87. On the River

On the River

8x10 oil/linen

This was about an hour's effort, and I was determined to keep it sketchy and free.... This photo doesn't do it justice, but I have to run out, and don't have time to try to get a better one. So there...

What doesn't seem to show up in the photo are nice areas of very thin transparent paint - mostly in the darkest areas, which adds a nice feel next to the thicker opaque color...

Cows and Angry Rocks

After painting like mad, and finally shipping off the paintings for my Keene, NH show, I took the day off and went on a hike and run  through some territory we haven't explored yet.  It was real pretty country.. the range cattle are back, and the new calves are everywhere. I just thought  you might like to see them - running and jumping as babies do.
At the very end of the short video, Momma cow calls one of the calves back.. the black angus calf that turns back and answers her... soooo precious.

And, then, there was the angry rock....

and just for "art content" here are a few sketches I did while waiting at the Dr.'s office...

it was  from some sport magazine.. which figures, since it was the physical therapy office.... I hate just "waiting". Sketching with a pen mean no erasing!   Good practice for careful observation and measuring....

I have a week of  out of town plein air painting planned for next week. I will be without access to the computer (gasp!!)
so won't be updating till I return, but hopefully will have some new paintings to show for it!

So I usually bring a sketchbook with me...

86. Dandelion Wishes

10x10 oil/linen

 One of the things I consider when putting people in my landscapes is how to make the painting

"universal".  Unless it is a specific portrait of somebody, then I think figures need to represent

a life experience to which we can all relate.  

Many times you will notice I put such figures facing away, or otherwise not a straight on view of the face.. this also helps to "symbolize" something with the figure rather than portray an individual person.

This little girl making a wish and blowing the dandelion fluff is, to me, a rite of spring.. the dandelions seem to be just about the first thing that pops up in the yard. Haven't we all done this? Right now, our yard (if you can call it that since its mostly just a pine forest clearing) is full of beautiful yellow dandelion flowers and white seed pods.... Personally, I love them and am happy to let them grow.  I have a 'dandelion garden" behind the chicken coop where it is wetter and they grow large... the hens love them, and I go out and pick a handful of leaves for them every morning.

85. Wren and Cherry Blossoms

9x12 oil/linen

For a seeming simple subject, this one had me pulling my hair out.   I still think a few adjustments are in order, but I need to let it "rest" for awhile.   My neighbor's cherry trees are blooming.  There's just nothing that says "spring" like cherry blossoms and apple blossoms.  He also has apple trees.. I wanted to plant some last fall, but time got away.. maybe this year I can do that...

84. And So It Begins.....

8x10 oil/linen

Today's painting of this little roper-in-training is just for practice, done in the spirit of the daily, ie, about an hour and a half.  I mostly just wanted to capture that great morning sun, and the light glowing through his too-big cowboy hat.  

Looks like he has his sights set on something to wrangle with that rope.   I wonder if we panned out if we would see all the barnyard critters scattering in self defense! 

83. Grandpa's White Pony

5x7 oil/linen

Did ya think I'd fallen off the face of the earth?  No,, just springtime is so full of chores!  I've been trying to catch up on some work around here and putting in a garden and building a patio...

You might recognize the horse and rider in this one,  - I've used them before in an earlier painting, with some changes this time of course.   Here's the older version.

I tried for more colorful shadows and better brushstrokes in the newer version.

81. and 82.

 81. Early Color  5x7

82. Feeding Ducks

I have been so busy that I just didn't have time to photograph and post these, both little 5x7's.  Unfortunately, trying to photograph at night with light is never as good as using natural light... which means I'll probably have to do this again... but since it's been a few days since I posted, thought I better let you know I'm still around.

Besides painting today, I ran 9 miles with the pooches, raked about half the yard (I hate pine needles) and spread the pine needles on the driveway (dirt) to get broken down. (you can't compost those suckers)

 Cleaned out the flower bed and fluffed up the mulch, transplanted a few things from the cold frame to the garden,  raked out the chicken pen, and cleaned the kitchen. Whew!