John Kondos, fellow painter

"Down by the River"

11x14

Painted in acrylics by John Kondos, Port Orange, Florida

We visited with fellow painter John Kondos today at the the 40th Annual 'Art in the Park' outdoor show at the Rockefeller Gardens situated on the beautiful Halifax River here in famous Ormond Beach, FL.

John is a fabulous painter who really has a unique talent to capture the exquisite shifting light found at every turn in the Florida county side and marshlands. It is always a pleasure to see his newest works.

As an artist, I can say that his work is truly inspiring!

Heading In

Heading In

8"x24", 2011; gilded-style frame included... ready to hang..
An original oil painting on hand-gessoed hardboard; professionally framed.

Inquire at Inland Gallery...

Late afternoon these gulls were heading in to feed along the coastline. As the day wears on, the sun was hiding behind the clouds, giving the sky the most beautiful purples and reds that make the Florida sunset so exciting most evenings; as gulls drift by, lazily riding on the warm gentle sea breeze.

Marsh at Dusk

Marsh at Dusk

12"x24", 2011

An original oil painting on hand-gessoed hardboard;

professionally framed; 2.5 inch wide antiqued gold frame; ready to hang.

Inquire at Inland Gallery...

On a winter afternoon there’s usually a fleeting time when the last glow of the sun passes on its way through the clouds into twilight across a seemingly endless horizon of the brown-tipped marshland grasses.

Each moment becomes a new painting, and one could wish that it would never end, as the colors transform the clouds and the sky takes on new shapes until there comes a time to say that the sun has finally set; and, so another day ends on the marshes.

Middling Field

Middling Field

8"x24", 2011

An original oil painting on hand-gessoed hardboard;

professionally framed; antiqued Gold and Prussian green frame; ready to hang.

Inquire at Inland Gallery...

On a late winter afternoon, colors of the hammocks change more from lush green to a mix of browns and yellows in the hour before twilight; while the watercourses meander through the middling fields of the marshland. 

Marsh Glow

Marsh Glow

12"x16", 2011

An original oil painting on hand-gessoed hardboard;

professionally framed; 3 inch wide antiqued gold frame; ready to hang 18"x22" framed.

Inquire at Inland Gallery...

On a somewhat hazy late fall afternoon day, the egrets could be seen feeding up marsh in the hours before twilight; while the last glow of the sun makes its way through the clouds to the seemingly endless horizon of the marshland.

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This region of coastal Florida has attracted artists forever... and is home to many artist groups and communities. The area is a wildlife artist’s dream: to paint in secluded exotic and pristine ecosystems teeming with tropical flora and fauna... and is my new challenge for a series of larger studio paintings… as we are just upriver from where the famous Florida Highwaymen lived and painted in a style sometimes referred to as the Indian River School.

Backcountry Hammock

Backcountry Hammock

12"x16", 2011

An original oil painting on hand-gessoed hardboard;

professionally framed; 2 inch wide gold frame with antique red tones; ready to hang.

Inquire at Inland Gallery...

This scene depicts a typical Florida pine hammock landscape in the backcountry where silence before the storm attract feeders in the shallow waters close to land; as the hot afternoon wanes on.

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This region of coastal Florida has attracted artists forever... and is home to many artist groups and communities. The area is a wildlife artist’s dream: to paint in secluded exotic and pristine ecosystems teeming with tropical flora and fauna... and is my new challenge for a series of larger studio paintings… as we are just upriver from where the famous Florida Highwaymen lived and painted in a style sometimes referred to as the Indian River School.

Shallow Waters

Shallow Waters

12"x16", 2011

An original oil painting on hand-gessoed hardboard;

professionally framed; wide 2" antiqued gold frame; ready to hang.

Inquire at Inland Gallery...

In the shallow waters close to shore, these egrets find it attractive to feed in the lilies and quiet waters; as the hot afternoon wanes on. Lazy winding rivers in the Florida marshlands are a familiar backcountry scene, complete with tropical palms ascending gracefully above dense hammocks.

.

This region of coastal Florida has attracted artists forever... and is home to many artist groups and communities. The area is a wildlife artist’s dream: to paint in secluded exotic and pristine ecosystems teeming with tropical flora and fauna... and is my new challenge for a series of larger studio paintings… as we are just upriver from where the famous Florida Highwaymen lived and painted in a style sometimes referred to as the Indian River School.

Along the Banks

Along the Banks

11"x14", 2011

An original oil painting on hand-gessoed hardboard;

Professionally framed in a wide 3" faux gold-leaf plein air frame; ready to hang.

Inquire at Inland Gallery...

In a place of a singular silence, towards late afternoon sometimes the only sound you can hear is the movement of the water, broken only by the familiar calls of evening birds coming to the water to feed. Here you can see an American Egret standing motionless in the shallow water along the opposite bank, hunting for that occasional passing fish.

Trailing gray mosses eerily hang from almost every old tree to make this turn on the path breathtaking; and can only be described as uniquely sub-tropical Florida - complete with palms rising majestically above dense hammocks off in the distance.

