Tuesday, November 24, 2009
East Side House With Light From The West-Cleveland, Ohio, Afternoon Light, Daily Painting
We spent the afternoon in Little Italy on the east side of Cleveland. After a very nice lunch and coffee and cannoli at Presti's bakery I found this view through an alley and behind the store fronts.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Bright Morning/November,Ohio,Farm,White Barn,Daily Painting
The second Ohio painting. These simple scenes are often the most frustrating to paint. In the end, I scraped down the foreground...and liked it.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
November Morning-Ohio Farm House Barn Daily Painting
The first of my paintings in Ohio. It was a cool moist morning, very different from the mornings in Alabama and Tennessee. I am still using a limited palette but I have switched from Cobalt Blue to Ultramarine Blue, not for any real reason, just felt like a change and I had a tube of it. It is so good to be home!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
2 More Visual Development Illustrations
Here are two more visual development pieces from the same film project I worked on awhile back. I posted these because I am leaving for Thanksgiving with my family. I haven't been home in almost 3 months and am really looking forward to this trip. This will be the first Thanksgiving that we aren't all together, my oldest is away at college and with work and school isn't able to come home just yet, but in another month we will all be together for Christmas, that is something I am thankful for.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Remains Of The Harvest/Cotton Field Farm House Tennessee Daily Painting
After the cotton is harvested, what remains is the stubble and small tufts of cotton.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Pumpkins Too - Pumpkin Patch Tennessee, Dennison Family Farm, Daily Painting
The second of my pumpkin paintings. Like the first one, I kept the tree's as more of a large graphic shape. It seemed more interesting as a complimentary element to the pumpkins. Once more, I used a somewhat limited palette.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Field of Pumpkins -Pumpkin Patch,Autumn Trees,Power Lines,November,Daily Painting
I found this huge field of pumpkins, in fact there were several fields of pumpkins and two open air drying sheds full of tobacco. I've never seen so many pumpkins in one place. I love the color orange, so it was a no brainer to stop here and paint. Once again I limited my palette to five or six colors. When you are dealing with color, it is all about the relationships, limiting the palette helps me gain greater control over those relationships. When I am dealing with the light, I want greater control over the values of my color and again I think the limited palette is helpful with that.
For those in the Tennessee Valley, this field is not too far from Fayetteville, it is the Dennison Family Farm.
For those in the Tennessee Valley, this field is not too far from Fayetteville, it is the Dennison Family Farm.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Beyond The Pasture Farm House Pasture Tree November Daily Landscape Oil Painting
The farmhouse below the upper pasture and tucked under the large trees was an appealing subject. I have limited my palette on the last two paintings. It seems to work at this time of year and I like to mix up my process from time to time.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Autumn Across The LandFall November Tree Field Pasture Daily Painting Oil Landscape
I drive past this field and trees every day. Yesterday was clear and sunny and the huge tree (actually 2 trees) seemed to me as if they were a dinosaur walking across the landscape.
I love the light and colors of the month of November and this was lots of fun to paint.
Check out this article it showcases one of my paintings.
I love the light and colors of the month of November and this was lots of fun to paint.
Check out this article it showcases one of my paintings.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
November Burnout Fire Smoke Autumn Daily Painting
I came upon this scene and it sort of fit my mood as well as my interest in unusual or overlooked subject matter. I am also attracted by the challenge of painting objects in motion, like the smoke here. You have to closely observe and then work from memory and imagination. It's there and then it isn't.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
November Bright Autumn Road Tree Orange Leaves Daily Painting
A bright and glorious day in the Tennessee Valley. Very quick and simplified with lots of squinting.
Monday, November 9, 2009
House in the HillsDaily Painting, Oil, McAFEE Hill,Tennessee
I discovered this spot between Fayetteville and Pulaski Tennessee. It is a family farm with an old house and produce stand out near the road. While I was looking around the house and produce stand the owner pulled up and we talked for a bit. He gave me permission to paint on the property. There are tremendous views across the valley just to the left but I was drawn to the old family home near the road. I will definitely return to the Mcafee farm on Mcafee Road to paint Mcafee hill again.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Hay There Hay Barrels Elkton Tennessee Daily Painting Plein Air Oil Painting
Painting...at last. It has been too long an absence from the brushes and paints. This hay field in Elkton, Tennessee seemed a nice quiet spot to start with. My schedule is still pretty hectic and full and I am still without a computer at home but I will be painting and posting as often as possible.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Visual Development Art
I wanted to post something new but I haven't painted in a while. This piece is from a film project I worked on about 6 months ago.I have been swamped at work as well as freelance work.I am trying to make some extra money to replace my now DEAD computer. The Apple store guys were very interested in selling me a new Mac but not so helpful about fixing my current Mac. It may be time for a PC.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Portrait Demo's
Two portrait sketches for the group I meet with each week. Each sketch is 8"x6" and took about 30 minutes. My plan was to spend 10-15 minutes on each of these as a warm up and then start a larger painting but after taking a break and some conversation it never happened. My thanks and apologies to these artist/models for sitting for 1/2 an hour. I wish the sketches had turned out better, maybe next weeks will!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Landscape Demo - SOLD sunlight shadow fields trees shrubs sunlight through the trees oil painting
Once a week I do a demonstration painting for a small group of artists. This is my recent effort.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Sun Field Alabama field road sign power line shadow Greenbrier bridge
I liked the contrast of the warm field beyond my cool and shady spot. This location is in Greenbrier, Alabama. Greenbrier is a tiny town that you could easily drive through and not know you have been there. They have a cotton gin a gas station / grocery store and a really great barbecue restaurant. Oh, and lots of small churches.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Sunrise at Flagstone sunrise Alabama orange yellow violet clouds trees
It's always a good day for me when I can begin it with a quick sunrise sketch before work. We have had a couple of days of great weather which makes it even more difficult to sit at my desk and stare at a computer. I just had to get outdoors, even for a short while. I'm going to try to do another sketch after work also.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Fragile Color still life daily painting green amber red purple wine glasses blinds
More of my weekend flea market finds. This is a painting I should have done standing up. From the comfort of my chair, the drawing issues were not so noticeable. The glasses were empty while I painted this sketch, so, laziness is my only excuse. I'll find out tonight, which color glass the wine tastes best from.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Red Glass, Blue Glass - SOLDstill life daily oil painting blue cat red vase white blinds back lit
Flea markets, antique malls and junk shops this weekend provided a box full of objects to experiment with.
