In The Channel

Welcome.

Hi everybody. I hope you who celebrate Christmas had a lovely time. Mine was spent with family. Laughter, good food and great company were gifts beyond measure.

Here we go into 2017. Right now is one of the most exciting times in history. Trust me on this. I suggest you put on your learning cap and your dancing shoes!

I may end up creating a slow movement in art like Alice Waters did for slow cooking. It's about the love and savoring and intention. Just breathe.

Therefore my post for the new year eve is one of grace, fluidity, wind in your face, a ribbon of sunlight, the sea, the dunes and personal freedom in this 6 foot by 4 foot  oil painting on canvas
titled, "In The Channel" which is a perspective from Vilano Beach, Florida looking over to St. Augustine, Florida and the lighthouse. Let's say we just have an easy sail into 2017!

If you would like to view more spectacular paintings please visit www.alanphillipstudio.com.

Wishing you great success in the coming year. Thank you for stopping by today.

More to come.....

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

Blue Ocean.

Welcome.

Hi Everybody. Ok, so the title is one of the buzz words for start ups along with blue sky ventures.

I like it as a concept for our souls. Collectively as a civilization it's time for us to acknowledge our heritage and legacy in the beauty of our home planet earth and connect in a way that frees us to live healthy and sustain, rebuild, conserve our resources.

This Brown Pelican simply spread it's wings and rode the wind over the vast big blue.

This is another in my photographic fine art series. Please visit www.alanphillipstudio.com to see extraordinary wonderful coastal oil paintings!

I wish you a day of pure glide and ease on your travels.

Thank you for visiting today.

More to come....

All photography, art copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

A Little Sun Dancing

Welcome.

Hi everybody. There's nothing like seeing sunset play of light washing over the tropical lushness here in Florida with a sport fishing boat chasing the tide home on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.

This is my oil painting on canvas called, "The Reel Plan Sun-Dancing On The San Pablo." It is 24" x 36" and is available for purchase in your collection and if you would like more information please contact me at alanlovesart@gmail.com or visit www.alanphillipstudio.com

Thank you for stopping by today.

More to come......

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

Catch Of The Day

Welcome.

Hi everybody. How is it that my fellow coastal fine feathered friends are such better fisherman than me?  They are born to it, I know. The ocean and the estuaries are their local fresh market. Weren't we that way as a civilization at one point in history?

One of the things I admire about nature in the cycle of life is that each takes only what it needs. In time, they all give back to the source.

It is astounding to me just how much beauty resides in the waterways and this is no exception. In this fine art photo it is the picture of life and also the picture of elegance and grace. Bravo nature!

Thank you for stopping by today.

Please come over to www.alanphillipstudio and enjoy my fine art oil paintings of the Coastal Journey!

More to come......

All art, photography copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

The Power Of The Dawn

Welcome.

Hi everybody.

There is majesty in this simple striking image don't you think? The dawn emerging over the vast horizon fascinates me.

My days start early. When I get to be on the beach at this early hour I count my blessings and have great respect and reverence for the gift of another day and seeing it born in such spectacular fashion.

This is another from my fine art photography series.

Thank you for stopping by today.

More to come.....

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2016©

Wild Thing

Welcome.


I love the ocean in all her infinite forms.

Our science both thrills me and worries me.  I have read about new technology that can go deeper into the depths of the ocean's vast canyons. I wonder, can we somehow enjoy the gifts she offers without destroying her at the same time?

Dr. Sylvia Earle, the great marine biologist often points to a photograph of our beautiful planet and reminds us, "This is the world bank,"  My wish is that we can do it lovingly, mindfully, consider the consequences of 'mining' another vast  resource.

The blues and greens together in this piece, the tonality, the clouds and waves, the wind skipping over the crest of the waves give this very simple photograph energy and interest.

Thank you for stopping by today. Please visit www.alanphillipstudio.com to see my oil paintings of coastal scenes

More to come......

All art, photography copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

New Friends And Old Friends

Welcome.

Hi Everybody. This gull is one of my favorite watercolors that I did for Water's Edge magazine. It was recently selected by the writer, food, home and art lover Barbara Stroud on https://artfoodhome.com along with my oil painting on canvas The Beach Sunflower Safari. and me as the featured artist on her blog!

