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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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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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"
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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"
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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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Serenity ©

I had a lot of fun painting this small masterpiece. To me it feels very whimsical and carefree which was the mood I wanted to create. 
Oil on canvas on panel, 6 x 6"

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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
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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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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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