One of my latest plein air paintings. The Fort Madison Area Arts Association is holding an open plein air event. The rules are you can paint anytime from March 16 to April 15th. They are trying to encourage artists to try plein air without the pressure of the 7 days to 1 day events. Hopefully the Art Center will get some new plein air artists. 

14" x 11" oil on panel

Another entry, this one from Wilson Lake.
9" x 12" oil on panel

This time of year is a challenge to paint the bare trees.  
11" x 14" oil on panel

 

Recent watercolor paintings

 

Last December we had the perfect snowfall. The snow laid on the branches and melted on the roads. 

 8" x 10" watercolor on 140 lb.

I had the photo reference for this painting for years. Yesterday I finally did a painting from it.
 8" x 10" watercolor on 140 lb.

This was cropped from a photo of several sheep. 8" x 10" watercolor on 140 lb.

Lone Tree

 This is a subject I often go back to. The last snow gave me those beautiful snow laden branches. Pastel on paper. 

Paint the Fair

 I had a wonderful time painting at the Van Buren County Fair. Well organized, great volunteers and terrific patrons. These are paintings I did as practice before the event. I really enjoy the 4H rabbits.

watercolor plein air painting

 

Just a quick watercolor gouache painting. 

Gouache on cream colored paper.

repeating subject matter

When putting a show together I noticed that there are subject matters that I repeat, snow on wood was one of them. Part of the reason is I can make use of a limited palette on a cold day. This one was painted plein air in January 2020 at Indian Lake. 

6" x 12" oil on panel

This was painted plein air in Rodeo Park on a day with temperatures in the single digits in January 2019. I would often see walkers in Rodeo Park but not that day.

6" x 12" oil on panel

This one was painted plein air at Shimek State Park in March of 2019

6" x 12" oil on panel

This one is early fall at Wilson Lake without the snow. I should to go back there after a snow fall. 

9" x 12" oil on panel

Cold weather plein air painting

Ice piled up on the banks of the Des Moines river. A beautiful scene.

12" x 6" oil on panel

Indian Lake wood pile waiting for the next season's campers.

12" x 6" oil on panel

Challenge painting bare trees and perspective. 

12" x 9" oil on panel

Snow scenes

I am participating in the Strada easel challenge. Last year I managed to get out and paint snow scenes out in the cold. This year I sat in my car, which still counts as paint from life. In my car I can paint watercolor without worrying about freezing water.

I did get out one day when the weather was a little milder. A little 12" x 6" oil. 

Another one painted from inside my car.

plein air painting

Plein air painting this time of year is a good practice in mixing neutrals. 

Oil on panel 8" x 5.5" 

watercolors

I am participating in the January Strada Easel daily paint from life challenge. These are a few of the still life paintings. I paint in watercolor if it is late in the day. I find it easier to photograph watercolor paintings. Most of my oils are photographed using natural light. #stradaeasel #stradaeaselchallenge

Year in review

Some of my painting from this past year. Watercolor, pastel. and oil. 

Christmas wishes

Cats

Commission for Christmas

8" x 10" watercolor on watercolor panel

Another Christmas commission on

8" x 10" watercolor on watercolor panel

Midwest scenes

Country road outside Fairfield, Illinois

16" x 8"

View of the field behind Wilson Lake

10" x 8"

Lacey Keosauqua state park

16" x 8" 

Vista from Mineral Point 

10" x 8" 

From Jacobson road outside Mineral Point, Wisconsin

11" x 14"

View from the bridge

11" x 14" 

Hay bales Farmington, Iowa

11" x 14"

View from the trail at Denning conservation Area

12" 9"

White Cattle in the woods

11" x 14"

Fall Colors

The weather is great and the fall colors are at their peak. 

12"x 6" oil on baltic birch

Early Fall

Plein air painting along the banks of the Des Moines river. 

10 x 8 oil on baltic birch

Early fall with hints of orange.

Recent plein air paintings

Painting the countryside outside of Cisne, IL as part of the Fairfield, Illinois plein air paintout. Early morning light casting shadows across the road. 

8" x 16" oil on baltic birch.

Sketched several of these before going to work on the panel. It helps to work out the shapes. These were a little farther away than I am comfortable working with. I could use binoculars. 

11" x 14" oil on baltic birch