Saturday, September 30, 2017

Rocky Fords


Rocky Fords
plein air oil  11" x 14"
click here for Paypal
$395.00 + $10. s/h

Recently my plein air groups painted at Spencer's Produce, Lawn & Garden Center here in Colorado Springs.  Spencer's has been a neighborhood Center since 1934.  Their produce, plants, and garden supplies are great.  They have local Colorado fruits and vegetables all summer and fall.  My only problem with painting there was that my subject matter kept disappearing!  All morning customers, many regulars from the neighborhood, came for the ripe Rocky Ford melons (some of the last of this season!)


Monday, September 25, 2017

Barn Door


Barn Door
plein air oil  12" x 12"
$395.00 + $10. s/h

This painting was done the last day of the recent South Park Plein Air Arts Celebration, Fairplay, CO  during the "Quick Draw" on the final morning.  For a "quick draw" you are usually limited to an area in which to paint, in this case Front Street or the South Park City Museum.  Also, you are limited to time, we had from 10:00 a.m. to 12.  We were allowed to walk around scouting a location from 9 on.  This barn is in the museum:  a street of old western buildings from around Colorado which have been moved to this outdoor museum.


I try to do a value study before I begin a painting.  That way, as the light changes I can use my study as a reference.  Because of the 2 hour time constraints, I did a very quick study (as you can see here.) Because of the study I realized that the center of interest, the stable rails in the light, were almost right in the center of the piece.  That became noticeable when I drew in my 1/3rd lines.  So, (in my head) I cropped the door, moved the light to the right, and the center of interest was now on the 1/3rd line and not in the middle.  All of that took me about 5 minutes, but saved my painting.  



Saturday, September 23, 2017

Blackened Old Skillets


Blackened Old Skillets
plein air oil  14" x 11"
$395.00 + $10. s/h

This is my 3rd painting from the day at the Platte Ranch.  The ranch is over 100 years old, all the buildings (except the house) are original, or re-built from original lumber.  The ranch is 8,000 acres.  Miles and miles of open range with breath taking views.

This painting was a bit of a challenge in that the weather was windy and rainy off and on.  I cleaned everything up twice and almost gave up.  I'm glad I stuck with it;  this is one of my favorites!

You can just see the skillets hanging on the side of the barn below.  It gives a good perspective of how large they are.  You wonder how many thousands of meals were prepared on them!


Thursday, September 21, 2017

On The Ranch


On The Ranch
plein air oil  12" x 12"
$345.00 + $10.00 s/h

The 2nd day of the South Park Plein Air Arts Celebration we painted at the Platte Ranch.  This was a really fun day for me as this is the ranch we used to take our children to to horse back ride when they were little.  The ranch owner has since passed away, but I shared memories of him with his daughter.  

It was sunny and misty in the morning, windy in the afternoon, and rainy by dinner time.  We spent the whole day on the ranch.  One of the great things about this plein air event is that meals are all provided.  They're delivered to us when we're out on a ranch, (or elsewhere).  This night there was a huge ranch barbecue for artists and guests.  And a wonderful cowboy singer!


Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Below The Dam


Below The Dam
plein air oil  12" x 9"
$295.00 + $10.00 s/h

This is the 2nd painting from the recent South Park Plein Air Arts Celebration.  The last post was painted from above the dam and Montgomery Reservoir.  For this one I was below the dam.  I love the fall colors.  It is so wonderful to paint near a stream or river and hear the sound of the water while painting.


Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Mountain Reservoir

Montgomery Reservoir
plein air oil  12" x 9"
SOLD
$295.00 + $10. s/h

Last week I painted in the South Park Plein Air Arts Celebration, in and around Fairplay, Colorado.  I've done this event for 4 years and love it!  It's one of the better plein air events in which I've participated.  Part of the reason I attend is because we have property in South Park and I can stay in our trailer.  But, also, the coordinators of the event go all out, far beyond what I've experienced in other events.

This mountain reservoir, Montgomery Reservoir, is outside of Alma, Colorado.  We painted there Wednesday, the first morning.  There is also an old mine, several water falls, and great willows and ponds below the dam.  The smoke from the fires in Montana and north was blowing over Colorado that week.  Many of the skies were misty and grayed.

Below are mine and water fall pictures: