Winter Thaw ©

 Oil on canvas on panel, 12"W x 16"H

Visit my Etsy Shop to purchase this.

Click Here!

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.

Visit my Etsy Shop to purchase this.
Click Here!

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

Visit my Etsy Shop to purchase this.
Click Here!

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
Visit Ebay to purchase this oil painting.
Click Here!

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
Visit Ebay to purchase this oil painting.
Click Here!

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
Visit my Etsy Shop to purchase this.
Click Here!

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
SOLD

Winds A Howling on Lake Geneva ©

This is a plein air painting I did on the shores of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.  Plein Air is a French expression which means "in the open air" and is often used to describe the act of painting outdoors. 

That day in Lake Geneva, the wind was blowing so hard that people in canoes on the lake were not even moving an inch while paddling like crazy.....That was so funny to watch.   My friends Karen and Jill came out to paint with me that day. It was their first time plein air painting and they had a blast. Their paintings were beautiful!!

Oil on canvas on panel, 8x10"
Visit my Etsy Shop to purchase this.
Click Here!

Summertime ©

I completed this small masterpiece on a trip to one of my favorite outdoor painting spots; Eagle, Wisconsin.   Eagle is a small town with a beautiful hidden park.  I try to go there at least every other year to paint.
Oil on canvas on panel, 8x10"
Visit Ebay to purchase this oil painting. 
Click Here!

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
SOLD

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"
SOLD

Sam ©

Sam is one of the wolves that is residing at the International Wolf Center in Ely ,Minnesota. The wolves live in a fenced-in, wooded area about the size of an acre and a half. The wolf center building has windows from floor to ceiling that run the length of the building for observation and picture taking. Also in the building, there is a museum, gift shop and lecture room. It is a wonderful place to visit!

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

Reflections ©

Pictures I took up in the Nothwoods of Wisconsin inspired me to paint this small masterpiece. Most of my childhood vacations were spent in Tomahawk, Wisconsin.  I just love it up there.....SOOO many wonderful memories.

Here's something very interesting about Tomahawk, which is located in northern Wisconsin.   That is, it is interesting if you are a fan of the TV drama, The Sopranos.  Before 1837, the land where Tomahawk is now situated, belonged to the Ojibwe Indians.  The saying that someone posted in Anthony Soprano's hospital room when he got shot read.........

"Sometimes I go about in pity for myself, and all the while, a great wind carries me across the sky."

Ojibwe Saying as seen in The Sopranos, S6/E4

Oil on canvas on panel, 8"W x 16"H
Visit my Etsy Shop to purchase this.
Click Here!

Minnesota Waters ©

I used the paint and destroy method to complete this small masterpiece.  You can read all about that technique in my last post. 
I enjoy the little surprises that evolve!!  Using a lot of thick paint makes it easier to maneuver my palette knife: my primary tool for this painting.
Oil on canvas on panel, 6"H x 8"W
SOLD

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
SOLD

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"

Sold

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

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"

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

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