Blue Cypress Sunset, Florida Oil Painting of Cypress Trees, Lake and Vivid Sunset by Judy Batterson, Florida Artist

Blue Cypress Lake is in the middle of Florida. Large cypress trees are along the shoreline of the large lake. At sunset, the lake becomes vibrant with color. Truly Old Florida at its finest! This larger painting is now on exhibit at Leu Gardens in Orlando until July 9, 2014.

Palms Along the River, Florida Oil Painting of St. John's River with Palms by Judy Batterson, Florida Artist

This 12 x 24 oil painting was from a houseboat trip on the St. John's River. It was quite an adventure! Gators everywhere, birds everywhere, and the sky was yellow at sunrise. Pristine wilderness surrounded us as were experiencing beautiful Old Florida. Palms lined the river for miles. Now on display at Leu Gardens in Orlando until July 9, 2014.

Old Florida, Original Oil Landscape of Palms and Lake by Judy Batterson

Take a trip into the heart of Florida along trails next to lakes and creeks. There is dense foliage along the edge of the water. The lake reflects the blue sky and palms. Patches of sand and reeds are dotted along the water's edge. This is "Old Florida", a vast ecosystem of marshes and lakes. This is the old Florida I remember as a child when my friends and I would "go exploring" in the woods. In this painting, Florida's wild beauty translates into color and light. 8 x 10" framed original oil.

Preserving the Paradise, Florida OIl Painting of Winter Park by Judy Batterson

This painting shows the history of Winter Park, Florida. With this conceptual process, I stood at the edge of the Genius Preserve looking across Lake Virginia at Rollins College. The Genius Preserve was the Windsong Estate of Jeannette Genius McKean and Hugh McKean. Jeannette was a quiet art crusader whose grandfather was Charles Hosmer Morse. He had given the land for Central Park in Winter Park. Hugh had been a young art student of Louis Tiffany and later became president of Rollins College. When the New York Tiffany estate burned, they saved the Tiffany glass and brought it to Winter Park. The McKeans made it a comprehensive collection now housed in the Morse Museum. Visitors from all over the world come to see the windows and glass. I was a young artist when I helped them at the Morse. My favorite window was the Wisteria Window, and, thus, the overlay on the painting. Tying culture and beauty together, I give homage to the McKeans for preserving the paradise of this area! 16"H x 12"W Price: $ 500.00 framed

Anastasia Palm, an Old Florida Stately Palm Plein Air Oil Painting by Judy Batterson

On a beautiful afternoon, I set up my plein air easel in Lake Mary in front of a stately palm tree. With the sun shining on one side, the tree cast a shadow on the grass. Palms are my favorite trees because each one is so different, as if each has a different personality. This one sent out an Old Florida vibe. Tall, stately, and perfectly "coifed", the tree seemed more like a tropical sculpture. 12"H x 9"W

Stillness on the Tomoka, Oil Painting of Old Florida by Judy Batterson

On the east coast of Florida, the Tomoka River is a pristine wilderness that has not changed. I was asked to capture this in a painting by a friend who grew up on the Tomoka. I did site visits, sketches and took photos of this beautiful river. There was such a sense of peace with the gentle flow of the river. Some areas had dense areas of mangroves, palms and underbrush. Other mangrove clumps opened up to the sky, allowing sunlight to reflect off of the water. A white egret stood out against the darker water while other birds flew overhead. This river is "old Florida" appreciated by nature lovers everywhere. Original oil on canvas 24"H x 36"W.

The Orange Picker, a Florida Vintage Postcard Oil Painting by Judy Batterson

Citrus groves shaped Florida's history. The first groves were planted in the 1500's by Spanish explorers, and, by the late 1800's, workers had poured into the state to pick oranges from the thriving trees. Picked at the peak of freshness, oranges were put into
shoulder sacks, emptied into crates and then shipped all over the US. Oranges helped make Florida famous! 5 x 7" original oil painting. Part of my vintage "Postcards from Florida" painting project.