I have enjoyed the pieces that Barbara features in all her categories. I learn and I am often delighted by images, stories, places. recipes, architectural ideas and points of interest that are new to me.

This is the link to read her feature on my work.
http://artfoodhome.com/2016/11/21/featured-artist-alan-phillips/

Having communicated by email and in the 3 years that I have enjoyed following her blog I highly recommend a visit because this is a woman who is celebrating life with her family and friends and us. Her positive vibe is heart warming and inspiring. You may just catch a smile.

Thank you for stopping by today.

More to come.....

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

The March Of The Woodstorks!

Welcome.

It seemed for a time these beautiful and interesting Florida wading birds were marching towards extinction.

You know what extinction means, right? Gone. Part of the challenge was that they were and have been losing habitat progressively since the 1950's. Development, Golf Courses and recreational space for humans has pushed them to the brink. I love a good splash in a water park and to loft a couple of beers and a bucket of balls from the back nine but there must be a way we can cohabitate or rather co-habitat.

It is my intention to portray the beauty of wildlife so that we take stock. I want to appreciate them while they are here and call attention to them so that the people who are smarter than me will collaborate and devise new ways so that we can all march to together on our lovely blue green home and flourish in harmony.

Once again, artistically there are so many nuances in tone, contrast and color that makes this work interesting to me. This is one of the few instances where I feel the birds look elegant while on land. Their grace in the air is a thing of grace and beauty. There is something refined and exquisite about the palette in this photograph.

This is another in my photography fine art series. If you would like to join in the Coastal Journey further please visit my website at www.alanphillipstudio.com where you will find exceptional fine art oil paintings featuring scenes from the coast.

Thank you for stopping by today.

More to come.......

All art/photography copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

White Ibis Landing In St. Augustine

Welcome.

Hi everybody. What fun, right? I mean look at these characters! They are both beautiful and interesting.

I often wonder where they have been? When I look skyward and see them flying in formation I wish I could tag along. I am mostly earthbound and appreciate seeing them on my Coastal Journey in the saltmarsh and along the flyways of the Intra Coastal Waterway.

Here is another in my fine art photography series. I really dig the light and shadow at play here both in the birds and the background. That's also a great palette of cream and pink with an accent of black against the muted greens and blues.

This was on my way to St. Augustine, Florida. St. Augustine is a favorite place of mine to visit. It really has the best of so many worlds. It's a nice visual counterpoint in the background.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Please visit www.alanphillipstudio.com often for oil painting views of my Coastal Journey that are available for purchase for your art collection.

More to come.....

All art and photography copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

Skimmers Taking A Break

Hi Everybody.

Welcome.

Cruising along on my coastal journey I am fortunate enough to be in the company of great visual opportunities. I love patterns and random rhythms and as such find while looking a little more closely at one of my art photographs like this,  there is an order to the randomness. There is a pattern that repeats in so many forms of nature. This is one.

The fantastic and striking combinations black, gray and white with that crisp red orange as a counterpoint is so visually arresting!

Thank you for stopping by today.

If you are looking for beautiful oil paintings both original and prints of scenes from my Coastal Journey please visit www.alanphillipstudio.com

More to come......

All art, photography copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

Fellow Travelers

Welcome.

Hi Everybody.

One of my great  comforts and a very grounding element in my life is the company of the birds that frequent, dine, and clean the beach.

They are a constant and much like the canaries in the mines a telltale sign in the health of the environment.

I hope you enjoy this gull enjoying it's flight in the warm sun along mine and her coastal journey.

This is from fine art photography series.

I f you would like to enjoy some of my fine art oil paintings of the Coastal Journey please visit www.alanphillipstudio.com and if you are interested in purchasing art for your collection you may reach me at alanlovesart@gmail.com

Thank you for checking today.

More to come.....

all art/photography copyright Alan Phillips 2016©

Full Circle

Welcome.

Hi everybody.

There is much to ponder on a beach walk. I contemplate the sky, the surf, the tideline, the wildlife from surfers to seagulls.

After a storm you may find the beach littered with the coastal sprawl of new shells or old shells new to the beach from being swept off the bottom by the storm's surge. The sun is bright and the sky impossibly blue and you hunt for a special jewel.

