I came across this working farm while out scouting in March. Even though the sky was blue and the promise of spring flirted with the morning, I found myself feeling a kind of melancholy about the scene. The sturdiness of the buildings coupled with the simplicity of the sky and the flatness of the land all evoked a kind of solemn starkness.
This artwork is created with: Nupastel, Rembrandt, Sennelier and Great American.
This artwork is created on: Wallis pastel paper (mounted).
Last fall as Jim and I made our last tour of the lake with great nostalgia. I was busy photographing the churning of the clouds. The drama of the evening sky served as my interest and this painting is the result.
This artwork is created with: Nupastel, Rembrant, Sennelier and Great American pastel.
This artwork is created on: Wallis pastel paper (mounted).
After painting the wheat bales in the fields I turned to this composition with a whole lot more sensitivity. Disciplining myself to carefully render the trees after laying in the subtle violets of the winter sky was my challenge. I have a tendency to work boldly and consequently with a heavy hand. Here I am working on application of the pastel with a more loving hand paying strict attention to my edges.
This artwork is created with: Nupastel, Rembrandt, Sennelier and Great American pastel.
This artwork is created on: UArt pastel paper (mounted).
When I first started plein air painting, I found myself gravitating toward architecture and the nobility of the farm as subject matter. Now I still find myself in love with the lands and the whole array of subject matter that the farm affords. Here as the last vestiges of spring snow lingers on, these wheat bales appear.
Everyone remember the 4-6 inches of snow we were clobbered with in mid-April? I blame that event for my continuation of my winter themed work. Here in Summit Township we have a good number of turkey. I can see them traipsing through the woods to my west and north or even find them making themselves to home in my front yard. Lucking they are inclined to move quickly when shoed away. For if left to their own devices they can make a real mess of a landscape, turning over every leaf and stick in their path. Here the photos were taken by a trail camera and it was a real challenge to compose a satisfactory painting composition. I was drawn to the abstractness of their shapes and embraced the looseness of the photos. I found myself looking at the shapes and trying hard to divorce my mind from specifics.
This artwork is created with: Nupastel, Rembrandt, Sennelier and Great American pastel.
This artwork is created on: UArt pastel paper (mounted)
I know I said that I was finished with my winter color series but it looks like I'm not. In early April I found myself still in the studio working. Here working from my March hike around the Dahlem farm I was taken by the shapes and patterns of the bridge as it cross the Crouch creek and the woods beyond the trail.
This artwork is created with: Nupastel, Rembrandt, Sennelier and Great American pastel.
This artwork is created on: UArt pastel paper (mounted)
I can not believe that March and April have flown by. Now the glory of May awaits our hopeful hearts! Last week the weather brought several beautiful sunny days in which to explore the exercise of plein air painting. I wish I could report that I have been out and working but alas not. Here I am in the studio painting and mentally exploring this subject as plein air.
This artwork is created with: Nupastel, Rembrandt, Sennelier and Great American pastel.
This artwork is created on: UArt pastel paper (mounted).