Rock of Ages, a sequence showing oil layering, by Judy Batterson

The finished painting! In the woods in Arcadia, Florida, there is a dry creek bed that serves as a trail that goes deep into the palmettos, palms and trees. When the sun is high, the light hits a clearing and highlights a rock where a person can rest while hunting or hiking. The rock marks a special place for all who walk through these woods. It never changes like the shifting shadows, thus the title. This painting was a commission and a joy to paint every layer. This commission was painted in memory of a very special man who loved to hunt in these woods. 11 x 14" giclees and prints available on request.

Rock of Ages, a sequence showing oil layering, by Judy Batterson

Photo #3 showing the oil layers in developing this painting of the woods in Arcadia, Florida. The middle ground palms are painted and the dry creek bed which forms the path that leads into the woods. The path leads to the rock. The patches of sunlight are also painted between the dark shadows of the foliage. Although the sky was bright blue, some clouds are added for balance.

Rock of Ages, a sequence showing oil layering, by Judy Batterson

Photo #2 of the oil layering sequence of "Rock of Ages". These next layers paint in the palms and other trees in the background of
the Florida woods. The ground in the foreground is established along with the focal point which will be the rock. The dappled shadows of the light streaming through the trees are painted also. www.judybatterson.com

Poinciana and Oranges, a Florida Oil Landscape of Orange Grove, Poinciana Tree, Old Florida by Judy Batterson

A large poinciana tree is in bloom with brilliant red blossoms. Across the path is an orange grove laden with fruit. The interplay of light and shadow is shown by the sunlight on the bright colors of red, orange and green while billowing clouds stand out against a dark sky. Florida heat leads to afternoon thunderstorms, and the painting tells this story. Large and colorful, this is a painting of Florida the way it used to be and can still be found down sandy back roads. Original Oil on masonite. 21 x 36 " $2400

Old Florida, a Florida Oil Landscape with Palm and Water by Judy Batterson

Take a trip into the heart of Florida along trails next to lakes and creeks. There is always dense foliage along the edge of the dark water which reflects the blue sky and palms. Patches of sand and reeds are dotted between the land and water. This is "Old Florida", a vast ecosystem of saltwater marshes and freshwater lakes. This painting captures the sunlight highlighting the edge of a Florida lake. The light beams into the shadows and highlights the palms and sand. This is the old Florida I remember as a child when my friends and I would "go exploring" in the woods. The good news is the beauty of hidden lakes can be found today not only down hiking trails but also in parks and preserves. In this painting, Florida's wild beauty translates into color and light. Original 8 x 10 oil on masonite. $395 Framed

Florida Hammock, Florida Oil Landscape of Palms and Mangroves by Judy Batterson

This hammock, with abundant wildlife and strong reflections, is typical of the marshy hammocks along the low coastal areas of Florida. A cool palette of blues and greens make a calming scene, natural and tranquil. Palm and mangroves are painted in detail as they grow out of the foliage along the waterway. 16 x 20" oil www.judybatterson.com

Blue Cypress Sunset, sequence of painting, by Judy Batterson

The finished painting! This is the final sequence in a series of six showing a painting from start to finish. The burnt umber and ultramarine blue dark silhouettes of the cypress trees with aquatic grasses and reeds stand out against the bright setting sun. The shadows are reflected in the water along with touches of light. This is a 24 x 36" oil on masonite. And it's been a fun and challenging painting journey! www.judybatterson.com

Poinciana and Oranges, a Florida Oil Landscape of Orange Grove, Poinciana Tree, Old Florida by Judy Batterson

A friend called me to say that she had just seen her first poinciana tree in full bloom and was amazed by the vivid beauty of the
bright red blossoms. The reason she recognized the tree is because she had seen this painting. This painting captures the feel of old Florida with a sandy road, an orange grove, and a small lake next to a blooming poinciana tree. The Highwaymen loved to paint the poinciana trees, too, and now I know why. The bright blossoms lend themselves to thick brushstrokes and built up oil texture which make the scene pop with color. This is a 21 x 36" original oil on masonite. For more Florida landscapes, visit my website at www.judybatterson.com.