The idea here was to combine bold and graphic elements with the subtle values of the transparent and translucent. I am looking forward to the next attempt.
The idea here was to combine bold and graphic elements with the subtle values of the transparent and translucent. I am looking forward to the next attempt.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
In The Fridge, a daily still life with condiments - SOLD
The joys of painting, one doesn't quite work out as you hoped, the next one works out exactly as you hoped. This result makes me very happy. I was able to keep it simple and chunky, strong color notes and contrasts. A sense of the light as I saw it and, it just simply feels right to me. There are things I would do differently now that I have had some time to look and digest this for a few hours. I think if I were to do this subject again, I might want to focus on one object a little bit more and push back the rest by easing up on the contrasts and softening some edges. Something to consider for my next sketch.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Milk and Honey - still life, honey bear, carnation, milk jug
Trying to change my thought process about painting is really hard! This painting was a struggle but I am not disappointed. There will always be varying degrees of success and even some hideous failures but it only motivates me to continue. If it was easy, it would be boring. Excluding all of the glare and my lack of ability as a photographer, this is a pretty decent sketch...in my opinion. Its possible that I am somewhat prejudice in my opinion, I love milk and honey!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Flowers and Jars - floral daily painting - SOLD
I have had it in my mind to simplify the subjects I paint for a very long time. Most of the time I become absorbed in the painting and unconsciously slide into to my usual habits. A few days ago I read a quote on an artists blog from a workshop she attended (David Leffel, I believe). "Everyone paints the way they do because of the way they think. If you want to get better, change the way you think." So simple, so direct and so right on the mark! While this sketch may not seem much different from anything else I have painted, to me it is a sea change in my thinking as I paint. I hope that I can expand on this approach and not fall back into that dreamy, unconscious zone that I have enjoyed for so many years. My apologies to the artist/blog that I copied this quote from, I wrote down the quote but not the source...the dreamy, unconscious zone strikes again!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
A House of a Different Color - Ardmore, Alabama
I'm going to try to re-photograph this painting on my lunch break. I am pleased with this painting, especially the color but, it just doesn't show well in this photo. I had to stop and sketch this house, the pinkish / purple-ish color was too engaging to pass up. I can imagine being cheered up after a hard day at work by just pulling into the driveway and seeing this bright happy color.
This sketch is 12"x16", oil on canvas.
This sketch is 12"x16", oil on canvas.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Swinging, Still-Gardner Homestead, Tennessee
Just over the Alabama state line into Tennessee is the Matt Gardner Homestead, this is the swing on the front porch. Across the road is the Elk River, which I have painted several times. A short distance east is the dirt road and corn field where my 3 previous sketches were done. Prior to this painting, I was driving along the road,heading west, parallel to the river. As I passed a densely wooded section I heard a blood curdling scream above my blaring radio. It scared me silly. The road is narrow and curvy, so it was about 100 yards before I could pull over under a bridge and turn around. I drove like a maniac to get back to the spot where I heard the scream. All the while I was reaching and rooting around under the seat of my truck for some weapon to defend myself and rescue the screaming victim. The only thing I found was an 8x10 canvas. I slowed down as I rolled up to the spot, turned off the radio, opened all of the windows and scanned the woods ready to do the hero thing. Nothing...not a sound or movement. Then I heard it again but from the other side of the road and a little further ahead. I drove up again ready to take action. Staring into the forest I see a nearly hidden mobile home, next to it a chicken. It wasn't a person I heard...it was a chicken. I drove back to the Gardner Homestead and painted the very still and quiet porch swing on the 8x10 canvas. Tonight's dinner...chicken, I think!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The Day Brightens 5x7oil on board
Looking back at the road I came in on as the sun makes an appearance. As I look at the last 3 sketches I am annoyed with the color photo reproductions here on my blog. Usually the color has a noticeable shift towards yellow because of the incandescent lighting in my studio. I turned off those lights leaving only my fluorescent lights on. Now everything has shifted towards blue, losing some of the warmer tones. There is some glare and reflection on this piece also, which is making it appear cooler...very frustrating.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Flowers and Field 5" x 7" oil on board
This was painted in the same location as yesterdays sketch. My philosophy is turn to the right and begin painting. Although I am now using an Open M Box easel and it is considerably lighter than my French easel, it is still a pain to pack up and move to a new location. There is too much stuff to move, it is so much easier to turn to the right and get to painting.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The Road Past The Corn 5" x 7" oil on board
I painted several sketches along this dirt road and corn field. This is the most fun thing to do, quick, loose and spontaneous impressions of my day in the field...well, next to the field.
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