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This region of coastal Florida has attracted artists forever... and is home to many artist groups and communities. The area is a wildlife artist’s dream: to paint in secluded exotic and pristine ecosystems teeming with tropical flora and fauna... and is my new challenge for a series of larger studio paintings… as we are just upriver from where the famous Florida Highwaymen lived and painted in a style sometimes referred to as the Indian River School.

Wild Yellow Irises

Wild Yellow Irises

12"x16", 2011

An original oil painting on hand-gessoed hardboard;
sold professionally framed; ready to hang.

Inquire at Inland Gallery...

Wild yellow irises are a familiar sight here in Florida and can found blooming in various habitats, but especially along the banks of streambeds and rivers; in nearby ponds and even in marshes.  Like cattails, yellow iris colonizes into large numbers, forming very dense monotypic stands, out-competing other plants.

Tall and majestic the golden wild irises are spread by the wind catching the seeds, blowing them into the water until they reach their new home.  Also known as yellow flag iris, they first made their way here from the British Isles and Europe; carried around the world by gardeners and horticulturists in the early 1900's.

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This region of coastal Florida has attracted artists forever... and is home to many artist groups and communities. The area is a wildlife artist’s dream: to paint in secluded exotic and pristine ecosystems teeming with tropical flora and fauna... and is my new challenge for a series of larger studio paintings… as we are just upriver from where the famous Florida Highwaymen lived and painted in a style sometimes referred to as the Indian River School.

Shore Breakers

Shore Breakers

12"x16", 2011 (Your choice of frame on this painting)

An original oil painting on hand-gessoed hardboard; sold professionally framed; ready to hang.

In Private Collection

With so many miles of undisturbed natural Florida coastline, most travelers along the shore find their view is drawn immediately to the ocean vista, the breakers, and the windswept palms; as many seagulls drift by, lazily riding on the warm gentle sea breeze.

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This region of coastal Florida has attracted artists forever... and is home to many artist groups and communities. The area is a wildlife artist’s dream: to paint in secluded exotic and pristine ecosystems teeming with tropical flora and fauna... and is my new challenge for a series of larger studio paintings… as we are just upriver from where the famous Florida Highwaymen lived and painted in a style sometimes referred to as the Indian River School.

Ardent Sky

Ardent Sky

16"x12", 2011

An original oil painting on hand-gessoed hardboard; sold professionally framed; ready to hang.

Inquire at Inland Gallery...

The palms at the edge of this quiet inlet grow over the upper recesses of the old oak canopy where amongst the branches hang yellowish-green leaves and beards of Spanish moss.  A backdrop of the setting sun creates an ardent sky, filled with foreboding clouds filtering out the last rays of daylight… almost primeval, for the hand of man has transfigured it little.

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This region of coastal Florida has attracted artists forever... and is home to many artist groups and communities. The area is a wildlife artist’s dream: to paint in secluded exotic and pristine ecosystems teeming with tropical flora and fauna... and is my new challenge for a series of larger studio paintings… as we are just upriver from where the famous Florida Highwaymen lived and painted in a style sometimes referred to as the Indian River School.

Scenic Creek Bank

Scenic Creek Bank

12"x16", 2011; framed

An original oil painting on hand-gessoed hardboard; professionally framed; ready to hang.

Request pricing...

Along scenic banks, sluggish rivers and creeks slowly wind inland in long and easy curves bordered by marshes and woody banks with many overhanging tropical palms and fragrant flowering tangles. The unusual coloring in the vegetation is astonishing and highlighted by the many wading birds that feed regularly in this semi-tropical landscape.

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This region of coastal Florida has attracted artists forever... and is home to many artist groups and communities. The area is a wildlife artist’s dream: to paint in secluded exotic and pristine ecosystems teeming with tropical flora and fauna... and is my new challenge for a series of larger studio paintings… as we are just upriver from where the famous Florida Highwaymen lived and painted in a style sometimes referred to as the Indian River School.

Marshland Egret

Marshland Egret

12"x16", 2011

An original oil painting on hand-gessoed hardboard; sold professionally framed; ready to hang.

Request pricing...

Late afternoon light in the marshlands casts long shadows and always reflects piercing colors and passing clouds. Egrets can be observed wading in the shallow water amongst the reeds and edges of the marsh; standing very still in the water when they hunt fish... moving only their eyes.

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This region of coastal Florida has attracted artists forever... and is home to many artist groups and communities. The area is a wildlife artist’s dream: to paint in secluded exotic and pristine ecosystems teeming with tropical flora and fauna... and is my new challenge for a series of larger studio paintings… as we are just upriver from where the famous Florida Highwaymen lived and painted in a style sometimes referred to as the Indian River School.

Marsh Sunset

Marsh Sunset

12"x16", 2011; framed
An original oil painting on hand-gessoed hardboard; professionally framed; ready to hang.
In Private Collection

The sun setting over the marshes is always a very peaceful and serene scene; and, a source of boundless fascination.

