Thoughts of spring and summer

Beach Sign Oil on Canvas 12x16

This is one of a sign buried in the weeds and grass down on South Padre Island. It was painted from a photo I took last November and I liked the different kind of composition and subject matter.  Often we look at the sky clouds and the big vistas for painting ideas but there often great subjects right at our feet. 

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