Mount Vernon Quarry

SOLD

I walked down the trail carrying my French easel to set up for this view. I think the view was worth it. 

9 x 12 oil on linen

I did some editing to define the rocks more.

Ink Pond

Plein Air painting at Mount Vernon. This was a wonderful pond scene but all I had was a square format, so the tree became the center of interest of the painting.

8 x 8 oil on Raymar panel

This is the final version.

Yearlings

Last time I went to Shimek Forest I stopped by the road to take pictures of several yearlings. With this arrangement I challenged myself with the white horse and the black horse. This trio represents a challenge with three values and shadow on the dark and light horses. I think maybe the white horse needs the shadow to be darker.

8 x 8 oil adhered to masonite panel

Skunk River Access

This was a good morning for painting. The temperature was cool and the sun was out. Yesterday I went down to shores of the Mississippi. Early this spring the water was past flood stage and when the waters receded they left behind dead branches. That is where I ended up painting because of the view of the lotus. I was standing in the mist of dead trees that attracted insects and ultimately leaving behind dead insects. It was smelly and my footing was unstable but it was a great view. One would think the painting would be great. I did not post it as it stunk also. Today the painting was a lot more successful.

6 x 8 oil on canvas

I worked on the painting after I got home. I took some liberties with the actual scene as you can see below. The water was very still but I added the slight waves.

I took this photo for reference. This is a little off to the side of the place where my easel was set up. I may take my plein air painting and the reference shot to create a larger piece. The painting is a better composition for the reflections are leading your eye back down to the rocks.

Buckskin Shoofly

This is from the group of images taken on the hot, muggy, gnat infested day. This horse has beautiful confirmation and this view enhances the curve of his neck.

8 x 6 oil on canvas

Wilson Lake Lotus

Painting an over cast day is a challenge. I love the view of the bottom of the lake in the shadow area but could not make it work. This is the best plein air painting opportunity to observe the subtle differences even if I did not capture them today.

6 x 8 oil on canvas.

One Spotted Me

I have painted this pasture before. I went back this summer for this view. I usually edit the trees and move the cows around even the one looking this way was a little bit higher and to the left.

12 x 6 oil on canvas

Buckskin Palomino and Gray

The day I took the reference shot for this painting was hot and muggy and the gnats were thick around these horses. The two in back were facing head to tail in order to swish the flys off each other face. The one in front was shaking her head back and forth to fend off the gnats. I felt so bad for the horses, I wish I could have shared my Bug Soother with them.

6 x 8 oil on canvas panel

Skunk River Access

My usual place was busy, lots of good fishing on the Skunk River. I found this access area that did not have access to the river view I like. I still found an interesting perspective.

6 x 8 oil on canvas

Rodeo Park Morning

It will be a hot and muggy day so if I wanted to paint outside it had to be early. This was started at 6 this morning and it was humid then.

6 x 12 oil on canvas

Wilson Lake in July

Plein air painting at Wilson Lake. The lake has a green cast to it which is hard for me to paint but that makes it more challenging.

6 x 12 oil on canvas

Cedar Tree at Rodeo

I just got back from the Sugar Creeks Arts Festival. It was well attended and aside from the heat, this is July in the Midwest, a very nice show. Great music and courteous volunteers and visitors. 

I missed my plein air painting and got back to it yesterday morning with this painting from Rodeo Park.

11 x 6 oil on canvas

Ink Bottles Red and Blue

This is one of many paintings I will be exhibiting at the Sugar Creeks Arts Festival this weekend July 6th and 7th in Bloomington, Illinois. If you attend please stop by my booth and introduce yourself.

http://www.mcac.wildapricot.org/SCAF

Ink Bottles Red and Blue

watercolor on 140lb paper.