.

This region of coastal Florida has attracted artists forever... and is home to many artist groups and communities. The area is a wildlife artist’s dream: to paint in secluded exotic and pristine ecosystems teeming with tropical flora and fauna... and is my new challenge for a series of larger studio paintings… as we are just upriver from where the famous Florida Highwaymen lived and painted in a style sometimes referred to as the Indian River School.

Palm Point

Palm Point

12"x16", 2011; framed (as viewed);
Sold

An original oil painting on hand-gessoed hardboard; professionally framed, ready to hang

This scene depicts a secluded area at a nearby marsh estuary... as the last of the wild yellow Florida Irises are just finishing their bloom.

.

This region of coastal Florida has attracted artists forever... and is home to many artist groups and communities. The area is a wildlife artist’s dream: to paint in secluded exotic and pristine ecosystems teeming with tropical flora and fauna... and is my new challenge for a series of larger studio paintings… as we are just upriver from where the famous Florida Highwaymen lived and painted in a style sometimes referred to as the Indian River School.

Afternoon Breeze

Afternoon Breeze

12"x16", 2011; framed as viewed

An original oil painting on hand-gessoed hardboard; professionally framed, ready to hang.
.Request pricing....

This coastal scene depicts a quiet afternoon on a secluded shore... as the winds start to pick up; and the gulls and other shore birds come to feed.

This region of coastal Florida has attracted artists forever... and is home to many artist groups and communities. The area is a wildlife artist’s dream: to paint in secluded exotic and pristine ecosystems teeming with tropical flora and fauna... and is my new challenge for a series of larger studio paintings… as we are just upriver from where the famous Florida Highwaymen lived and painted in a style sometimes referred to as the Indian River School.

Wistful Glance

Wistful Glance

16"x12", 2011; framed as viewed

An original oil painting on hand-gessoed hardboard; professionally framed, ready to hang.
Inquire at Inland Gallery....

This scene depicts a typical Old Florida savanna landscape; a feeding Egret with a wistful, watching glance. The banks of the river are lined with marsh reeds and overhanging trees and shrubs; and sometimes, as far as the eye can see, there is a vast marsh rolling onto the horizon... dotted by the occasional pine or palm hammock.
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This region of coastal Florida has attracted artists forever... and is home to many artist groups and communities. The area is a wildlife artist’s dream: to paint in secluded exotic and pristine ecosystems teeming with tropical flora and fauna... and is my new challenge for a series of larger studio paintings… as we are just upriver from where the famous Florida Highwaymen lived and painted in a style sometimes referred to as the Indian River School.

I've worked with listed artist Ahmed S. Eltemtamy (who was greatly influenced by A. E. Backus and studied with Sam Newton) at his studio & gallery located very near to the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail, a designated American Byway that crosses nearby rivers and continues along the Atlantic Ocean; through ancient oak and palm canopies breaking into cypress swamps, lakes, hardwood hammocks, salt marshes, and estuaries - home to many tropical birds and wildlife species.

Backcountry Pines

Backcountry Pines

12"x16", 2011; framed as viewed

An original oil painting on hand-gessoed hardboard; professionally framed and ready to hang..
Request pricing....

This scene depicts a typical Florida savanna landscape with a solitary pine stand.

.

This region of coastal Florida has attracted artists forever... and is home to many artist groups and communities.  The area is a wildlife artist’s dream: to paint in secluded exotic and pristine ecosystems teeming with tropical flora and fauna... and is my new challenge for a series of larger studio paintings… as we are just upriver from where the famous Florida Highwaymen lived and painted in a style sometimes referred to as the Indian River School.

I live very near to the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail, a designated American Byway that crosses nearby rivers and continues along the Atlantic Ocean; through ancient oak and palm canopies breaking into cypress swamps, lakes, hardwood hammocks, salt marshes, and estuaries - home to many tropical birds and wildlife species.

Savanna Afternoon

Savanna Afternoon
16"x12", 2010; Original oil on gessoed hardboard; professionally framed and ready to hang. 
Sold.

This scene depicts a typical Florida savanna landscape where rivers wind through the grasslands and Egrets dot the landscape.

This region of coastal Florida has attracted artists forever... and is home to many artist groups and communities.  The area is a wildlife artist’s dream: to paint in secluded exotic and pristine ecosystems teeming with tropical flora and fauna... and is my new challenge for a series of larger studio paintings… as we are just upriver from where the famous Florida Highwaymen lived and painted in a style sometimes referred to as the Indian River School.

.

I've worked with listed artist Ahmed S. Eltemtamy (who was greatly influenced by A. E. Backus and studied with Sam Newton) at his studio & gallery located very near to the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail, a designated American Byway that crosses nearby rivers and continues along the Atlantic Ocean; through ancient oak and palm canopies breaking into cypress swamps, lakes, hardwood hammocks, salt marshes, and estuaries - home to many tropical birds and wildlife species.