The Red Bridge

"the red bridge" oil on linen 18x24

This is a painting of one of the red bridges down by town lake in downtown Austin. This was a studio painting that took a couple of weeks. I would work on it let the paint set up then work on it some more. I like to work this way indoors because I can get effects that are impossible to get when outdoors working alla prima. 

COLD DAY in Austin

"Spicewood Farm study",  Oil on Linen, 11x14  

This is one from last Thursday painted at the spicewood springs horse farm. It was cold temps in the forties but after years of painting in the snow in Michigan it felt like a day at the beach. The sun was out when I arrived but it soon clouded up. The cool lights and warm shadows were a nice change of pace. 

Something from Michigan

red barn at sunset oil on canvas 9x12

     This is a little plein air I did back in September when I was visiting Michigan. I have been feeling a little homesick lately so I thought would post this one. I love Austin but there is a relationship I have with the land I grew up in that will always hold a place in my heart. There is a feeling I get when I paint up there that I get no where else. Anyways I don't mean to ramble on but I think some of the true landscape painters out know what I am talking about.  I think that is one of the things that landscape painting and plein air work that makes it so great.

 

HEY CUPCAKE!!!

Hey Cupcake oil on linen 11x14 

    This is a cute little trailer down on South Congress in Austin. I did this painting on new years day, they were closed and traffic was light so I could get a good view of it and complete it en plein air. Sure is nice to go out painting in January when the temps are in the 60's and Michigan is being pounded by snow.

Happy New Year!!!

Near Driftwood oil on linen 18x24

    Happy new year everybody. Also a late merry Christmas. With work the holidays, blogger not letting me upload a photo it has been a while since I have posted. I have been working inside now that winter has hit Austin. Well if you want to call it winter feels more like spring in Michigan. Anyways I have been working on some larger paintings slowing down and taking a more relaxed pace than what I can do outdoors. This is one of them its near the famous salt lick BBQ. If you are in Texas you know what I am talking about. Well I wish everyone a happy and productive new year. 

Small Studies

Farmyard Study Oil 6x8

Often I do small paintings as studies for larger works or when my painting time is limited whether on location or in the studio. I have recently decided to offer these paintings for sale on my website. They would make great gifts and the price is very good for original art work. To see them please visit the small studies collection on my website.  Small studies collection

Tagged

Ok so I have been tagged by my friend Laurel Daniel and I will try and do my best to carry this on. I guess part of this which has been going around the blog world is too list 7 unusual things about yourself and tag someone else in the blog world. So here I go.

1. I went to a privet boarding school for High School although I did not live there I lived in town about 20 miles away so I was what we called a "Day Student"

2. I have a weird habit of putting ice cream in the microwave before eating it because I don't like it when its frozen. I like it a little soupy.

3. Even though its winter in Austin I still use the hot tub at my apartment complex and people think I am strange. In Michigan we used to have snow ball fights in the hot tub.

4.  I have an addiction to art magizines.

5. I am a big wimp when it comes to spicy food. Which is not always good when you live in the land of Tex Mex food which I love by the way.

6. I am the youngest but tallest member of my family.

7. I use the word pop instead of soda which for this region is a big deal. If you order a soda up in da north people will look at you funny.

Ok so that is my best at thinking of 7 unusual things about me at least the ones I will go public with.  I am still new to the blog world so I am just going to mention some of my favorite blogs and artists. Please check them out.

Marc Hanson great landscapes of the midwest. 

Stacey Peterson. Her blog is great if you are a young painter wanting to go professional

Joan Breckwoldt A great portrait painter who's work I just discovered.

Eric Merrell. A great young impressionist

Jeremy Lipking. This guy has a wonderful blog.