SPRING LIGHT EFFECTS, 11x14 oil

Early Spring in Codorus State Park was spectacular today.  The trees are just flowering and some green under brush is showing.  I picked this site with it's long shadows crossing the path and the orange/pink color in the flowering tree.

THE SHERFY BARN, Gettysburg, 16x20 oil

The Sherfy barn sits on the Gettysburg battlefield surrounded by pastures and fields.   

SALTBOX COTTAGE, 11x14, oil by Sharon Benner

I have been painting Gettysburg battlefield landscapes to exhibit at Gallery 30 in Gettysburg during the 150th anniversary. The town will be celebrating all summer 2013. This little house is off Tanytown Rd. on the edge of the battlefield. I will have to ride by to find out who lived there during the battle. I will change the name then.

DOWNED TREES, oil, 11x14

November 11, Veterans Day, and I found these two trees hanging over into Lake Marburg, Codorus State Park.  I guess they are down due to the recent tropical storm "Sandy."  

SUNSET COLORS, 11x14, oil

Late Summer sunsets are always strong and make for a beautiful background.  This is painted looking across Lake Marburg above the sail boat launch area.   

CONVERGING WATERS, 11x14 oil

A cold Fall day when your bones get cold.  This painting was done in my studio and I used a reference  pastel study I did last year on location at a fellow artist's property.  I love to paint small, intimate scenes and I especially like to paint the small creeks that criss cross South Central Pa.

THE RIFLEMAN, graphite, 12x16

This is a drawing of a civil war re-enactor who was checking the sight on his rifle.

A MONET MOMENT, 20x16 oil

The Monet poster hangs in my studio and usually I hang fabric on it to create a back drop for my still life paintings.  I couldn't decide on a fabric so I just put in the poster.  I like the cool hard surface of the pitcher in contrast to the softness of the Monet.  

MY REALLY BIG PALLET

Many artists and people who watch me paint when I'm on location have asked me why I use such a large pallet.  Well, as you can see, I need the space to mix all those juicy colors I use.  I have had this pallet for 30 + years and probably couldn't paint without it.  I do use a full spectrum of colors, warm and cool of each primary color and then I add some exotic colors for a little excitement in my work. 

FROSTED GLASS AND VELVET, 16x12, oil

Glass that is frosted is handled a little differently, much like a cloudy day landscape, the values are closer together and there is very little reflection.  The velvet fabric makes for a soft composition. 

HAY BALES, 14x15, oil

The farm behind my house had their 20 acres cut and baled and they did it in two days.  The machines and tractors were very efficient and the pastures were empty in no time.  I wanted to paint this scene en plein air, but they took all the bales away so quickly that I had to paint from my photo.

SPRING BUSH, 9x12 oil

Painted at artist Vivian Brandler's farm.  The day was sunny, then cloudy and very windy and cold.  I hope to return another day when the weather is warmer and the trees are in leaf.

HILLSIDE SYCAMORE, Oil, 24x18

 

Another day of reworking paintings.  This may be the final going over of this painting.  I may put in a few more small limbs.