Bathed in Gold

Fall is a short magical time of the year.  In this piece, sunlight shone from the back of the trees, which gave an intense glow and a full range of values from light to dark.

The first sketch looked like sailing ships bouncing on the water instead of trees on the side of a cliff.   

 

The next is a layering process from the hot intense centers of interest blending out to the subtle middle values.  Then I added some of the cool blues and purples to accent the warm gold. 

In the third part of the building process, I darkened the strong intense accents, and added reds next to the greens to draw the viewer forward toward the center of interest.  I also added some details in the light middle and dark areas.

 

 

A River Runs Through it

 

 

Do you ever feel like you have been somewhere before and would like to capture the vision a second time?  It is early fall, the colors just taking over the forest and bringing a fresh new vision and renewed inspiration.  This piece captures that.  I am very excited about the abstract angles that give strength to the composition, and I wanted to build the lights, pale yellows, greens, ochres and the soft gray in the distance.  Each layer of warm, cool colors that is lovingly developed in each subsequent layer builds depth and space to draw the viewer down the path along the river.  A river meanders along, caressing the shore and off to places unknown, as quickly as the wind blows through the trees, changing the earth in ways we can only dream of.  When I look at the finished work of art, I  will feel the sun in my face and the wind in my hair as though I was there again.

 

 

Pumpkin Spiced Painting

A trip to the farmer’s market makes it clear that fall colors have arrived.  The summer’s bounty is finally ready for harvest, displaying a visual feast for the eye.  Everywhere you turn are fall flowers in every imaginable color, and inspiration for still life paintings abounds.  But orange, the quintessential color of fall, is best represented in the iconic pumpkin on display for Halloween and Thanksgiving.  Much like the leaves that fall from trees in layer after layer on the ground, the strokes in this demonstration piece for Hobart Art League replicate fall’s abstract patterns of beauty. 

Behind the Scenes: Plein Air Painting

Here are some behind the scenes shots from my recent plein air painting trip.  The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore always provides me with such great inspiration.  I hope you find your own inspiration from the beauty in the world that surrounds you.

Sunrise over the Straits of Mackinac from the beach in Mackinaw City.

This piece was created from a photography trip in the spring of 2014.  I arose early in the morning and went to the beach to experience the freshness of the morning light, cool breezes and early morning sounds of the boats leaving the harbor.  All the while seagulls flew around on their early morning fishing expedition.  As always my trusty camera was ready and waiting.  I watched the progress of the rising sun, moving clouds and mists and the radiant color changes.  When I later reviewed the photographs I preferred the layers of colors and values that seemed so peaceful.  Even though I was at home in my studio, I felt as though I was right there on the beach painting.

 

I started with thin washes of color which I poured on a horizontal canvas and let it flow serendipitously.   

 Then I turned the canvas upright and layered in the broad bands of color.   

Next painting session I worked on details that held more information about the ground beneath my feet.

Sunrise Over the Straits of Mackinack

18" x 24" acrylic seascape