Family Fun©

Wisconsin is one of my favorite places to visit and get some really nice photos. This is a painting from one of those photographs.  Nancy, who is my friend and one of my biggest collectors, told me that she loved it when my paintings told a story. So that has inspired me......to tell a story with my paintings by adding people or animals. Thank you for viewing my blog.

Oil on Raymar canvas board....11W" X H"

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State Line Pastures ©

I competed this quick study primarily using my palette knife.  The horses are grazing on a pasture down the road from our home.  I have been wanting to paint these horses for awhile now.  This little masterpiece is the first in a series of horse paintings I plan to complete in the near future. 

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

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Winter Thaw ©

 Oil on canvas on panel, 12"W x 16"H

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Winter Thaw is a Plein air painting I did when it warmed up last weekend.  This is a creek that is just down the road from where I live......so beautiful!! I thought you might enjoy seeing what I saw as I painted this small masterpiece in the snow.

Out My Front Porch ©

This is a plein air painting of the land across the street from my house.  Every morning the sun hits the trees in different ways, each day revealing something prettier than the day before. On this particular morning I spotted a deer, so of course I had to put her in the painting.

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Creating a Small Masterpiece - Farm On The Hill ©

I love to paint plein air: painting outdoors.  It forces me to paint quickly, using my creative sense rather than analyzing every stroke.  I can better capture the actual feelings a scene brings to mind.  Of course I always take some reference photos as I typically finish each small masterpiece in my studio.  I have included a picture of my easel and the work in process as well as one of my reference photos.  A picture of the finished small masterpiece,  follows.

Oil on canvas on panel, 8"H x 10"W
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Farm On Button Road ©

I am doing a series of farm paintings that are in my area.  All are Plein air that are painted in the morning before work.  I am blessed to have so many farms in my area.....each having there own unique character.
Oil on canvas on panel, 8"H x 10"W

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Path Through The Woods ©

This is a plein air painting I painted at Rock Cut State Park. The park is located near Rockford, Illinos, where I used to camp quite a bit. It's a beautiful park, where you can rent kayaks, paddle boats and canoes and just putts around the lake.

Oil on masonite, Framed, 8.5"H x 11.5"W

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Farm On The Fox ©

Maddie, my granddaughter and I went plein air painting at Fox River Marina in Island Lake.  

This is her second year painting with me and we had such a wonderful time! She is quite the artist!

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

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Peaceful ©

This is a plein air painting I did at the Fox River Marina in Island Lake. I used heavy bodied gesso and applied it to a Masonite board.  I love how the texture creates little surprises in the painting. 
Oil on canvas on panel, 6"H x 8"W
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Crabtree Nature Center ©

Once a year, I give a morning workshop hosted by Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington, Illinois.  It is a beginning workshop that teaches students basic plein air techniques: how to start a painting, how to address light and shadow, and recommended supplies for painting outdoors. This small masterpiece started as a plein air demo during the workshop.  It was a beautiful day and everyone seemed to have a great time.

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

I painted this small masterpiece plein air in Richmond, illinois.  I just love the extreme shadows and bright light filtering through the tall trees, marking the hikers' path.  
Oil on canvas on panel, 9"W x 12"H
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A Little Piece of Paradise ©

This is a plein air painting I completed on Friday.  My friend Sherri has a friend who invited us to paint on her beautiful property outside of Harvard, IL . Everywhere we turned there was something exciting to paint......out buildings, ponds, flowers etc.. The woman who owns this wonderful property was so gracious and kind.  It was the perfect day; beautiful weather and wonderful friends to paint with!!

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

Just across the street from the Volo Bog, Illinois sits a red barn on a hill.  I was happy to have found the perfect site for my day of plein air painting. I just love the way the farm is nestled into the hillside.  I added the pink flowers in the foreground to draw the viewer to the beginning of the path leading to the red barn.

Oil on canvas on panel, 8 x 10"

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Let's Take A Walk ©

This is a plein air painting I did in Richmond, Illinois.  I pass by this hiking trail every day on the way to work. I love the filtered light that comes through the trees and onto the path. It's so much fun painting outside.....You get to meet a lot of people who stop and watch you paint.

Oil on canvas on panel, 9"W x 12"H
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Boggin'

This is a painting I did for the auction to be held at the Volo Bog Nature Center, Illinois. Every year they have an art show in order to educate the public regarding bogs and their importance in the state of Illinois.

This year, paintings must be delivered no later than June 26th.  The public is invited to view the paintings for one month, June 26 - July 26, and submit bids for the silent auciton.  There is a wonderful reception, open to the public, on Sunday, July 26th.  At that time the winning bids are revealed. 

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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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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