Backyard Plein Air

Staying Home

5x7 oil

nfs

Spring has sprung everywhere very abundantly.  The wildflowers in our yard are outdoing themselves.  I was amazed at the prolific blooming Yellow Ragwort that borders our concrete table and benches area.  In full sun they looked like a glowing fringe at the edge of the nature setting on our west side yard.  After some rainy days, I was happy to get out to paint in my own backyard.  Staying home isn't so bad after all as long as there's nature to paint!  

Last Chance at the Park

Parks Closed

Snyder Park 5x7 plein air oil

sold

Went to the park to paint one last time before they will be closed for the next few weeks.  The spring greens and redbuds will be long gone by then.  The distant hills were not yet colorful except for the cedars here and there.  This foreground field was full of small trees leafing out in bright green color.  

The riot of spring colors are so short lived we have to capture them while we can.

Studio and Plein Air

Time and Distance

The Pandemic has altered our lives but doing art as much as I can in a variety of ways can make the time go by fast.  When I paint or draw I'm always amazed at how the time just flies.  I hope to make these days fly by that way until this world can get back to better times.

Trying Guache, working small and riding the learning curve. 

5x7 plein air oil

Went out to the Grant Trail to paint the sunny day.  I stayed off the path and away from everyone.

One Warm Day

Sunny Day

5x7 oil

Cedar Green

sold

An unusually warm day graced us painters with warm sunshine and warmth after days of cold and clouds.  People were all out enjoying this welcomed treat only to be taken away with more winter the following week.  It felt so good to be out painting plein air without numb fingers and toes.  Soon I hope it won't be just an occasional gift from mother nature but a regular opportunity to see spring on its way.

A New Year

Winter Work

January has been a roller coaster ride with weather at both ends of temperatures and precipitation.  I'm lucky to have pencil work to do during this time of year.  I do small 5x7 pencil portraits of pets, people and houses.  If you have a favorite photo that you want me to draw just send me an email.  I include an 8x10 mat so the drawings are ready to frame.  Reasonably priced too.

Happy Holidays!

Wishing Everyone a Wonderful Holiday Season!

And a Happy New Year!

nfs

Shorter Days

Last Days of Fall

 5x7 plein air 

sold

5x7 plein air 

nfs

The nice weather days are hit and miss as the days get shorter and the temperatures seem to be on a roller coaster.  The fall colors are fading and falling and now the cedars take center stage for the colorful green that will dot the landscape over the winter.  They are one of my favorite trees.

HAC Show

Heartland Art Club

Hope you can come to the opening!

The show is up until January 3, 2020.

Maybe the last of fall

A Beautiful Fall Day

8x10 plein air oil

gifted

Cliff Cave Fall

The weather has been up and down.   Rainy or cold with very few days to enjoy painting the colors of fall.  Great color was predicted but windy wet days have made the trees lose their leaves faster than I had hoped.  Last Sunday it was a beautiful day.. Warm and sunny with very light wind so I was able to try to capture the colors that were still on the trees.  This area with it's dried grasses and the cedars with their deep green shadow side really caught my eye and gave the color in the distant trees a nice contrast.

Fall Begins

Claire Gemp

5x7 plein air oil

A small study of the first signs of color changes taking place now.  Claire Gemp is a small natural area that originally was a farm and is now preserved as a nature area.  It's not far from my home and I like to visit and see how nature changes with the seasons.