Polo – Plein Air May 15

Barb Painting in Polo – Plein Air May 15; Oil on Canvas Panel 9″ x 12″

The Eagle’s Nest group decided to paint in Polo this day. The plan was to paint at or around Jan’s house. In my search for the days painting, I came upon this scene. I liked the shapes, the lines and the values. Thank goodness that Barb had selected this spot. Her position made for a great center of interest. Once Barb realized that she was a part of my painting, she managed to stay in this spot until I was nearly done with work. Other members were amazed that I got Barb to stay still that long.

The great part is that Barb finished three small watercolors while I did this painting. Barb admitted that having to stay in that one place forced her to paint a couple subjects that she probably would never have tackled. Barb was happy that she tried, and succeeded with the small works.

Stone Corner – Plein Air May 8

Shadows at Stone Corner, Oil on Canvas Panel 8″ x 10″

Southeast of Oregon is an area called Stone Corner. It is a farm known for its organic farming as well as the numerous piles of rocks (sculptures???). These gatherings of rocks are all over the property.

The Eagles Nest group decided to paint at this location. Many of the members had a hard time getting past the rocks. They could not seem to edit to find a scene or a design that would work.

I found this play of shadows and quickly set to work. A couple of the members were able to find something to paint. Others mulled around and chatted until lunchtime. Occasionally one or two would break away from the chit chat to check on our paintings. One viewer seemed upset that I did not include any the rock piles in my painting. I explained that my focus was not on the rocks and that I was not necessarily creating a portrait of this particular house. My focus was on the play of the light and shadows of this design. She did not seem to understand my explanation, but at least I was painting and she was not. So there.

After lunch, I decided to try to get one more painting done. A couple of the members were still painting, so I thought that I had enough time to paint without being the last member to leave. I spotted this old, rusted truck on the adjoining property. The early afternoon sun created challenges as did the clouds rolling through. As I finished this second work and started to pack my gear into the car I discovered that once again, I outlasted all of the other artists. I was the last to leave.

Trusted and Rusted, Oil on Canvas Panel 6″ x 8″

Plein Air April 24 Monroe Road Oregon

Monroe Road Oregon, Oil on Canvas Panel 9″ x 12″

The Eagles Nest Group had scheduled to meet at a farm just west of Oregon, Illinois at 9:00 am. I arrived at the address a few minutes after nine and did not see any of the other artists. Concerned that I might have the wrong address, I scouted out the neighboring farms. Still did not see any familiar faces. I made my way to a church parking lot and telephoned the woman who schedules our painting sites. Cindy indicated that she and one other artist were running late but would be at the location in a few minutes.

Waiting for the group to arrive,  I felt that I was missing some great cloud patterns and lighting effects. Rather than wait any longer for the others to arrive, I took a chance and decided to paint this scene from the front of the church lot. The church had some activity this morning. Fortunately they did not seem to mind me using their entrance to do this painting.

About twenty minutes into my painting, I noticed two of the Eagles Nest artists drive past on their way to the scheduled site, the farm next to the church. Glad that I was impatient and started my painting when I did.

Plein Air October 18

Plein Air October 18 #1, Oil on Canvas Panel 6" x 8"

Out to Oregon to meet friends at Fairgrounds Park. Clawed and I had to make a couple stops prior to getting out to Oregon. Arrived later than I wanted to. Only one other member was present.

Overcast/cloudy. Temperature in the low 40′s. Somewhat hazy, a view of the Blackhawk statue across the river was dull and lifeless. Lack of decent sunlight made for rather muted scenes. Most of the foliage was gone from the parks trees. After spending several minutes walking around, I decided to focus on this group of trees.

As I set up, I was approached by a couple of workers from the Oregon Park’s Department. They were curious about my set up and wanted to know about my photography. I had to explain that I was an artist, a painter. I had to show them the set up and the paints and the brushes. Their reactions read as though they couldn’t understand why someone would take the time to paint a scene when you could be much faster with a camera. They decided that it was time to get back to work. Just as well.

