Last summer Ginger Pridgen contacted me to request a painting for her husband’s 60 th birthday in August. Time did not allow for me to do the painting prior to his big day but I discussed the elements to be depicted extensively with Ginger. She wanted the painting to show the view from their home near the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia looking out over the Piankatank River with their two boats visible. I had photos of the boats and visited their home so that I could do a series of pencil sketches for Doug in advance of the painting. These sketches were presented to him with an IOU for the painting to come while the couple was on a birthday cruise with friends in the Aegean Sea.

Upon their return to Virginia we met at their home on the river where I made additional photos of the couple and their beloved cockapoo Gatsby on their classic Hinckley runabout 29 Gin N Me. The Pridgen’s Ocean Alexander 83 Slo Gin was berthed at their home in Florida but photos were sent so that I could include her in the painting as well.
Based on the chosen sketch I did a small oil study and presented it to the couple. Ginger suggested slight alterations and I proceeded with the major oil. Here we see the final painting complete with a familiar pair of ospreys wheeling over the river.  My hope is that the painting expresses the beauty and serenity that the Pridgen family and friends have enjoyed for many years at their “Piankatank haven.”

I immensely enjoyed working with Ginger and Doug as well as being a part of the birthday surprise.

JMB Spring, 2018

Oil on Linen 15″ x 26″ Overall Framed 22″ x 33″