ROCK and FLOWERS   8 x 10   Acrylic

An intrusive rock adds drama to a corner of the garden, and this landscaping area is a cozy corner with many varied textures. Flowers come and go, but the rock and posts solidify the stability of the setting. A splash of red now will soon be changed to the oranges and yellows of late summer.

SUNSHINE ADDED TO GARDEN PATH   11 x 14  Acrylic

 

Several suggestions were to add streams of sunshine to the illustration of the garden path. I am not certain this was the right move, but it was fun to experiment. Painting is all about capturing the light and there is still much, much more to learn.

"GARDEN PATH"  11 x 14   Acrylic

 

This painting is a continuation of my series of pathways and it has much detail in it via the varieties of flowers. I debated on putting shafts of sunlight streaking from the left side of the illustration. Any suggestions?

 

"BIRCH  MORN"   12 x 24   Acrylic

Birch trees are striking in their contrast from the surrounding forest. This painting is slightly stylized to emphasize the characteristics of our lovely birches. It was fun to capture a bit of the texture of the bark by slapping on the paint with a palette knife. I hope you enjoy.

 

"EWE TRIO"   11 x 14   Acrylic

Monochromatic colors are appealing, and this scene benefits from the highlights on the sheep. Humankind has been likened to sheep, in our tendency to follow a leader—any leader, whether with right principles or not. We make a choice on which leader by the fruits.

 

"ASSESSING THE MOMENT"   12 x 24  Acrylic

 

 This painting captures the moment when cat sizes up the bird and its location—and vice versa. Pepper loved to watch the activities surrounding the birdhouse, but had an attitude of live-and-let-live. The actual birdhouse was on a longer pole, but I shortened it for the drama of the painting.

"NO LIMIT"   8 x 10   Acrylic

 

A little boy with arms outstretched facing the wide ocean represents all the unlimited potential in a young life. Children view possibilities all around them. This young man might some day challenge huge forces that others claim is impossible. The painting used three main colors and was fun to apply.

"EARLY MORN"   11 x 14   Acrylic

 

This lakeside setting attracted me by the abstract quality of the composition. An approaching storm-cloud with its accompanying breeze might ruffle the water into dramatic waves, but for the time being, all is still.

 

"PADDLING UPRIVER"   11 x 14   Acrylic

Two canoeists eagerly paddle in the still of the forest in this latest painting. The only sounds are the splash of water and the occasional song of a bird. It's taken me awhile to get back into a 'painting mode' but there is always so much to learn from each illustration that I cannot let opportunities pass by.

 

"MUSTANG"   11 x 14   Oil

 Still experimenting with oil paints (versus acrylic), this illustration was completed in less than an hour. It may beg for more detail, but the attitude and pose bring precious memories of a sturdy horse who gave his heart for me in mountains and seashore and all trails in-between.

UPDATED "KILLBEAR ROCKS"  16 x 20  Oil

This oil painting is finally completed, allowing for more 'weight' to be placed on the right side of the illustration. Note the darker blue water, the birds in the sky, and more burnt sienna color in the shadow of the rocks on the right side. A good composition needs balance and harmony and I hope this updated version fits the bill. Make comparison with the painting posted on April 15.

"KILLBEAR ROCKS"   16 x 20   Oil

This site commemorates the area of many pleasant days of summer over the years. The rough texture of the rocks, the gritty sand beneath your feet, the whisper of wind in the trees, and the splash of the waters of Georgian Bay were all refreshing. Painting the rocks was a challenge only because of shifting from more shadows back to more sunlight. There may be a few changes yet to take place.

NOAH'S ARK   16 x 20

 

 

A request was made to supply some paintings to fill a big wall in the Mother's Room of our Temple. It is a challenge to select appropriate characters and present them in illustration for young minds. Noah's Ark should be readily recognized by young and old alike. Perhaps there will be another illustration to join this one in a potential series for that particular wall.

 

"CANYON WATERFALL"   12 x 24

It's fun to do vertical paintings, and a waterfall seems the natural subject for this dimension. The contrasting colors create a subjective mood. Hopefully you feel a chill in the air and hear the splash of water as it cascades on the boulders.

ABSTRACT 'SLOPE'   11 x 14

 This long winter is causing a lull in the desire to paint, but splashing around with bright colors helps a bit. The good point in an abstract is that different folks envision different things. I like the color combination that resembles something of a popsicle, but missing the lime green—ha! You'll notice that recent paintings have appeared faded—that was because of my dying camera. A new camera is available and hopefully future paintings will not appear so washed-out. Thank you for your patience.

"BOKEH FLOWERS"   8 x 10

 

 The word "bokeh" is NOT misspelled for 'bouquet,' rather it signifies the blur in an out-of-focus area of an image in photography. Bokeh is popular with certain photographers, and I experimented with painting the effect by zeroing in on a small area of that blur. Paint is unable to produce the effect that the camera does, with levels of transparency, and the effect leaves me with seeing (without my glasses) a garden full of flowers or through a kaleidoscope. Ha!

BARNYARD   16 x 20

 There's something special about an old barn. The scent of hay and horses, the creak of old timbers, and the familiar nooks and crannies of the interior reminds us of an earlier era. This was our barn in Idaho, but I changed the surrounding scenery somewhat. My camera is dying and thus failed to reproduce the colors properly.

BIRCHES, NUMBER 2   12 x 24

An earlier painting of two birch trees was purchased by a friend, so I am experimenting with a slightly altered version to replace on my wall, the earlier one. Sometimes painting a picture is like trying to compose a story—the characters seems to have a 'mind of their own' and insist on going their own way despite the creator or originator of the product. Ha!