I set into painting this scene. Cynthia, the other member, also found a scene that was to her liking. After finishing our works we broke for lunch. In a way, Murphy’s Law prevailed. As we were completing lunch, the sun came out. Unfortunately, I had to get back to Rockford to attend to details for a couple of my watercolor classes.

Shadow Before

Shadow Before, Oil on Canvas 24" x 18"

A couple years ago, while painting en plein air, I witnessed this design. At the time, I was in the middle of a painting. Rather than break away and start a new painting, I made a few quick notes in my sketchbook and took a photo. There the idea sat, and simmered

I was looking for design to use as submission to a competition. I flipped through my sketch book and came across the sketches made that autumn afternoon. I reworked the idea a bit. I would like to have worked this in watercolor but due to a time factor, I created the work in oil.

The image has been sent to the competition. For now, I will have to wait to see if the design suits their exhibition.

Before the Entrance

Before the Entrance, Oil on Canvas 24" x 18"

Although the final colors of autumn were calling, I worked on this painting as a submission to a competition. I would rather have been outside trying to capture the last hurrah’s before the really cold stuff settles in, but deadlines are deadlines.

This is an idea that has been brewing for a few months. I witnessed this scene during the Fields Project in June.  I love to look up at the sides of these buildings just as I enter them. The patterns, the lines, the foreshortening get to me. I like to find these designs which most people do not see.

A forecast of rain for tomorrow. I hope that the rains and wind are calm, leaving a few leaves and colors for me to capture en plein air later this week.

Plein Air October 15

Plein Air - October 15 #1, Oil on Canvas Panel 6" x 8"

Plein Air - October 15 #2, Oil on Canvas Panel 6" x 8"

Plein Air - October 15 #3, Oil on Canvas Panel 6" x 8"

After a busy Friday evening at Rockford ArtScene (yea – one painting sold), I was awake early on Saturday morning to get down to Grand Detour for the Eagles Nest OPA Paint Out.

It was sunny but chilly. I arrived in Grand Detour about 8:00am. A couple of the women were busy setting up a table to greet guests who would join us for this event. I checked in, grabbed my gear and set off to find a scene to paint. It was amazing how much the colors had changed in just the four days since we were last in Grand Detour. I ventured across Rt. 2 to the Rock River. A few cars were present at the park,  but no other signs of people. I found a scene and got busy painting. Hard to hold your concentration when the light is shifting as fast as it does in the early morning. You have to capture the notes quickly and then fill in the rest.

With my first painting complete, I thought that I would venture back to the John Deere Homestead to find another scene. Gear packed up, I was set to leave when I looked around and saw another intriguing view. A spot along the river caught my interest. Quickly set up my paint box again and set to painting. While working, I heard a series of noises. It sounded like firecrackers. About the third time that it happened, I noticed that  following the blasts, geese would fly past. Duh – hunting season.

As I was painting, I had the feeling that I was being watched. I looked around and realized a friend of the group had come to photograph members of the event at work. Bob does a lot of photography, so you can never be sure how much might be for documenting the event and how much may be used for his own artistic endeavors.

I worked #2 by starting with a magenta outline and block in. The color came through subsequent paint applications and really played well with the blues and yellows.

On to find scene #3. I stopped by the greeter to have a doughnut and some hot apple cider. Found out that Barb was being very enterprising and managed to move some of the treats for donations to visitors of the John Deere homestead. Barb must have run some very profitable lemonade stands as a child.

I moved up the street from the homestead with thoughts of going the three or so blocks to the turn in the road to check out the possibilities. Never made it that far. Found a spot of interest, set up and started painting alongside the road. About fifteen minutes into my work, I noticed something at the bend of the road and realized that it was Dan, a member of our group, busy painting. I wonder what view he has? Bob showed up again and began snapping more photos.

As I was painting, I had to move my set up several times to stay within the shadows of a nearby tree. This kept the sun from shining directly on my canvas and blinding me. #3 completed, I started to work my way back toward the homestead. It was near noon and I knew that the group would be meeting for lunch. A chance to view each others work and enjoy some fellowship. On the way back, I noticed several more choice scenes. Unfortunately, not enough time to capture them all. A few quick photographs may help, but will never replace the opportunity to paint directly from life.

