Autumn

Some oil paintings from October and November:

Late-blooming roses.

Autumn Roses, 9 x 7" oil on linen/birch.

A stem of sumac leaves, with the light shining through them.

Sumac Leaf, 7 x 9" oil on linen/birch.

Gathered hickory nuts from the woods.

Hickory Nuts, 8 x 8" oil on linen/birch.

A little study of autumn color, fields and pastures, and a few grazing cows.

Green and Golden, 5 x 7" plein air oil on linen/birch. October 17, 2017.

A blue-sky day along the river. Painted in Alma, Wisconsin.

6 x 8" plein air oil on linen/hardboard. October 19, 2017. Sold

Followed by a cloudy one. Painted in Brownsville, Minnesota.

On the River, 6 x 8" plein air oil on linen/hardboard. October 20, 2017.

In a week's time most of the leaves in the woods were on the forest floor instead of in the canopy.

9 x 12" plein air oil on linen/hardboard. October 25, 2017.

Falling snow and sleet softened the view of the landscape and heightened the color of the green moss and the dark trees in the woods.

10 x 8" plein air oil on linen/birch. October 27, 2017.

There is a particular row of pear trees in the orchard that always turns beautifully red in the fall. I broke off a few twigs before a hard frost robbed the leaves of their vibrant color.

Pear Leaves, 12 x 12" oil on linen/birch.

First snow. It didn't stick around long, but it was beautiful while it lasted.

First Snow, 8 x 10" plein air oil on linen/birch. November 1, 2017.

Another little still life of things gathered in the woods.

Oak Leaf and Acorn, 7 x 10" oil on linen/birch.

The last of the nasturtiums, which had been kept through a few frosts outside already.

Nasturtiums, 8 x 8" oil on linen/birch.

A quick study of the oranges and greens of a cold November evening.

7 x 10" plein air oil and linen/birch. November 9, 2017.

The old frame of a barn along a country road.

9 x 12" plein air oil on linen/hardboard. November 12, 2017.

A study of the familiar sweep of the south-side fields on the home farm. The cold weather has changed the greens, softening and dulling their hues.

Windswept Fields, 9 x 12" plein air oil on linen/birch. November 13, 2017.

 And a little study of the fields and woods to the north. The colors at dusk.

5 x 7" plein air oil on linen/birch. November 13, 2017.

 A sunshine day in a field of hay.

7 x 10" plein air oil on linen/birch. November 18, 2017.

A day to give thanks. One among many.

7 x 10" plein air oil on linen/birch. November 23, 2017.

Despite a stretch of warmer days, a little bit of ice remained on the shaded edge of the pond.

9 x 12" plein air oil on linen/birch. November 27, 2017.

 After keeping out during most of the deer hunting season, it was good to get back down amongst the trees again.

7 x 10" plein air oil on linen/birch. November 28, 2017.

One more painting for the month of November. I knew just where I wanted to paint, and went there directly, but I didn't stay there after all. The old draw of the woods kept me wandering and meandering through the trees and up and down hill until the shadows were long and there was only just enough daylight left for an attempt at capturing this little group of birch trees.

10 x 8" plein air oil on linen/birch. November 30, 2017.

September Bluffs

September holds both the Driftless Area Art Festival, and the Plein Air Between the Bluffs painting event - both celebrating the beauty and art of the region. It seems fitting then that many of my paintings this month have been especially focused on the bluffs and valleys of this corner of the Driftless Region. Here are some of my September oil paintings:

A Change in the Air, 9 x 12" plein air oil on linen/hardboard. September 4th. sold

 This first one was painted in Alma, Wisconsin. The trees near the water already showing their fading greens and hints of fall color. The weather that afternoon cycled through soft sunshine, rain, and gusts of wind. It was beautiful.

Evening on the Ridge, 8 x 10" plein air oil on linen/birch. September 8th.

 This little bluff and river painting was the first I did for the Between the Bluffs event, which is centered in La Crosse, Wisconsin. This was done across the Mississippi river on the Minnesota side, as evening fell.

Worn Wood and Sunshine, 10 x 12" plein air oil on linen/birch. September 12th.

As part of the La Crosse event, I agreed to be one of the demonstrating artists - doing one painting at a set time and place for anyone who cared to watch. I'd not done this before, and frankly it can be a bit intimidating having people watch as the painting comes together! But it was fun; thanks to everyone who stopped over as I painted this beauty of an old barn.

Then I had to take a break from painting for a bit as I finished up all the little and big things that go into preparing for an art fair. The Driftless Area Art Fair is a gem. Thank you to everyone who stopped by and made it so special!

My booth at the Driftless Festival, day 1.

 Then it was back to painting for the last few days of the Between the Bluffs event:

Shadows on the Bluffs, 8 x 16" plein air oil on linen/hardboard. September 19th.

