Gallery North Wet Paint Festival 2026

This was a wonderful event held at Old Field Farm in Setauket. The festival brings together an amazing community of plein air artists, working in one location to capture the area's natural beauty.

I was grateful to join this community, brought together by Gallery North, on the historic, iconic property, amidst horses, artists, waterways, and park like surroundings.

I was here to explore the day, and document in water and wash,  what called out to me.

Into the Day

First watercolor of the day. This small but mighty painting captures the morning light, the golden glow atop the hills. The reflections in the water mimicking the green hues of the trees.

A New Perspective

Done at the same location as 'Into the Day', 'A New Perspective' was an exploration of the Watercolor Monotype technique in the field. I painted the scene again, this time on an acrylic plate treated with gum arabic. This allows the non porous surface to accept the wet paint. Allowing it to dry, I printed the plate on damp paper in my studio on a C-12 printing press. This results in a mirror image of the original, along with unexpected texture and character. This was enjoyable and something I will pursue more of in the warm summer days.

Happy Hills

While sitting at my easel, enjoying a break for lunch, I couldn't help but be inspired by the vista, calling me to visualize the simplified geometric shapes and planes [and of course my formal abstract math training creeps into my psyche whenever it choses].
Happy Hills creates a bold, stained glass effect that bridges the gap between early 20th century expressionism [Georges Rouault's stained glass expressionism] and mid century Pop Art [Keith Haring's Graphic Pop]. 
 

Lakeside Retreat

After Lunch, moving location but still in water view, I found this 'Lakeside Retreat', nestled in the behind lush green foliage, offering a shady porch, and peaceful solitude to  it's loving family. With the few remaining hours of painting, I embraced the afternoon sun to capture this retreat in water and wash.