Nygren Morning

Nygren Morn, Oil on Masonite 12" x 24"

Several months ago, I created plein air works at Nygren Wetland Preserves. Several of the works are still at my studio. Occasionally, I place these works around the studio. They help to set a mood when I paint and often give me ideas for future works.

One of the Nygren works caught my attention. I decided to play with the design and change the format. I also took on an additional challenge. Instead of canvas, I decided to work on a gessoed Masonite panel. Slick stuff.

As I painted and adjusted to this different surface, I got lost in my work. Helen reminded me that we were expected at a friends house for dinner, and we should be leaving soon. I “needed” to get to a stopping point before I quit for the evening. It seemed that the harder I tried to hit a stopping point, the more elusive it became.

Eventually I found a stop, quickly cleaned up my equipment, then myself. Made to the friends only a few minutes late. Great dinner, fun conversations, and then a game in which one of the friends present taught us a new spelling for the last name of the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback – Rothslickburger. And you thought that it was  Roethlisberger.

February Oil Workshop

Nygren Path, Oil on Canvas 11" x 14"

Last Saturday I conducted an oil painting workshop at The Next Picture Show in Dixon Illinois. Bonnie Kime, the executive director, asked that I center the workshop on trees and shadows. After the winter which we have had to this point, I agreed that it would be a good idea to remind folks of warmer days to come.

Driving down to Dixon was tough. As I stated, we have had a lot of snow and a lot of very cold days this winter. The weather has not been very conducive to plein air painting. It seems that when we have had relatively warm days, it has been cloudy or overcast, thus no shadows. The days that have offered bright sunshine and strong shadows have tended to be bitterly, if not dangerously, cold. I am longing to get back outdoors to paint. This day, we were anticipating temperatures in the 30′s. The morning offered clear skies and bright sun. During the ride down to Dixon, I witnessed scene after scene which offered great painting possibilities. I wanted to be out painting.

I arrived at The Next Picture Show and set up my gear. We were expecting ten to thirteen students for the workshop. We ended up with ten. They were a great group of artists and asked a lot of good questions. Really kept me on my toes. Several of the students were familiar with painting in watercolors and were trying to grasp the change to oils.

Small talk while waiting for the rest of the students to arrive.

I brought four of my plein air paintings as examples. Before the class I prepared a couple of small studies to illustrate how I advance from initial drawing through my initial block in. I used one of my plein air paintings as a model to create a demonstration painting. The demonstration moved swift and smooth. I finished the painting shortly before noon. The students broke for lunch and then spent the afternoon painting.

It was fun working with the students. The most challenging moments occurred when students voiced concerns about their paintings. Moments when their confidence waned. Initially, I encouraged them to work through the challenge. They had good starts and were just in need of a few modifications. Eventually, when I feared that they might “throw in the towel”, I had to give into my temptation and punch up the focal points of their paintings. At a point, perhaps after the first few brushstrokes, they realized that their painting was taking on a life which they thought was not there. They realized just how close they were to getting it. An “Aha” moment. These opportunities really work my skills too. Love the challenge.

The workshop ended, I packed up my gear and headed home. Quick clean up and then I took Helen out for our Valentines Day dinner and then dessert at Chocolate by Daniel.  Oh yeah, I got points for that move.

Quick painting (6" x 8") done for the students to demonstrate how to develop volume in a tree.

A little 6" x 8" study to exhibit the drawing stage of my design.

A small 6" x 8" study to exhibit the block in stage of my design.

Field Flowers

Nygren Florals, Oil on Gessoed Paper 8" x 6"

Cold, windy and several errands and tasks to complete so I decided to work on a small painting and then get to the other tasks at hand. I opted to work from one of the photos Helen took while we were working at the Nygren Wetland Preserves this past July. I sketched the scene and blocked in my initial colors. As I was ready to start applying body paint, I made a decision to abandon my brushes and work the painting using only palette knives. Perhaps not the best painting, but it was fun to play this way. You never know where it will lead. Hope it drys enough to frame and display at my exhibit at The Next Picture Show.

Images and Impressions

Display of Plein Air paintings at The Next Picture Show

Looking for a unique gift this Christmas season? An exhibit of more than two dozen on my Plein Air oil paintings is on display and available for sale at The Next Picture Show in Dixon Illinois (www.thenextpictureshow.com). The gallery is located at 113 W. First Street in Dixon Illinois (telephone 815-285-4924). This display will run December 1 – 15, 2010.

The two dozen plus framed original oil paintings  on display were created on location (not in a studio) at various sites in Winnebago and Ogle counties. These works have a more impressionistic feel about them.

In addition to the framed works displayed on the walls, more than two dozen miniature (6” x 8”) unframed works will also be available. These smaller works will make for great stocking stuffer’s this Christmas.

Nygren – Main Trail

Nygren - Main Trail, Oil on Canvas 9" x 12"

My oil painting titled, Nygren – Main Trail, received a third place award at the Nygren Wetland Preserves Juried Exhibition. The exhibition is at the Burpee Museum of Natural History through November 30, 2010.

