Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Old Farm Shed


Old Farm Shed
12 x 6, oil

At times I paint out with a plein air painter friend here. She grew up on an orchard and fruit farm near West Pecham, UK. I have gone with her a couple of times to paint there. It is really hard to select just one scene to paint because there are so many. We got going at 8am on this morning so that we could catch a bit of the morning light (I wasn't about to get up at 5:30 for the sunrise so 8 am was the best I was willing to do).

This painting, and the last one, were 80% done en plein air and the rest done in my studio. I am liking this ratio of outside and studio time on a piece. It takes away some of the anxiety of the timing and gets me lots more focused on getting the main color notes and values down right on site.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Farm Trailer


Farm Trailer
9 x 12, oil on panel
SOLD

There is lots of farm equipment on the farm here. This one struck me for the texture of the peeling paint and the grasses growing around it. It looks forgotten and abandoned but it is not. I don't normally like to paint a square-edged object like this or a building but when it is softened by vegetation, like this one is, I find them most intriguing. There is more of a story to it.

This one was done 80% en plein air.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Francis Iles Gallery

I just got accepted into a really lovely and high quality gallery - the Francis Iles Gallery in Rochester, Kent, UK http://www.francis-iles.com. We are both excited about meeting each other and our future and hopefully on-going relationship. I will be amongst some mighty fine UK artists as well as several top notch international ones. My work gets delivered mid-August so if you want one before it goes let me know and I will replace it as a gallery entrant.

The pieces are these plus a new one not photographed yet:





Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Happy Dog


Happy Dog
5 x 10
Oil on panel

I seldom paint from photos I have not taken but, with permission, I have used this photo from a lady from Norway who has several border collies and uses them to really work her sheep. They are such smart animals. It is fascinating to watch them do their thing.

In this painting I loved the way the sun hit the dog and the funny shapes the posture created. I also wanted to capture the joy and relief of a job well done as this sweet little thing found the cool pan (of water I presume) to relax in. If I ever do pet portraits as commission pieces they will surely have to be ones that tell a bit of the animals story and personality like this one. I could do this kind of thing all day. I think I am also a little pet deprived right now too as we don't live with any at the moment.

Monday, July 8, 2013

Good Morning


Good Morning
8 x 16
Oils on panel


I haven't painted my little darlings in a while. Here they are all cuddly as I came upon them before they got up for the day. Sooo cute!

Working in the exaggerated oblong format is getting addictive for me. It seems to show off the subject  matter in a more pronounced way. I am also working with a different pallet too. Zero whites. 

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Wading


Wading
Oil on panel
12 x 6
SOLD

Every once in a while I like to do a figurative piece. Sometimes I think I should paint more of them because I do love creating them. And what is it about the figure or animal from the back? It somehow tells a story that is somewhat simple and everyday that often speaks of innocence and quiet times.

Water can be quite a challenge but I am pretty pleased with my rendering of  it here.