Last of the Greys.....

3/24/10 Oil 9 x 12"

This plein air piece was created in the first days of spring and is of a chopped corn field that was readying itself for new life. Small bits of green were beginning to emerge, but the overall chroma of the landscape was still grey. It's a good thing that I truly admire neutral and grey paintings because I live in a state (Michigan) that has more cloudy days that sunny ones. I liked this composition because it was a wide open space, something that is sometimes hard to find in my area of the state due to all the tree-lines, etc. As for now, the landscape is definitely very green and far from the grey days of late March. This overall "greenness" can be difficult to paint and means that, as a painter, I have some very near challenges to face. In fact, the last four ventures out haven't been so hot. Well, it's a good thing that the gratification of one small fragment success far outweighs many failures.

Amongst the Hills......

3/20/2010 Oil 9 x 12"

This is yet another scenic view from an area near by my house known as the "hogbacks". The property has unusually steep hills (for Michigan) thoughout with a winding river that meanders at it's heart. I've painted this stream so many times, but for some reason it is a difficult subject for me to capture from life. But for some reason I liked this particular composition and thought that I would share it......until next time.

Ok, now I 'm really ready....

3/17/2010 Oil 9 x 12"

Ok, yeah, now I'm ready for spring......except for all of the rain.....and the bugs. This painting demonstrates my first attempt at a plein air painting this season. Overall, I was pleased with the results, namely the pale, warm palette of the piece. I think I also captured the stream, for once. I don't know how many various paintings of this stream I have thrown away because they were just a little too funky. I guess this one's a little funky, but it aint no Cole Medina. Later All.

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.