Hay in Field, CVNP

PleinAir, Oil, 8" x 10"

Hayfield, CVNP

Plein Air, Oil 8"x10"

Canadaigua, NY

Plein Air, Oil, 9" x 12"

Boat Houses, Canadaigua, NY

Plein Air, Oil 9"x12", Kissing Cousins

I painted these boat houses at Canadaigua's first plein air competition. It was extremely windy that morning; my Soltek easel was sturdy and held up beautifully. Painting was difficult since the wind kept blowing my arm and I eventually had to brace my arm with my other hand. The mayor stopped by to give me a full history lesson on the houses. I could write a book on the things people say to outdoor painters. At times, it's very entertaining.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Plein Air, Oil, 8" x 8"

I was so drawn to the rusted and distressed look of these windows on a side of a barn that I did not realize my surroundings. Another painter, admiring it from a distance refused to come closer. "Why? I asked." "I don't want to come into the poison ivy, she said matter-of-factly."

Lone Tree

Plein Air, Oil, 9"x12"

It's been pointed out that I tend to paint lots of lone trees. I guess when you live in NE Ohio, painting trees comes with the territory - along with the color green, green and green. Note to myself: Consider alternative subject matter - maybe urban landscapes, the beach, houses...

Texture with a palette knife

Plein Air, Oil, 11" x 14"

I find that using a palette knife is a quick effective way of getting texture and interesting areas in a painting. Yet, I still prefer expressive brush strokes. I guess a part of me thinks there is a "fudge" factor or short cut involved using this type of tool. Part of me can't help thinking that many people who paint only with palette knives are covering up some technical shortcoming of some sort or are on par with some of those factory artists that were advertised years ago on TV as "fine art liquidation sales" at a hotel near you. Their work was always done with a palette knife. I'm bad. I know. My words may haunt me. I wanted to try it anyways. So here it is. I can personally see using a palette knife on occasion though.

Tinker's Creek

Plein Air, Oil 11"x14"

It's difficult painting running water with no restrooms nearby.

Experimentation

Plein Air, Oil, CVNP

Having a piece of cut canvas on hand, I decided to do some experimentation. For some reason, cheaper or imperfect materials somehow gives me permission from breaking away from typical approaches.  It's the same experience with drawing in a spiral bound sketch pad opposed to a hard bound sketchbook.  You can always rip out a bad sketch from a spiral pad and start over. There is a seriousness to expensive panels and permanent sketchbooks that keep me from experimentation and play. 

I like the way, the brushstrokes are more apparent and patterned in this painting.