Winter Plein Air

Our winter seems to have started a bit early this year and with that comes the opportunity to paint snow. It's always a fun challenge and can be very frustrating at times as there are so many nuances of color and value within the whites. The first two are 14x11 and the third is 12x10, oil.

"Once Were Yellow"

This is a plein air piece from back in September. That day was a scorcher, in the 90s. It's certainly difficult to imagine those temps right now! A couple faded buses. "Once Were Yellow", 14x18, oil.

BASEMENT PAINTING

This is a recent painting that I painted in the basement over two sessions. "Bifurcation" 12x36, oil. I found the elongated format a bit difficult for me. Usually, when painting from life, I align my canvas just to the right or left of the subject that I'm painting. In this case, I had my canvas in line below my subject so that I glanced over the canvas rather than to the side to view my subject.

Remembering Warmer Weather

This piece was painted outdoors at the end of September. I remember still wearing shorts and even having some real nice warm paintings days scattered through October. I don't mind painting in the winter but it's nice to have a transition period where it gradually becomes colder so that I can slowly acclimate. "Still in Service" 16x20, oil.

White on White

"White on White" 24x20, oil. I painted this piece about a month ago. A few ideas for paintings came to mind when I did the "Blue Moon Bride" piece that involved my wife and her wedding dress. Basically, I just wanted to explore the color white more as it's a challenge. White is so heavily influenced by the type of light in the scene and the surrounding colors.

Solo Show Follow-up

Well, my art opening came and went. It was over a week ago and I had a huge turn-out of friends, family, and local art-types/collectors. I had a great time and of course the evening flew by, much like a wedding when you prepare and prepare for one night and then, poof, it's over. This one was one of my final pieces painted for the show, as well as one of my favorites. "Morning Fog Lifting" 16x20, oil.

"UNSUNG BEAUTY" a Solo Show

I've been busy painting, varnishing, framing, and boxing up paintings for my first solo show. I think the total number comes to 34 paintings, many of which have not been shown in person or online. It's exciting and nerve-wracking. The exhibit is up the month of November with the reception on Friday, November 8th from 5-8pm at the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington, IL. Here's a plein air piece from July that will be in the show. "Alley During July" 20x16, oil.

Blue Moon Bride

"Blue Moon Bride." 22.5x18.5, oil. A recent one for an upcoming Halloween exhibit.

New Berlin Plein Air

I was very pleased to have won a best of show at the New Berlin Plein Air Competition a couple weeks ago! 14x18, oil.

Figure Drawing 9-3-13

Some sketches from last night's figure drawing.

Basement Painting

This is a recent painting I did in the basement. 24x20, oil.

Figure Drawing 8-28-13

Sketch from last night's figure drawing session.

Plein Air 8-9-13

This little one is from yesterday. 10x12, oil.

Plein Air 8-8-13

An 11x14 at the lake this morning.

Figure Drawing 8-6-13

A couple charcoal 20 minuters from last night's figure drawing.

Plein Air 8-5-13

This is a painting I did yesterday on an overcast day. 14x11, oil.

Basement Painting

A recent basement painting. 11x14, oil.

Little Dude

So, I decided to try a dozen 5x7s over the last week. Sort of experimental, quick little dudes. Here's my 12th one, 7x5 from last night at dusk.

Back Porch

This is a little Sunday afternoon sketch of the back porch. 12x9, oil.

Cedarburg Plein Air

Last week I participated in the Cedarburg Plein Air competition. It was a huge event with 170 artists participating. It was quite overwhelming to be a part of such an event that takes part in our state. I ended up with an honorable mention with this piece. "A Whisper of Solitude" 16x20, oil on linen.

Beloit Plein Air

A couple weeks ago my friend, Kyle Martin, and I headed to paint in Beloit, WI a couple days, participating in the Edge of the Rock Plein Air Competition. We had a blast. Here are the 3 pieces that I ended up with: 6/10/13 14x11, Oil on linen panel. Best of Show. "Intersection of Light and Shadow" 6/10/13 12x10, Oil on panel 6/11/13 18x14, Oil on Arches Paper

Plein Air 5-29-13

16x12, oil. Done on location this cloudy morning.

Plein Air 5-16-13

This is a little plein air sketch I did early afternoon today. 8x10, oil.

Plein Air 5-1-13

Quick one from this morning. There was a third truck, in the middle, that pulled away just as I started. As I was finishing the distant one, it too pulled away. Still intend to get away from the truck theme but they seem to force me to paint them. 8x10, oil.

Plein Air 4-16-13

Decent weather today. I happened on this scene pretty quick and sketched it. 8x10, oil.

Recent Figure Sketches

I haven't been too good recently about photographing and posting my quick figure sketches. Here are a handful from the last few weeks or so.

Plein Air 3-7-13

Painted this one outside this afternoon. The snow was rapidly melting but was a great day to be outside. 16x12, oil.

Plein Air 2-15-13

Painted this one outside today after lunch. It was a bit chilly but the sun was shining. 8x10, oil.

Painting out the Window

I really wanted to get outside and paint today because of the amazing light but it was too darned cold so I painted this little one looking out my 3rd floor studio window. 10x8, oil.

Basement Painting

This one I painted last night. It is the view looking down into our basement. It was really kind of tricky since I was backed up to a wall so I couldn't step back while painting and was working under an incandescent bulb. So...I didn't quite know what I'd end up with as far as color and perspective. Looking at it now, there are some things I could change and still might. 14x11, oil.

Plein Air 1-15-13

I haven't been outside to paint since beginning of December and had a chance early this morning. I also tried out some new bristle brushes I received for Christmas. They worked well this morning and during the cold months when the paint is more difficult to move due to the coldness, the bristles seem to push and pull the paint more effectively than my usual mongoose hair brushes. This one is quick and dirty and not quite fully resolved. A bit rusty not painting outside for a month and a half. 10x8, oil.