This was an interesting competition. The Nygren Wetland Preserves is celebrating their ten year anniversary this year. They decided to conduct an art competition as part of their celebration. Initially, this competition was stipulated as a plein air competition (paintings to be created entirely on location). All artists and photographers would be competing for one prize (photographers competing in a plein air competition- really??? ). During the first weekend that the preserve was available for artists, due to heat and humidity, the organization decided to allow artists the option to take photographs on location and create paintings in the comfort of their studios (okay?). The organization later decided to create additional prizes, so that more artists could be rewarded for their labors. They also decided to add separate prize categories for painters and photographers.

It is interesting to see the many different ways which artists and photographers interpret and convey the essence of this natural environment.

Nygren Juried Art Exhibition

I have received word that both of my submissions were accepted into the Nygren Wetland Preserve Juried Art Exhibit. The exhibit will open with a public reception on Friday September 24 from 7 – 9 pm. The exhibit will be at the Milton W. Mahlburg Auditorium of the Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 North Main Street, Rockford (www.burpee.org).  Voting for the Peoples Choice Award will take place from 7 -8:30pm. The Best of Show award will also be presented that night. The exhibit runs through November 30, 2010. There is no admission fee to visit the gallery.

Nygren-Main Trail, Oil on Canvas 9" x 12"

Path to Raccoon Creek, Oil on Canvas 16" x 20"

Nygren Week 4

Path to Raccoon Creek, Oil on Canvas 16" x 20"

Submission date for the Nygren Wetlands Plein Air competition is fast approaching. I was given an opportunity to spend time Saturday morning to get one last painting completed. I arrived shortly before 8 am and was told that I was the only artist present this day. The front gate would be closed while I painted to prevent other people from entering through the main entrance. I expected to be the only person in the nature preserve and proceeded to  scout a spot for painting. I ventured about as far as I could in my car to the savanna by Oxbow Lake. Although several possibilities appealed to me, I settled on the view looking towards the footbridge which crosses Raccoon Creek. I set up my easel in the path and worked facing my subject with my car a few feet behind me.

Although I missed the security I feel when I am painting with Clawed Monet, I enjoyed the solitude. As I worked, the sounds of nature surrounded me. Leaves rustling in the wind, birds calling from the trees and bushes, frogs along the shoreline, an occasional critter scurrying through the brush. The only sound that I could attribute to humans was that of an outboard motor boat troweling  Raccoon Creek and later Oxbow Lake. That is, until I was shocked when I received a greeting from a man that was standing by my car. For a brief moment I thought that I heard dueling banjos, but it was just my heart skipping a few beats.  Turns out that this fellow had parked his car by the observation tower and was hiking the park to obtain some photographs.

My breathing returned to normal, my hands steadied and I returned to working on my painting. Now I took a quick peak whenever I heard sounds just to ensure that it was nature and not another human surprise.

I have enjoyed the opportunity to spend time painting at the Nygren Wetlands Preserve. This facility would offer great subject matter throughout the changing seasons. Now the hard part. I have completed eight paintings at Nygren, but can only submit two for consideration by the review committee. I have until September 10 to choose my works.  Decisions, decisions.  I hope that I choose the right ones. Any suggestions?

By September 14th, I will let you know if my works passed the review committee and are selected for this exhibition. Wish me luck.

Site photo for my painting.

First stage of my painting. Yeesh - what a mess. Or is it?

Stage 2 - A little over an hour into the painting.

Painting Stage 3 - Coming together

Path to Raccoon Creek, Oil on Canvas 16" x 20"

Nygren Plein Air Week 3

Ann Meyer Garden Prairie, Oil on Canvas 16" x 20"

I received an e-mail early last week indicating that the Nygren Wetland Preserve would allow us artists a chance to paint in the park on Saturday morning. The weather forecast was for sun and heat.

I arrived at the preserve at about 7:40am. Although the gates were open, there was no sign of anyone.  Rather than venture too far into the park, I found a nice spot near the entrance, the Ann Meyer Garden Prairie.  I set up my easel and realized that I had to get the bug spray on…and quickly. Following the first application of repellent, I discovered that I had missed a few spots. The spots where all the mosquito’s were congregating.  Second dousing did the trick. No more bug problems, but no way to avoid the sun.

I decided to be bold and attempt a larger work on location, a 16″ x 20″ canvas. I hoped to be able to complete this larger location work in about two hours. Wishful thinking.

Except for a break to apply some sunblock and the occasional water break, I worked without interruption.  I enjoyed my time painting but I was unable to complete my vision within my 2 hour goal. By late morning, the temperature was in the upper 80′s. It took me about 3-1/2 hours to complete my painting.

Although the larger works pose more challenges, it is enjoyable and the results are promising. I plan attempt plein air on more 16″ x 20″ canvases and larger.

Ann Meyer Garden Prairie Site.

Ann Meyer Painting after the Block-in

Ann Meyer Garden Prairie about an 1-1/4 hours into the painting

Ann Meyer Garden Prairie, Oil on Canvas 16" x 20"

Nygren Plein Air Second Week

Nygren-Main Trail, Oil on Canvas Panel 9" x 12"

This weekend, July 16, 17 and 18, Nygren Wetland Preserve hosted their annual Wildflower Festival. Artists were advised that Nygren expected a lot of visitors and we should not plan to paint at the preserve on Saturday.

