Kendall Lake Forest, CVNP

Plein Air, Oil, 8" x 10"

Peninsula Marsh

Plein Air, Oil 8" x 10"

Szalay's Cornfield

Plein Air, Oil

Autumn Field

Plein Air, Oil 8" x 10"

Last of the Season

Plein Air, Oil, 11" x 14"

I recall this being the last painting of the season before winter. I especially enjoyed painting the grasses or weeds or whatever they were... It's fun painting thick and more impressionistic.

Quitting

10 am at the Depot, Oil 8" x 10", Peninsula Ohio's Third Annual Plein Air Competition, 2011

I started painting the depot from a different view when it started to rain. I tried to keep going by using two umbrellas - one which was given to me by a kind gallery owner. She probably felt bad for me standing in front of her shop in rain gear, water drops splashing my work. Eventually, the rain came down so heavily that it was bouncing off my palette and canvas; I couldn't see what I was painting. I gave up, and moved under the roof-covered train station.

Many other painters were already sitting dry under the shelter, far along with the progress of their work. A few commented that they were wondering when and if I would finally give up. "It's just not worth the challenge." said one woman. I painted quickly to make up lost time.

The painting won third place. Sometimes, giving up is the best thing to do.

A New Set of Eyes

Plein Air, Oil, 11" x 14"

My Nephew commented that he liked the water. (What?) I told him that it's actually a field and not a lake or pond.

Hmm... I can see how he thought it was water.  Sometimes, it's good to share your work; people don't always see things the way you do.

Stanford House Grounds, CVNP

Plein Air, Oil, 9" x 12"

Take a Chance

Having a show coming up in a couple months, I realized the experimental work that I did over the winter was still too crude to share. I layed out my old plein air paintings on the floor and was able to see my strengths and areas that needed improvement. At times, I find it difficult to share my own artwork; but I selected works worthy of showing. They are not perfect, but it's time to start putting my art out into the world. If I wait until my painting skills are on par with artists and techniques that I admire, I may run out of what time I have left in life. Waiting until circumstances are perfect can keep you in perpetual limbo. Seeing where I've been and knowing where I want to go, I can now start trying new things.