SNOW AND FARM PAINTINGS

Both of the above oil paintings were done just after dawn trying to capture the freshness of the crisp snow and the early morning light. Often these works are kept small as I find it easier to work out the composition etc, then when I'm happy, I use these studies work up into larger paintings. I have such a large work in progress at the moment and will probably feature in the next post. It is a new farm painting also in the morning light but is taking some time as there are rather a lot of details that I'm slowly working through. 

UPPER COUNTY FARM - MORNING SNOW

This painting was another in the studio waiting for a re-work. I started on the sky deepening it somewhat and  then adding a few high thin clouds. The wood-line behind the barns was deepened slightly and extended in height to slightly above the forward-facing building - this helped the anchor the buildings within the scene somewhat. I also re-painted the snow adding a slightly warmer underpainting to the mid-ground then getting cooler towards the foreground. The barn buildings were slightly deepened in tone and then a few details picked out in places finishing off with a little work to the grasses. In the frame it looks fine but I'll give it a week or so - who knows, by then I may find something else to do to it! Size is 9" X 12" - oil on canvas.

WINTER SKY STUDY

I did this study awhile ago and developed the lower foreground slightly later on when back in the studio. As is usual with these smaller studies, the idea is to try and capture an idea or mood then translate this into a larger painting. I have actually started the larger work but am struggling with it a little so have set it aside for now while working on other paintings. As mentioned in an earlier post, I'm trying to work through the unfinished painting I have here in the studio before starting some new ones. While that is the general idea, in reality I am often swayed by a new and exciting idea or thought. I am trying to keep any new paintings small at the moment so as the give the larger ones more of a chance of being completed.
Winter Sky study is an oil on canvas - size 4" X 6".

SUMMER FIELDS

Sorry for the long delay between posts - here is something to tide you over. Yet another small study of the evening sky. I have been working on a quite a few different things but have yet to finish anything other than this study - lots of unfinished paintings lying around the studio : (
Perhaps it's an unsettled feeling of the in-between seasons that is throwing me off - still cold and wet here and looking as if spring will never arrive! I hope to have more to show you soon. Summer Fields is an oil on canvas, 8" X 10".

MORNING IN THE DESERT

This painting is one of a series of works that I did while visiting the deserts of Southern California and Arizona some time ago. Here the mountains near the Salton sea are still in shadow and the day is shaping up to be another hot one! I was excited by the colors and tones of this scene, along with the distant mountains and sparse scrub in the foreground. Difficult to get right but I tried hard to capture something of the spirit of the place. It was a wonderful time spent driving around with Mo and friends - thanks to Nancy who started it all! Size is 6 1/2" X 17" (16.5cm X 43cm) - oil on canvas.

PETE

I have been working on this portrait for many years and finally I am about finished with it. I approached my friend and sculptor Pete Zulazec more years ago that I want to remember, in the hopes of doing a portrait of him. He kindly agreed so the rest then was up to me. I really struggled with this one, trying a version in oils, then watercolor, then back to oils etc etc etc on and on. Still after all this I couldn't get any of these paintings to work out the way that I had hoped. Finally after so long I managed to finish this version. I have given so much to this painting that I don't think that I would be able to try it again. Maybe time will take away some of those feelings but for now, I'm on to something different! Pete, I'm sorry that it took so long.
Details of the painting - watercolor on Arches paper, 15" X 22".

FROZEN LAKE STUDY

Winter is upon us again here in the Eastern part of the US. Mild up to a week ago then we were hit with sub-freezing temps and a bitter wind! A warm-up followed and now it has turned very cold again. Not much snow but enough to enjoy on our walks through the nearby reserve. I saw this scene one evening looking across the frozen surface of Beaver Lake so did a small study of it when I got back to the studio. Work has been a little slow lately but is picking up now so I should have some more paintings to post here soon. Frozen Lake, 5" X 7", oil on canvas.