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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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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Bluebird ©

I saw this bluebird the other day when all of the other birds were passing through. I don't think I have the right kind of seed for them (if they even eat bird seed) because they never stick around. Our neighbors have the bird houses set up for them so they aren't too far away.

Oil on canvas on panel, 6 x 6"
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Meadow In Colorado ©

On a recent visit to Colorado I spotted this scene. The yellow flowers beckoned me to explore the path and I was inspired to take a few reference photos.  I was happy to paint my impression of that moment when I returned home to my studio in Illinois. 

Oil on canvas on panel, 6 x 6"
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Just Around The Bend ©

I used a photograph I took in Wisconsin as my inspiration for this painting.  My friend and I were enjoying the scenery as we drove through the Wisconsin countryside, looking for things to paint....old barns...farm houses and such. We came across this wonderful red barn.  I think what intrigued me the most about the photo was how the pavement reflected little bits of the sky and the barn.

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

This painting was completed during a Plein air competition held at the Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington, IL.  I love painting there, because there is so many beautiful areas to paint.  I am teaching  a free beginning plein air painting class on August 8th. For anyone interested you can contact Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington to sign up for the class.

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