Season's Overgrowth

Season's Overgrowth, oil on panel, 10x8"

Not anything to blog about with this painting, other than it is a great way to start my morning off with.

Lit Forest Floor

"Lit Forest Floor", 10x8", oil on panel

The weather turned hot yesterday, which provided the perfect opportunity for an early morning hike.  It also provided the perfect opportunity to have the forest to myself. And I wish it was mine. Creek crossings and lots of limestone, pooled water (my dog enjoyed that), bird calls I haven't heard in a season,  drystack walls from multiple generations back, moss starting it's spring coat and more. It was senses overload for a good morning.  The tree canopy is yet to grow, but I will be back.

Fishing Lake, Parklands 2

Fishing Lake, Parklands 2, oil on mounted canvas, 10x8"

I struggled with this painting to the point that the first version was wiped away with mineral spirits and a rag. The funny thing is, unlike gessobord, the image didn't completely go away. It was like a ghost :-) So I went with it, started over with the "ghosted image"and eventually was satisfied with the results. This is another image of the beautiful new Parklands of Floyds Fork park in Louisville.

Buffalo Trace State Park

"Buffalo Trace State Park"

This past weekend was supposed to be peak foliage weekend in my area. There was real beauty out there, to go along with warm air and blue skies. I drove to a State Park about 30 miles from Louisville in Indiana and ran my dog all around the lake taking photos. This is the first to come from that series of photos.

Plein Air Day

Plein Air Day, oil on board, 10x8"

The last few times I have attempted to paint on location, I have failed miserably, to the point of frustration. Part of the frustration comes from the fact that I would spend all my waking time outside if I could, so to paint outside is all I want to do. But to have the opportunity but no success is enough to make me crazed.  This painting worked. Finally!! I tweaked only the color of the road, but not the shadow when I got home but other then that it remains how it was painted on the side of the park road. 

Signs of Fall, Lake Nevin

Signs of Fall, Lake Nevin, oil on board, 10x8"

I really don't have a favorite when it comes to seasons because each one is a welcomes different extremes.  Fall is definitely a time of beautiful color, but in some ways difficult to express on a canvas because it's so overwhelming. With that said, I like the understated scenes, like this one from Bernheim. 

Signs of Fall, Tipsaw Lake

Signs of Fall, Tipsaw Lake, oil on board, 10x8"

A couple weeks I went on a day trip to several river towns in Indiana, and then stopped at a few state parks within Hoosier National Forest.  One of those was Tipsaw, which had a cute little swimming beach for its fishing lake.  At that time, Indiana was already showing small signs of Fall.

Early Morning Calm, oil on board, 10x8"

I took a beautiful photo reference while out on an early walk a few days ago.  It had a nice, tidy composition.  Despite the fact that we have had little or no rain for a while, everything was strikingly green.