Spring Weather Arrives

It finally got warm enough for me to get outside and paint. I need 50 degrees or better and I like it to be 60. I am a wuss, I know. This wisteria is growing up the side of a tree. The back lit shrubs were brilliantly lit. No wind, lots of shade, steady light and lots of birds flying around. My host furnished a glass of wine and all was well in the world for a couple hours. A perfect day to be outside painting.

12" x 16" oil on canvas

Plein Air OPAS

This is the first painting of five I completed over a two day period in a plein air competition in Licking County, Ohio.

12" x 16" oil on panel

Reeves Farm 12" x 16"

Still Life with Pears and Oil Can

I took a break from the commissions to paint something for myself. I wanted to jog my memory about the class I took a few weeks ago so I decided to use a complimentary violet and gold color scheme. I paid attention to what I learned and even though  I used two pears I varied their position and their color. I think I was pretty successful in keeping the painting loose and the brushstrokes varied. It was a fun exercise and really reinforced the lessons I learned at Huang's workshop.

Pears with Oil Can

8 x 10 oil on canvas

Is the economy picking up?

After a slow month in April I started this week out by selling five paintings and one print! Three in one day! Okay, I have dropped my prices pretty low just to move some inventory because I am a prolific painter. But even considering that, six is a lot and I am thrilled.
One problem I have at my studio, which is located in my home, is where to put all these wet paintings. Sometimes I paint two in one day, but almost always 3-4 a week. I have solved the problem for small pieces painted on linen and mounted to board-- I just purchased some boxes from Phil Pidcoe of http://pidcoefamilyfurniture.ws I found Phil on etsy and he is a great woodworker. He made me some custom wet paint carriers, which I use when I am painting outside and also for general storage around the house. With three cats who like to rub up against things and compete with one another to see how high they can jump it is safer for my wet paintings to be store out of the way instead of leaning up against bookcases as they usually are.
Here is a picture of the boxes I ordered from Phil. Notice how he included my signature on the boxes. Now that would make it difficult for anyone to just walk away with it, wouldn't it?
Here is a picture of my latest painting-- it is sold already--- hooray!
6" x 8" oil on canvas panel

Another Portrait of the Preacher in the Farming Outfit

I am calling this one "Friend of God" and I don't think I'll sell it. It's life size, 16" x 20" and looks exactly like him, although I would be hard pressed to explain how I did that in 2 hours. Maybe it helped to have painted him once the first time. This is a different angle and I have included the pitchfork this time,. he looks as if he is ready to fight off some evil-doers! What I like best is the textured mustache. Gives it that 3D quality I am always trying to achieve in my alla prima work. It is 16" x 20" oil on canvas-- I have to glue to a board because I used a loose piece of canvas.