Portage in July

After an early breakfast out with family, I returned and headed down to the river bank, with my oils in tow.  These rich, colorful landscapes just call for a rich, buttery medium.  Now that summer is in full swing, I am using more raw sienna and yellow ochre.  The heat is beginning to dry out the foliage, thus the shift.  Another surprise choice, permanent rose.  I can see it in the bark and in the shaded masses.  It is always so interesting to me to see the color shifts from one day to the other.  Always fun to capture the moment!  Painting number 2001 in 2001 days.

On the Portage River

The natural beauty here is almost overwhelming.  This is one of my very favorite kind of scenes, full of tranquility and the gentle sounds of nature.  The water babbles gently against the rocks, and those rich summer colors are irresistible.  So often wildlife slips in near me, not realizing I am human.  Today, I was visited by a deer family of four, splashing and playing on the opposite bank of the river.  A blue Herron fished and flew away, staying long enough for me to commit him to paint.  Time seems to stop when I'm surrounded by such beauty, allowing me to REALLY soak it all in, letting the experience seep into my painting one stroke at a time.  Painting number 2000 in 2000 days!!  Wowza!

Early Light on the Hillside

Early Light on the Hillside
Oil on panel, 6x12

I first painted a color study of this in plein air at my parent's house in Ohio.  Sitting on top of the hill, I looked to the right, with the river in the distance.  With early morning light and haze over the river, this view offered plenty of depth.  I only took the bare minimum for supplies, my palette, small panels, brushes and safflower oil.  I used a little foldable footstool to sit on, while my palette and oil were on the ground beside me.  I held the panel in the place an easel would keep it.  I didn't know if I would even have time to paint, but I was hopeful.  Each morning, I would come out to enjoy the early morning quiet before the day took me to hospital waiting rooms, cafeterias, and long hours away.  Just painting this today from my study, brought back the feeling of peace and tranquility on that hillside.  It is a visual journal for me that brings back the moment, the feelings, the prayers.  This place will forever be a place of peace and reflection for me.  This painting is the 75th painting in 75 days.

River Retreat

River Retreat
oil on panel, 6x6

I made several trips to Ohio this year to see my parents.  My dad was having serious health issues, and I would find myself walking down by the river in the mornings before returning to the hospital.  This place has such a calming, soothing affect on the soul - just like a tonic.  This is one of several I painted during these times, setting up with only a little step stool, my palette and a panel.  Things easily packed - and they took up barely any space while traveling. I worked small, so I could finish quickly.  The act of painting was as soothing as the place, leaving me restored and ready to face the day ahead.

Sunset Over the Portage

Sunset Over the Portage
20x17, oil on panel

This is painted from a 6x6 study that I did from the bank of the Portage River in my parent's back lawn in Elmore, Ohio.  From my location on the bank, I could simply rotate for many different landscape paintings.  The view is amazing, and the light on the river is constantly changing.  Always a peaceful spot, I love walking at river's edge, and turning those feelings into paintings.

The Peaceful Portage

Judge's Merit - HFAA 2012 Show

This was painted from a small plein air study that I did from my parent's back yard.  I set up on the bank of the Portage River in Elmore, Ohio, early one morning.  With family health concerns looming, the act of putting paint to panel calmed and soothed my nerves.  This special place called to me each day.  As I walked it's banks, I could see paintings in every direction.  On this day, rain was coming and the sky was changing - so I had to work quickly.  All stress evaporates with brushes in my hands.

The Peaceful Portage
Oil on panel - 18x24