Bean Field

Plein air painting in this weather is wonderful. 

6 x 8 oil on canvas panel To bid at auction 

Rodeo Park Trail Walking the Dog

I started this as a plein air painting and while I was there this lady came by walking her dog. I loved the pattern on the dog's coat and asked her if I could take pictures. They were added later at my studio. I did not capture either one of them as far as a good likeness, but the dog's coat against the red harness was what attracted me to them. I am looking at it here and am considering changing her sweatshirt to a red as well.

10 x 20 oil on canvas panel.

Here it is with the red sweatshirt. I also made a few minor changes, like muted the background around the girl to bring her out more

I again made adjustments. hopefully this is the end.

Deer Along the Trail

This morning when taking photos for a commission I saw two deer in a clearing. I startled them and they took off. This gave me the ideal for this painting. I am not the inspiration for the jogger as I am not very good at that anymore. This is at Pollmiller Park in West Point, Iowa.

9 x 12 Oil on stretched canvas. 

Rodeo Park Bridge View from the South

This is the view from the South. I wanted to paint it in a vertical format to emphasis the expanse of the bridge.

16 x 8 Oil on Canvas on panel

I will be set up at the Gazebo Arts Festival in Macomb, IL this Saturday. September 21st and the next day at Fort Madison, IA at Art in Central Park. If anyone is in the area, stop by and introduce yourself. 

Rodeo Park Trail Around the Bend

This started as a plein air painting which I scrapped. This was done from the photos I took on site. 

8 x 16 oil on Canvas on panel.

Parade Horse

This horse posed just perfect for the camera.

6 x 8 oil on canvas

Flag Girl

6 x 6 oil on Raymar panel to bid at auction click here

I have this painting as my desktop background. It shows the brushstrokes so well I decided to add a portion to my blog. The final size is 6" x 6" so up close it does look like a mess.

Palisades Kepler State Park

I painted a small painting that I considered a study for this scene. I edited out a kayak on the left. I think that is a lodge on the top of the cliffs upper right.

6 x 6 oil on Ampersand panel. To bid at auction click here

Sunflowers

Sold

I painted this in a style that I like to have fun with, lots of color. 

11 x 14 oil on Ampersand panel. to bid at auction click here

Bell Bottoms

This was painted for the Daily Paintworks challenge to paint yourself young. I started the challenge and invite anyone to participate whether you are a member or not. It is open to anyone.

10 x 6 oil on canvas To join in click here

Rodeo Sketches

The rodeo is in town and I have not had time to paint. I do have time for a few quick sketches

These are from photos I took. I had to fill in the blanks as my photographic skills are not the best.

I am throwing this in the mix. If you want to practice action shots of people the best source is the sports section of the local paper. The hands are great. Sports Illustrated issues have lots of action shots especially the summer Olympics issue. 

Maddie's Blue Swing

I had taken several photos of this little girl. In this final painting I took creative license with the background and took off her shoes.

8 x 6 oil on canvas panel. to bid at auction

Amana Bike Trail at Sunset

SOLD

I just finished painting when this wonderful sunset appeared. I created this from a photograph which is not the same. The panel I started on was linen with a clear coat of gesso on it. That worked well as a neutral background. 

11 x 14 oil on linen panel. To bid at auction

Hydrangea no 2

I usually paint watercolor on a tilted surface. The background on this one was created by laying the paper flat and dropping water into the slightly wet paint.

9 x 11 watercolor on 300 lb. paper.To bid at auction

Hydrangea in a Ball Jar 2

Sold

I have some Neverending Summer blooms left. I have had to keep them blooming with constant watering. This is on 300 lb. paper and I have scrubbed out some of the parts when the composition was not working. It can be done with watercolor is the area is not your center of attention.

11.5 x 8 inch watercolor on 300 lb. paper

Amana Landscape

I entered the Fresh Paint Paintout in Amana, Iowa this weekend and this was one of the extra paintings.

8 x 16 oil on Ampersand board