Long Run

Long Run, oil on gessoed hardboard, 8x10"

I have been looking at several contemporary painters that I consider successful abstract landscape painters. This can be a blurry area, and many attempt it. However, it is obvious when it is not done well.  This is my first honest and conscious attempt at abstraction with landscape.  I'm not sure it worked, but I am still happy with it and feel like I worked through it more then the eye can see. I believe I will continue to work on these - as small scale, learning works. Note to self: prepare a limited palette prior to painting based on reference photo or subject matter. 

The one less traveled by

"The One Less Traveled By", oil on hardboard, 20 x 16"

Last weekend my son and I went hiking at a mysterious patch of woods in the middle of the city. It is owned by the Archdiocese of Louisville and it is entered behind a parish church and a wonderful historic building that used to house Passionist Priests.  Way down this very path we found remains of a swimming pool formerly used by the priests, and a gratto that still housed Mother Mary, left behind after close to a century of standing in one spot. 

Behind the Grasses

"Behind the Grasses", oil on hardboard, 9x12"

A white barn, highly lit by the sun, hidden behind a sea of wheat and other grasses appeared abandoned when I shot this photo last month.  I think barns tend to exude that feeling.  Contrasted with the organic elements, I found this to be an interesting subject matter.  

September in Napa 2

September in Napa 2, oil on hardboard, 14x11"

Recently I found some precut hardboards at my local art supply store.  The price was reasonable, so I bought two to try. I had to gesso them which was enjoyable; the Ampersand gessobords that I usually paint on, come pre-gessoed, so it has taken some of the hands-on process away. When I was in college, I used power tools to make my own stretcher bars, stretched and stapled the canvas taut until it pinged (was hard on my hands), and then applied three coats of gesso. It was a ground-up process, and I loved it.  The hardboards turned out to be to my liking so I can paint a little bigger for a reasonable price. September in Napa 2 is referenced from another photo taken by my sister on a recent visit to her "second home".  The composition was so straightforward I had a bit of difficulty with it. I think, in the end, I liked the way the shadowed vines in the foreground broke up the space.

"September in Napa"

oil on hardboard

11x14"

Yesterday after a quick warm-up painting, I hunkered down with some beautiful photos taken by my sister Claire. She visited her "second home" in September and sent me a lot of photos. When I began painting, I thought it would be nice to document various stages of the painting, starting with the toned board and sketch and progressing to the end. The first photo is the finished painting and then they progress henceforth. Let me know what you think.

Deep Space

Deep Space, oil on gessoed hardboard, 8x10"

My latest landscape done early this morning. Working towards more abstraction. Baby steps for now and it feels good.  

Dynamic Duo

Dynamic Duo, oil on hardboard, 10x10"

I went a little bigger with this one. The shadows were definitely more wonky then whimsical. I tried to convey that.  

*One corner of the painting is 1/8" wider because I cut this board myself and went past my cutting line. * 

Summer Companions

Summer Companians, oil on hardboard, 8x10"

I've been working my way through a barn series, and this one was very satisfying to paint. I struggled at first because I had purchased a different brand of hardboards, and they were a lot "slipperier" then the Ampersand variety I'm acclimated to.  I decided to slow down, and actually work on it in shifts.  I normally start with a ground layer, but this didn't work either due to how slippery the surface was.  I decided to build up the paint instead, letting it set, rather than dry, and to use less medium. It seemed to work, and I was even able to get a bit animated with it. I love the specks of bright red that ended up standing out among the green.