A hot September afternoon, watching the shadows from the clouds drift across the bluffs, and the breeze blow the willows and leaves on the small poplars that grow in the marshy lowland. (I was so happy to receive the "Spirit of La Crosse" award on this piece from judge Scott Lloyd Anderson at the opening reception!)

Down in the Valley, 8 x 10" oil on linen/birch. September 19th and 20th.

I began this painting the same night, but it was late. I liked that color on the bluffs that were lit by the setting sun, but I just didn't have the time to get the painting to where I wanted it to be. The following night I returned to the same spot and refined it a little bit more.

Afternoon in the Woods, 9 x 12" oil on linen/birch. September 20th. sold

It was warm down in the woods and damp too, despite the dry weather. I had my easel wedged against a tree, with only its back leg set up, to keep it from sliding down the steep hillside, as I sought to capture the varying greens looking down towards the valley.

5 x 7" plein air oil on linen/birch. September 22nd.

This last one was a little painting done for a couple who used to live in this area, but have moved elsewhere. I little reminder of the bluffs and valleys. I loved the light at that time of day!

Red Wing Plein Air - 2017

Tuesday, June 20th

Hello again, Red Wing!

After checking in at the Depot Gallery and getting a bunch of panels stamped for the event, I drove up to Memorial Park on Sorin's Bluff, which has a great view looking over the city, and is a perfect place for watching the sun set.

Painting a view like this is very different from what I usually paint, and trying to simplify all the shapes and colors of the houses and buildings and trees below was a big challenge for me. I liked the slanting shadows that could be seen across the street below, the bright greens of the trees and the clearing on the west end of Barn Bluff, and the long view over to Wisconsin in the distance.

June 20, 2017. Summer Begins in Red Wing - 12 x 9" oil on linen/hardboard

Wednesday, June 21st.

Hiking up to the top of Barn Bluff with an easel and bag full of gear on my back isn't exactly enjoyable, but once at the top it is so worth it. The Prairie Trail wends its way through blowing grasses and wildflowers to the eastern tip of the bluff, which overlooks the head of Lake Pepin.

I've painted here before, and this time I brought an 8 x 16 panel to paint, to capture more of the wide view. 

Half-way into blocking in color.

I really enjoyed working out in paint the shapes and patterns of the river here. A beautiful puzzle.

Worth the Hike - 8 x 16" oil on linen/hardboard. June 21, 2017

Notes for next time: Eat a bigger breakfast - cheddar crackers just don't cut it. Wear sunscreen - the wind may make using a hat or umbrella difficult.

Favorite overheard story while painting: "Grandma was smart to bring him up here! No wonder Grandpa fell in love with her!"

Dinner with some of my favorite painters, and then back out. I headed to Wacouta, where I also did some painting and exploring last year. Looks like the fields were planted with rye again - so pretty! And there was something very homey to me in the subtle, sweet fragrance of the field in the evening.

I walked down a little ways on Rattlesnake Bluff Trail to get closer to this corner with its contrast of shadow and light on the standing grain.

Around the Bend - 9 x 12" oil on linen/hardboard. June 21, 2017

 Thursday, June 22nd.
Rain, rain, rain, rain, rain.
A soggy, gray day. Artist Jim Turner suggested we go paint at Kelly's Taphouse, as we'd seen a good viewpoint from their patio the day before. They were so gracious and let us move tables and chairs and set up our easels to get almost out of the rain. It was so wet and humid that Jim's watercolors wouldn't dry! My oils worked out a bit better. The rain came and went and came again, but all the moisture in the air lent a nice depth to the scene of boat houses and Barn Bluff. Of course, I like my trees, and these two stood out so full and sharp in the wet weather.

100% Chance of Rain - 9 x 12" oil on linen/hardboard. June 22, 2017 sold

Late evening the clouds finally began to break, and I tried to capture a bit of that standing under Maiden Rock and looking out over Lake Pepin. When I was nearly finished, the sun broke through just before setting and the whole sky and river was aflame with pinks and orange and gorgeousness. I may have to attempt that scene in a studio painting in the future!

Departing Rain over Point-No-Point - 8 x 16" oil on linen/hardboard. June 22, 2017

Friday, June 23rd.
Headed out painting with Jim again, but I left him painting what would become an award winning piece, and backtracked to visit these cattle I'd seen on the way. This time of year is so green in Minnesota, but there are still a lot of variations and I want to be able to show the richness of the landscape without making it boring. There is always a lot to learn.
The clouds began moving in as the day progressed, and their shadows moved across the growing corn in the field beyond the pasture.

