Bottle and Jar

Here's a quick little still life I did last night.

Bottle and Jar
8" x 8", oil on masonite

Connections

Here's a small plein air piece I did today. How 'bout that sunshine! Huh? It's about time. I walked in a creek forever, got muddy, got into thorns at different times, ended up frustrated, set up and painting a horrible mess, wiped it off, turned around and painted this. Still not great by any means, but better than the first one.

"Connections"
9" x 12", oil on panel

Winter Morning

Here's a small one of a scene behind our house. Adding a close-up. Thanks for looking.

"Winter Morning"
9" x 12", oil on panel

Burbank Tracks

Here's a small one from Google Street View that I did tonight. Tried to work fast and treat it as a plein air piece. The address is 452 N. Front Street in Burbank, California. The overpass is W. Magnolia Blvd. with the Golden State Highway behind me. I was inspired to check out this area from Bill Wray's recent plein air outings I've read about on his blog.

9" x 12", oil on masonite

Thistles and Gnats

Here's one that wasn't much fun. I constantly fought a cloud of black gnats that swarmed around my head. UGH! Next time I'll just pack it up instead of dealing with them. If you look close you can see a few embedded in the painting. Serves 'em right!

"Thistles"
9" x 12", oil on masonite, plein air

Backyard Flowers

I had good intentions of painting today. And even though the sky was partly cloudy, with the sun peeking in and out, I decided to give it a try. I went to the farm of a friend and started to paint an old farmhouse on the property. Well, the sky opened up and I got drenched, even though my vehicle was right next to me; just trying to get all my stuff out of the rain. I waited a few minutes, the rain stopped, I set back up, got a couple of strokes laid, and it started again. So I gave up on that location for the day.

After I got back home, the rain ended, and I painted some flowers in my backyard. I have no idea what they're called.

"Backyard Flowers"
8" x 10", oil on masonite, plein air

Shed

Did this plein air this afternoon in my backyard, looking toward my neighbor's shed.

8" x 10", oil on masonite, plein air

Spring Woods

Did this one in the Little Renox area of Cumberland County, Kentucky early this afternoon. Had fun except for the ticks.

9" x 12", oil on masonite, plein air

3 new plein air paintings

I did these three while we were on a short vacation to the Smoky Mountains this week. The girls were swimming at a huge indoor waterpark with 1000 other kids, mostly screaming. :) So I took a few breaks and tried to paint some of the natural beauty of the area.

The top one was at the river between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Talked to quite a few tourists that kept sneaking up behind me. This one I painted with brushes.

The middle one was next, painted with a palette knife. It was on the same river but back into Pigeon Forge next to the Old Mill.

The last one was done next to our hotel. Looking back toward town. Again with a palette knife.

These are the first plein air paintings I've tried with the knife. I liked it. Really made me simplify. Comments are always welcome.

Salt Lick Barn - Plein Air

Did this plein air piece today. Below you'll see it after the initial lay in of dark on my toned masonite board. Below that you can see my daughter working on, and then proudly showing off, her painting.

Seattle Hydrant

Not part of the ongoing State Series, but instead done (with brushes for a change) for the Virtual Paintout blog project for March. If you haven't checked it out yet, make sure to do so. The more participating the better! Any medium is okay except for computer created/generated. Simply follow the link above or to the right in the sidebar.

Bear Creek Study

Hothead

This one is the perfect example of how best laid plans can go awry. As you can see by the blurry pic of my palette below, I had entertained thoughts of a strong red presence in the painting. Specifically the water tower to the right. It just didn't work, taking away the area of focus, which is the train of course. Scraped that part and toned it way down. Why didn't I see this when laying out my palette and planning the painting? Will this knowledge come with old age?

Invisible

Making the Turn

Rylea Beth #1

Will re-post the pic after revisions.

This is my first attempt at painting a portrait. I set up a cool light in front of her and a warm light behind. Don't know why...I suppose just to confuse myself. Painted from a photograph, she can't sit still long enough to paint.

Baby Sarah and Rubber Duck

My daughter's favorite doll. Painted alla prima from life. My first still life. It was much harder than I thought it might be, but a lot of fun.

The Strap

Painted this one alla prima from a photograph taken at my wife's open house event she had a couple of weeks ago. I really liked the position of the figure and thought it might make a good figure study.

Rockhouse Cabin

Retired

Did this plein air piece this afternoon. This old schoolbus hasn't carried any passengers for quite some time. Unless varmits count, of course.