"Vivian's Cape Cod Garden" by Ann McCann 16 X 20 X 1.5" Oil

I took a plein air art class in Cape Cod a few summers ago and painted Vivian's (teacher) flowerbed with pastels (chalk). She had us do an exercise where we randomly made strokes on paper for 30 minutes. It was a really good loosening up exercise.  The painting process then flowed more effortlessly.  This second time, I painted the scene with oils for permanence but kept the brilliance of pastel colors with lots of bright, transparent oils. It is painted on the sides too so does not require framing.

"Orange Hibiscus Duo" by Ann McCann 9 X 12 Oil

I passed by these lovely hibiscus flowers every day on my vacation in Cape Cod.  While painting I noticed that I was creating the look of a pastel (chalk) with my oil paints.  So, I made sure to keep that look.

"Rose of Sharon" by Ann McCann 9 X 12" Oil

This white Rose of Sharon bush was blooming against a brick wall in Connecticut.  The blue-violet shadows glowed against the orange-red brick.  This is an old-fashioned flower loved by our grandmothers.  My Mom loved her Rose of Sharon bush in our old house in Southfield, Michigan.

"Cape Cod House with Hydrangeas" by Ann McCann 9 X 12" Oil

This 18th century home was on a little side street in Wellfleet, Cape Cod. The blue hydrangeas were blooming all round it and the home up the hill.  I wish it were mine!

"Crape Myrtle Shadows" by Ann McCann 20 X 20 X 1.5" Oil

I pass by this building every day on the way to work.  I loved the glowing crape myrtle but was drawn to the shadows on the building.  The building was nothing special but the shadows were gorgeous.  So, I snapped a picture one morning and painted it.

"Cobalt Hydrangea Interior" by Ann McCann 9 X 12 Oil

This a hydrangea bouquet that I painted from our trip to Cape Cod in 2016.  I keep changing it a bit, but I am pretty sure that I am done now.   I liked the juxtaposition of the cobalt blue flowers against the turquoise sky.

Turquoise Hydrangea Interior by Ann McCann 9 X 12 Oil

The house that we rent in Cape Cod always has a bouquet of blue hydrangeas when we arrive. I snap photos, do water color sketches and then paint them when I get home.  Here is the 2017 bouquet.

SOLD- "Hydrangea Interior" by Ann McCann 6 X 6" Oil

A customer in San Antonio purchased this online.  Thank you!  I guess I need to paint more hydrangeas! I have found that there is no blue color that matches what is found in nature. So, I use multiple colors to approximate the overall effect.

Harbor Sailing by Ann McCann 10 X 10 Oil

I still have all these images of the Cape in my head, and I need to paint them before they go away.  I saw this image on a bright and sunny day in the Truro harbor.  I  wanted to capture the reflection of the sail and the people in the boat.  The open sea is at the horizon.

"Blackcreek Marsh" by Ann McCann 5.5 X 5.5" Watercolor

This is a wonderful marsh with a bright blue creek running through it that can only be photographed standing on top of a fence on a highway with many cars rushing by.  Quite a challenge! I try to paint it every year when we visit Cape Cod. You are looking out towards Cape Cod Harbor here.

Cape Cod Hydrangeas by Ann McCann 5 1/2 X 5 1/2" Watercolor

We just got back from a week in Wellfleet, Cape Cod, MA.  The hydrangeas were beautiful and everywhere.  We even had a bouquet waiting for us in our rental house.   Above you see the bouquet and then the watercolor I painted in my sketchbook.  More hydrangeas to come...... 

SOLD- Hibiscus Fireworks by Ann McCann 8 X 8 Oil

This was purchased by my sister's dear childhood friend.  I love that I can share my paintings with old friends who have moved far away. Looks like I will have to paint another 8X8 for the Biblical Arts Auction this fall!

Hibiscus Fireworks by Ann McCann 8 X 8 Oil

Here are some "fireworks" for your Fourth of July, two mini hibiscus in red and orange on blue.   They were a present from my hairdresser's garden.  I get to take them home after I get my hair done!  I may donate this to the Biblical Arts Museum 8 X 8 Art Auction unless someone has to have it.

Memories of Spring in Texas by Ann McCann

Spring in Texas is about wildflowers, especially bluebonnets.  Lady Bird Johnson is responsible for the planting of wildflowers along all our highways and that spring bloom makes driving a delight. In the Texas Hill Country there are field after field of bluebonnets.  In small plantings, the scent of bluebonnets is not noticeable.  However, the smell of the large fields is quite heavenly.  Families plop their children down in the fields and take their holiday card photos. We have a photo of our daughter and my husband in one such field that we treasure.