Forest Park

 

 

Elderberry Bushes

 

 

6x8 plein air oil

sold

The Elderberry bushes are just past the peak of their blooms and these were fading fast.  The creamy white flowers were such a nice contrast against the cool greens leaves.  Cloudy skies gave a soft light to this shady area.   This area was pretty thick and I spotted quite a bit of poison ivy too.  A nice morning to paint before these blooms are gone.



Saturday at Forest Park

 

 

 Along Theatre Dr.

 

 

sold

 

Forest Park

8x10 oil

 

 

A lovely morning to paint.  Mostly sunny with a nice breeze.  The park was crowded with people.  There was a charity walk and a lot of runners, bikers and other activities going on.  I enjoyed a visit from my great nephew's cub scouts who watched us paint and learned about how some artists work.  It was a very enjoyable morning.

 

 

 

 





The Botanical Garden

 

In the Bird Garden

 

 

sold 

Zinnia's in the Sunlight

6x8 oil

 

 

It was a beautiful morning to go to the Botanical Gardens and picking a subject to paint took some time.  There is so much color and texture everywhere.  I knew it was going to get hot and crowded so I sought out those areas that are less traveled.  A small garden planted to attract birds had these zinnias that were lit up by the morning sun and knew I had my subject.  



By the Barn

 

Log Pile

 

sold

8x10 oil

 

I was pulled by the interesting shapes of this pile of logs.  The light was rather flat from a mostly overcast sky.  As the morning wore on the sun was coming in and out and making really nice shadows but I tried to keep to the original scene and not chase the light as they say.  It was hot and humid but a nice breeze to keep it somewhat comfortable.  The biggest challenge I had was sharing this scene with several photographers who were using it as a backdrop for family photos.  I had to just stop and have an early lunch until they finally finished and I could continue.  An unusual subject and one I wouldn't have expected to be so popular. 

 



Thornhill

 

 

Ice and Smoke houses

 

 

  sold

 

6x8 plein air oil

 

Yesterday was one of those perfect days for painting en plein air.  Beautiful weather and light.  Faust Park and the Bates historic site was the destination and I have always liked these little structures that have been restored.  An Ice house and a smoke house.  Their appeal is the small size that makes them almost look like play houses for our era.  I set up a bit downhill to give them some stature and to point out their importance in their era.