The majesty of the harvest never lets me down. I find the painting of it humbling and challenging. The colors, texture, values and the composition always stop me in my tracks. I try to compose a love letter to the nobility of the harvest in my work. Many times it seems most inadequate.
This artwork is created with: Nupastel, Sennelier and Great American.
This artwork is created on: UArt mounted pastel paper.
Traveling the rural roads, I notice fields of wheat ready to harvest. Knowing this I stop and leave a note to call me if permission can be had to paint the harvest. One such farmer religiously calls me to invite me to paint his fields. Boy do I appreciate this opportunity each year and the challenge it affords me.
This work is created with: Nupastel, Sennelier and Great American pastel.
This work is created on: UArt mounted pastel paper.
Sometimes for a change of pace I work in the studio if the weather is crummy. Here I have created a house portrait for a couple who have just purchased this beautiful home.
This work is created with pen and ink.
This work is created on: Strathmore artists paper
You will have to take my word that this is a view of Beaver Island. At least that is what I was told by the resident of the location. My geographical knowledge of this part of Michigan is sketchy. But none-the-less as I stood on the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan I was enjoying the view and the gentle breezes that kept me company as I worked.
This work is created with: Nupastel, Rembrandt, Sennelier and Great American.
This work is created on: UArt mounted pastel paper.
In the middle of July, my friend and fellow artist Natalie and I headed to Harbor Springs to attend two day workshop with Heidi Marshall. We had a great time working on the shores of Lake Michigan with five other artists. Here I and another Detroit artist have set up to paint the "shack" as Heidi fondly refers to this glorious spot. Everyone knows what a sucker I am for architecture, so I am enjoying the morning light as it dances across the east facade of the "shack".
This work is created with: Nupastel, Rembrandt, Sennelier and Great American.
This work is created on: UArt mounted pastel paper.
Another visit to the Headwaters Park presented the opportunity to paint a view of the village as I looked east. A little disappointed that the buildings were not catching any morning sun, I decided to run with the composition in shadow. In planning stages I decided to add the American flag (catching the light) as the focal point played against the violets.
This work is created with: Nupastel, Rembrandt, Sennelier and Great American pastel.
This work is created on: UArt mounted pastel paper.
June offered many beautiful days and three of us plein artists headed to Moscow to work. Here I am standing along the Kalamazoo River bank looking south at the Moscow Party store. Although I was enjoying the violet shadows of the party store facade, what really interested me was the morning sun as it played across the house across the street.
This artwork is created with: Nupastel, Rembrandt, Sennelier and Great American pastel.
This artwork is created on: UArt mounted pastel paper.
This sweet little park in Moscow, MI features the original train station and the headwaters of the Kalamazoo River. Painting here on three occasions, I met the Township Supervisor, a Moscow Board member and the Township Clerk, who all welcomed my presence.
This work is created with: Nupastel, Rembrandt, Sennelier and Great American pastel.
This work is created on: UArt mounted pastel paper.
When out scouting plein air sites this March, I came upon this wonderful farm with the silo from 1848 still intact. Recently this farm was purchased and I reached out to see if I might paint there. So here I am painting this stunning silo from the actual property and not merely from the studio.
This work is created with: Nupastel, Rembrandt, Sennelier and Great American pastel.
This work is created on: Wallis mounted pastel paper
Continuing my work in Hillsdale County, I found this site when out scouting in the spring. Painting in late June along the dirt road proved a pleasure. The morning was glorious and the car traffic very light at best. A neighbor that I had met previously stopped and we exchanged pleasantries. A pair of grazing horses across the road ignored me.
This work is created with: Nupastel, Rembrandt, Sennelier and Great American.
This work is created on: UArt mounted pastel paper.
Working in Hillsdale County affords many pre-Civil War sites. Here I was invited to paint the barns on the property but found the house an interesting subject instead. The barns could wait until another visit.
This work is created with: Nupastel, Rembrandt, Sennelier and Great American pastel.
This work is created on: UArt pastel paper (mounted).
In the studio in the cold of our Michigan spring, I painted this Hosta. My garden is filled with Hosta and I like to take photos of the gardens from season to season, year to year.
This artwork is created with: Nupastel, Rembrandt, Great American and Sennelier pastel.
This artwork is created on: Art Spectrum (mounted) pastel paper
Sometimes the volume of my work becomes a burden. But when a gallery calls for entries for artwork to sell to a specific buyer, it is a blessing to have this deep well. This late spring/early summer one of the galleries I work with asked for artwork for a medical client. Guess who had a few works available? I am gratified that they selected three of my paintings for their office.
Yesterday I saw a truck's bumper sticker that read "Farms feed America". Here I am working on an interior of one of those farms that so expertly keep us fed.
This work is created with: Nupastel, Rembrandt, Sennelier and Great American pastel.
This work is created on: UArt pastel paper (mounted).
