Monday, September 14, 2009
Flowers in the Studio SOLD
The flowers are from the grocery store. My plan was to sketch them up close but while preparing to paint, this wider composition felt more interesting. I am very happy with this loose spontaneous sketch. There are few details but, more "feeling"...I think. While looking at this sketch, feeling very pleased with myself, I couldn't help thinking, this picture is very familiar. Well, a little research confirmed that I painted an extremely similar one in April. There has been approx. 363 paintings since starting this blog 2 1/2 years ago, its hard to remember each post and sketch.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Demo Two, 10" x 10" oil on canvas
My second demonstration for the art group I meet with once a week.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Sweet Onion in a Box 10" x 8 oil on canvas SOLD
The goal here was to try to paint the varied and subtle colors of an onion. Each time I looked more colors were revealed through the translucent and reflective skin. This is the second version. After looking at the first one for a day, I felt it wasn't working, so...I jumped back in and repainted the entire picture. I guess I'll know if this version works better after a few days or week when I am not so close to the painting. I find it very difficult to judge my own work, especially when it is still on the easel.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Sunset Clouds 8" x 10" oil on canvas
From my balcony I could see these huge clouds. They seemed frozen in space, until I started painting and then it seemed as if they were jet propelled. After looking back on my last few paintings I seem to be in my orange and blue period.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Plums 8" x 10" oil on canvas
The weather channel was wrong. It never did storm in my area. I didn't want to get caught in the predicted thunderstorms so I painted a bowl of plums on my small balcony. I am pretty happy with this one. There wasn't any direct light on my subject but loads of reflected light from the glorious sunlight that wasn't supposed to be there!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Morning in the Foothills 8" x 10" oil on canvas
I painted this about 2 weeks ago but never got around to posting it.
White on White with Blade 5" x 6" oil on board
A small sketch to get myself back on schedule and hopefully find the groove again.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Demo Painting 7" x 9" oil on canvas - SOLD
I painted this as a demonstration for a class last night. A nectarine, red pears, small green pear and a papaya(?) that drove me nuts. It was a lot of fun and they are a very nice group, I'm looking forward to next week...without the papaya!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Streaming Light and Shadow 9" x 7" oil on board
A shallow stream in the park. I liked the reflection of the sky in the shadow as well as the sun light on the banks of the stream. I think I am moving in the right direction again.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Elk River - SOLD
As I drove further down the road, I came to the Elk River. This was where I had wanted to go when I started out early in the morning. The other day I mentioned how I like to take roads I have never been on before...the problem is, I can never remember how to get back to these locations the next time I am out painting. Well, I found the river, not the spot I was aiming for,but a good one none the less. This is the third sketch of the day. I think it worked out a little better than the others. Sometimes you have to be satisfied with the effort if not so much with the results.
Hay Barn 7" x 9" oil on board
I tried to loosen up on this sketch but it didn't really work out too well so...I packed up again and went further down the road.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Morning in Elkton 7" x 9" oil on board
The morning and the painting started out well. As sometimes happens, I began to alter my original intent and second guess my decisions and ended up with a "noodle-y" and over worked mess. It happens...to frequently but I packed up, moved down the road and started another sketch. There is always the chance that the next painting will be my best ever.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Brown Hollow Road 7" x 9" oil on board
I always try to take the road I have never been down before. This is one of those roads.
3 Ohio Sketches - watercolor
I did these sketches during my recent trip home. They are watercolor with white gouache on 300 lb. paper. The sizes are approximately; 4"x8 1/2", 3 1/2"x 5" and
2 1/2"x 5". Further below is a photo of the artist and his painting at the Butler Institute of American Art.
2 1/2"x 5". Further below is a photo of the artist and his painting at the Butler Institute of American Art.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Peach Bite 7"x9" oil on board
My lunch time sketch...in fact, its part of my lunch. Hopefully this is a better photograph of the sketch. The focus is better but now there is glare. I was interested in capturing the light that is visible through the peach. I think it kind of works.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Plum Bitten 7"x9" oil on board
Its been awhile! I attended the opening of the 73rd Mid Year Exhibition at the Butler Institute of American Art. It was great and a complete thrill to see one of my paintings hanging in this beautiful museum. I returned full of energy and motivation to paint but... pressing projects at work and very long hours have slowed me down. I think I have passed the "crunch" time and can now devote some time to my own work. As you can see this plum painting is my attempt to work out some of the rust. It was better to eat than paint but its a start.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Southern Sunrise - SOLD
I am headed back to Ohio for the opening of the Mid Year Exhibition at the Butler Museum of American Art. I'm looking forward to seeing one of my paintings hanging on the wall in this prestigious museum.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Sunset on a Lake 5"x6" oil
A very large lake with nice views of the mountains and hills in the Tennessee Valley. I used a cad. yellow as a ground color to begin.
This sketch is painted on a gessoed 100% rag illustration board. I like the hard, slick surface but the gesso, absorbing the oils will take a little getting used to.