I wonder about the life of things. I wonder what they have seen and how long they may have been around. In addition to other elements that make up the sand on the beach there are ancient bits of ocean history in the shell fragments that soak in the sunshine there. They were after all once a living creature's home.

My friend MJ lives at the beach. She is a coastal gal. This photograph was taken of the side of her home where the shells, some whole and some in fragments live in the stucco. She and her family are surrounded by the residual energy of the ocean's touch each day.

Outstanding!

Thank you for stopping by today.

Please visit www.alanphillipstudio.com if you would like to see and purchase my coastal art for your home, office and collections.

More to come....

All art and photographs copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

Her Talons Did Not Exceed Her Grasp

Welcome,

Hi Everybody.

There is seldom a more beautiful sight to me than one of nature's stunning creatures at home in their natural habitat.

This Osprey had made it's home close to a small pond that was teeming with fish. I have observed them hunting at the ocean's edge on almost every visit to the shore.

Fast, agile, smart and relentless they have the patience and the will to continue until they get what they are after and no matter the pangs of hunger always bring the reward back home. Wow.

I like the composition in this photograph and as angular as everything is there is a certain balance to it. You may also notice the rich browns and creams set against the blue gray foil of the sky and how the tiny vine branches circling the trunk give it a little extra interest like sketch marks defining the object in a line drawing.

Here is another in my fine art photography series.

Please visit my website www.alanphillipstudio if you would like to enjoy art works painted in oils on canvas featuring scenes from the coast..

Thank you for stopping by today.

More to come.....

All art, photography copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

Lizard Brain

Welcome.

This one sure is keeping an eye on me, ready to bounce! It took a while to warm to these creatures. A friend once told me he did not think they were indigenous. That perhaps they hitched a ride in someone's suitcase from another clime. I am more a fan of the green ones. They have a slightly different shape and seem calmer, more laid back, and you know I love my California blues and greens!

I am an artist though and beauty is where I see it and find it. He is savoring the warmth of that starlight energy I know.. I loved the tonality and light in this little vignette. I also liked the softer hues of blues, browns, yellows and orange.

This is another from my photography fine art series.

Thank you for stopping by today. I f you are new to the blog be sure to stop by my website www.alanphillipstudio.com to see my featured Coastal oil paintings!

More to come.....

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

Roosting Egrets At Walt's Fishing Shack

Welcome.

Hi everybody. Way down in St. Augustine, Florida if you take a few roads off the main road until you come to a dirt road and then follow that road out through the salt marsh, way out in the middle of a secluded vista is Walt's fishing shack.

Are you a curious sort? I explore the road less traveled. When you do sometimes you get a surprise like this lovely little scene.

I really like the color in this one, the composition leads you into the scene and the shack played against the roosting egrets is a nice little point-counterpoint.

This is an oil painting 12" x16" on canvas. You can find more information at my website www.alanphillipstudio.com on price and easy contact for inquiries. If you would like to stay up with my progress please sign up for my newsletter by adding your email to my list!

Thank you for stopping by today.

More to come....

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

The Beach Sunflower Safari

Welcome.

Hi everybody.

What is it about those first few moments you step on the sand heading down to the beach? There is excitement, anticipation, the fragrance of the sea, the breezes and wow, you get these beautiful little flowers (if you are paying attention) that welcome you with a very sunny disposition!

There are many paths to bliss. This is one of mine.

This is an oil painting 14" x 14" on canvas. It is available for purchase by contacting me

through my website www.alanphillipstudio.com.

Thank you for stopping by today.

More to come......

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

We Talked About Everything Under The Sun.

Welcome.

Hi everybody. Ever had a friend that you could tell anything to? I have. I do. It makes me feel fortunate indeed. There are some that are no longer walking the planet. I miss them.

This piece is a tribute to them. I remember my departed as it were. This is not a maudlin exercise by any stretch. It is a fond remembrance and  an honoring.

This is an oil painting on canvas 16" x 12 "

There is a great line from that James Taylor song Fire and Rain

"I 've seen fire and I've seen rain,. I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end. There were lonely times when I could not find a friend but I really thought I'd see you again."

So today, let somebody know, that is special to you, that you are glad they are here.

I'm glad you are here. Thanks for stopping by today.

