Saturday, November 24, 2018

The Story of "Mount Dora Charmer", and other house portraits.


On a beautiful fall day, I was painting along with a group of plein-air artists on historic McDonald Street in Mount Dora, which is a charming vacation town, forty-five minutes’ drive northwest of Orlando, Florida. Mount Dora is known for its small-town charm and many antique shops.

McDonald Street is walking distance from main street and the town square. It features charming historic cottages and mansions, most of which are on the historic registry, and each with a story to tell.

As I walked up and down the street scouting for inspiration, I observed the shapes the houses formed as they intersected with the surrounding foliage and skies. The time of day and the direction of the sun determines how the houses are illuminated and which side of the street to paint.

The Mount Dora open Paint-Out takes place every November, and is a great opportunity to join fellow painters in capturing this charming place, view artists at work around town and attend the exhibit at the Mount Dora Center for the Arts gallery.

 “Mount Dora Charmer” (pastel, 16” x 12”) is a painting of a mansion on McDonald and 9th Street


Sunnyside House” (pastel, 18” x 12”) is a painting of a house across the street from "Mount Dora Charmer".

“Abandoned but not Forgotten” (pastel, 18” x 12”) is a painting of the historic Lauthan-Platt House, which won the Judges’ Choice Award at the 2018 Paint-Out and is currently on display at the Mount Dora Center for the Arts until December 3rd.


“Sunshine at the Inn” (pastel, 12” x 18") depicts the historic Lakeside Inn, lit by a setting sun.


I hope you can stop by and catch the exhibit at Mount Dora. Also, I will be painting at the New Smyrna Beach Paint-Out, December 2nd-8th, 2018. Please visit the wet gallery located at Marine Discovery Center, 520 Barracuda Blvd., New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169.

See more of my paintings at www.oritreuben.com