Winter Beauty

Winter Beauty, oil/linen panel, 12x9

Last Thursday we had a mild day, mostly sunny, so I again traveled to Townsend Park. This is the same location that I painted at previously but with a slightly different view and a beautiful composition. I loved the colors of the twigs and grasses against the whites and blues of the snow. This plein air study will definitely be used as reference for a larger studio painting.

Birches in Winter, oil/linen panel, 10x8

I worked on this painting the same day, just having to pick up my easel and move it to the right. The sun was highlighting the birch tree cluster and the shadows with the cattail stalks made for an interesting foreground. It was a challenge to paint the tree covered hillside behind the birches. This small image of the painting really does not convey the subtle variations that I tried so hard to convey.

Wilderness Bay

Wilderness Bay, pastel, 24x36, 2010

This painting is new this month. I loved the color of the water in the middleground and the challenge of painting the shallow water with all the rocks and colors under the waves. This scene is in northern Michigan and I think it is really called Sturgeon Bay, north of the large dunes that are a poplar spot for beach goers. As you walk along the shoreline the dunes become smaller and the area is quite secluded. Wilderness State Park is north of here. Lake Michigan is an endless source of inspiration for me.

Harbor at Sunset

Harbor at Sunset, oil, 24x30, 2009

I am jumping for joy! This painting was accepted in the prestigious Salon International at the Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art in San Antonio, TX.  This is the second time one of my oil paintings has been accepted in this show and the competition is stiff. Check the web site for more information about the Gallery. http://www.greenhousegallery.com/.

Winter Shadows

Winter Shadows, oil on linen panel, 9x12

I was surprised today when the sun appeared this morning and the clouds stayed away. Two days in a row! Thats pretty good for a Michigan February! I made a quick decision to go out and paint and went to my favorite place, Townsend Park. I choose this backlit scene, eliminated some brush and trees, and cropped off the sky so the eye would stay within the focal area without any distraction. I will probably use this painting as a study for a larger pastel composition. Even so, I was very pleased with the outcome and my feet didn't even freeze! Contact me if your are interested in purchasing this painting.

Roses in Winter

A Single Rose, oil on card, 5x7,
 $300. framed

To brighten my outlook on a cloudy day, I decided to paint some of the roses from a bouquet that I bought for a centerpiece. I set up my challenge to paint each on in a single session, alla prima. I choose to use a cool light from the window above and therefore the shadows needed to be a warm temperature. I hope these roses brighten your day as well!

Mason Jar with Roses, oil/linen panel, 10x8, $500. framed

Lonnie's Farm - Winter

Lonnie's Farm - Winter, oil/linen panel, 8x10, $500. framed
I went back to Lonnie's Pond to check out the view in winter. This farm always inspires me in any season and I have painted here often. Thursday morning was a mild winter day so I set up my easel and did this little painting in a little over an hour.

Jordon Farm

Jordon Farm, oil on linen panel, 9x12

The Plein Air Artists of West Michigan (PAAWM) had a successful paintout at the farm of Richard and Cheryl Jordon in Plainwell, MI. Twenty artists came to paint that day and enjoyed the mild winter weather and each others company. An informal critique followed the morning painting session. There was a wide variety of subject matter, all very different and all very good. It is great fun to be in the company of other artists, especially during the winter months when we tend to hole up in the studio for long periods of time. I do appreciate the solitude of the studio though, it gives me the quiet time I need to create after being energized by my spurts of plein air work. If you want to know more about PAAWM, check out the web site link at the bottom of this blog.