Point of Peace

8"x8"
Oil on Deep-Edged Canvas

with Palette Knife

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Some springtime colors from Tims Ford Lake in Tennessee.

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.

Sea and Sky II

8"x10"
Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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Another plein air painting from Florida. This one was made near sunset.

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.

Espressivo

28" x 22"

Oil on Canvas with Palette Knife

Commissioned

Time is long overdue to share some commissions I've been working on. 

This one was commissioned as an anniversary gift to the director of the Franklin High School Band, David Aydelott. It was based on a brilliant photo by Tom White capturing band members in one of their dramatic movements. The task was to blend the pose with the abstract music colors I have done recently. The result is a striking piece illustrating the band's striving for excellence. 

The painting is entitled "Expressivo," which means to perform expressively with emotion.

It was unveiled a few weeks ago at the ban's end-of-the-year banquet. I can think of no better way to express gratitude for Mr. A's artistry to inspire and shape character and talent than a gift of art itself. 

Today, the Franklin Band begins practice for this fall's performances. Go Franklin!

Flute

3"x9"
Oil on Canvas

with Palette Knife

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Here’s a little flute to celebrate 
my upcoming show at 
the Franklin Art Scene, 
at Shuffs Music  
on Friday, May 5.

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!

Offering 20x20

20"x20"x1.5"
Oil on Canvas

with Palette Knife

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You may recall my previous posts in 2013 about on a series of florals titled "Offering." Today, I'm revisiting the concept with a looser, more abstracted painting technique on a larger canvas. 

Every Sunday, our church displays fresh flower arrangements during worship. They remind me of the beauty of creation, and the frailty of life. After worship, the flowers are composed into smaller arrangements and delivered to people who are home-bound or in the hospital. They truly are an offering of love and grace. 

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. 

Poinsettias

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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30 Paintings in 30 Days: January, 2015—Day 1

OK. I know Christmas is over for a most people, but there are still a couple of days left—before Epiphany (hence the 12 days of Christmas). Still keeping the Christmas spirit alive, I've chosen my first painting of 2015 to be that boldly red holiday plant—the poinsettia. 

Looking forward to another 30 days of paintings and a new year of adventure.

Happy new year to you all!

Clarinet

4"x12" Oil on Canvas

with Palette Knife

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This is my ode to the clarinet. I grew up playing clarinet in school band. I fell in love with its smooth, mellow, froggy tone. I loved the sleek, classy, black and silver look. The clarinet is such a versatile instrument. It can play whimsically and delicately. Its range is incredible and can even slide from not to note. What's not to love?

All of my kids are brass players. But my heart will always belong to this beautiful woodwind.

The Franklin Band: Trumpet

5"x7" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

My son is a marching trumpet in The Franklin Band. They have recently won the Governor's Cup and state championship for the sixth time and are moving on to Super Regional and Grand National competitions where they have been semi finalists four times. Here is a little portrait to honor the hard working kids of The Franklin Band. 

Wisdom in the Woods

8"x10" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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One of the paintings for "A Walk in the Park" event at Marcella Vivrette Smith Park, 

Brentwood, on Oct 30 from 1-5 PM.

There is much wisdom to be found in the woods. With trees as old as centuries and rocks existing for millennia, just think of the wisdom they can tell us if they could talk. Some of the large old trees in Smith Park, like this one, tell a story with every crook, knot and groove.

It is an honor to paint portraits of trees. Some of the things I love about painting outdoors is listening to the wisdom of trees and spending time with these great citizens of the world.

Redbird

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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One of the paintings for "A Walk in the Park" event at Marcella Vivrette Smith Park, 

Brentwood, on Oct 30 from 1-5 PM.

One morning while walking on the trails of Smith Park, I came across this little Cardinal perfectly perched in a tree. I could not have asked for a better composition.

Spring Creek

6"x8" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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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

Tulip

4x12

Oil on Canvas

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