bug

acrylic  24" x 30" on canvas

It took another child and a few more years for me to get ready to try the larger format pop art style again. I knew shortly after she was born that I would do another one of these for her. So, I waited until she was about the same age that "moo" was when I did her painting. Even after that time arrived I was reluctant to make another attempt. With the time that passed between these two paintings, I was not sure that I would remember how I arrived at the look that would still define who it was but still be the correct style. Again, there were several iterations, however, this painting seemed easier. I was no longer having the same difficulty with the color shift or in getting the tones I was looking for. Actually, the real challenge was in choosing the correct background that would work with the different skin and hair color. I ended up painting five small sketches of various combinations before the choice was made. This painting ( finished 9/27/09 ) completes my own internal promise: two girls - two paintings, both done in the same style and at the same point in their lives. Perhaps I will add more paintings to this series at different phases as they continue to grow.

moo

acrylic  24" x 30"  on canvas

Finished on October 15, 2003, this was a painting of my oldest daughter done in a pop art sort of style. The goal was to keep only the shapes that would identify the face as hers. It took many iterations of sketches to get the look I wanted and still retain the cartoonish appearance. In addition,this was the first larger painting I had ever attempted using acrylic. There was a definate learning curve with the color shift that happens as acrylics dry. I was relieved to have this one finished at the time. It seemed to be more work than I thought it would be when I started. I was and am still happy with the results.

Early Morning

Watercolor 12" x 16" on Arches 140lb cold press - November 1996

This was my first attempt to do an entire painting using only two colors. I limited the selection to french ultramarine and burnt sienna ( both from Winsor & Newton ) - then I cheated and added a small amount of cobalt violet in the background in the horizen line area. I guess I just couldn't help myself. I was, however, happy with the cooler look in the background. It makes all rest seem even warmer which is what I was after.

This painting was taken from a photo I took just at daybreak on an early summer morning. There was a light fog in the air that seemed to hide all color. I wanted to capture that feel in a painting. I was reasonably happy with the result at the time.

Reflections - Cade's Cove

Watercolor 12" x 16"  on Arches 140lb cold press - February, 1997

"Reflections" was based on a photo I took while visiting Cade's Cove in Tennessee. I had recently finished reading "Andrew Wyeth: A Secret Life". This biography inspired me to complete quite a few paintings and this was one of them. I remember thinking about the time that he had spent around Christina Olson's house trying to capture effects of light through a window or door. I waited until the end of the painting to put in the details inside the window and reflections of the tree branches. This to me was the key part of the whole composition.

Windswept Tree

2 1/2" x 3 1/2" Acrylic on Stretched Canvas

Completed on November 8, 2009, this was my first attempt at a miniature painting. The subject matter was taken from one of the many photo's I take while on the road. It was in October just as the leaves were starting to turn colors. It was one of those windy fall days when it had been raining most of the day but the sun had just popped from under a line of clouds. What color was there seemed to really stand out against the still dark sky. I found it difficult to get the depth I was trying for while working in the small format. I am not entirely unhappy with this painting. I plan to try more of these in the future.

Troutslayer Tim

11" x 14" Oil on Canvas board

This painting was done to commemorate an October fly fishing trip to the 13 points river area in southern Missouri. It was done alla prima based a few different photos taken during the trip. The variety of greens in the water were done mainly from memory. The photo's just did not capture the actual colors. I am eager to go back and see how accurate I was in doing this...well, and to have another chance at some rainbow trout. The fishing was very good during this trip.

Pair 'o' Cows

9" x 12"
Winsor & Newton Watercolors on Fabriano Artistico 140lb Extra White, Hot pressed paper

I enjoy working on hot press paper and this was the first time trying the Fabriano Extra White. I do think that this paper adds an extra glow to any of the transparent colors used. The subject matter was pre-chosen for me. I had never thought of painting cows but an in-law had always wanted one like this. So, just for a change, I decided to give it a try. Having spent a lot of time travelling throughout the mid-west, the subject matter was easily located. I worked from my photo's on this one.

