Winter In The Northwoods ©

"Winter in the Northwoods" is another small masterpiece of a scene in Ely, Minnesota.  I used several of my reference photos and continued to practice making my paintings more impressionistic. I am using a new technique I call paint and destroy.  I put down a preliminary layer of paint and then I use a large brush to "destroy".  By taking large, broad strokes over the top of the painting, I add a lot of movement and create a more impressionistic style.  I am pleased with the results.

Oil on canvas on panel, 6"W x 8"H
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Impression of Ely ©

A small lake surrounded by pine trees in Ely, Minnesota inspired me to paint this small masterpiece. I have been experimenting with a new technique I learned in a workshop I took at MainStreet Art in Lake Zurich, IL.  I want my paintings to be more impressionistic and I think this technique will help me to reach my goal.  So far, I am pleased with my progress.

Oil on canvas on panel, 6"H x 8"W
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Northwoods Paradise ©

Oil on canvas on panel, 6"H x 8"W
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Still Waters ©

MainStreet Art Center in Lake Zurich, IL offers a variety of workshops conducted by accomplished artists from all over the USA.  I attended a Dawn Emerson workshop in early November.  One of the exercises Dawn taught included using a single reference photo to create a series of paintings: different sizes and compositions.  This small masterpiece, Still Waters, is first in a series.  I used a reference photo I took in Ely, Minnesota this fall.

Oil on canvas on panel, 8x8"
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Oil Rig ©

Near the most southern tip of Illinois outside the quaint, small town of Fairfield, I participated in a plein air competition this fall. It rained most of the day, but that didn't deter me from painting this lovely landscape complete with oil rig!  Oil rigs fascinate me. I just love that we are drilling for oil in our own state!!

Oil on canvas on panel.  10x10"
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Grandpa's Farm ©

I painted this small masterpiece during a plein air workshop.  I had fun creating an interesting composition while incorporating all of the junk you usually find around farms. Great time had by all!
Oil on canvas on panel. 10x10"
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October Morning ©

On a crisp October morning, I was drawn to this magnificent scene on the grounds of Willow Creek Church. I think I used my palette knife more than my brushes. I love the little surprises you get with a palette knife.  It was the perfect tool for capturing the many textures of the grasses covering the ground. 

Oil on canvas on panel, 10x10"
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Ray's ©

I discovered this cute hot dog stand in Fairfield, Illinois during a plein air event.  Rumor has it that they have the best French fries in the county.
Oil on canvas on panel.  8x8"
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October Hike ©

Last weekend I participated in a Plein Air event in Fairfield, Illinois. I was driving around the back roads of Fairfield looking for a place to paint when I drove by this beautifully lit, winding  path. The scene became my inspiration for this small masterpiece.  It was a rainy day with no sign of letting up, so I decided to paint inside my car: a small Honda Fit!!  It's amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it.   

As a painter, I always look for contrast in color and light when choosing a plein air location.  Even though it was raining, the fall leaves were illuminated.  I am pleased with the results.

Oil on canvas on panel, 8"W x 10"H
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Joy ©

This is a plein air painting done at Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington, Illinois.  I brought my granddaughter who is 5 to plein air paint with me.  She had a wonderful time painting in acrylics. I think I have a new partner to paint with! The fall colors were just starting, and the weather could not have been better.  Now if we could get rid of the mosquitos!!

Oil on canvas on panel, 8"H x 10"W
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Strawberry Farm ©

This is a painting I did at the strawberry farm for the Cedarburg plein air event this summer. I just love this location because it offers so many different things to paint.
Oil on canvas on board, 6" H x 12"W
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A Special Place ©

This landscape painting is a commission.  It is a painting of a beautiful 6 acre lot that my client and her fiancé own. She had me paint it for his birthday.
Oil on canvas on panel, framed, 16x20"
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Volo Bog ©

Volo Bog Nature Center has a wonderful artist reception where the artist paintings are on display and up for bid.  My painting sold!!
Oil on canvas on panel, 6x8"
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Sunflower Garden ©

Oil on canvas on panel, 6x6"
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House On The Corner ©

I really want to be able to paint buildings well, so we went out on a Friday morning and started practicing. The fence and flowers drew me to paint this charming scene in Wauconda, IL. I am very pleased with the results.

Oil on canvas on panel, 8x8"
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Peaceful Valley ©

Peaceful Valley is a pleair painting I did at the Fox River Preserve and Marina. I had a lot of fun painting with fr

Peaceful Valley is a plein air painting I did at the Fox River Preserve and Marina. I had a lot of fun painting with friends...and the weather was oh so nice! 
Oil on canvas on panel, 8x8"
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Sunflower Medley ©

I used a reference photo to paint this small masterpiece. I took several pictures of the sunflowers my neighbor had growing in her garden.  I had so much fun putting an impressionistic twist to them.

Oil on canvas on panel, 8x8", NFS

Field of Dreams ©

I painted this small masterpiece for a plein air competition in Woodstock, IL at the Kishwaukee headwaters.  Three of my friends and I spent the day together, painting outside on a beautiful Sunday morning in early summer.  

