La Luna - A Progression

 The idea for this painting started with the blue moon last August that was positioned over the pond near my home, casting a reflection. I painted several small study sketches of the blue moon using my memory to guide me in preparation of this larger version. I must admit that I am a "moon chaser", always looking forward to the next full moon and to be inspired for my next nocturn painting.

The beginning. A notan of thin Transparent Oxide Red paint established my composition. The surface is oil primed Claussens linen #13.

The moon and sky and an indication of the water was painted in next.

The photo here is a little dark. It took a long time to paint in the darks. I wanted to keep some areas with thin paint, yet make the darks still have form using warm and cools.

At this stage, I could see the end. The reflections in the water, and the foreground needed to be painted together and wet into wet.

Still making minor adjustments.

finished.
"La Luna", oil, 40x30
To be on exhibit during Art Prize 2014 at the Women's City Club in Grand Rapids. Art Prize opens September 18.

A limited number of giclee prints of La Luna, and a few small original paintings will be available at the venue's gift shop.

Thank you for viewing my art!

Few New Pastels

February Moon, pastel, 6x6, $225.
Again, I was excited by the possibilities of another full moon painting.
I was happy the sky was clear and the moon quite large as it rose up from the horizon. I drove around  that evening until I could decide on a composition, and memorized the colors as best as I could. Immediately upon returning home, I drew it out in pastel. The pink/orange glow was present.

Hay Bales After the Rain, pastel, 12x16. $750.

This pastel painting was referenced by on oil sketch done on location in 2011. The plein air outing was interupted by rain, so I painted it fast and furious! I loved the oil painting (9x12) and decided to try a larger size in pastel. I changed the shapes of the tree line and the foreground is more detailed in the pastel. Overall, I like both paintings a lot!

Bay Sunset, pastel, 18x12, $900.

Painted from a digital photo reference. This painting will probably be at North Seas Gallery this summer unless it sells first!

Thank you for viewing my art!

Paintings at "Celebration"

Tonight is the opening for the 40th annual Celebration of the Arts reception from 7-9pm. 

If you are able to be in downtown Grand Rapids the exhibit is in the exhibition hall of the First United Methodist Church. The juried competition runs until Februrary 13, 2013.

My accepted entries are:

Field and Distant Farm, oil on linen, 12x16, $900. framed

Blue Moon, pastel, 16x12, $800. framed

Day 5 - "30 Paintings in 30 Days"

"Blue Moon", pastel, 16x12, $650. uf 
$800. framed

A pastel inspired by the "blue moon" last August. Actually the 6x6 studies from this event are called "Red Moon" because the weather man said it was also called a red moon, I think because of it's color.    You can see the studies on my web site in the Small Works page. "Once in a blue moon" is because two full moons in one month does not happen very often!
I did this painting on a sheet of sanded wallis paper that had a dark underpainting, so getting the darker tones of the night sky and foliage was a little easier.
The day 5 painting took a little longer than usual though. So I think the next few will be a smaller size!

Thank you for viewing my art and see more great art for this challenge at "30 Paintings in 30 Days".

Day 4 - "30 Paintings in 30 Days"

Summer Moonrise - Grand Marais, pastel, 9x12

$375. unframed, $500. framed
Custom framed with AR Glass in gold, silver or black frame.

This pastel painting was inspired by a trip to Grand Marais this summer. Grand Marais is located north of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, right on Lake Superior. The sheltered bay is the focal point of the little town, with a sandy beach and sailboats. I was lucky to witness this beautiful moonrise. Another painting on my website, "Full Moon at Sunset" (pastel page) was also painted from that evening when the moon was over the beach of Lake Superior. 

You may also see other artists work for this challenge of "30 Paintings in 30 Days" on this blog link.

The Blue Moon

OK, I must admit that I was geeked over the blue moon. I even had the event marked on my calendar. There is a small lake across the street, so if the conditions are right, the moon has a nice reflection early in the morning before it disappears over the horizon. So Friday morning, I took some photos, which did not turn out well. That is alright though because I mostly work from memory with this kind of subject.

Full Moon at Sunset, pastel, 12x9, $500.
On Saturday, we visited friends in Grand Marais,  MI in the Upper Penninsula, along Lake Superior. At evening, we had a bon fire on the beach and as the spectacular sun was setting in the west, the full moon was rising in the east! This painting is a result of that wonderful sight. Great friends, good wine, gourmet food and inspiring land throughout the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Harvest Moon, pastel, 12x9, $500.
This painting was started last year in 2011 during the harvest moon. It was started and I just finished it.

Red Moon II,  pastel, 6x6, $225.
I was surprised to learn that the "Blue Moon", which is a full moon that appears twice in the same month, is also called the red moon this time of year. The moon did have an orange cast to it.

Red Moon I , pastel, 6x6, $225.
I was most interested in this composition which I will enlarge to a vertical format .