Hill Country plein air

I finally got out to the Texas hill country and did some plein air painting with some friends. I was joined by Guy Morrow, Eric Harrison, David Camp, and Chuck and Barbara Mauldin. We painted one day around Fredericksburg, and a couple of days near Utopia. We had great weather and even better company. The painting was pretty intense with mostly bright sunshine, and one morning of heavy fog. The two paintings that I've included show an example of both. The oak study is 8x10, and the other is 6x8. Painting in the mist/fog was a challenge for me since that is really not my bag, but it was fun. I got lots of digital images which I'll use to paint from in the next few weeks. I need to get busy and get some paintings together for the Kiwanis Club Art Show in San Antonio in January at the Witte Museum. The show will be up on January 29 and 30. If you're in the area stop by and say hello.

Sorry I hadn't posted in a while, hope to be a little more in touch in the days to come.

Later!

Texas Bluebonnets

Well, we're finally done with the living room remodel so I am back at painting with a small brush. I did this 12x16 last Sunday afternoon from some Heart Tail Ranch photographs and a little artistic license. I am eager to get out and do some plein air painting. Hopefully with the Texas heat subsiding a little bit, that'll happen soon.

happy painting!

Ready for Fall!

I did this little study (6.75 x 9) this morning from last year's photographs taken right before Thanksgiving around Utopia. The last couple of years I've painted around Utopia with Guy Morrow and some other friends. Guy and I were talking about this year's plans, so it made me start thinking that I am ready to get out and do some plein air painting. We always have a good time, so I am ready to meet up again in the Hill Country.

Last year the color was very nice, and I was able to see the reds in these oaks that I had only seen in the Salinas and Onderdonk paintings before then. They really didn't need to push the color at all. Hope that this year is a good one!

Hay Bales

Well, last week I got on a hay bale kick and did three small paintings. I have always been a bale fan, but never been very happy with the results. Well, I did three last week and am OK with all three of them (two of them shown here). The small one is 8x12, and the larger is 8x20. Jim Rey (see August '09 issue of Western Art Collector) was challenging me to do something out of the normal size, so I tried the 8x20 (he just completed a series of 8x30's). I think I like it, but it does present some interesting compositional problems. Anyway, here is the result......even my wife is OK with these, and she is not a hay bale person. Hope you like!

Painting trip to Beeville, TX

Well, I finally got out to paint yesterday. Me and a couple of painting buddies from CC, Guy Morrow and Jess Barrera, went out toward Beeville, TX. We just drove around and found a couple of scenic spots that weren't on the main highway and set up and painted. Images of the two paintings that I did are attached. I really had some trouble seeing when I did the oak study. It was already about 1pm by the time we finished, and the sun was directly overhead. I was having trouble seeing colors and values...I guess because it was so bright. I was working in the shade, but I still had trouble. The light was bright and it was really hot! I think that whenever I go out in the future, I need to put down the brushes for 3 or 4 hours in the middle of the day, and then start again. Still had a great time, and it was fun talking sh...... art and doing some plein air painting!

New 30x40 landscape

Hi!

This is my first attempt at blogging. I am a part time artist, but very serious about it. I hope to post my new paintings as they come along, and just generally comment on the things that inspire me artistically. I just completed a 30x40 which I've attached. Let me know what you think, and share your work as well.

Also, I wanted to share that I recently received the latest Sorolla book, called simply Joaquin Sorolla (1863-1923) edited by Jose Luis Diez and Javier Baron. It is fantastic! It is the catalog for a show that is currently at the Prado in Madrid. All of his major work is being exhibited, including the panels for the 'Vision of Spain' which had never been exhibited in Spain. The show is up thru September 13th. If I had all the money, I'd be there. I have to settle for the book, which is very good.