Oil on canvas on panel, 8 x 8"

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Thursday Morning ©

 I painted this at the strawberry farm on a misty Thursday morning . I painted this at the strawberry farm on a  I I I I painted this small masterpiece at the strawberry farm on a misty Thursday morning. It was the first painting I completed at the Cedarburg, WI plein air event.

Oil on canvas on panel, 8x8"

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Kishwaukee Fields ©

Just on the edge of Woodstock, is a really lovely little park.  Nearby you will find the headwaters of the Kishwaukee River.  The river begins as a wetland stream in Woodstock, IL and runs to Rockford, IL where it becomes part of the Rock River.  I chose to paint this small masterpiece during a Woodstock plein air event last spring. 

Oil on canvas on panel, 6"W x 8"H

New Harmony Pond ©

This is a plein air piece I did in New Harmony, Indiana. New Harmony is part of Evansville, Indiana.  It is a small, historic town on the Wabash River: population about 800.  I painted this piece during a plein air event called The First Brush.  

Oil on canvas on panel, 5"W x 8"H

Chillin' ©

I created this small masterpiece from reference photos I took in Ely, Minnesota at the International Wolf Center.  The Center has five wolves living on a site of about one and a half acres.  The Wolf Center has a wonderful building for viewing the beautiful wildlife:  the entire back side is glass.  I enjoyed watching this fellow “Chillin” in the sunshine and was inspired to record the moment.   

Oil on canvas on panel.  6"H x 8"W

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Early Morning ©

This is a plein air painting I did in Schaumburg . It was such a beautiful day, and to make it even better I set my easel up under a tree where a bird serenaded me the whole time I was there.
Oil on canvas on panel, 6"H x 8"W

Rose Garden ©

A quaint Wisconsin farm was my inspiration for this small masterpiece.  I enjoyed the sunny spring day plein air painting with friends and exploring the lovely display of perennial plants and handmade treasures. 
Oil on canvas on panel, 6x6"
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Early Rise ©

Yesterday before I had to get ready for work, I decided that I needed to paint the field across the street from our home.  The lighting was so beautiful, I couldn't resist! I had a 4 x 5 canvas so I decided to try the direct painting method.  I mixed a lot of paint on the palette so I would have thick deliberate strokes.....and then LEFT each application. I had so much fun, and ended up with a fresh painting.  
Oil on canvas on panel. 4"H x 5"W

Wonderful Spring ©

The inspiration for this painting was a beautiful spot just 3 miles from my home.  It's nice to see that spring has finally arrived!!

Oil on canvas on panel, 8x8"

Spring Thaw ©

This past weekend, friends and I went to a park just outside of Harvard, IL to paint.  It was fun watching the geese land on the ice…..in fact, it was even more fun listening to my friend Marybeth laugh when they did!!  I have entitled this small masterpiece, “Spring Thaw”, even though here in Illinois we wonder if spring will ever arrive this year.
Oil on canvas on panel, 8x8"

Hint of Spring ©

This is the first plein air piece of the year.  I painted with a friend in her back yard.  It was fabulous.....the birds were singing, squirrels were running around and I was in heaven painting outside!!!
Oil on canvas on panel, 6x6"

Quiet Place ©

It was spring in Minnesota and the calm waters of this small lake drew my attention.  The deep blue water against the fading dried underbrush, leads the viewer's attention to the center of my small masterpiece. 

Oil on canvas on panel, 6"H x 8"W
 

Plein Air Tip - Choose a Compact, Lightweight Easel

Lightening your load is rule number one in my Plein Air Tips book. I love my Richeson half easel, model #886026.  It is compact, light weight and easy to transport.  You can buy one on-line for less than $100!  Just google the words Richeson Easel and you will find many places to buy one, including the usual art supply sites, Amazon and even Walmart.

Cattails ©

It was a beautiful spring day in Wisconsin.  A group of plein air artists and myself ventured down the muddy trail where I found a perfect place to set up my easel.  I used my palette knife to capture the cattails, grass and such in the foreground.

Oil on canvas panel. 6"W x 8"H
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Tuesday Morning ©

I did this painting from a photo I took up in Ely, Minnesota.  It's another one of those beautiful lakes they have in Minnesota.  It was early spring and everything was coming back to life after a hard winter!

Oil on canvas panel, 6"H x 8"W
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Morning View ©

This beautiful field is across the street from my home.  I painted it from inside my porch with all my winter gear on!  I just love the way the sun plays across the field, giving the trees a beautiful bronze glow.  The shadows on the snow are awesome with the different blues and violets.   

Oil on canvas panel, 8"H x 10"W

Spring in Eagle ©

My reference photo was taken at a plein air workshop I attended in Eagle, Wisconsin.  I remember a very warm and sunny day filled with the joy, doing what I love.
Oil on canvas on panel, 9"W x 12"H

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Prairie ©

I used splashes of color to lead the viewer into this painting; from cadmium red light, to light blue, to violet and finally greenish blue.  
Oil on canvas panel, 12"H x 12"W

Winter Splendor ©

I think I captured the feelings I had that day: ice cold winter, freezing cold.
Winter Splendor
Oil on canvas on panel, 8"H x 10"W