If you wish to have more information on this painting please get in touch by www.alanphillipstudio.com

More to come.....

All art copyright 2016 © Alan Phillips

Prelude To A Sultry Evening

Hi Everyone. Welcome!

One day, wouldn't it be fun for one day to be able to cruise along the tree line of the dunes like a Royal Tern? This is what I refer to as elevated thinking. It's where I want my art to send you, where you may feel free to feel free. Are you there yet?

Prelude To A Sultry Evening is oil painted on canvas gallery wrap style. The size is 36" x 48" and is available for purchase by contacting me at alanlovesart@gmail.com or through my website www.alanphillipstudio.com where you can find pricing.

Thank you for stopping by today.

more to come....

All art on this blog copyright Alan Phillips 2016 © and may not be rproduced without written permission.

Glowing In The Coastal Drift

Welcome.

You know what I mean by the coastal drift right?  It's timeless. It makes you feel timeless. Perhaps you have been at the beach and had that very relaxing day and the tension is gone. You notice the clouds, you notice the path in the lazy float of the birds, the colors in the birds and the colors reflected in the birds that are white.

It's almost time to head back home. The temperature drops a bit and you are feeling light and easy. This is the moment. This is the going from nowhere to now here and you can float on that easy rhythm as if you were a bird or a cloud or a sea oat. That's the coastal drift.

I am sure you have figured out by now that my Coastal Journey series is about a feeling. It's my version and communication about rising. In my work I am searching for ways to present the opportunity to connect. Connect with nature, connect with your inner calm, coonect with being alive in an exquisite moment.

This is an oil on canvas at the 36" x 48" size and available for you to add to your fine art collection by visiting www.alanphillipstudio.com for pricing and please feel free to contact me there or alanlovesart@gmail.com for further information.

"Glowing In The Coastal Drift" is a prime example of my love of light, color, deft brushwork that creates a tangible reality but is not photographic. This piece also features a subtle yet dynamic composition leading you into the distance balanced with point and counter point.

Thank you for stopping by today.

More to come......

All art and copy copyright Alan Phillips 2016 © and may not be used without written permission. Thank you

On Morning Marsh Meditation

Welcome.

Truth be told I love the light, I love the color, amazing unfettered quality, the textures, the space, the inherent nature of each bird, tree, inlet but what I am really interested in is combining all of these elements so that they convey to you the elevated feeling I had when I stepped into this scene.

My wish for you, each of you is that you will breathe a little easier today. My hope is that my art will encourage you and bring you to 'there' just a moment to leave any thing that worries you to be for a moment and rise.

This is an oil on canvas. It is in the 36" x 48" size and is available for purchase for your collection on my showcase www.alanphillipstudio.com and you can contact me by email alanlovesart@gmail.com for further information.

Thank you for stopping by today.

More to come....

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

The Orange Farmer.

Welcome.

Have you ever visited a farm? Have you been to an orchard or a grove? I have been to a few and I love it. First of all it's acres of nature, often miles of natural growing things that just gives me the feeling of wellness.

I miss the apple orchards of New England where the landscape can be hilly and you seem to be walking through a quiet magic garden. Then there are the farmers, who just seem to be so down to earth. I mean they are of the earth really, and owning the science to understand how things grow. They are natural nurturers.

My office uniform is generally a pair of painters pants and a blue denim shirt so the apparel of the farmer appeals to me too. I like casual, no pretense, let's roll up our sleeves look. Let's start a movement of "Farm Couture"

This is a watercolor on board 15" x 20" and I like the simplicity of the movement with the circle space where the farmer's head is and the oranges circling with a line down to the pail and then up around behind him.

I guess it's a case of comparing oranges to oranges?

Thank you for stopping by today.

If you are interested in purchasing my art for your collection please visit www.alanphillipstudio.com and enjoy the works offered. You can reach me by email listed there or alanlovesart@gmail.com

Also contact me on  linkedin if you would like to make a business connection.

More to come.....

all art copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

Still Life Grille Life

Welcome.

One of the benefits of living on the coast is all of the fresh produce we get to enjoy.

Stripped Bass, seasoned to perfection, stuffed with garlic, scallions, a wee bit of jalapeno and topped with grilled bell peppers as cooked to tenderness and add a very well chilled Chateau Haut Brion Blanc to sip if you are feeling flush!