Noon at the Watering Hole - 10 x 8" oil on linen/hardboard. June 23, 2017

In the afternoon I ended up at Flower Valley Vineyard on Orchard Road. I'd driven past this barn before and knew I wanted to paint it. The dark clouds moving through set off its red sides nicely. It was built in 1872, and has beautiful stonework and narrow horizontal boards; barn swallows nest under its eaves.

The weather alternated between rain and sunshine, with occasional umbrella-flipping wind gusts.

One Hundred Forty-Five - 8 x 10" oil on linen/hardboard. June 23, 2017

Friday evening we all turned in three framed paintings to be hung for the show, and had a little gathering with the artists and arts association volunteers (and food!) which was really nice.

Saturday, June 24th.

Quick paint from 9 to 11 am! The sun came out just in time. The wind blew out of the north and it was surprisingly cold for a June day. Half-way through painting I ran back to my car to grab a sweater - it's hard to paint a straight line in the first place without adding shivering to the mix!

This spot is just across the street from the depot, and it always catches my eye. I liked how the morning light caught the wind-blown trees and grasses and made them stand out against the dark background of old brick.

Quick paint on my easel. A Little Wild Place - 8 x 10" oil on linen/hardboard.

This year's judge was Joshua Cunningham. I became acquainted with him and his work the first year that I was part of this event - in 2011 - and have been a fan ever since. He did a demo in the afternoon, through occasional spits of rain and amidst a mostly shivering crowd of onlookers, who sometimes left to go find jackets or coffee. It was great to watch his painting develop and have a chance to ask questions. 

My four paintings in the show.

I was surprised and so very grateful to receive Best of Show for my painting "Worth the Hike"!

I had a great time in Red Wing painting, and meeting and reconnecting with some wonderful people while there. Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen, and to those of you who stopped by the opening! The show will be up till July 30th, 2017. Stop in and see all the new work, and pick out your own favorites. :)

Portrait of a Barn

This is "my" barn, the poor old beauty. I can't fix it, so I keep on painting it.

The initial sketch-in:

Then, blocking in the colors, especially the highlights and shadows:

 More detail, and blocking in the sky (and catching a few gnats in the wet paint!)

 The finished painting:

9 x 12 inch, plein air, oil on linen/hardboard. May 26, 2017

I started this one pretty late, and used up every minute of daylight. Studying and painting the weathered wood and knots that still hold red paint on the faded north face, the milkhouse, the feed room, the lean-to. The long grass that surrounds it in the spring time, the beautiful old cupolas, with their touches of rust, that always catch the last of the light in the evening.

Here's looking at you, Barn.

Suppertime

"Suppertime", 6 x 8" plein air, oil on linen/hardboard.

This afternoon, after so many gloomy days, the clouds at last broke and the sun peaked through, casting long shadows and illuminating the seeding dandelions and the fields, lush from all the rain. The cows grazed in the long grass.

I had a fine time, but the dogs were bored to sleep.

The chickens, after some suspicion, decided I wasn't a threat.

October's Bright Blue Weather

I know, I know, November is two-thirds over already. It's snowing outside at the moment. But here's a look back at October.

***

October 1st I met up with a great group of artists at Evansen Art Studio in Hastings, Minnesota to spend a day painting. In the evening the show was hung and there was a public reception. There were sure a lot of beautiful paintings and some of the them were featured in a silent auction at the Hastings Prescott Area Arts Council gala on November 4th.

Here are the two that I painted:

Another Season, 9 x 12" plein air oil on linen/hardboard. 

Fruit on the Vine, 12 x 9" plein air oil on linen/hardboard.

As the daylight hours became fewer, I didn't often get out to paint, or have long to work when I did. But I just love the light and color of this time of year, so it was good to get out and soak it in. This is a smaller painting, so I could try to capture those gorgeous lines and colors in a short time before sunset on October 17th.

Pastures in October, 6 x 8" plein air oil on linen/hardboard. 

October 22: Time to get out into the woods. These back-lit birch trees caught my eye, with the golden poplars in the background, and all the wild asters that had gone to seed lit up with the low sun.

Some cattle broke through a fence somewhere and came up behind me and stared. They weren't impressed.

Birch Grove - Late Afternoon, 9 x 12"plein air oil on linen/birch panel.

October 24: Another race against the sunset! I never tire of those curving fields with their varying colors and textures. Many of the trees in the woods had already lost their leaves, but the aspens and oaks still were a sight to behold with their vibrant yellows and rusty reds.

Late October Color, 9 x 12" plein air oil on linen/birch panel.

***

I've only been out once so far this month, on November 4th. I painted quickly, as the light and shadows changed as the sun sank down beyond the neighboring bluffs, and the girl tending the fire didn't hold still. But it was one of those clear-sky days, with the smell of fallen leaves, and perfect for a little campfire supper.

November Campfire, 9 x 12" plein air oil on linen/birch panel.