Ready for Spring, But......

Falling Twilight II Oil 2010 12 x 16"

Well, I did say that I was ready for spring, which I am. Although, this painting is obviously of snow and the frigid winter months. I guess I really loved this scene and wanted to create it as a second companion painting for the piece I posted on January 30, 2010. This one was painted in my studio as well. Overall, I felt the painting was successful and would be a good complement to Falling Twilight I for my upcoming exhibit at Buckham Gallery this June/July. Thanks for looking.

Ready for Spring.....

9/2009 Oil 9 x 12"

Well, I'd have to say the warm weather is near. I have been out this season and have had a couple of fairly successful paintings, although I have not had a chance to photograph them. This painting displayed I captured last fall just as winter was nearing. A local farmer offered me hiking access to his 140 acre farm, and this is a piece of his property. This painting, in particular, is important to me because it represents a period of growth in my own attempts plein air painting....a tipping point you might say. Hope you enjoy.

Falling Twilight......

16 x 20" Oil 2009

This painting was made last year. It kind of reminds me of landscape around me now...snow. Aside from the snow, the moonlight, when it's clear out, has an amazing effect on the early evening landscape. I took the reference photo of this painting when I was outside painting one evening late last winter. I was all into my plein air painting, I finished, cleaned my brushes, packed my stuff, and turned around a saw this beautiful image directly behind me. Too bad, because that particular plein air piece wasn't that great, where this scene would have been nice to paint from life. Nevertheless, I captured the image and made this painting from it. I really tried to control the values and saturation of this image, making it calm and meditative. I think I want to revisit this type of subject, but maybe with a bit more color this time around.

Recent Exhibition @ Fandangles' Restaurant

Just had an opening reception earlier today. I was fortunate to be involved in a two person show at Fandangles' Restaurant of Flushing, Michigan. The walls of this fine establishment have featured artists works every month for more than the past decade. The current landscape exhibit features my oil paintings and the masterful collage works of Robert J. Huebel. Overall, the exhibit had a nice lively turn out with a mixture of art and cuisine. I was even fortunate enough to find a few new homes for a few of my paintings. The exhibit runs through January 30. Thanks again to Fandangles' (www.FandanglesMi.com) for hosting the event.

Brrrrr.....

Reference Photo on Site

Well, the first snows have lured me out. I got one more chance to paint this year. The cold air was much more difficult on the lungs when it came to hiking uphill. Once I got out into the wild, the winter greys made the forest seem so quiet and still. It was very peaceful out there but pretty damn cold.....my feet suffered the most. This particular painting was completed in a hurried state, due to the frigid temps and the realization that once I finished the painting I still had a mile or so to walk back to my truck. Overall, I enjoyed the palette of this piece, but the composition suffered a bit.....probably not a keeper, but a good experience.

Who Knew?.....

12-3-2009 Oil 9 x 12"

Well, it's definately starting to get cold here now in Michigan. This plein air painting might have been my last for this year. I'm sure that the sun will lure me out later this winter, but for now, I am just not quite ready for the frigid air of winter. Glad I went out to paint that day. There was a moment when I was working on this painting that made me realize just how wonderful natural colors are in this time of year. I had a difficult time in the early fall finding compositions to suit my color interests--there was just too much color saturation everywhere. Whereas, in this time of year, at first glance, the dull overcast sky seems to suck the very life from everything on the horizon. But at closer inspection, the residual greys left behind happen to make beautiful moody palettes that are soft and still as if the earth were resting....something this painting is about.

Leelanau Orchards and Vineyards

12 x 16" Oil Leelanau Vineyards

This 12 x 16" oil painting was created in my studio in an alla prima fashion ( in one sitting). My wife and I visited Traverse City, Michigan this past summer. While we were there, we traveled up the thin strip of land that separates the East and West Traverse Bays. Apparently, this place has the perfect climate for orchards and vineyards. What I really enjoyed about the landscape there, was the many planes of land that were layered towards the horizon. These thin strips of color made for an interesting composition and painting subject. I get excited about these kinds of things, but my wife was more interested in the wine tasting.