I ventured out to Nygren on Friday morning. I was allowed to drive my gear into the preserve (thank you Nygren management) and located a nice spot along the main trail. The drive runs between the Dry Prairie/Mesic Prairie and the Savanna. It was hot, humid and there were a fair number of hikers taking in the wildflowers and wildlife.

I finished my first painting in about two hours. I scouted some other possibilities in the immediate area and broke for lunch under what little shade I could find by my Blazer. While eating, a worker appeared. She unloaded and set-up equipment in a large party tent nearby. I figured that they might be preparing for guests that afternoon. As I did not care to get in the way, or midst, of thicker crowds. I packed up and decided to see what I could create out of the view from the Observation Tower site.

The Observation Tower area seemed quiet enough. The spot overlooks the Wet Prairie. The view offered woods, water, prairie, wildlife and, if strategically maneuvered, some shade while painting. I was surprised by the number of people that ventured  into the tower for a view while I painted. Another challenge of painting from this site was the heat. By the afternoon, temps in the 90′s, the alkyd oil paint set and got tacky rather quickly. I can not complain or fret, it’s just one more distraction of plein air painting (along with bugs, sun, wind, sweat, fatigue and gawkers).

Following are some photos from Fridays plein air painting session.

Photo of the main trail at Nygren

Nygren Main Trail in Progress

 

Nygren_Main Trail, Oil on Canvas Panel 9" x 12"

Nygren Observation Tower Waterway

Nygren-Observation Tower Waterway, Oil on Canvas Panel 9" x 12"

Nygren Plein Air

Helen with me at Nygren Wetland Preserves

This past weekend, Helen and I spent time painting on location at the Nygren Wetland Preserve in Rockton, Illinois. I am entered in a competition to produce paintings of the preserve “en plein air”.The concept of plein air is to create works on location as opposed to going back and working at an indoor studio. As an artist, you race to capture the light. You move quickly as you do not have time to waste. You have no time to “overthink” your decisions. The work becomes an immediate response to the stimulus. The results become much more impressionistic. Freer and less stiff.

The competition kicked off July 10 and will run through early September. By September 11, I will be able to submit two of my works for consideration to be included in the competition/exhibition. On Friday September 24, for those of you that live in the Rockford Illinois area or have a strong desire to come visit our fair city, I may need your help. The exhibit opens to the public at 7:00pm. Between 7:00 to 9:00pm, you will get to submit votes for your favorite painting in the competition. A Peoples Choice monetary award will go to the artist whose work receives the most votes. I hope that you will vote for my work. Perhaps you can vote as, I am told, they do in Chicago – early and often.

Anyway, my initial impressions of Nygren were not as promising as I had hoped. The area adjacent to the entrance and parking lot offered minor inspiration and we were told that, to get into the preserve, they would drive us into the preserve on their “gator” (a two person, motorized four wheeler). To save time and effort, I set up my gear near the main entrance to paint a scene.  Helen moved around and spent time sketching some of the wildflowers that were in full bloom. After I finished a small painting, we drove our car over to check out the possibilities from the Observation Tower site then take a break for lunch. Upon return to Nygren that afternoon, the staff allowed us to drive our gear into the preserve. This consideration saved us from having to manually lug all our gear around the preserve. It also enabled us to easily get into some remote areas and really absorb a feel for the landscape at Nygren. It was quiet, peaceful and we gradually found more designs and ideas than we could possibly draw or paint during a few short hours on location.

Saturday afternoon, we set up near one of the signature oak trees and painted a scene which included the wet prairie. Sunday, we decided to spend more time interpreting scenes near that same Oak tree. We continued to discover design possibilities.

Painting along the Mesic Prairie

During our painting sessions on Saturday and Sunday, we witnessed only a handful of  other artists committing their impressions to canvas or paper. There seemed to be a lot of photographers (which is a whole other concern – more on that later) walking the paths and working their cameras. On one hand, we enjoyed a lot of uninterrupted painting time and the ability to work uncrowded. On the other hand, it seemed a shame that more artists had not taken advantage of this opportunity.

I am hoping to get more time at Nygren to create some additional paintings. This should increase my odds of creating some good paintings. The committee at Nygren Preserve is trying to come up with additional dates for us to paint on location. For now, I hope you enjoy our pics from last weekends work.

Nygren-Dry Prairie Morning, Oil on Canvas Panel 9" x 12"

Photo of the Scene used for Wet Prairie

Nygren-Wet Prairie, Oil on Canvas Panel 9" x 12"

Photo of Scene used for Oak at Wet Prairie

Painting Oak at Wet Prairie in process

Nygren-Oak at Wet Prairie, Oil on Canvas Panel 9" x 12"

Scene used for painting Dry Prairie

At work on the painiting Dry Prairie

Dry Prairie painting in process

Nygren-Dry Prairie, Oil on Canvas Panel 9" x 12"

Helen's attempting to paint with a visitor. I guess that her painting looked so real, she had this bug fooled.