Maramec Waterfall

I am painting another little slice of heaven today!  Maramec Springs is absolutely one of my favorite places to paint, and today finds me on the hatchery side of the falls.  I stood just barely off the trail to get this view of rocks and rushing water.  I love to really study my subject with close observation as I near the finish.  Stepping back for a distant view is critical to deciding what to keep and what needs softening.  I had to pay attention to that stepping back today - or I would have been swimming with the fishes!  Baby trout, that is!  Painting number 2981 in 2981 days. 

Winter Barn Herefords

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It seems I am always running out is panels and frames!  So,  I painted this scene on top of another previously painted in Augusta!  Fully intending to paint the background barn out, I ended up leaving it, though I may tweak it tomorrow.  It could be pushed back a little.  I'll take a look tomorrow with fresh eyes!  I thought I'd finish in time to run by a favorite creek, but alas, I did not!  Painting number 2255 in 2255 days.

Barn at the Creek

A couple days ago, we found this wonderful barn down by a run off creek. The twist of water was inviting, as was the rich, late winter foliage.  I pulled an older birch panel for this one, and the priming was very rough and porous.  It soaked up the paint as it wore down my brushes, which are already on their last hairs!  I think this still needs work, but I'm going to let it rest tonight and see what calls to me tomorrow!  Painting number 2238 in 2238 days.

Red Roof Barn in Snow

The palette of winter is soft and earthy, a challenge every day to find it's true colors.  The shifts from warm to cool are subtle, and reflected light is everywhere as it bounces off the snow.  I brought all four of my new Richeson browns loaded on my palette, when I headed to Ohio.  I'm now out of them all.  I am once again mixing my browns, mindful of my favorite colors, to make them last.  The ochres, blues, and violets are prevalent in this landscape.  I lost the light before truly finishing, so I will check this again in the daylight tomorrow.  Painting number 2230 in 2230 days.

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Firefighter Tribute

There was a special challenge for the Paint Parkville event this year, a collection of fireman's tools against the backdrop of the fire truck.  Using both brush and knife, I painted this in oil.  It is very meaningful to work on something like this for our first responders, who put their lives on the line every day.  Always great to mix things up, and a nice change of pace to get in the studio!   Painting number 2096 in 2096 days.

Award of Distinction Still Life
Paint Parkville 2018

Golden Hour Grazing

There is something so peaceful about painting cattle in the pasture.  Their slow and rhythmic grazing relaxes me as I paint. Whenever painting animals, I sketch their shape in quickly with paint, adding more values as they hold position.  If one shifts out of position, I move on to the next, returning as each gets back to their pose. These scenes always remind me of my grandma's farm and of my Uncle Richard's farm, and the hours of play in the country.  I still love playing outside, only now I'm using paint! Painting number 1700 in 1700 days!  WOWZA!