One of my fine art cooking pieces in watercolor on board, 16" x 18"

A fun challenge with this work was creating the three layers of shallow depth, the peppers and the fish, the grille and the coals. Further adding to the dynamic was getting the glowing coals just right (which I painted first incidentally). The technique I used was to start light and build up the intensity of the chroma a little at a time with the grays and blues and the yellows and reds.

Bon Appétit !

Thank you for visiting today.

More to come....

All art, photography, words, copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

Natrural Camo

Welcome.

My job takes me to places where I feel at home. Home is where the awe is I suppose you could say. This beautiful Great Blue Heron is so color perfect in adaptation to it's environment. I have had to learn to be still, to anticipate the waders in their habitat waiting silently around each bend and to stalk them as carefully as they stalk the baitfish, crabs and other dinner delights to get a good photograph of them. Check out those oysters!

This is one of my fine art photography series.

Thank you for stopping by today.

More to come.....

all art, photography are copyrighted to Alan Phillips 2016©

Let's Get Lost.

Welcome.

I dig Chet Baker. One of my favorite songs that he nails is "Let's Get Lost."  written by Jimmy McHugh and lyrics by Frank Loesser.

You put the top down on your car. You hit the Pacific Coast Highway or Route A1A and you call up this tune with your favorite squeeze and the concept just enfolds you.

This painting is a portrait of a place where I like to get lost. It is remote, lovely, quiet and the sparkling ocean is behind you as you look up the face of a sensual rolling dune. I feel in awe of it's presence and can imagine I am floating along in the lifting thermals with the gulls.

This is oil on canvas panel 12" x16"

You can find this painting on my website www.alanphillipstudio.com

Thank you for stopping by today. I appreciate you.

More to come.....

All art and photography copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

The Little Fisherman

Welcome.

Hi everybody! Coming into September and one of my favorite seasons.  Living in the South I don't ever quite get as nostalgic or melancholy like I used too in the North. I attach neither good or bad to this. The mood up North made for some excellent reflective writing.

While tooling around the edges of the salt marsh with my camera and hunting for magic I am often surprised but what I have yet to learn from nature. Who knew a gull could catch a fish, probably it's own body weight and make a meal of it?

I suspect that the gulls were watching the Osprey's work the river.

Here is another from my fine art photography series. There are many more views of my coastal journey for your enjoyment over on my website www.alanphillipstudio.com and I just got my Wrack Line, the newsletter from the Florida Shorebird alliance. If you are into the coastal birds like me it's a great connection for engaging in support and preservation of these wonderful birds.

You can find them at www.flshorebirdalliance.org if you like sign up for the newsletter in this issue they have one of my new fine art photography pieces of a laughing gull...check it out!

Thank you for the gift of your presence here today.

More to come......

All art and photography copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

The Surveyor

Welcome.

Crazy beautiful, right? I watch these beautiful Osprey soar high in the sky both in the marsh and the ocean's edge. They always come home with fish.

There have been times that I unknowingly came a bit too close to the nest and although they have their aerie in the treetops one of them deemed my presence a threat and swooped in for a closer look...and you know what? They are so much bigger than they appear!

This is from my fine art photography series. I hope it reminds you to fly high with your ideas today.

You can view my paintings at www.alanphillipstudio.com

Thank you for stopping by today.

More to come......

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

"Butterfly's Day Out"

Welcome,

Hi everyone. Yo Yo Ma is such a versatile cellist and musician, ever hear him play, listen to his recordings? I often pick up an unfamiliar recording from a favorite artist and see what discoveries I may make.

In this particular instance I saw that he was playing a duet with Edgar Meyer, I had heard play with Bella Fleck and love their rendition of "Blue Spruce". I also noticed that the piece was composed by an American, Mark O'Conner.  "Butterfly's Day Out" is an enchanting work.

Nature, children, musicians and souls among many other elements and hands all

conspired to bring this art, this magic to life.

While out one afternoon on my coastal journey I happened upon this scene with all the lovely wild flowers that bloom in the dunes, and who should appear but this 
Gulf Fritillary

 making sure that they would see another season. Mark's decision to name the piece is an interesting backstory...find it.

