With the nicer weather and beautiful colors of a Maryland spring, I'll be outdoors painting again after a relatively quiet winter. This is the most beautiful time of year in this area, as you can see from this painting.

ASMA Juried EXhibition. My painting "Boatyard, Vineyard Haven" was accepted into the American Society of Marine Artists New England Regional Exhibition. This juried exhibit, in which only about one-third of entries were accepted, will be shown at three sites:
May 7 to June 15, 2008: Cultural Center of Cape Cod, South Yarmouth, Mass.
June 28 to September 1, 2008: Herreshoff Marine Museum, Bristol, R.I.
October 24, 2008 to January 5, 2009: Maine Maritime Museum, Bath, Me.

The Nature Conservancy Project. A joint project of the Washington Society of Landscape Painters and The Nature Conservancy is nearing the exhibition stage also. Two of my works are part of this project. Check back later for information on the venues where the paintings, done on site by WSLP members, will be shown. A portion of sales will go to TNC.

Other Shows. I continue to participate in member shows at the Salmagundi Club in New York City as well as exhibit at my local galleries. Upcoming group shows include the following:
May 2008: Bendann Galleries, Lutherville, Md. - A grand reopening celebration at the new location.
June 2008: South Street Art Gallery, Easton, Md. - "The Seeing Eye"
June 2008: American Painting: "Washington Parks"
July 2008: McBride Gallery: "Annapolis: A Living History"
Sept. 2008: McBride Gallery: "The Best of the Chesapeake: A Marine Exhibit"

These galleries and Gleedsville Art Gallery in Leesburg always have a selection of my original oils on display, and I add new works regularly. Their addresses and phone numbers are listed in About the Artist.

Workshops, Demos, and Judging: In December I did a lecture/demo for the Gaithersburg Fine Art Association. This group then requested an outdoor workshop that I will be conducting for them one day in May. (It's fully booked.)

In October I will be conducting a two-day outdoor workshop at a waterfront estate in Easton, Md. For registration information, contact South Street Art Gallery in Easton at 410-770-8350.

If you'd like a flyer explaining the "dry demo" technique I use for lectures and the procedures I follow during workshops to ensure that everyone gains the most out of the experience, call me at 301-460-3530 or click contact to send an email.

What makes it "a Bill Schmidt painting"?
People have asked me how I developed my style and create paintings that are so easily recognizable as "a Bill Schmidt." My distinctive paintings are the result of inspiration and planning. I have long been inspired by the beauty of water and nature and by certain features of man-made structures and boats. Once attracted to a scene, I decide what to paint by first looking at the colors, contrasts, light effects, and design elements before me. I then make numerous pencil sketches to develop the composition I want and proceed to paint the image en plein air in most cases. Later I review the painting in my studio, make any corrections, and add the little touches that finish the painting.

Painting Trips. Ocean City. During a trip to Ocean City, Maryland, last August, I couldn’t resist the special motifs: the brilliance of the beach scenes and umbrellas, the long shadows caused by early morning light, and people getting ready to sail at Fenwick Island.

Ready To Sail

Early Morning Shadows

Beach Scene

Bermuda. A stay on the South Shore in the off season provided a chance to do some of the panoramic views I love, but this time looking out toward Dockyard from my hotel balcony. There were also many colorful buildings around the area that so represent the essence of Bermuda.

View Toward Dockyard

The Whaler Inn, Fairmont Southampton

More paintings from these trips and other locations are included in Marines and Cities and Towns.