Yosemite Prairie ©

This past fall I visited Yosemite, California. I was there to attend my nieces wedding.  Yosemite is so huge that we were only able to see a small portion of the park. It was gorgeous and as beautiful as I remembered from my childhood!! I took many reference photos of Yosemite National Park, hoping to capture the magnificent scenery in future paintings created in my studio.  This is my first attempt.  I am pleased with the results. Stay tuned for more. 

Oil on canvas on panel, 8x8"

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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 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"

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"

Sun Bathing ©

I found this wolf "sun bathing" at the International Wolf Center in Ely Minnesota.  He made a magnificent subject.  Naturally I took some reference photos as he only posed for a few minutes.
Sun Bathing
Oil on canvas on panel, 6"H x 8"W

Just Around the Corner ©

On a cold winter's day on the prairie, a broken down fence caught my eye.  It was a cold day for plein air painting.
Just Around the Corner
Oil on canvas on panel, 9"H x 12"W
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Crabtree In The Fall ©

Crabtree Nature Center is located in a northwest suburb of Chicago.  It's a great place to paint al la plein air.  
Crabtree In The Fall
Oil on canvas panel, 8"W x 6"H

Strawberry Field ©

Strawberry Field

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

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Prairie Pond ©

On Saturday my plein air friends and I discovered a new little park outside of Crystal Lake, IL.  The day was just beautiful.......sunny, breezy and painting buddies.  I couldn't ask for more!!!!

Prairie Pond 

Oil on canvas panel, 10"H x 10"W
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Morning at the Marina ©

This is a plein air painting done at the Fox River Marina, IL.

Morning at the Marina

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