Fun time during lunch. Bob showed up again (that guy was everywhere, although, to be fair, Grand Detour is not that big). More photos. A few members asked to see the works which I had completed. Ego boost. Pull the works out, one of which was still in my paint box, a Guerrilla Box. Ego crush. Several of the painters were more interested in my paint gear than in my paintings (way to go Judson’s Art Outfitters).

Lunch over, I packed up and headed home. On the way, a quick stop at the Soap Shoppe in Oregon. A few treats for Helen (Sweetest Day ya know). Home. Unpack the car, clean up my paint box and brushes. Shower, ate an early dinner and then on to Bennie’s for the second night of Rockford ArtScene ( Boo, no sales Saturday).

No trouble falling to sleep Saturday night.

Note: Good news – a few days after the paint out, I received an e-mail. Someone that had seen us at work was interested in the paintings completed that day. They purchased two of my works. Paintings #2 and #3 have found a home.

Alongside the Rock River, working on my second painting.

At work on #2

Not much gear required to paint these scenes.

At work along Illinois Street in Grand Detour

Also along Illinois Street. The folks of the town were nice enough to let us invade their yards without incident.

Painting #3 nearing completion. I had to move a few times to keep from having the sun shine onto my painting.

A photo of the hard core painters on this chilly day.

Plein Air October 11

Plein Air - October 11 #1, Oil on Canvas Panel 6" x 8"

Plein Air - October 11 #2, Oil on Canvas Panel 6" x 8"

The Eagles Nest group decided to go back to Grand Detour for another session before the October 15 OPA Paint Out. I arrived early, a rarity, and found a spot just off of the parking lot, looking north from the John Deere homestead. Great range of colors and great light. The toughest part of the painting was to stick with the original light and shadows. As the sunlight shifted through the scene, different trees and colors caught my eye (no, it didn’t hurt). I could have stayed at that spot and painted another version of the same design based upon different light/shadow patterns but I decided to move on. Maybe I will use this spot again at Saturday’s paint out.

I walked west from the homestead. About a half a block past, I turned around and liked the view of these trees which set on the north side of the settlement. I didn’t like the looks of the design with the road, so I took it out. Same for the administration house which would invade the right side of this design. Out. In some respects a boring picture, but it was fun to paint. Loved the colors and I finished in time to join the others for lunch. So many possible scenes around this village and so little time. The colors change quickly.

Plein Air October 4

Plein Air - October 4 #1, Oil on Canvas Panel 6" x 8"

Plein Air - October 4 #2, Oil on Canvas Panel 6" x 8"

Knowing that our spectacular autumn colors would be short lived, I planned to get as much plein air time as possible. With watercolor classes in full swing, that meant I had to make a few sacrifices such as getting images photoed and onto this blog. So here goes a few of my recent adventures.

Our Eagles Nest group was meeting in Grand Detour to paint. We wanted to scout out locations for the upcoming Oil Painters of America Paint Out scheduled for October 15. Great colors already. Too many great designs. Two of us set immediately to painting. A couple of the women met with and took a quick tour with the manager at the John Deere homestead. One women did a smart thing and just walked around the homestead grounds and the surrounding community and took loads of reference photographs.

I selected to paint a scene looking at one of the buildings from just off of the homestead grounds. Clawed found a nice pile of leaves and made himself comfortable. I took some liberties with the placement of a window. Initially had some difficulty getting the colors I saw. I worked at it, scraped a bit off, put some more in place and eventually felt content enough to call #1 complete.

I was ready to leave this spot but took a moment to turn around. I liked the view of the trees. Didn’t like the design with part of the house in it. So I removed the house and improvised a little bit. I am an artist. I can do that. And so I did. #2 completed.

Plein Air – Pines Road

Plein Air - September 20 #1, Oil on Canvas Panel 6" x 8"

Plein Air September 20 #2, Oil on Canvas Panel 6" x 8"

Plein air at the scout camp again. This time we all found the site without incident. Another fine day of painting. The painting of the shed was done on a panel toned in Rose Madder, a lively, pinkish red. The rose showing through the greens really pops.