G&P's Lake House

8" x 10"
Oil on Canvas Board

Another quick plein air painting done this last summer. This was no more than a 20 minute painting done while also carrying on a conversation with my young daughter as she worked on a watercolor of the same view. She had a lot of interesting comments to me as we sat together painting. She pointed out that these do not have to be finished paintings - just practice and if they don't turn out, we can just start a new one. We never had the chance to worry about that though - it was soon dark and the bugs were bothering her so it was time to go.

Old Hickory's Place

6" x 8 1/2"

Winsor & Newton Watercolor on Arches 140lbs. Cold Press paper

This is a watercolor that I recently pulled out of a box that I had done back in the mid 1990's. It was inspired from a visit to Andrew Jackson's Homestead in Tennessee. Outside the grounds in a beautifully landscaped entrance area was this display. I liked the way the light caused the nylon in the fabric to glow. This coupled with the patriotic feelings after having visited the site made me want to paint this.

Galesburg Train

8" x 10" Oil on Canvas Board

I just happened on this RR crossing as I was driving one day. I liked the feel of it and thought it might make a good painting -surprising because trains have never been particularly interesting to me in the past. This was a quick plein air oil that ended up with the correct early morning look I was after. It even worked out well that a train happened along towards the end of the painting. I had not intended to add this but could not resist after seeing the lights in the distance - It was too good of a center of interest in the painting to pass up.

I-74 over the Mississippi

8" x 10" Oil on Canvas Board

This is another Plein Air oil completed on-site just prior to dark in September. The light was changing fast due to the time of day and squall line of a cold front moving in to block the setting sun behind me. I was hoping for the sun to pop out under the clouds and light up the bridge against the darkening sky. Its funny what you remember when painting outside. Looking at this reminds me of that night and my hopes to capture a "perfect moment". I had a young couple stop to look at my progress on this. They had just been married and had their ceremony on this site a few weeks prior. The bride had wanted a professional photo of this spot but decided against it. She expressed interest in having a painting of this site to hang up at home. I didn't try to hard to pursue this opportunity - wasn't sure this one was going to turn out at the time - I had only just started and the light was running out quickly.

October Corn

9" x 12" Oil on Canvas Board

This painting was just completed on October 5, 2009. I had a lot of fun with this one. It is an impasto alla prima using a knife. As such, there is little option but to just "throw" some paint on the canvas in a loose fashion. The interesting thing was watching it evolve into what I was looking for in terms of color and contrast. There was a definate sense of molding the image as if working in clay. In terms of design and layout, I am not sure that there was much to key on. I was only going for a fall feel with little regard for other concerns.

Windmill Harbor Pool

16" x 20"

Acrylic on Canvas Panel

This was a very quick painting done on-site. It was a challenge working with the acrylic outdoors on a hot day in direct sun. I forgot to bring the extender so that I could have more working time. This one is an example of why I like to wait until the next day to look at the work before judging it - I was not pleased with it at the time but thought I could fix it later. The next day I decided to leave it as is. I am very happy with the mood of it now.

Low Tide - Hilton Head Island

Watercolor and Pastel

9" x 12" Winsor and Newton WC on Fabriano Artistico Hot Press 140lbs

This is an uncompleted "Plein Air" work thus far. It was done in stages over a 5 day span while there this last summer. There is a live oak tree hanging over the marsh that should be in the fore-ground. My original intention was to add this as the painting progressed, however, somewhere in the process, I decided not to put it in. I guess I prefered the broad, uninterupted view of the marsh at the time I was working on it. I plan to punch up the blue in the sky and the reflections of it in the pools. If that does not add what I am searching for then I may put the live oak back in. This was my first attempt at adding pastel highlights to a watercolor. I am very happy with the texture it adds .... I plan to experiment some more with this combination.