Morning Meditation

6"x6"
Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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This on is an abstract plein air painting trying to capture the emotions of the moment. Stay tuned tomorrow for a more representational version of the scene.

Sunlight Trio

6"x6"
Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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Here's a more representational painting form the lake. This one is of three sunlit hay bales across from us.

Late Light

5"x7"
Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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I finally made it back to the lake this summer. I took the opportunity to paint both impressionistic and abstract expressionistic styles. Here's one that is somewhere in-between. it was painted in the late evening as the sun quickly set.

Sea and Sky

6"x6"
Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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Here is a new plein air painting from Florida's Gulf Coast. This one focuses on the color relationships between the sky and the shore. I was intrigued how some of the shadow colors on the shore matched the deeper shades in the clouds. I'm glad I got up early to capture this painting. By the time I finished, a storm front was blowing in.

Plein Air Painter’s Tip: 

Some of you pros may already know this, but today I discovered a handy painting hack. If you're using a french easel, you can position your canvas in such a way so you can use the top of the easel lid to act as a guide for your horizon line. See how the horizon line runs right across the top of the easel lid in the action shot below.

Horsing Around: Spring Graze

6"x6"
Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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Another plein air study from the farm 

while my daughter practices her rising lessons.

Make plans to come and see my latest work

at the Franklin Art Scene, 
at Shuffs Music  on Friday, May 5

6 to 9 pm.

40 Days: Day 35: Morning Song II

5"x7"
Oil on Canvas

with Palette Knife

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Here is a little impression from my back yard this morning.

40 Days: Day 23: Beacons of Resilience

8"x10"
Oil on Panel

Plein air with Palette Knife

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Painting from life is a great way to meditate on the world around you. To notice the colors and the structures in our beautiful world is such a blessing. This final painting from Saint Joseph, Michigan was painted plein air on the beach with freezing temperatures and gusty winds. It was enough to make the effort nothing less than pure adventure. The lighthouse in this painting was the location from where the two previous paintings were made. By this time, the winds had picked up greatly and huge swells crashed against the pier.  I could not help but be impressed by the strength of those structures to withstand such harsh conditions. 

Special thanks to my brother-in-law, my host and invaluable assistant, for blocking the winds from knocking my easel over.  I hope to visit this beautiful place again... preferably in the warmer months.

40 Days: Day 22: Michigan Dunes

6"x6"
Oil on Panel

Plein air with Palette Knife

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The wind picked up and the temperature dropped to around 32 Degrees. Waves began to splash up on the North Pier and spray my easel with cold lake water. This was a struggle to finish, but it was so much fun!

40 Days: Day 20: Michigan Coast

8"x10"
Oil on Panel

Plein air with Palette Knife

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Switching gears for a bit in my 40 paintings. I took some time while on "Spring Break" in Saint Joseph Michigan to do some plein air painting. It was chilly and windy on the north pier, but it was a beautiful day to paint. 

Radnor Winter

8"x10" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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My last plein-air painting of the year. And what a way to finish! It's amazing how cold and wind will add loose, expressive strokes to a painting as one hurries to get it done. This was painted at Radnor Lake—a favorite hiking spot for our family. I have learned so much from my plein-air adventures this year. I can't wait to see what new adventures, and lessons,  await in the new year. 

September Sunlight

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

Another day at the barn, horsing around, while my daughter rides. This time, I had some visitors watch me paint from behind—as shown in the photo below. 

There is now a new way to purchase my paintings. Click the link names "Click Here To Purchase." The link will take you to my new website—including a store where you can select and purchase with a click.

Shady Spot and A Place of Renewal and Reflection

8"x10" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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Today's post is a shady sycamore painted en plein air for the Chestnut Group art event benefiting the Harpeth River Watershed. 

