Creek in Winter

Creek in Winter, oil, 12x16

This is the studio painting that I finished from my plein air study and from the small pastel painting in the last blog post. I like the feeling of warmth in this scene despite the fact that it is a winter's day.

The snow has arrived...

   In Michigan, with December you get snow. Today was sunny after many days of rain and snowfall so I made an effort to do a plein air painting that I will post soon. During the past weeks of undesirable weather, I have been studio painting, working on some winter scenes that I photographed last winter, one of which I made into a Christmas card which is the first image below.

The Christmas Tree, pastel, 6x6

This is my family last year bringing our Christmas tree home...I love that tradition.

I then decided to do a series of winter miniatures...so far five have been completed. You can see them framed on my web site. http://www.kalinowskifineart.com/

Approaching Dusk, pastel, 6x6

Wow, this scene was just beautiful as the last glow of sun radiated behind the treeline in the distance.

Creek in Winter, pastel, 6x6

I also did a plein air study of this creek last year and am working on a 12x16 studio painting.

Park in Winter, pastel, 6x6

I liked the feeling of this scene: backlit, variation of color and the inviting creek winding through the park with the bridge as a focal point.

Frosty Morning - Farmhouse, pastel, 6x6


Of course the colors just grabbed me with this one! I love a red farmhouse.

Sun Spot

Sun Spot, oil/panel, 8x10, 10/2009

Another day of painting during the beautiful month of October. I pulled along the side of the road on 12 Mile as I noticed the passing clouds making sun spots, lighting up the treeline every once in a while. At first I didn't know how to handle the foreground until a sun spot lit up a sliver of the field and I felt that was all that was necessary to convey the feeling that I was after.

Gray Day with Warm Color

Douglas Marina, oil/panel, 9x12, 10/09

This painting is featured on my November Newsletter so I thought I could tell the story behind it. I drove to Saugatuck/Douglas area with the intent of meeting my friend Margo there to paint in the dunes at Oval Beach. My friend had car trouble on her way and had to turn back so I continued on as I was close anyway. I did not want to waste a good day for painting! The weather forecast was for an unusually warm October day with some sun. Well, the sun really never came out and I didn't think it was too warm either at least in Douglas. Not wanting to paint in the dunes by myself, I chose a spot in the Marina. Painting there in the off season was ideal - no people, just geese. One even posed for me. I was taken with the warm colors against the foggy sky and gray/blue water. The boats in the distance just needed to be indicated with lines of color. Overall I was happy with my painting and was able to explore the dunes a little too. That will be another painting...

Painting on the Beach

"Pilings at Kirk Park", oil, 9x12, 11/2009

A few weeks ago I ventured over to Lake Michigan and met up with painter Barb Berens. The day was beautiful and the wind was not an issue until we were down on the beach...quite chilly. We set up to paint anyway because the light that morning was irresistable. I focused on the pilings in the distance as my focal point and will use this study for a larger painting in the future. I also examined the very interesting pilings, took some reference photos and decided I need to come back to paint there in the spring.

This painting will be available for sale after it is used for reference. Send me an e-mail if you would want me to hold it for you.

Painting on a windy day...

"The Gristmill", oil, 10x12, 11/2009

On Monday, Patti and I went back to the Village of Cannonsburg. It was sunny, quite cold and very windy. I wanted to paint this challenging subject and since the month of November is often very cloudy, I thought I should sieze the opportunity to paint the Gristmill while the sun was shinning despite the wind. Why didn't I do this in September? The Gristmill is a small cafe, gourmet deli and gas station store. Very charming. Patti and I painted and then thawed out with hot drinks and a very good Rueben for lunch. Painting plein air, from life, is often uncomfortable but observing nature first hand and directly responding with the right colors and brushstrokes is the best way grow as an artist. Nature has much to offer, we just need to "see" it.

Honey Creek Inn

"Honey Creek Inn", oil, 12x12, 11/2009

On Saturday, my artist friend, Patti and I again needed to paint in the village...we couldn't resist the charm. Honey Creek Inn is a well known, busy restaurant, renovated from an old tavern. The tavern sign is still on top.

As I was painting, people went in and out the front door, and I started to feel like I needed to put some figures in the painting or it would look too lonely. Finally a patron, approached to see how I was doing and when I told him that I needed a model, he obliged by going back in and getting a waitress to sit on the front bench with him. How nice! She couldn't stay for long, only about a minute because she had tables to attend to, but it was long enough to put in two figures. I am very satisfied with this painting!