I Believe In Discovery I & II, Florida Coastal Paintings of the Discovery of Florida, by Judy Batterson, Florida Artist

To celebrate the 500th anniversary of the discovery of Florida by Ponce de Leon in 1513, I followed his route around the state. I also boarded a replica of his galleon which had sailed here from Spain. This was exciting to trace the history of the state I love! This set of two paintings form a diptych to represent the natural coastal areas where Ponce de Leon and his men came ashore. Sitting on the horizon is the galleon. The sand path goes inland and returns towards the ship. The tropical palms, sand dunes and azure waters are the discovery. The orange sunrise sky symbolizes what is dawning...a new land. 24" H x 36" W (diptych of two oil paintings each 18x24)

I Believe in Discovery, A Florida Coastal Landscape with Palm, Dunes, and Ocean by Judy Batterson, Florida Artist

This paintings is a compilation of what Ponce de Leon saw when he first discovered the peninsula of Florida 500 years ago. This is also part II of a complete diptych tying the sailing explorers together with the land they discovered. Bold in color, it emphasizes the boldness of Ponce and his men. I hope this encourages others to keep Florida's natural beauty the way they found it long ago. 18x24 oil on board.

I Believe in Discovery, a Florida Oil Landscape of the Discovery of Florida by Ponce de Leon, by Judy Batterson, Florida artist

This past year the state of Florida celebrated the 500th anniversary of the discovery of Florida by Ponce de Leon. A replica of his ship, El Galeon, sailed from Spain to Florida to retrace where Ponce de Leon had gone around the peninsula. I toured this beautiful sailing ship while it docked at Port Canaveral. After visiting the coastal areas around the state where Ponce and his men explored, I painted a large diptych to honor them. This is the first part. 18x24 Oil on board.

Smyrna Dunes, a Florida Coastal Oil Painting by Judy Batterson, Florida Artist

On Florida's east coast where the Indian River flows into the Atlantic Ocean is Ponce Inlet. On the south side of Ponce Inlet, near where Ponce de Leon apparently landed 500 years ago, is a protected area of large sand dunes, palms and palmettos called Smyrna Dunes Park. This oil was painted from the boardwalk bordering the park. 8x10 original oil. Giclees and prints available on request.

Lighthouse Beyond the Dunes, a Plein Air Florida Beach Art Oil Painting by Judy Batterson

At the north end of New Smyrna Beach there are large sand dunes next to the inlet to the Indian River. Across the inlet is the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. I set up my easel in the dunes so I could paint the lighthouse across the water. I could hear the waves, the gulls, and the boats. Plein air painting is an experience for the senses! I could see the sailboat masts along the docks and watch the cloud formations behind the lighthouse. The view was captured on a 5x7 canvas! ($75 plus shipping)

Dunes Crossover, a Plein Air Beach Oil Painting by Judy Batterson

"Dunes Crossover" A lovely day at Smyrna Dunes Park beckoned me to take my plein air pochade box there. I set up my easel and paint box and enjoyed capturing the dunes with the walkway over the dunes. Sand, sea oats and dune plants made the scene very textural.With the ocean beyond the dunes, the ocean breeze picked up, blowing the clouds in fast moving formations and moving the sailboats across the water. 5"H x 7"W Price: $ 75.00

Dunes, a Florida Beach Art Oil Painting by Judy Batterson

This painting of sand dunes was painted with the alla prima technique. I set up my pochade box (small portable paint box) right next to the sand dunes at Smyrna Dunes Park. Painting layers wet on wet made me quickly capture the dunes while the sun was overhead. The ocean breeze made the heat bearable. All in all, it was a beautiful day to paint.5"H x 7"W Price: $ 75.00

Eco Trip, a Florida Beach Painting of Kayaks on Sand by Judy Batterson

When I discovered the colorful kayaks pulled up on the sand of an island on the Intracoastal Waterway, I loved the scene! I took lots of photos because I was in a boat viewing it, and then I painted the scene in the studio. The intriguing part of this was that it was so still, hot and calm that day, and there were no clues to the whereabouts of the people. I found out later that the Marine Discovery Center in Volusia County had sent volunteers out to search for turtle nests. Although I have posted this painting before, I am reposting it because it has been chosen for the Biennial VI Exhibit at the Museum of Florida Art in DeLand, FL. Exhibit runs from Nov. 11 to March 4, 2012.

A Day at the Beach, Beach Art by Judy Batterson

A day at the beach means palm trees, sand dunes, sea oats, a sandy path perhaps with a treasure from the sea, and sailboats catching the ocean breeze. I put all of these in this painting to capture the feel of a Florida beach day. The only thing missing is you! 5 x 7" original oil.

Eco Trip, Beach Art Florida Oil Landscapes with Kayaks by Judy Batterson

This work combines all that I want to express in a painting, and I am very excited about it. On a boating trip to the Mosquito Lagoon, I passed an island where four kayaks were pulled up next to a beached old rowboat. The bright colors of the kayaks were dazzling against the white sandy beach. I captured it in photos and sketches, compelled to put a composition together to paint the scene. Discovering the beauty of Florida is an adventure. What a joy to paint this, even though it took much longer than I ever anticipated! Exploring coastal Florida is a celebration of an ecological treasure...a real eco trip! 24 x 30" oil on panel.

Smyrna Dunes, a Florida Coastal Landscape of Palms and Sand Dunes by Judy Batterson

On the Florida east coast at New Smyrna Beach, the Intracoastal flows into the Atlantic by the jetties. The area there, known as Smyrna Dunes, has sand dunes punctuated by clusters of palm trees. People love to walk around the dunes, going from the ocean side to the river side and back. As I was walking there, I studied the brightness of the sand against the palms. The sunlight made every detail of the palm trees stand out as it reflected brilliantly off of the hot sand. I used lights and darks to show the contrasts. Original Oil on masonite. Chosen for "Best of America Oil Artists Vol. ll" book by Kennedy Publishing. (Giclees available $120, matted prints $65)

Smyrna Dunes, a Florida Coastal Landscape of Palms and Sand Dunes by Judy Batterson

At the tip of the peninsula on the north side of New Smyrna Beach is Smyrna Dunes Park. This is where the ocean and river meet at the inlet. People enjoy walking on the boardwalk through the dunes to the water. I captured this scene at high noon from the boardwalk. The bright sun reflected off the hot sand creating shadows underneath the palms. This is an 8 x 10 oil on masonite.
For more Florida landscapes visit my website at www.judybatterson.com.

Beach Afternoon Mini Florida Landscape of Ocean, Palm, Beach, Starfish by Judy Batterson

Beach Afternoon 3" x 3" Mini Florida Landscape Painting on Mini Easel. Just for fun, I took the challenge of using three colors of artists grade acrylic paint to see if I could mix them for a mini landscape. The colors were bright yellow-green, bright orange, and bright blue with a tube of white. I had to paint fast since acrylics dry much faster than oil. After mixing these crazy colors, I ended up with a fun and whimsical palm next to the ocean with a starfish buried in the sand.

Sandpiper Tracks, original Florida Oil Landscape of Beach, Ocean and Sand Dunes by Judy Batterson

8 x 10 original oil landscape.. This painting has been sold, but view similar paintings at my website,
www,judybatterson.com