Green Hydrangeas

This is on 300 lb. watercolor paper which I was saving for a really special project. That never came but I am short on 140 lb. paper. I really like the way this paper accepts watercolor. It is Cheap Joe's Kilimanjaro watercolor paper. I find it is a close second to Arches.

8 1/2 x 8 1/2  inches  To bid at auction

Shades of Hydrangeas

SOLD

This year the hydrangeas were blooming in different shades. It gave me the opportunity to play with shades of purple.

8 x 16 oil on Linen panel

Sunset Walk Over the Dam

This was part of a Daily Paintworks challenge to paint a night scene. I wanted to try night scenes and this gave me the incentive. This one was made up, loosely using references of the dam at the end of Wilson Lake and some horse photos I had and guessing at the reflections. I will have to figure out a set up with a light for painting plein air at night.

9 x 16 oil on canvas

Peach Rose

This was from the rose garden in Bentonsport. They have an upcoming art fair in October. I have done the art fair for the great atmosphere. The artists are friendlier and it is laid back. This was painted on a scrap of linen that I primed with clear gesso. I liked the natural linen look for the background but I have painted over most of it. I then cut a masonite board to size, coated it with GAC 100 and two coats of standard gesso and attached the painting with PVA glue.

4 x 9 oil on linen board.

White Horse and Bays

I had put this aside after I photographed it for the web. When the image is small I could see the problems better Below is the first alla prima painting. Bid here

8 x 10 oil on canvas

I painted this alla prima and afterwards noticed that the white horse was too big and did not stand out. The sky was muddy and dull even for an overcast day.

Yucca Blooms

I used a limited palette on this one. This is one of the subjects that challenge me, it is white and the stem comes into the image at one border and then exits off the composition. Challenging oneself in this field is what makes one better. 

8 x 6 oil on canvas

Pinto Yearling

This is watercolor and acrylic. I was after a night scene and used interference acrylic paint to try to make a starry sky. 

5 x 7 inch watercolor on 140 lb. paper to bid on the auction click 

This is a photo of the painting with the light coming from the other side to show the reflections of the interference paint.

Quarry at Mount Vernon

This quarry is in a park in Mount Vernon, Iowa. After the plein air painting I took photos. The subject matter was fascinating and I have another painting in the works.

9 x 12 to bid click here

Yearlings

This is the rough in and you notice the line on the bottom. I miscalculated the placement and moved them down. I paint on preprimed canvas so that I can crop it. 

This is the final, I think unless I change my mind about something.

6 x 12 oil on canvas.

to bid at auction

Pale Palomino

SOLD

This horse stopped in midstride and turned to look at me. I guess I was not quiet enough.

6 x 8 oil on canvas panel

Mount Vernon Landscape

This was from a photo reference taken while I participated in a plein air event in Mount Vernon. I did not have time to paint this wonderful landscape. The northern part of Iowa has these wonderful rolling hills. The light green path winds through the corn field. These little valleys are where the rain gathers. I remember walking through them as a child.

8 x 16 oil on linen panel.

Exhibit at Marceline

Today I will be in Marceline, Missouri for the opening of my exhibit at the North Missouri Arts Council. If you are in the area stop by and introduce yourself. The exhibit will be at 111 S. Main Street USA at the North Missouri Arts Council gallery in Marceline. 

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