Apres Pluie

Apres Pluie

The rain is over and sun just out, clean and bright.  From a photo I took in Paris some time ago.  Not too many folks out and about, it was raining pretty hard.

It's always an adventure...

Just sticks

Just Sticks

An interesting old structure - not sure what's holding it up.  A fraternity brother from Nebraska once told me that some things on a farm just remain standing because they always have.  He said it was an unexplained force - the force of habit.  This is a study for a future painting.

It's always an adventure...

January Work at the Parklane Gallery

For the month of January, 2013, the Parklane Gallery artists in Kirkland are displaying their work in "salon style".  Art is from floor to ceiling and about double the amount normally displayed.  It's a fun way to see lots and lots of art in one trip.  

Art will change again starting With normal displays on February 5th.  All display art is original.

It's always an adventure...

Castle Steps

Castle Steps

These steps were so cool I had to photograph them.  I liked the way the light came in through the diffused window and reflected off the traffic-worn smooth stone steps, so I tried to capture it.  

The perspective three-point, from the camera looking down the staircase.  I rather like the angles.

Painting done with palette knife.  11 x 14 oil.

This is Chorey Castle just south of Dijon, France.

It's always an adventure...

Barn Rapids

Barn Rapids

First one of 2013.  Made this one up.  I wanted to experiment with just using a pallet knife.  It restricts you in the detail, however, it creates detail of its own.  You just have to control the accidents and accept an outcome not expected.

It's always an adventure...

The Window Well

The Window Well

This is a deep set window in a Castle at Chorey, France.  The softness of the light grabbed me.  The bearing wall was the thickness of the well, down on the ground floor.  I just loved this small little space.

It's always an adventure...

Edge of Town

Edge of Town

From my photo overlooking the edge of a village in southern France.  An opening in a large black cloud seemed to spotlight some of the roofs.  It caught my eye and I took it with my cheapie pocket camera.

It's always an adventure...

Charcoal study for Provence Harvest Afternoon

Provence Harvest Afternoon

This is a light/shadow study for a photo I took in Provence several years ago.  The late mid summer's day light is on the stone wall, casting the most sumptuous peach color.  The light in Provence is truly very special.  I would so love to go back and paint more of it.  It's like the Creator is saying  "...Go ahead, just TRY to capture the beauty of this if you can...".

It's always an adventure...

Charcoal study

Chateau Neuf du Pape Study

Right before switching off the light in the studio late last night I stopped, sat down for 15 minutes and sketched this out.  It has been haunting me and I had to get it down on paper.  

From a photograph I took in that small southern France town, famous for the wine of the same name.  I had to reconstruct the shadows since I couldn't wait for the sun to come back when I walked by the first time.  I may have to computer model this in Sketch-up to get it right.  I just remember it was striking when I came upon the view into the courtyard.

It will be an oil painting eventually.  Stay tuned.

It's always an adventure

Parklane Gallery - December

These works will be on display at the Parklane Gallery in Kirkland for the month of December, 2012.  Most of the art work at the gallery is on special sale through the end of the month.  There is also gift wrapping available.  I'm 'on duty' December 28 from 4 to 8PM.

It's always an adventure...

Street Steps

Street Steps

This is an oil of the study done oil pastels.  Don't know if its better - just different.  I tried to be very efficient with brush stokes and knife work, let the canvas show through if it wanted to and quit before getting muddy.  

Detail - 6 strokes

(yeah ok, I got lucky)

It's always an adventure......

Soggy Morning (re-shoot)

Soggy Morning (re-shoot)

Lighting is better this morning (ironically quite soggy after the rain here too) for taking another scan of this one.  I put my art on a music stand and set the camera on high-res on my tripod.  Can't do it when it's raining/

It's always an adventure...

Soggy Morning

Soggy Morning

Just finished this one tonight finally.  I need to photo the work in daylight, however.  I'll post another one.  It's getting that time of year in Seattle where we have 7 to 8 hours of daylight, and most of that is really only light grey at best.  This is oil on 16 x 20 canvas board.

It's always an adventure...

Barn Door

Barn Door

This is using my oil pastel crayons on gesso board, 8 x 10.  There was something about the light in this that made me want to try to capture it.  

It's always an adventure...