Here is another from my photography art series. I hope you will give the music a listen, it's on youtube for free. I hope you will enjoy my version of seeing it....and yes this is what I was hearing while I walked into this lovely rhythmic sight.

Thank you for coming today. I appreciate all the views. If you wish to see my paintings and have not had the chance you can view them at www.alanphillipstudio.com

More to come

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

I Will Remember You.

Welcome.

Listening to some Paul Hardcastle right now. Know it? Right kind of music to view this new 12" x 16" oil on canvas painting. Perhaps a little like a gorgeous white bird floating on the breeze running through the dunes?

One of my art heroes was Bernie Fuchs. He often said that classical music deserved as much of the credit for his work as he did. I love that. In my case it's jazz. Whether it's the hard stuff (Miles to Mingus) or smooth jazz it is a magic carpet for me to rise up into the state necessary to create and be focused for an undetermined amount of time that seems to turn whole days into minutes....yeah, like that.

This is from my coastal series which I am building up enough to do a show.  I adore the soft Florida light in this and what that light does to the colors and then how I get to play with them. Stay tuned!

Thank you so much for stopping by today.

You can find more of my paintings at www.alanphillipstudio.com

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

Ocean Life

Welcome.

You all know about Sylvia Earle and Mission Blue right? Have you heard her Ted Talk? Do it. Give it a listen. A million plus of your friends have already heard it.

https://www.ted.com/talks/sylvia_earle_s_ted_prize_wish_to_protect_our_oceans

It's not about getting scared. More about taking a step, any step towards a cleaner healthier planet. Quietly, she says, "There's still time." not a lot of time but we can change the course of things if we are aware and take action. I love that she pointed at a picture of the earth and called it "The World Bank." Right? Isn't that where all of our assets are kept?

This is from my art photo series which I will most likely do a painting of in oils or watercolor. It is a young Loggerhead Turtle in St. Augustine, Florida in the United States.

It is beautiful. It looks healthy and strong, curious and in clean water. What will you do today to keep it that way?

Thank you for stopping by today.

More to come.....

All photography/art copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

Esperanza's Dream

Welcome.

Summertime and the livin is easy. This summer here in Florida has been very hot and legions of beach lovers are hitting the coast for some relaxing sun and surf.

I have many figure studies I want to do in the future as part of my coastal journey series and they are very playful art about all of us playing at the beach. However, what really captures my imagination are the people who can be among the throngs, yet find a space to drift off into the mesmerizing lull of the sound in the waves, the sun's warmth and the rhythm of the tide.

If you are interested in purchasing this work of art for your collection please visit www.alanphillipstudio.com.

This is a study in oil on canvas panel 12" x 16"

Thank you for stopping by today.

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

Dragonfly Summer

Welcome.

Generally I get to go on a walkabout once a month. My walkabouts , although work related are a study in breathing easy again. These journeys clear my head for days and give me invaluable recharged energies to renew my focus on my mission to portray the transcendental beauty of coastal nature, you know, the work part.

The dragonflies seem to be heaviest in numbers here in August, here being Northeast Florida in the USA. They are beautiful in flight hovering in the landscape or up close with one of nature's most intricate designs.

I hope this art photo from my series brings a respite from any pressures you are feeling today.

Thank you for stopping by today.

You can connect with me on my website www.alnphillipstudio.com or Alan Phillips  Linkedin or Instagram @ alanphillipsfineart. and Google +

More to come....

all photography/art copyright Alan Phillips 2016 ©

Come Fly With Me.

Welcome.

Did you hear Sinatra when you read the title? Quintessential in my mind, along with Chet Baker's Funny Valentine.

I envy the gull. It looks so effortless. Perhaps my day, perhaps I can choose to have my day go as smooth as this looks. I intend it.  It has everything it needs. The wind, sun, water, fish, air and beauty in the sunlight that is beyond compare with which to fashion it's days.  It has birds of a feather too, a flock of friends to chatter with and chase in the sky.

Here's another of my fine art photos for you to savor. You can view my paintings over at www.alanphillipstudio.com if you have not been yet. All you painting art fans hang in there I have been working on some new projects an will post them soon.

Thank you for stopping by today. If you have any questions, please ask. I read all my emails and comments sections on all my social media.

All art and photography copyright Alan Phillips © 2016

Awaken.