This sketch is painted on a gessoed 100% rag illustration board. I like the hard, slick surface but the gesso, absorbing the oils will take a little getting used to.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Sunset on the River 8"x8" oil
This is the Tennessee River at sunset. Decatur, Alabama is in the distance. For a lower perspective, I sat on the ground, also because I forgot to pack a tripod to attach my paint box to.
Monday, June 22, 2009
i 2 i chat 8"x16" oil NFS
Usually Kathi and Caroline stay connected with i chat, last week they were able to chat eye to eye...no computers. They are trying to talk me into this technology...maybe after I learn how to use my cell phone. I did receive an ipod for fathers day so I am becoming more hi-tech, of course my daughters set it all up, I just put on the headphones.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Gray Morning on a Great Lake 10"x10" oil
This is the first sketch from the last day of my trip to Ohio. From Edgewater Park you get a great view of Cleveland. Gray and overcast with a few sprinkles really fit my mood, I was leaving home the next morning for work again.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Rushing Water, Standing Tree 6"x8" oil SOLD
The early summer heat must be getting to me...I forgot to photograph one painting and completely forgot that I did this one. I have been out late, sketching sunsets this week for a commission. Yeah, thats it...the heat and exhaustion...I'm not getting old!
Gray Day in the Flats 10"x10" oil
This is the second of the sketches I painted on my last day in Cleveland but, I forgot to photograph the first one. I really enjoy painting in the "Flats".
The Cuyahoga River runs through it. There are bridges everywhere you look.
It is urban, industrial, decayed and full of character. I felt as if I was in another world and other time. The RTA trains were going by on the bridge in front of me and a huge barge and tug boat on the river behind me...it was great!
The Cuyahoga River runs through it. There are bridges everywhere you look.
It is urban, industrial, decayed and full of character. I felt as if I was in another world and other time. The RTA trains were going by on the bridge in front of me and a huge barge and tug boat on the river behind me...it was great!
Friday, June 19, 2009
River Willow 8"x8" oil
This spot was pretty far from any trails or road. I had painted near here previously and wanted to explore it a little more. I chose this view for completely non-artistic reasons - I was tired of lugging all of my paint supplies through the brush and I had packed a great lunch and couldn't wait any longer. In the past I have found that I would search and search for a subject and find nothing, using up all of my available time. Now, I pick a location, unpack my gear, sit and look...eventually the subject of the painting finds me. By the way, while I was painting this, the biggest turtle I've ever seen came by. He walked/swam right up the middle of the river going against the current. Another treat and reason to paint and explore outside of the studio.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
River Rocks 5"x7" oil
A loose and spontaneous sketch, as I try to capture my reaction and impressions of this scene. The contrasts of the solid, almost immovable rocks and the shallow,transparent and constantly moving water as well as the sunlight and shadow was a delight to study and paint. Water is always a challenge for me to paint. It is so easy to become confused, the reflections, what lies beneath the surface, the movement. Every look between brushstrokes is different."Squinting" often, really helps simplify some of this. I'm pretty happy with this sketch. An alternate title for this might be "You First".
Click to bid
Click to bid
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The River Falls 8"x8" oil
These falls are found in Berea, Ohio. I completed a couple of sketches there.To see my first painting at the falls (May 6, 2007 post)
The blue shadows on the water were from my "block in" and are overstated but I liked them so I left them. It was a pleasant afternoon, no one took any notice of me at all.
The blue shadows on the water were from my "block in" and are overstated but I liked them so I left them. It was a pleasant afternoon, no one took any notice of me at all.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Down River 8"x8" oil
There is a lovely covered bridge on this river...I am standing underneath it! A few feet behind me are two small boys, fishing.
I chose this spot for its shade, privacy and the view down river. About half way through the painting, the boys came over with their fishing gear and set up a few feet behind me. They were very happy and excitedly discussing strategies for catching fish. I felt as if I were in a Rockwell painting. Their father walked over, stood on a rock almost directly in front of me. The boys began casting their lines as if they were fly fishing. Not very effective if you are under a bridge and frightening if you are 3 or 4 feet away with your back turned. Within seconds their hooks were caught up in the rafters and floor joists of the bridge, whew! not in my back, neck or ears. I finished my sketch quickly and moved on with out a scratch.
I chose this spot for its shade, privacy and the view down river. About half way through the painting, the boys came over with their fishing gear and set up a few feet behind me. They were very happy and excitedly discussing strategies for catching fish. I felt as if I were in a Rockwell painting. Their father walked over, stood on a rock almost directly in front of me. The boys began casting their lines as if they were fly fishing. Not very effective if you are under a bridge and frightening if you are 3 or 4 feet away with your back turned. Within seconds their hooks were caught up in the rafters and floor joists of the bridge, whew! not in my back, neck or ears. I finished my sketch quickly and moved on with out a scratch.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Broken on the Bank 6"x6" oil - SOLD
The third sketch on the river, a tree that has lost its footing from the high spring run off. I was attracted by the strong direct light as well as the reflected light off the the exposed river rock. If you ever find yourself on the west side of Cleveland, check out the metro parks. There are lots of hiking and bridle trails and beautiful river views everywhere.
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