Solo Silo

Solo Silo, oil on gessoed watercolor paper, 9x6"

I changed this composition quite a bit from the photo reference I used, and I like the way it turned out.  I have had this photo tagged to paint for over a year now, coming back to it until it finally shouted at me long and hard. It portrays late fall, early winter ....perfect for a cold January new year.

Groomed

Groomed, oil on gessoed watercolor paper, 9x12"

day 6, 30 paintings/30 days

 This photo reference was taken was from the northern part of Sonoma County in California's wine country, near Healdsburg. It a wonderful place to visit. I would love to set up and paint en plein air soon, as those endless rows would put me in a painter's trance.

Collection

Collection, oil on gessoed watercolor paper, 12x9"

Day 5, 30 paintings/30 days

Cattail collections are becoming some of my favorite subject matter.  Perhaps it has to do with plant matter, or being at the waters edge, or standing in the beautiful, reflective light or the fact that every time I work on a cattail painting, the color palette is so calm and appealing.  

Remote

Remote, oil on gessoed watercolor paper, 9x6"

Day 4, 30 paintings/30 days

One of my goals when I signed up for another 30 paintings challenge was to paint in a looser or "free-er" style.  Painting on paper has been interesting as well, and I am enjoying it. It is forcing me to use different styles of brushwork. It's all good!  With Remote, I feel as if this is all beginning to come together.  I painted a different version of this image a while back, and the two look nothing alike.  I am also pleased with the color scheme. Kind of mood provoking or "Rothko-esque" if I do say so myself.

Zion

Zion, oil on watercolor paper, 9x6"

Day 3 30 paintings/30 days.

What can I say?  I would live in the National Park if they would let me! :-)

St. Louis bound

St. Louis Bound, oil on gessoed watercolor paper, 6x9"

Day 2, 30 paintings/30 days.

The highway from Louisville to St. Louis, other than a few spots, can give you tunnel vision. Unless you are constantly looking at every scene and envisioning a painting as I always am. I drive this route fairly frequently now, as my son attends Washington University in St. Louis.  What a better way to pass the time then to look for subject matter.  

Bernheim in Winter

Bernheim in Winter, oil on gessoed watercolor paper, 6x9"

OH Happy New Year! On top of everything that I have going on (it's great to be busy), I have decided to enter another 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. I am going to paint, unless otherwise noted, on gessoed watercolor paper.  It is an interesting and less expensive surface to paint on during the challenge. I may not paint all thirty but the spirit is willing. With preparing for an exhibit, a show, making frames and working on the ARTwheels Mobile studio/gallery camper, I have had little time or energy to paint. So I wanted to start this new year off with a reminder for myself that I can do it ALL!!

Yesterday, Hugh and I delivered many boxes to the Polvino Art Center in Nicholasville, KY for my solo show that will open January 8. The opening is from 5-8 and I would love to see all your smiling faces there!
After we left the gallery we walked around historic Nicholasville. Nicholasville is close to Danville, KY where I attended college, and way back when, it was know as the place where the college students went "over the hill" ...a.k.a - went to buy booze.  How different it looks in the daytime!! :-)
We spent some time in an antique shop and had a lot of fun looking at elements of history. I bought a fedora, and a beer stein (speaking of booze) from my favorite city in all of Europe.