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!

Fishing Lake, Parklands

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

The Parklands in Louisville, is an incredible experience of newly acquired  land that borders one of the main, long creeks in the east-end of the county. Formerly sections of private land, it took nearly 15 years to piece together, and develop into a linear park, about 10-15 miles long. It includes waterfalls, small palisades, deep forest, areas for mountain and road bikes, long canoe or kayak passages, wildlife viewing, hiking, hiking and more hiking. My kind of place. Here is an unnamed fishing lake near one of the higher vistas. It had many small boulders on its outer banks that shown in the sun this particular day.

"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.