Butler Pond, Another Version

This is a 24 x 20 oil painting done in my studio, using my smaller plein air painting as a reference. I wanted to try adding some colors not seen on site, and I wanted to see what I could do in the studio over several sessions. Instead of the usual orange underpainting I covered the canvas in an earthy red tone, since I have a lot of it. I think it works as a background color, but definitely darkens the painting as a whole.

Pink Roses, reworked.

Based on some advise, and my own dissatisfaction, I've reworked the previously posted painting, Pink Roses. I like it better now, anyone else have an opinion?

Butler Pond, June 2010

Completed this 16x12 painting during my plein air class yesterday. One lesson learned is to make sure I'm comfortable, in the shade, or I get too flustered and frustrated. It takes a while to realize that my rising feeling of frustration comes from not being able to see my canvas when the sun moves over it. I'd like to try the water again in another painting. It was very green-brown, with really no blue sky reflections within my picture frame. Next time I'll try a different composition to include sky reflection, but this time I was focused on the tall pine tree that looked like it was dripping pine needles. I don't think I really captured its majesty, but the painting is pleasing overall, I think.

Pink Roses

My "New Dawn" roses were in full bloom last week, so I cut some branches and brought in to the studio. This 20 x 24" painting was done in 3 sittings. I found that the roses did not last long, so was difficult to go back to them in the 2nd sitting, still, I tried to keep the style loose. It is a fun painting, I'll try to do more floweres.

Study in Greens

Last week our class met at the IMA's Lilly House again, and, once again, it was ghastly hot! Standing under the portico and looking directly toward the river, there is lots of greenery, so the challenge was to make it look interesting by varying the greens. Hopefully, I've accomplished this to some extent!

Indiana Landscape

This painting is from week one of the current session of oil painting classes. It is from the beautiful IMA grounds, near the east entrance. I'm pleased with it and anxious to improve on it in coming weeks. It will be available for purchase at Friday's "En Plein Air" art show opening. If you're available, come see it!