Rainy Day at Big Cedar

Rainy Day at Big Cedar
Oil on panel, 10x8

This painting was started in the rain at the Big Cedar Plein Air Event event.  It was a one hour quick paint, and I set my easel up as close to the building as I could get - to shield myself from the rain.  It was so cold - and I had on several layers to fight the elements!  My red rain slicker kept the rain running off of me while I quickly painted.  Today, I finished this piece by cleaning up the edges and defining the shapes a little better.  I dared not change the colors, as I couldn't find my photo reference.  Things can get a little crazy during a quick paint!  This is painting number 83 in 83 days, now back to getting my panels primed.........

Glow on the Water

Glow on the Water
Oil on panel - 6x6

This one is a loose adaptation of the creek that runs through Dogwood Canyon in southern Missouri.  I may enter this is the Randy Higbee competition - the deadline is coming up quickly!  I have been painting only small ones this week - so that I will have a good variety to choose from.  I love painting by the water - even on these crisp November days.    This was scaled down from a larger one painted during the Big Cedar Paint-Out - and using my artistic license, I omitted a distant bridge. This happened to be one of those days I was bundled up like an eskimo - thank goodness I brought my ski jacket!  I will be packing hand warmers on the next cold plein air day :)

Tumbling Waters

Tumbling Waters
Oil on panel - 14x11

Another beautiful location to set up easel and paints - Dogwood Canyon!  I could paint here every day for a month - and still have 100's of paintings left in my head.  This creek passes through the whole park with beautiful waterfalls and bridges at every turn.  I set up just west of the Chuckwagon Site - where the campfires were burning, to provide a little relief from the cold.  I started this one completely in sepia, and only decided to glaze in some colors towards the end.  The sun was warm, and the scenery inspiring - what more could an artist want?

Autumn Coffee Stop

Autumn Coffee Stop
10x8 - oil on panel

The leaves were swirling, the sun was shining, and a blue grass quartet serenaded from the lawn beside this painting spot.  I could have painted all day here - and nearly did!  Only my fellow artist calling me to finish (so we could set up for a show in 30 minutes)  - could make me leave this place!  I think everyone should visit Big Cedar in October - every Saturday is filled with fun autumn events - I wish I were there painting again right now.

Lamplight in the Garden

Lamplight in the Garden
12x9 oil on panel
Original Sold
Print Now Available

The night was cold and crisp as the signal was given for painters to start their pieces (for the Nocturne Paint at Big Cedar).  I was quickly grabbing my panel and heading to a spot that had just grabbed my attention.  I loved this garden scene, and how the lamplight illuminated the path.  The paints flowed freely and I finished before the two hour time limit.  Painting a nocturne outdoors is always a surprise.  You just don't know what you have until you are finished and bring it inside.  With this one - it was a pleasant surprise, indeed!  I love when that happens.