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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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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Hidden Farm ©

This is a plein air painting I painted one crisp morning before work.  I had to go to the location 3 times before completing the painting.  The farm is just down the road from me in northern Illinois......another in my series of farms.

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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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Rosie ©

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 "Rosie" sunbathing and was inspired to record the moment.   
Oil on canvas on panel, 6"H x 8"W
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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
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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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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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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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Bull Frog Serenade ©

Cedarburg, Wisconsin is a quaint town just north of Milwaukee.  This summer I entered my first plein air event.  I was drawn to paint the beautiful park in downtown Cedarburg.  I used my favorite landscape colors to interpret what I saw and felt.  The bullfrogs were singing the entire time I was painting so I felt compelled to name this piece, Bull Frog Serenade.
Bull Frog Serenade
Oil on canvas on panel, 8"Wx10"H
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God's Handiwork ©

God's Handiwork
Oil on canvas on panel, 8"Wx10"H
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Tucked Away ©

Tucked away in the woods around Long Grove, Il I was inspired to paint this beautiful cabin in the woods.  It was early summer and the wild flowers were so beautiful.  As always, I painted on site (plein air).  I do not use reference photos as it is easier to capture the essence of the composition when I paint from life. 

Tucked Away

Oil on canvas on board, 8"Wx10"

Morning Splendor ©

Morning Splendor
Oil on canvas on panel, 8"Hx10"W
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Crimson Oasis ©

Heading  up to Ely Minnesota last winter,  we came around the corner and this beautiful barn was standing there.  I couldn't wait to paint it! 
Crimson Oasis
Oil on canvas on panel, 5"W, 3 1/2"H
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