Friday, December 30, 2011

SOUTHWEST POTTERY, Oil, 14x15

I decided to make some changes to this still life because I thought it needed some drama with more darks behind the yellow vase.  The photo I took closed in on the center of interest and I'm much happier with it.  Now I just need to stop painting on it and let it dry so I can varnish and frame it for a spring show.

YELLOW BARN, 11x14, Oil

I make some changes to this painting of my neighbor's barn.  It seemed to need some more distant background on the right side behind the far fence.  I think it made the barn and the blue tractor stand out and take center stage as I intended.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

HILLSIDE SYCAMORE (9 x 12, Pastel study)

The barren landscape can be challenging but the white native sycamore trees stand out against the hillside.  I plan on studying tree skeleton and shapes this winter.

COUNTRY CHARM, 9x12, Pastel

I painted this pastel 9 x 12 en plein air on a chilly day in Nov.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

ROUND ISLAND II, 8x10, Oil

Painted at Cordorus State Park in Sept.  This island is a favorite nesting place for bald eagles.  Canoeing and kayaking around the island is a popular activity.  This was painted late in the day.  

SUNLIGHT AND SHADOWS, 18x12, Pastel

A pastel painting that I unframed and repainted.  I can do this with pastel and often do in the winter months.  Reworking a painting is a great way to learn new techniques to improve a painting.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Smoke House, Gettysburg, 9x12, Oil

Painted in August at a farm on the Battlefield in Gettysburg.  This painting along with four other plein air paintings will be exhibited at the Mechanicsburg Art Center's Susquehanna Valley Plein Air Painters show for the month of December, 2011.  18 Artcraft Rd. Mechanicsburg, Pa.