First Place Award – Regional Survey

Clouds Over Grange Hall 3 – Oil on Canvas – 48″ x 36″

Thrilled to share news that my painting, Clouds Over Grange Hall 3, was awarded First Place at The Regional Survey of Art 14 sponsored by The Next Picture Show, Dixon, IL.

This work is a meld of two sketches. I have created several paintings of this farm. I have created paintings of the different buildings and have created a couple “longscapes” which capture the feeling of the land. I though that it would be fun to take this farm and place it in the presence of a very dominant sky. I grabbed a couple sketches and photos from a sky I witnessed earlier and merged them with this farm. I guess it worked. (The preliminary design sketch, 20″ x 16″ is also available).

 

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Baxter Road

Baxter Road – Plein Air – Oil on Oil Primed Linen Panel – 8″ x 10″

One of the last relatively mild days of autumn. Ambled my way to this road. Thought that I had a good subject, a homestead down the road to the left. Spent several minutes making thumbnail sketches to test designs. None of the designs was working for me. Then it occurred to me that the view ahead of me would work.

Clouds Over Bloomberg

Clouds Over Bloomberg – Plein Air – Oil on Canvas Panel – 8″ x 10″

Traveled out to paint assuming that I would aim to capture a view of a field of recently harvested hay. As I made my thumbnail sketches, I could not help but notice the clouds rolling through. Changed my direction and took to painting this view. Perhaps a little to close to the road, but I survived.

Grange Hall Sky

Grange Hall Sky – Plein Air – Oil on Canvas Panel – 8″ x 16″

A small study started early last autumn. Due to time constraints, I was unable to complete the sky. It has been sitting in my studio, haunting me since then. A few weeks ago, I decided to take action. The sky was offering some fun cloud patterns, so I grabbed my gear and the panel and headed out to capture the sky and coplete this painting. Works for me.

Clouds Over Sisson’s

Clouds Over Sisson’s – Oil on Canvas Panel – 6″ x 8″

Played with the basic design from Grange Hall Road. Utilized the barn and had fun playing with clouds.

Rolling on the Kishwaukee

Rolling on the Kishwaukee – Plein Air – Oil on Canvas Panel – 8″ x 10″

Ventured over to Blackhawk Preserve to paint. Fortunately, clouds formed to the north and, for the most part, stayed consistent for the two hours I painted. As I was finishing the painting and starting to break down my equipment, a pick-up truck rolled to a stop. I knew what was coming, or so I thought. Rather than questions concerning what I was doing, the driver began to tell me about the river and how as a boy the river was much deeper (I am sure he was smaller as a boy) and how he and his father used to fish in this park. As I finished packing my stuff, he wished me a good day, started his truck and drove away.

July on Grange Hall Road

July on Grange Hall Road – Plein Air – Oil on Canvas Panel – 12 x 24

Last autumn, I did a reference painting from this spot. It was small, 8″ x 16″, and concentrated on the buildings and foreground. Sky was left unfinished. Regretted that I did not complete the piece. Did use it as a basis for a few paintings during the winter.

Decided to return and work one to completion. The challenge on this work was all the summer green. Had to work warm tones in to combat the monotony. Already thinking about getting out here again this autumn when the earth tones of the ripened and harvested fields will dominate the design.