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.

LANDSCAPE PAINTINGS

Having just returned from holiday, I don't have that many finished paintings at the moment so here are a few slightly older works. The first three are oils, the last a watercolor - most of the paintings are in the 9" X 12" size range. More images later of more recent work when I have some time to do a proper post.

Wishing all a wonderful festive season and a joyous New Year

ABANDONED BARN - MORNING SUN

I posted this image some time ago and after having it sit in my studio for awhile, I decided to do some more work to it. Mostly this included darkening some areas such as the inside sun-lit wall on the right, then adding final details to the old tractor tire and the dried leaves on the ground. The outer wall of the barn also had some smaller details added and darkened in a few places especially on the upper section and on the left where the wood had become weather-stained. When I first saw this barn, I became fascinated with the shadows and how they brought the outside to the inside, also the patch of sunlight in the back of the barn from an opening on the left (outside of this image). Looking through the gaps of the some of the boards at the back we can see some branches as actually this barn is situated in the middle of a small wood - a place I love visiting! I am finally calling this one finished and it will be shown with other new works of mine at Berkley Gallery in Warrenton, Virginia.

BREAKING WAVE STUDY

I started with this series of wave paintings almost 20 years ago and it is still going on. This one was done in watercolor and is hanging alongside other work of mine as part of the recent exhibition at McBride gallery. There are more of these in this series that are yet to be completed, others are just an idea in my head or a simple notation in my sketchbook. Next up, a series of landscapes in oils.

YOUNG GYRFALCON

Before working on the previous Gryfalcon watercolors, I did this graphite drawing to help me understand the structure and plumage of these birds. Apart from sketchbook work I will on occasion do finished work like this in graphite and I find after drawing something, I know so much more about the subject than when I started. Perhaps I'll do more like this but have been busy lately getting work finished and framed for the Autumn Celebration of Art opening today at McBride Gallery in Annapolis, Maryland. The group show runs until Nov 18th so please stop by if you are in the area. The above drawing is about 5" X 7".

GYRFALCON - GREY PHASE

Working with thin washes as is the usual process for me, I bring the painting to completion. In this case it was adding some finer details and tonal values that helped with the overall feeling of the work. I also dropped in some slightly darker washes to the background which helped further define the shape of the bird. Taking care with some subtle painting in the shadows of the breast helped give a sense of light which is becoming ever more important to me as an artist and giving what I hope is an added dimension to my work. I'll leave the painting as it is for awhile but give it a look over from time to time to see if there are not one or two small areas that need a bit of attention, but for now I'm happy that it's finished.
I really do love the power of these large falcons which is amply shown in the size of the head, beak and breast. I'm sure also that I'll do more of these magnificent birds trying all the while to show what I made of my experiences with them. Size is 15" X 11.5" - watercolor on Arches paper.