Snowy Days

"Snow Boughs-Almost Noon", oil, 7x5 NFS

It had just finished snowing, and the sun was shining. I was in the mood to paint those bright blue shadows so I decided to just look out my studio window and paint a snow laden pine that just seemed to glow in the late morning sun. I thought I would try my new 5x7 Ampersand Gesso panels and just give it a go. The overall shape of the tree was lightly brushed in, the trunk indicated and some of the dark green placed. The most fun was the shape of the snow on the branches and trying to vary the shadow colors between warm and cool shades of blue and violet.
I had such fun with the first one, that I decided to do another as the sun went further west, the tree was still luminous.

"Snow Boughs-Afternoon", oil, 7x5 NFS

Gifts of Art Exhibit...Kathleen Putnam

Featured here is one of the "Six Women Painters in Study to Studio" at the Gifts of Art Exhibit currently at the U of M Health Systems South Taubam South Gallery. Shown here are Kathleen's studio paintings. You will have to visit the show to see her studys! To see more of her work visit www.KathleenPutnam.com .

"After the Rain" oil, 16x20

"At Dusk", oil, 16x20

"Early Morning, Orchard", oil, 16x20

"Freshly Mowed Hay", oil, 16x20

"Kayaking the Jordon River", oil, 16x20

"Riding at Sunset", oil, 16x20

Beautiful!!!

Three Paintings - One Day

"Snow Brilliance", oil, 9x12, $700. framed

"Snow Shadows", oil, 9x12, $700. framed

"Harmony", oil, 6x6, $285. framed

Three plein air paintings in one day. A beautiful winter morning beckoned Patti and I to paint at a private residence (with permission) with a creek flowing through the back yard. What a delight. Birds in song, creek sounds of water breaking up the ice shelves along the edges. Hope to paint here again!

Celebration of the Arts

Celebration of the Arts, 38th Annual Juried Spiritual Art Competition opens Friday the 25 - March 9. This diverse exhibit showcases many art forms in a spiritual light and is a highly regarded Grand Rapids area competition. Friday evening from 7-9 is the much anticipated artist reception you will not want to miss.
My painting "Promise of Spring", oil, 12x24, was juried into this exhibit.

February Plein air paintings

"Around the Bend", oil on panel, 6x6

"February Thaw", oil on linen panel, 11x14

These two paintings were painted last week when the temperatures were around 40 degrees.  The snow was beginning to thaw and since I was short on time I decided against driving around until I found a spot. I went back to "Lonnie's Farm" a place where I have done a number of plein air paintings in all seasons. I changed the frozen pond in front to look like tracks...a good way for the eye to enter the painting. As usual, since I love red this place is a favorite place to paint.

Another day last week when the morning was crisp, I came across the scene featured on top and decided to do a small 6x6 study. The red house at the bend in the road was a nice focal point.

Winding Creek

I finally finished the pastel painting that I had set out to paint from my recent plein air study "Winding Creek-Winter", oil, 8x10. A recent  blog  had mentioned that I wanted to paint this scene larger so I settled on the pastel medium, 24x18. I am happy with the outcome, though I may still tweek it a bit. The brilliant sun on that morning had started to melt the foreground snow as I was finishing the oil study so I added that to this larger studio painting.

"Winding Creek", pastel, 24x18, $1500.

Thinking of Summer

I am thinking of summer as I work in my studio for the upcoming gallery shows. Here is a sneak preview of a few new pastel paintings.

"Windswept Dune", pastel, 18x12

"Morning Breeze", pastel, 18x24