Sound. But I painted at the cove, the tidal flow making ripples across the water. The grasses are beginning to turn gold, and the trees have their yellows and reds, too! What a beautiful morning! I'm calling this 8"x10" painting "Turning Into Autumn".

Gray Day At The Shoreline

8"x10" oil on Belgian linen mounted on archival board

"There is one spectacle grander than the sea, that is the sky; there is one spectacle grander than the sky, that is the interior of the soul."
- Victor Hugo


I took some time out to go paint outside today. One of my Twitter artist friends, Jackie White, here in CT invited me to meet up with her over at Harkness Park (my favorite place). It was very overcast most of the day, which is actually quite pretty down by Goshen Cove, looking across the beach. The treeline & tall steeple silhouette is such a nice view. I love how the curve of the beach and grasses lead right in to the steeple view. This one is called, "Gray Day At The Shoreline" and is an 8"x10" on Belgian linen mounted on archival board.

I'm currently working on some commission sketches, another project that looks like it will be a fun painting!

Welcome to my latest new subscribers! I do hope you enjoy the paintings, photos & stories! I always love hearing comments from my readers!!

Shoreline New England Summer Afternoon by Roxanne Steed

8"x10" oil on Belgian linen mounted on museum quality board

"Your purpose in life isn't to arrive at a destination where you find inspiration, just as the purpose of dancing isn't to end up at a particular spot on the dance floor. The purpose of dancing - and of life - is to enjoy every moment and every step, regardless of where you are when the music ends."
- Dr. Wayne Dyer


Today's painting "Harkness Summer Afternoon", and is a 8"x10" oil on oil-primed linen mounted on museum quality board. Sunday afternoon was one of those perfect summer days that make you wish it would last forever!
They were setting up for a wedding behind me, a kite club festival was being held on the grounds along with all the picnickers, walkers, etc, touring through the garden on this weekend afternoon. What a happy buzz in the air, a true celebration of life!

This painting is already sold - it was commissioned as a wedding gift for her dear friends. I am always moved and so grateful to be a part of special commemorations in people's lives.

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