Saturday, September 27, 2008

Late Summer Grass

6"x8" Oil on Masonite Board
$ 50(sold at Auction)
Here is my first painting on a 6"x8" board. I have observed that it is only in late summer that the grass turns this reddish maroon color. I really enjoy the effect of maroon, greens, and yellow grasses swaying in an open field. I'm gonna miss summer; I'm not ready for it to end just yet. I will on occasion in the future paint on the smaller 6"x8" format.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Trail Through The Woods

8"x10" Oil on Masonite Board
$ 200 (sold)
This Summer I drove out to St. Joe's Park in search of subject matter to paint. I was completely thrown off guard at what I saw. Every hill-billy from Missouri must of been there along with their ATVs, Motocross Bikes, cases of beer, and their tattooed girlfriends. Anyway, I made my way down this trail in the woods. I snapped this photo amidst the loud throttles and shifting of motorcycles and ATVs that rented the air.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Summer Morning Bloom

8"x10" Oil on Masonite Board

I've been by this field many times, but I couldn't quite find a painting in it. Finally, one morning I set out to take pictures and I noticed all these little white flowers blooming in the tall grass. I then decided the best composition was to have the flowers in the foreground. Also,the white morning haze really helped soften the background, thus giving the foreground a stronger presence.


Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Field of Black-Eye Susan Flowers

10"x8" Oil on Masonite Board
$ 200 (Sold)
This small field runs along Hwy. 61 in Bloomsdale, Missouri. Just on the other side of the field are some steep rock bluffs that sit on the edge of the woods. Michaiah and I walk here on occasion just to explore the natural landscape. We found a Pear Cactus growing wild and small animal tracks in the mud.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Field of Grass and Hills

8"x10" Oil on Masonite Board
Sale $ 100

At this point, my favorite subject matter to paint is the field. I painted this scene from a photo I took in Bloomsdale, Missouri. When I first reviewed the photo I was surprised at how saturated the green grass was. As I painted, I often thought my greens were too bright. Then I'd look back at the photo and see that the greens were even brighter. I'm sure the thin overcast atmosphere helped reveal these saturated greens found in the grass. If the sun was shinning directly on the field, then most of the greens would probably be washed out white.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

" Stouts Creek"
8"x10" Oil on Masonite Board
Sale $ 50

Again, here is another scene from Day Spring Bible Camp, Ironton Missouri. There are many old weathered trees here that arc out over the creek in search for the sun's rays. I remember these same trees from thirty years ago when I was just a wee little camper.