Painting outdoors is always a renewing experience. But this spot was particularly special for me. This tree lives by a pond on a farm which used to belong to the Christian/Pop singer Amy Grant. Back in the 90s, she hosted regular music/worship events in the barn on her farm. As a college student, I went to a couple of those events. They were very renewing for my faith life at that time. Returning over 20 years later to that same space as a painter gave me a lot to think about. I thought about where I've been and where I am now as both a person of faith and as an artist. I have much to be thankful for. I'm thankful for the gifts of renewing moments. I'm thankful for the gift of art and what it has done for my life. I'm thankful for the simple gifts of shady spots in nature—resting beside still waters. And most importantly, I'm thankful for a loving and patient God who gives all of those gifts and so much more.




You can learn more about the Chestnut Group event "Scenes of the Harpeth" here:

Scenes of the Harpeth

Horsing Around: Empty Nest

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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My youngest daughter has taken up horseback riding lessons. I decided to take the opportunity to use the hour lesson time to work on some quick-draw plein air painting. 

When we arrived this time, all of the horses were out in the field to graze and run around—which left the barn empty and quiet. I have always been fascinated by the value differences in this scene. The dark barn doorway contrasted by the bright, distant, atmospheric pasture makes me want to run out and play too.

Spring Creek

6"x8" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

I was blessed to have had a return visit to NaCoMe conference center this past weekend. It is a sacred place for our family. At the heart of the campground is a spring-fed creek. I spent some time standing on the creekside rocks painting this scene. I especially enjoyed the little speckles of wildflowers. 

It rained a bit on me this time. I learned a lot about what to do and what NOT to do when it rains on your oil paint palette. My wife impressed me with her creative bushcraft skills by securing an umbrella to my easel with long blades of grass.

Many artists have core subjects they often return to. One of mine is rivers and streams. The experience of standing on the banks, listening to the soft rush of water, is so renewing for my soul. And they have new lessons to teach a painter—every time.

Horsing Around

8"x10" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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My youngest daughter has taken up horseback riding lessons. I decided to take the opportunity to use the hour lesson time to work on some quick-draw plein air painting of the other horses in the field.  

I totally underestimated the intelligence of the beautiful animals. As I set up next to the fence, all of the horses came over to watch me construct my french easel. But once I was ready to paint, all of the horses went far down the field to graze out of range from my painting efforts. “No matter.” I thought. “I'll just paint the field and when they come back around, I'll paint the horses in.” But when the time came to paint in the horses, their dinner bell rang and they all galloped out of the field to eat. Fortunately, they soon returned. But instead of grazing in my view, they went to the OTHER far side of the field to graze. I did my best to capture shapes and colors from far away. Once time was up and I packed everything up to leave, I looked up and they were all back in the middle to graze. Touché.

So today's post is the result of my efforts from that day.

Hopefully, next time they will be a little less shy. We shall see.

40 Days: Day 33: Redbuds

8"x10" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will make your vindication shine like the light,
    and the justice of your cause like the noonday.

Psalm 37:5-6

Cold Creek

8x10

Oil on Panel

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We had a decent snow the other day for Tennessee. 

Today, I ventured out to the creek for a plain-air adventure. 

It was a blast.

Color Garden

8"x10" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

Spring is such a beautiful time for plein air painting. Today's painting comes from the Color Garden at Cheekwood. 

Or send me an email.

Impressions of Spring

8"x10" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

Here is another painting with the The Chestnut Group for the Cumberland on Canvas event. A portion of the show's proceeds benefit the Cumberland River Compact. Event Details below.

This is a reflecting pond from Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum. Here is a field shot on location.

Sycamore In Spring

8"x10" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

I love Sycamore trees. I call them "Lightning Trees" because their stark, white, branches look like a bolts of lightning to me. I have been itching to paint one for some time now. I finally got my chance while painting with the The Chestnut Group for the Cumberland on Canvas event. 

We will be sharing and selling our paintings for the Cumberland River Compact April 17 and 18. Details are in the attachments below.