Taliesin Afternoon

8x8 Oil on Board. SOLD

I got a set of Williamsburg oils for my birthday and have to agree that they are wonderful to work with.  I follow artist Mary Gilkerson who recommends using the best paints you can buy and likes this brand, so I thought I'd give them a try.  This is another scene that I captured on my recent trip to Phoenix.  There ate some short white fuzzy cacti that really caught my eye.  I'd love to spend more time in the west.  

November's End

8x8 Oil on panel, PleinAir

One more day to paint outside.  It was over 60 degrees on the day after Thanksgiving in Boston and much too nice to be inside.  This one was primarily painted with a palette knife.  The winds were strong and dry time was shortened, but good fun and a nice way to relax after a very busy holiday with family.

Arizona Sun

11x14 Oil on Stretched Canvas

I was in Phoenix last week and had an afternoon to get out to the desert a bit.  I am always taken by thee colors-the reds and rusts and browns against golds and greens- so different from my New England home.

Taliesin west

Watercolor Sketch

Taliesin West, Scottsdale, AZ

I'm at a conference in Phonenix and so had an opportunity to tour Taliesin West yesterday, Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and school of architecture.  Great visit!  It is inspiring so see creative genius.  Mr. wright was always tinkering and designing things- tables, chairs, light fixtures, fabrics, landscapes, sculptures, drawings.  The guide said there were over 22000 drawings in this vault alone.  Imagine the time invested and all of the ideas that were just ideas.  An active mind at work.  The sketch captures a piece of the joy of the day.

Gratitude 2

8x8 Oil on Panel

Another in a series that reflects the Midwestern landscape.  I am particularly drawn to scenes Anytime  I manage to catch high contrasts, particularly with whites. I took a series of pics while we were on the road heading back to Boston.  Many were blurred, but the contrasts defined the space and essence.  

Gratitude

8x8 Oil on Panel

It's the season of gratitude.  In the midst of awful worldwide news, thankfulness always seems to bring some calm to the chaos.  One thing I am very thankful for are my northwest Ohio roots.  The people and the values are solid and grounded.  I am happy to come from Oregon, Ohio and all that it has built into my sense of what is good.

Bonnet House

9x12Oil on Canvas

Dreaming of flip flops as the weather chills I. New England!

Rock Meadow 4

8x8 Oil on Panel       SOLD

And yet one more.  This won't be the last because I took some great pics before the cool temperatures arrived and before the leaves turned to brown.  The view across the expanse caugHt the light on some hives in the distance.

Season's End Plein Air

8x10 Oil on Panel

We are having an amazingly warm week in Boston.  temperatures have been in the high 60's and low 70's.  Since it is unlikely we will see this again for six months, I decided to take the afternoon off as vacation and paint again in Rock Meadow.  The location is so close that it is easy top quickly get there, set up and paint before the sun begins to set - now by 4:35 pm.  It was a wonderful afternoon and this painting emerged from an initial disaster.  I am very happy with the result!

Belmont Station

8x10 Oil on Panel

In the center of our little town is a train station for the commuter rail into Boston.  It is an iconic image for those who live here.  I have a desire to begin a series of hometown paintings and began with this small study of one scene that defines our historic little hometown.  

Rock Meadow 3

8x8 Oil on Panel

 

Another great Saturday painting in Rock Meadow.  Plein air has its challenges.  I find that the colors shift in the outdoor light.  But the experience of being outside painting from life is joyous.