Valentine’s Day

I have decided to give away my small practice sketches to anyone who wants them. I posted on FB this morning, and am summarizing the concept here. The thought originated with the realization that since I do so many of these practice paintings, they are beginning to take up space, in a way. I want very much for the paintings to be with anyone who would like an original oil painting, and not in my studio. Out and into the light.

What I do need is to cover the cost of the linen panels they are painted on, and the postage, unless you care to pick it up yourself. For that matter, you could provide your own panel too, and then no money would exchange hands.

If you would like one of these and need me so send it, the cost of the panel is $5 and the postage $5, so total of $10. Cash, check, or Paypal. I will be establishing a Gallery Page to post these daily paintings on, and you can take your pick. If there gets to be a wait list, you will have to be patient. But it starts today, the universal Day of Love.

Edges

Blue Bowl with Pears

Studying the works of other past and present artists whom I admire is inspiring. This week, with the small daily paintings especially, I am working to improve on transitions and edges: harder, softer, lost.

Same Place Same Time

Clementine

Late this afternoon I set this up, and had about 45 minutes before losing the light. If the light is similar tomorrow, I’ll start another at about the same time and see if I can get further.

Clementine II

Second painting: Going back to the same idea the next day, you can usually go further in the same amount of time.

Terra Bella, December 18

Terra Bella

It’s nice to stop whatever you’re doing when you sense the sun is going down, and take a minute to breathe it in. When I’m painting in the studio, I usually stop at this time of day anyway, since the light changes. But a goal this winter is to do some nocturnal plein air paintings.

Lilies

The set-up: lilies gathered from the farm.

A very quick and loose lay-in, with color. Just trying to get the general placement and feel.

Pulling some forms out.

Adding darks.

Adding some foreground detail, and making sure the form was a part of its environment.
I like the looseness and immediacy of this delicate arrangement.

May Flowers

I love lilacs. Here I set up a bouquet in the loft.

Laying in the darks and general masses.

Very loose and fresh.

A Theme

Daffodils were the first surprise of the spring. I wanted to either do a sketch, or start a painting I would bring to a high finish, every day using something on the farm, and so it started with them.

Loft: Before & After

The barn loft was like any barn loft you would imagine: Full of junk, cobwebs, rodent evidence. Also, the cross beams were about chest high across the length of the usable space.

 A local contractor was available to not only install north-facing windows and a skylight in the loft, raise the beams to above head-level, he also added west windows for ventilation, and stairs. And Dave single-handedly did the unbelievable clean-up which makes the space pleasant and healthier–for both humans and paintings.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year, everyone! It has been an unequivocal Winter Wonderland–euphemism for Minnesota Crazy Weather–and anyone in her right mind would be looking at property in New Mexico or Florida. But, no. I just Bought The Farm. Outside of Owatonna, Minnesota.

The farmhouse, which was built in 1926, has just behind it a summer kitchen that can function as a temporary workspace. When we get some north-facing windows added in the loft of the barn, however, that will be the studio.

Grand Marais Paint-Out

About this time last year, I came up to the North Shore to paint and enjoy the remnants of summer. While visiting Grand Marais, I realized that the Art Colony had just sponsored a Plein Air Paint-Out, which had wrapped up on the previous day. I decided that I would return the next August, and participate. So here we are.