Welcome.                                                                    Alan Phillips © 2016

I happened to be dog sitting for some friends that live at the beach last week and those of you who have dogs know they like to get an early start. 'Lil Pup' is no different.

Perhaps it is the mad dash to wherever we mad dash too each of us in our own orbit that we miss another opportunity to marvel. In my case, that I am too busy or more that I forget sometimes what is in my front yard, down the street or what it looks like, smells like, sounds like outside of my daily routine.

This was a happy and joyful re - introduction to an early start of the day outside and a walk to the beach to watch our incredible life giving star rise up over the horizon and start the day. I know you know I applauded.

Go ahead. Choose a day this week. Get yourself in front of a sunrise. You will thank me.

Here is another in my fine art photography series.

Oil paintings for your viewing pleasure are available at www.alanphillipstudio.com please stop by.

More to come....

All art and photography copyright Alan Phillips 2016

Mindful Preservation

                                                                                                                                                                  Alan Phillips © 2016
                                                     

Welcome.

The sea oat is one of mankind's best friends and an invaluable ally in protecting the shoreline from erosion and to that end the enjoyment of all manner of wildlife and beach combers alike.

Salt tolerant, sun tolerant and drought tolerant and to top it off it is a beautiful shape, design and seeing them in the clusters flowing in the salty sea breezes of the coast creates an immediate sense of well being.

This is another from my photo art series. I like the tonality of this piece. I also enjoy seeing forms changed in shadow flowing over shaped surfaces.

Thank you for stopping by today.

If you have not been to see my oil paintings you are welcome to visit www.alanphillipstudio.com and have a look around. Feel free to make comment in the space provided or sign up for my free newsletter full of fun art related topics including my new releases, shows and exhibitions.

More to come....

All art/ photography copyright Alan Phillips 2016

Pond duck in a duck pond.

Welcome.

Is this a handsome duck? He looks fairly content, well fed and happy. When you see waterfowl up close like this and all the multi layered vermiculation, the beauty of it is like a rare treasure.

This Mallard and it's mate were having a leisurely paddle around a local pond that hosts White Ibis, Great Blue Heron, Egret, Canada Geese and many varieties of gulls.

Sometimes I favor a straightforward simple composition like this, especially if the color is vibrant and the subject is highly detailed.

Pond duck in a duck pond is another of my wildlife fine art series photographs.

I appreciate you stopping by today.

More to come.......

All photography and paintings copyright Alan Phillips 2016

She's A Mystery To Me

Welcome.

This Red Tailed Hawk is a beach lover.

I know this because I photographed her there.( I believe it's a female) I had never seen one at the beach before. I have seen and admired the beautiful Osprey often in pairs working the shoreline here, but never a Red Tailed Hawk. Are they expanding their territory?

Seems to be a bit of Sea Bindweed stuck in her talon. When I spotted her, she had some kind of kill in the tall grass that she was working. The lifecycle is always present on the shoreline. Once she heard me she flew up to a higher vantage point and let me take 20 or 30 photos of her before she made this move from the roost.

There are so many kinds of beauty in this one moment. There is her form, color, markings, the light and shadow, the contrast of the blue sky and the warm tones in her body, the element of flight, the grace of her shape.

Birds of Prey are a favorite subject of mine and I have some studies done for an oil paintings I will do of this exquisite creature. It is a privilege just to witness this level of beauty. I get to make some art from this moment and that is a privilege also.

Thank you for stopping by today.

More to come.....

All art and photography copyright Alan Phillips 2016

Lucid Dreaming.

Welcome.

When I think of the Hyper Slipstream Superflow (I made that up). This is what it looks like. Do you relate? Can you hear all the love in Jobim's Bossa Nova?

Have you been checking out Seth Godin? I really enjoy this guy's thinking. Todays blog was on effort. You can find him on Google or other social media if you want to follow.

Below is a quote from that blog. My take away if you will.

"This moment, this interaction, this customer... these are the perfect circumstances, the most urgent, the highest leverage. The one we have right now.
Work with that."  Seth Godin  sethgodin.typepad.com

Another aspect of "Be here now."

Yep. And when I am doing just that. This is what I want it to look like and feel like. Why not?

Thank you for stopping by today.

More to come.....

All art, photos copyright Alan Phillips 2016