Clouds Over Limestone Road

Clouds Over Limestone Road – Oil on Canvas – 12″ x 12″

Fall of 2017, I did a small plein air painting of this scene. The roll of the road along this farm is what caught my attention. The original painting stopped just above the trees. Soon after I completed the plein air work, one of the galleries requested this work for display. Unfortunately, the work sat at the gallery never to find an owner.

Rise on Limestone Road – Plein Air – Oil on Linen Panel – 8″ x 10″

I retrieved the original work late summer. I left the work on display in my studio where I could see it. I thought that the design might be interesting if I played with a more dramatic sky. I am currently working on a larger version of this for the galleries and have already thought up another idea for this design. More to come.

 

Before the Flair

Before the Flair – Oil on Canvas – 16″ x 20″

Decided to create a work with some dramatic color as well as a subject which might appeal to Woodwalk Gallery clientele. I utilized a plein air oil sketch of Anderson Dock, the boats and distant peninsula. I used a photo reference for the sunset. The boats at the left margin gave me a challenge. I needed the boats to read but needed to subdue the value of the reflected light.

 

Oak Ridge July

Oak Ridge – Oil on Canvas – Plein Air – 11″ x 14″

After spending a frustrating day painting in the heat a couple days earlier, I ventured out to paint at a park that had held fair inspiration in the past. It had been a couple years since I painted at Oak Ridge.

Arrived and had to scrap my anticipated design. An oak tree that sat prominently along the river was no longer there. Heavy rains a few days earlier yielded a high waterline and negated the opportunity to get a favorable river view. As I played with ideas for capturing the river, this view of one of the field trees caught my attention.

The sky was overcast. I figured that it could be interesting and opportunistic if the conditions changed offered cloud patterns. My wish eventually came through. I worked the trees and meadow nearly to completion, when the sky began to break Before I could complete the painting, the clouds gave way to clear skies. With the sun to my back, the glare was too much. Back in the studio, about twenty minutes of fine tuning was all it took to finish this work.

Barn Along Beaverton Road

Barn Along Beaverton Road – Oil on Canvas – Plein Air – 8″ x 10″

Looking at an area map, I noted a road which I had not yet explored. Nothing really popped. Came upon a small gap in a thickly forested spot. Gave me a glimpse of this barn and that was about it. Not much time available so I tackled this scene with a small canvas. The road was fairly quiet yet I felt safe I will be back for additional painting ventures.

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).

 

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.