"FISHING VILLAGE"   11 x 14

 

A postcard photo captured this scene and gave opportunity to explore with brush and paint, using the contrasting effect of night and reflections.

 

"UNSETTLED"   11 x 14

Balmy skies are disappearing under fast-moving clouds and the wind is whipping the grasses in this beach scene. I like the light and shadow effect, and the simple approach to a familiar locale.

"PIANO KEYS"   8 x 10

A close-up of a familiar instrument provides the illusion of piano keys. They are not carefully rendered and appear dusty and old, which is the effect I was searching for. Hopefully it will bring memories for some pianist and possibly cause them to dig out the music and return to the keyboard to refresh the delight of resonant chords.

"TULIP GARDEN"   8 x 10

This abstract is based on an earlier one, because of the repetitive forms and shapes in relation to another. I like the color scheme and the soft edges. Its range of colors is wide enough to allow it to be in almost any room with whatever color scheme.

 

"HORSE WHISPERS"   11 x 14

Equine form is special—from the shape of the head to the curve of the crest, to the grace of its action in its gait. This horse is attentive to some small noise behind it, and poses gracefully to locate the source. The idea was to have him in his stall at night, but I feared going too dark with the shadows. Small changes may be in the offing at some future time.

'HEAT'   8 x 10

 Abstract painting can be very fluid and open to unexpected happenings. Perhaps I should have named this painting "Armageddon," for its forceful colors and suggestive implications. The viewer may see other possibilities in the shapes and relations of one color with another.

'FLOWER ARRANGEMENT'   12 x 24

 

A more stylistic approach to a common subject, this still life is dramatized by the elongated dimensions of the canvas. It was fun to do, but as always, one never feels as if a painting is completed...

 

"GOLDEN HILLS"   8 x 10

This painting began as a monochromatic exercise, but altered itself along the way. The scene is a reminder of many peaceful times spent in the quiet hills in the cool of the evening.

MOOSE SURPRISE   12 x 24

Walking in the northern forest in the Fall, a hiker must be aware of the surroundings. The risk of running into bears or moose can be a risk. This fellow appears to be waiting behind the small tree as we round the bend in the trail. The vertical canvas adds drama to the scene.

ABSTRACT "WHISPERS"   8 x 10

 The thirst for color is greatly needed in a world surrounded by white snow during the winter-time. This abstract suggests colorful scarves flowing in a warm breeze, prompted by the need for a warmer climate. Or do you see something else it represents? The skill for abstraction is greatly wanting, and needs refreshing, bolstering, a boost for energetic motion.

NIAGARA FALLS   12 x 24

 

The drama of a waterfall is accentuated by the peering over the edge, and perhaps by the vertical canvas. It was fun to do this painting. Can you hear the roar of the water as it cascades to the rocks below?

 

HOARY REDPOLL   8 x 10

The  redpoll is a petite little bird with a sweet chirp that occasionally graces our feeder. The wonderful variety of birds in the fields and forest is another gift that God brings to our lives.

RED BARNS   16 x 20

 

Contrasting colors bring a pleasing effect in this country scene, and the pathway lends to the effect of distance in its composition. Red barns are a favorite color for many of us. The small farmer, independent of corporations, struggles to sustain his livelihood despite forbidding circumstances.

 

FATHER AND SON   5 x 7

 

 The silhouette of father and son strolling along a fence-line might bring memories to some, with nostalgia for possibly days-long-ago. The style is simple, with basic blocks of color, but it creates a mood.

YOUNG WARBLER   8 x 10

 

I'm in the mood for a series of little bird paintings, so the bright yellows of this youngster appealed to me. He's barely out of his fledgling stage, but his colors are brilliant. We have a duty to preserve and protect our wildlife, for what would the world be like without the melodic songs of birds among us?

 

LITTLE RED BIRD   8 x 10

 

 An earlier painting of a little red bird sold last summer, and because it was a favorite of mine, I painted a similar one, with only a few minor changes. The expressions on animals can be endearing and birds are no exception. I hope you enjoy.

 

GOLDEN POPPIES IN FIELD   11 x 14

Open fields are alluring, particularly when there are splotches of color from random wildflowers that grow in the meadow. What attracted me to the scene is the row of green trees and brush that grace the hillside. Can you hear the cow bawling in the distance?

BIRCHES   12 x 24

 Birch trees are striking by their white bark and when contrasted against the colored leaves of Fall, it makes a pleasing scene. To emphasize their height and structure, it was fun to paint them vertically. No two trees are alike. I put extra paint on to build up the texture.

PATHWAY   11 x 14

The pathway into the forest is a repeat of an earlier and smaller one I painted in oil. Because that one sold, I thought to try it again in a larger size and using acrylics. Each medium brought its own challenges. I was tempted to have a change of seasons in this painting, but decided against it. There is just a hint of Fall color in the leaves instead.

PRIZE CALF   11 x 14

 

Animals are usually fun to paint, and this one is a commemorative of some of the 4-H projects that kids invest in. There's the joy of raising a baby to young adulthood and seeing the animal develop and increase in stature. Usually a bond is formed between the youth and his/her animal. I like the contrast of blue background against the ruddy tones of the hide; the back-light adds sparkle to the scene.

 

MOUNTAIN CANYON   16 x 20

Know what it's like to come across something you did years ago and think, "I can improve on that"? This was one of my earlier paintings that seemed too flat, with little perspective and much the same color. It was a pleasure to work with it again and put to use some of the tips I picked up this past couple of years of painting. It might still need some additional touching-up of warm colors and shading, but here's an improved version.

AURORA   12 x 16

 In the far north we often see colorful wonders in the sky, via the Aurora Borealis. Sometimes they shimmer, other times it appears as if a curtain is wafting in a breeze. The view is breathtaking when we see these Northern Lights.