Tonalism

Our world is such a wonderful spring green right now. Here is a reminder of what it looked like on Easter weekend just three weeks ago! I was excited to paint the brown tonal quality of the landscape, but wasn't ready for the shapeless bales that have been munched on all winter by my brother's horses. After 4 hours of working the bales, I finally painted from memory and achieved a believable rendition of their shape and  perspective in a gently rolling landscape.

Next week, May 1 & 2, I am having an Art Show Open House, that was suggested by friends who follow this blog. They wanted to see paint on canvas, instead of digital bits. I am grateful to all who are interested in seeing the results of my years of practice and what I think about. This painting thing is involuntary. I must paint to live, like all painters, whether or not anyone else pays attention.

Awestruck

While discussing this painting with Reverand Mother over lunch one day, the conversation turned to the fact that I like to show my paintings because I am awestruck and amazed that paint comes off the end of my brush like this in a relatively short time frame. This painting took about 3 hours. When I paint there is this element of self discovery and growing confidence. (But that came after years of darkness). Thanks and gratitude to Instructors Joe Paquet and Richard Abraham for making this possible.

The photography for this one was done in the excellent studio lighting of my car and the lines from a former painting add some interesting texture. NOTE TO SELF: No more car photography.

Trumpeter Swans

My nephew Brett and his wife Kathy live 1/2 mile from the Mississippi River near Monticello, MN. Based on its proximity to a nuclear energy plant, which pumps gallons of warm water into the river all year, hundreds of trumpeter swans gather to winter and feed in the warm water. There is signage, designated vantage points, and photo contests to honor these magnificent birds. This was painted from one of the photos that was submitted for the photo contest in 2009.

I selected this based on the degree of difficulty and novelty. I love the rhythm of the wings and connectedness of the birds. I thought Brett & Kathy would really appreciate this as a keepsake. Hope they like their present...