close values and big daddy

6x12 pastel on BFK
Still raining, sometimes it's pouring and sometimes it's just a slow weep. Therefore I painted "en plein car" again. The overcast rainy land has close values with layering of warm and cool. Springtime is evident in the blush of rose now in every tree.
This is "big daddy" again. He still stands even though the construction around him is still in full force. Here is a link back to my Autumn version of "big daddy." it's funny how I find him most attractive when the light is low, especially in rain.
Thank you everyone for all your support and your comments about my work. I REALLY appreciate that you take the  time to give your thoughts. No thought or idea is too small or insignificant. You keep me thinking and wondering... but without being in a vacuum.

quiet dignity

Overcast days have an incredible light sense. The colors have a different flavor. Places once unnoticed, now whisper, "look at me' with quiet dignity.
To me, mood is the essence of landscape painting and overcast and fog are two incredible moods. Today when I walked through the field I foolishly was looking down observing the color on the land. When I finally gazed upward I saw this glowing orb trying to push its way through the Wow! I then knew who was the star of the show today.

Looking for Rain and Plein Air War Stories

about 12 x16
They have closed one lane (the one closest to the edge/east side) of Chain Bridge for construction.....they might as well sent me an fancy invitation. Yipee! I arrived early so it was just me and the morning traffic. Talk about being on display...yipes! Well one unexpected guest all of a sudden appeared. Who, you ask? A snapping turtle! The construction crew hadn't appeared yet and the turtle was heading straight for me. (Ever see the neck on one of those prehistoric beasts?) Needless to say it was hard to concentrate and I was worried that the turtle would head out into traffic or take a chomp out of me. So I took one of those big orange and white plastic barrels that they use to stop traffic and tricked the turtle into going inside. Once he was inside...voilah! I scooped him up and transported him to a safe place under the bridge.
Now, I could finally concentrate. Back to trying to paly my "A game"..I had an audience after all!

Interlocking Points

9 x9 pastel on watercolor
This rainy morning I headed out to Brighton Dam when it was still dark. The dam has a small azalea park and beautiful water scenes. the weather was perfect: I love it best when the values are close (overcast skies and fog.) Of course it wasn't the azaleas that drew my attention, instead it was the water. After completing this one I pushed myself to turn down the path and try the flowers too. Of course I am not satisfied with that one. But this one, I like. There is something about water that I love and distance.

The Hill beside the Church

4x7 pastel and watercolor on Uart
Today was sort of odd, mostly overcast, but yet I swear the light was gold.
I did this one yesterday because I am leaving now to visit relatives in Pennsylvania. We are celebrating my nephew's first birthday. I hate missing a day of painting...it makes me feel so unbalanced! Habit is a very good thing.

Way Back Yonder

about 4 .5 x7 oil on marble dust board
OK....so I haven't a clue what I am doing.
Taking risks. That's what it's about when you want to learn. Stretch
I am recovering from my surgery. It's hard or eat and talk...but I can paint....or maybe not. Groan.

Pregnant Clouds

6.5 x6.5 plein air, pastel and watercolor on UArt $100.
Above-9x9 studio, pastel and watercolor on Uart $100.
Today's sunrise and blanket of clouds quickly turned into RAIN. So I took it to the studio determined to create the feeling of moisture filled air, pregnant with anticipation....thus the studio piece immediately afterwards.
Tomorrow I leave for San Diego, so probably I will not post. See you on the warm west coast for vistas of dry rolling land! Can't wait!

Winter Softness

about 12 x12 pastel and watercolor, $300.
I saw this one in my head as I drove to my location. Overcast days can be a wonderful unifier. The question was, "how much information do you really need?" Less is more. I tried to stick with masses of color, no trees.
This one has a rich feeling:I don't know if you can see that in the jpeg.

Frozen Treasure

watercolor underpainting
about 6x10 pastel and watercolor on paper $100. plus tax and shipping

It was beautiful when I arrived at the reservoir. That's when I did the watercolor. All of a sudden....whammo! The wind cooks up and my umbrella blows away. Next, by luck, I caught my easel in the process of tipping over. Crazy! It is the time of frozen fingers and big winds. I always wonder how long I can hold out before it's all studio time and no plein air. For now my days will begin to alternate.

Overcast October Afternoon

after, about 6.5x9 pastel and watercolor on Uart paper
before
It was glove weather at the river. Overcast, as we await tomorrow's storm. I painted/struggled through the "before" at the river. Unsatisfied with my work I took it to the studio and made some changes. Better? I don't know. Overcast skies are the hardest to paint.

September 11, 2008 Overcast Glaze

7.5x 15.5 pastel on board
Overcast day on the river, normally it tends to be quiet and calm..... But, today while I painted the river became swamped by helicopters and motor board (normally, they are never allowed.)
These are all signs of a rescue in progress. I found out later that everything is ok and it turned out to be a false alarm. The river is so full and turbulent right now.