Volunteer 7

This is after editing. I changed the eyes to work with what I had in the photos. Added the plaid shirt.

This was after the 2 hour painting session. I decided to use a horizontal format because of the cowboy hat. I took photos that I will use to refine the finished painting. Loved the cowboy hat. Obviously this is a volunteer from the local rodeo committee.

14" x 11" oil on panel.

Ruffled Swan

The mating for life challenge on the Daily Paintworks site. I used an image from morguefile.com as reference with a few changes in the background.

6" x 6" oil on canvas panel

Gray Barn on a Gray Day

Tanking photo from the car again. This was mostly grays. When we started out driving that day there was sun casting wonderful blue shadows on the snow. This scene was more challenging. With a little creative license I added color. 

12" x 9" oil on canvas

I paint on preprimed canvas without support so that I can crop an image as needed. I do think this one might be better as a 12" x 6" 

Winter on the Des Moines River

Another painting based on a drive by photo. The ground color is close to the same as the burnt orange in the sunset colored tree on the left.

12" x 6" oil on canvas panel

Hanging Around the Water Warmer

Usually I have to move cattle around to get the best composition. Sometimes a photo works perfect as is and this was perfect except for the blue thingy. My husband asks me why they were hanging around a dog house. I tried to look it up on the internet assuming it was a water heater or feeder. I couldn't find it but I am just going to call it a water heater. That fits better with my title play on the words about hanging around the water cooler.

12" x 9" oil on canvas panel

Winter Pasture Sunset

I was driving and my artist friend Jessica, took the photo reference from the window of the car. That explains why the cattle were not staring at us. Just the right lighting. I still had to edit the photo and move the cattle around. I love painting snow in shadow where throwing in blues and purples adds to the color scheme.

9 x 12 oil on canvas panel

Volunteer no 5

Nick helped to implement the building of the old fort along with many other projects. He was a marine and this is his favorite hat. 

Volunteer 4

This is the volunteer from the local Salvation Army. She was nominated for citizen of the year. I enjoyed painting her for the lovely pink and peach coloring and that beautiful white hair.

11" x 14" oil on panel

Exhibit at Fairfield

These are just a few of the paintings I have on exhibit at the Fairfield Arts Association located in the Sondheim Center in Fairfield, Iowa. This exhibit runs until the end of March. The opening reception will be March 6th during Fairfield first Friday Art Walk. 

Volunteer no 2

Sold

Miss Ann and Queen Lizzie

Annie volunteers at the local PAWS animal shelter. She sorts and redeems the refundable cans, plastic and glass bottles. This helps maintain the shelter. Annie has been doing this for over 2 years and has put in countless hours. Her Puggle Lizzie is of course her rescue dog. 

Volunteer 3

sold

This is the volunteer from the Sheaffer Pen Museum. Fred has been a volunteer for various organizations throughout the community for years. He is great to work with. 

11" x 14" oil on panel