One Tree Hill, France

"One Tree Hill, France"

Oil on gessobord, 8x10"

When I received this photo from my sister, who often visits France's vineyards, I loved the ancient stone structure and neatly tended rows of grapes. However, I was really drawn to the single tree waving in the wind. While it was overshadowed in a landscape of beauty, it became my focal point. When I search vast fields for my own composition, my eyes are often drawn to a single object. And often, it too, gets lost in a field of beauty.

Golden Days

 

Golden Days, oil on gessobord, 12x12"

This field of winter grasses and left-over leaves bore the last resemblance to fall on this particularly sunny day in January. I took this photo reference while hiking in Indiana before my son returned to college after the holidays.

It is so wonderful to have a working knee again.

Michigan Dunes

Michigan Dunes, oil on gessobord, 12x12"

I tried to work on still life for about two hours yesterday, but it wasn't happening and they became swipers. I had found this photo a few weeks ago and saved it for another time, which ended up being yesterday and finished today. I need a vacay. Visions of beaches are seeping into my subconscious.

Early Spring

Early Spring, oil on gessobord, 6x6"

The weather is like none other this year. Call it what you will, but it's not normal. These jonquils sprouted quickly and bloomed in February. Regardless of time of year, they are always beautiful, and welcoming...a definite ushering in of spring.

Green Cove

Green Cove, oil on gessobord, 10x10"

Since I finished the Strada Easel 31/31 challenge 12 days ago, I have only worked on some studies, and I have been researching and looking at many artists that are new to me. My goal, stated many times over the past year has been to lean towards abstraction. And, even though it hasn't left my thoughts, I don't feel like I have accomplished this to my satisfaction.  Today's painting DOES do that and for that, I am very happy!  I bought a broad wash brush recently and used it for the first time today. It immediately felt right, and I started painting what has been locked in my head for months.  This little scene is from a cove at Lake Cumberland, painted from a photo that I took at the end of summer.  I guess I should thank Strada easel for the huge push that got me to this stage!

"Fair and Balanced"

"Fair and Balanced" oil on gessobord, 6x6"

#stradaeasel, day 27

I expanded on yesterday's carrots with the rest of the root vegetables. I like to call them soup vegetables! They are even more fun to paint then fruit.

A Little VItamin A

"A little vitamin A"

oil on gessobord, 6x6"

Day 26 of the strada easel, paint from life, 31 day challenge.  Whew. This challenge has been very... challenging!!  I have reverted to still life for most of the challenge which in the past caused me to break out in metaphorical hives.   I am finally getting more comfortable after spending more then half the challenge in the world of fruit and vegetables.  All my paintings from this challenge have been posted to my FB studio page.

Crooked Smile

With the inauguration still hanging in the air and all the immediate pen swipes taking place - including the National Endowment for the Arts, I really wanted to call this painting..."There was a crooked man and he had a crooked smile"  I want to feel like the country is moving forward but it is hard when a single human is standing in the way.

Stacked

"Stacked" oil on gessobord, 6x6"

Nine more paintings to do for this "paint from life challenge" for strada easel. It has been difficult in many ways, but I have been working with the difficulty and working through it. Today's painting was almost swiped many times, and it took me longer to do it than originally intended. I stuck with it...as a challenge to myself. It's not the best but, again, it was by far the hardest.

"Top Heavy"

"Top Heavy", oil on gessobord, 6x6"

It's all apples and oranges to me. Or so it seems.

Turkey Run Meadow

Turkey Run Meadow, oil on gessobord, 6x6"

#stradaeasel, day 16

Yay! I finally got outside - no rain until this evening, so I took advantage of it. After my dog and I took a 3 mile walk at a local park, I sat in my car and painted. I think I was smilng the whole time 

Opposites Attract

Opposites Attract, oil on gessobord, 6x6"

A second still life for day 11, with different apples. Yesterday's apples were consumed immediately after posting, with wine and cheese. It was a great dinner 

Three's a Crowd

"Three's a crowd",oil on gessobord, 6x6"

I'm one third of the way through the painting challenge, and unfortunately I am running out of gas. The weather doesn't allow me to go outside to paint. I am getting off work so late there is no daylight left, therefore, I am tired and lacking the ability to concentrate very long. Here is a still life, fresh off the easel. Now its time for a glass of wine.

Colors Revealed

"Colors Revealed", oil on gessobord, 7x5"

Another day of painting in the fog (and drizzle).  Everything was so monochromatic except for a few patches of green and red.

"The Introvert"

"The Introvert, oil on gessobord, 6x6"

Day 2, Stada easel 31/31 challenge

We have had fog in the morning (and into afternoons) in the Ohio valley for several days now. It makes for interesting subject matter, and the colors are still. This painting has more color in it then just black and white if you look hard enough you will find blue, pink and orange.

Bald Cypress

Bald Cypress, oil on gessobord, 8x6"

Day 1
January 2017
31 day challenge

Happy New Year!

Painting in the fog this morning, and with a subject matter that is the first thing I look at each morning from my deck...two 30" Bald Cypress Trees.

The Place to Go

"The Place to Go", oil on gessoed board, 8x10"

Ah, cityscapes. Will it ever get any easier for me to accomplish?  This old soul of a building is walking distance from my house. I shot a few photos when the weather was warm and the light was bright.  I just need more practice.

Highlights and highway"

Oil on gessobord

8"x10"

I got up this morning to work on a quick, loosely stroked landscape to cheer myself up. I have had a rough week and needed some focus time. The reference for this painting was from the highway while driving to Kansas City last weekend to see my art school daughter!!

Beside the Lake

Beside the Lake, oil on gessobord, 8x6"

I had the best of intentions yesterday, to start a long weekend working and painting outside in various locations. My intentions will not go as planned now as it is going to be a rainy weekend.  It was raining when I set up near a park lake under a tree but I didn't let that stop me. I painted for about 90 minutes before wiping the painting off.  Turning more towards the lake in a brief moment of light, I saw these little fuzzies lining the bank. Before the next downpour could do me in, I captured this little grouping.

Green House

Green House, oil on gessobord, 7x5"

So many angles. So many straight lines.  I think this will be the final architectural piece for a little while to give my honing skills a break.  Despite the fact that they are small, they require more attentiveness and attention to detail then I'm accustomed to.  I have produced nine works all together

 and am extremely proud of myself for sticking with it even though it wasn't easy. Here they are in the order they were painted in starting from bottom left (sorry for poor photo). I'm also happy with the variety of the painting and content.  Now back to broad landscape until the next series idea strikes me.