Same place, different day

July 22 plein air, copyright 2012 Hannah C. Heyer, 9 x 12" oil on linen

I can't help it, I just love that tree!

 Last night I went back to the place I painted on June 4th for another go. 

The painting is still really wet and shiny, and there's a bit of glare on the left side in the photo, but you can see how it compares with the one done in June below.

The fields and colors have changed so much: the plowed field I painted before is now a corn field, the grain has ripened and is a beautiful golden color, the hay has been cut, and the grasses and weeds in the meadow/pasture are all sorts of lovely.

 I was farther up the hillside this time, with a slightly different perspective on the curves and angles of the land. Before, I painted in the morning/early afternoon, and this time I painted late - trying to finish before the sun disappeared!

June 4 plein air, copyright 2012 Hannah C. Heyer, 9 x 12" oil on linen

Wet Paint + Bug

I went out painting last night, and posted a quick snapshot of the painting over on my facebook page.
 I brought the painting home tucked away in my easel, and left it there overnight. When I took it out today, I noticed some, shall we say, embellishments? And a dried up... slug?

Poor Mr. Slug!

Scraggly Tree Plein Air, 10 x 8" oil on linen.

The slug has been removed, but the evidence of his winding journey across the oil painting remains. It kind of works out with the branch-y stuff happening in that area, I think. Call it a collaboration?

:-P

Today

Today was one of those days.

I need sleep, ok?

But the evening was beautiful, and I got to go out and paint. I didn't have much time (it was probably around 7:30 when I started) so I had to find a place close by and not too complicated. Fortunately, I live in one of the most beautiful places ever, and the light in the evening makes anything look gorgeous.

Spring Wheat Plein Air, 8 x 10" oil on linen

 I picked a field of spring wheat, loving how the heads caught the light, and the backdrop of the bluff-tops and distant fields.
 Word of the day: awns. The bristles or beards of the grain. Not painted in detail here, but they are lovely!

Moo.

I set up in the shade of this shed. The weather-vane is inaccurate, but I like it anyway. :)

Sleep time...

Hallmark here I come!

...or maybe not.

Birthday card for a good friend:

What do you get a resourceful, intelligent, competent woman for her birthday?

Telescoping flatware of course!

Happy Birthday!

Plein Air in Red Wing

Off the Gravel Road, 12"x9" oil on linen sold

 I've had a hot, exhausting, fabulous week, spent in and around Red Wing, Minnesota for the 6th annual Red Wing Plein Air Art Festival.

Crosswalk, 8"x10" oil on linen sold

 Downtown Red Wing, with its great old architecture, trees, flowers, and street lamps was a challenge and a pleasure to paint.

Farm Near Frontenac, 8"x10" oil on linen

There were many lovely places, and sometimes the decision of where to paint came down to how much shade was available! This farm had a beautiful large willow tree nearby where I parked myself, trying to stay cool and enjoying the fragrance of new hay in the afternoon heat.

Oak on the Hill, 10"x8" oil on linen  sold

 This place was truly beautiful, with an abundance of old oaks, shadows, and views of the valley below. I loved how the evening light showed off the patterns and texture of the tree bark.

River Rising, 12"x9" oil on linen sold

 Thursday evening I painted in Stockholm, Wisconsin. The river is high, leaving many trees standing in the water, and making for an interesting mix of shadows and reflections.

Morning at the Tracks, 10"x8" oil on linen

Saturday morning was the "quick paint" from 9 - 11am. I set up right by the depot, near the tracks, and a farmers' market, and got to enjoy some great live music while frantically painting! ;)

 I got to meet some wonderful people and amazing artists, which was so inspiring.
The show runs through August 26th, so be sure to stop by the Depot Gallery and check it out!