Pair of Apples 2

This was a quick sketch because I have a local art fair to set up at tomorrow. I also have to cut three mats for the a couple of pastel paintings. My husband made this great walnut frame for a painting I was hoping to make work. So far I am still trying to make it work. 

6 x 6 oil on Ampersand panel

Pair of Apples

SOLD

Quick study with some apples I just bought. 

6 x 6 Oil on Ampersand panel.

Road Along the River

 Another painting of the Skunk River access. I have painted a dozen small plein air paintings in this location. This one is a studio painting based on the studies and a Photoshop image using photomerge. I like this location for it's solitude and great view of the river.

18 x 6 oil on panel

Cherry and Chocolate Mint

This was the first version but is just didn't quite work for me. So I scraped the paint off the background and added dots.

I am slowly trying to paint larger. I did scrap and repaint some parts of this painting.

12 x 12 oil on panel

Alisa

This was from a photo taken a long time ago when my daughter was young. I sketch with a pen and you can see multiple lines. When practicing it doesn't have to be perfect, like the left arm.

Clydsdale

This is one of the Budweiser Clydesdales. They were unloading the horses when I took this photo

7 x 10 watercolor on 300 lb. paper

Blue Plate with Green Apples

I found this great blue plate at the Goodwill store. It makes a colorful background for still lifes. 

8 x 6 Oil on Raymar panel

Seagull

This is another entry in the Daily Paintworks challenge.

9 x 9 watercolor on 140 lb. paper

Swan no4

This was done for the Daily Paintworks challenge. I have used this photo reference before but I try to make changes on it. I need to go back to this park for more photos but I may not get them to ruffle their feathers like this. It turns out the sygnets were near by when I took this photo.

6 x 8 Oil on Raymar panel.

Skunk River the Far Bank

I tried something different with this painting. Starting with an acrylic painting rough in. I then applied Golden ground for pastel over that, then the pastel. I also sprayed a fixative over the first layer of pastel. It seems to have lost the intense colors and try as I might I can't get it back. I was always told that the fixative will darken the pastels, but I have seen many artists do great with this method. I must be missing something.

9 x 12 pastel on panel.

Girl Scout Trail

This is the trail at the local girl scout camp. I really enjoyed walking through the many trails there.

12 x 9 oil on panel

Young Dancer

The local Mexican Fiesta in going on. I took photos of the young dancers last year and this close up was photographed during the Mexican hat dance. Typically the dancers are from 12 to 16 years old.

5 x 12 Pastel on paper

Bicycle Trail

I have a request from a collector for a fall scene. This was based on a photograph taken last year. I added more color to the trees since last year like this was dry. I hope the colors will be much better this year.

This started as a watercolor painting but ended up on my reject pile. I then applied Golden ground for pastel over it. This has a tooth and if applied right will not leave brush strokes, but I was in a hurry and you will see brush strokes in this one. The pastel can be smoothed into the brush strokes but I like the look of pastel strokes. The background distant has the smooth look to help give the feeling of depth. 

10.5 x 11

Rodeo Park plein air no3

I went out painting this morning without my Liquin. My oil paint was also two days old. After getting frustrated with my brush I grabbed my pallette knife and started painting. I have played with pallette knife painting before but that was a painting I started with Liquin.

6 x 12 Oil on panel

Water Balloons

This is my entry to the Daily Paintworks challenge, to paint a water balloon. I did not purchase the balloons marked water balloons. When I opened the package I found out the mouth did not fit over the faucett. I had to fit them over a funnel and push the funnel under the faucett. It work good enough. I remember when all balloons worked as water balloons, a balloon is a balloon. These new balloons are made so cheap.

6 x 6 oil on gessoed claybord

Fallen Tree at Camp

SOLD

I found this fallen tree while hiking in the local girl scout camp.  It was off the beaten path so I suspect it will stay there to naturally decay.

5 x 12 pastel on gessoed watercolor paper.

Mandy

This was a commission for a friend of mine. I worked from a photos due to her busy schedule. Not sure it may need to be adjusted some.

6 x 6 oil on Raymar panel.

Fall Along the Path

I had a commission for a fall scene. I plan to do several to give the client a choice. The client wanted pastel and I feel I little rusty in this so making several will get me up to speed. This one is a little more colorful than I usually do but I just got back from the paint out and was inspired by some of the other artists. 

18 x 24 pastel on panel

Amana Mill Stream

This weekend was the Paint out in Amana, Iowa. This was my first time participating and I can't wait till next year.  I met a lot of artist and talked art. They have a party at the end with great food and great entertainment.  I left early for the long drive home and am now embarrassed that I did not stay. I was awarded the second place. I plan to make up for it next year by staying till the end and congratulating the winners. The above painting was not the winner. Unfortunately I did not take a photo of it. It was of the Lily Lake which is awesome and very inspiring.

8 x 6 Oil on Raymar panel