Playing With My Food

Still Life 12"x12" Oil on Canvas

My Mother used to say, "don't play with your food". Well not that I always listened to her, but now I can do it and get away with it. How fun is that?
Everyday items can be great subject matter for paintings. Not only do they create a response on some level for the viewer, but in this case it serves a double duty. Today's model can be tonight's dinner. Food comes in so many shapes, colors, and sizes. The scenarios are endless for a painting, and it's a subject everyone understands.
What drew me to using the food items I used in this painting is the warm colors and dramatic shape differences. The copper canister was the only non-organic item, but I loved the abstract reflections and it helped complete the composition.

I will be posting more still life along this subject matter as I experiment with shapes, textures, and colors. Until then I am hungry and need to go start dinner.

Painting Snow

"Late Afternoon Light" Oil on Canvas Panel

Ohio normally doesn't get lots of snow in the Cincinnati area. This year has been quite different. It's not that we get huge amounts at one time. We have been getting a small dusting amount up to around 6 inches at a time. It usually melts then we get another round. Last weeks snow has melted already and there is snow once again on the ground. These images are from last weeks snow.

I love painting snow scenes. The older I get the harder it is on my arthritic knees though. It seems I get out less and less and stay out less. I have been trying to take advantage of the snows this year. Below are images of my painting process.


This is a scene directly behind my studio. I used my EasyL for this outing. I love the quick set up and take down it offers. This is the one easel I use the most when plein air painting.

I used mineral spirits and a mixture of alizarin crimson and cad orange as a wash to indicate where things go. I spend very little time doing this.

At this stage I paint in the largest tonal shapes and my shadows.

Here I am still working with and refining the largest tonal shapes and shadows

Once I have all my large shapes in and the canvas covered, I start refining and creating smaller shapes to indicate details and atmosphere.

It's a little blurry in this image but this is the final product.

I am hoping to get even more this winter. Tomorrow I will be painting in the same area. We have about 6 inches on the ground and it is threatening to add a little more tonight and tomorrow. It should be a great day for plein air painting.

This Past Summer Workshop

Plein Air Workshop in Tipp City Ohio

The first days demo.

The last days demo and challenge to paint the rocks.

It was a typical hot summer day in Ohio painting along the Great Miami River. Most of my students hadn't painted outside from life before. That is always a challenge in itself. Between the heat, humidity, and doing something new, they were certainly challenged, but rose wonderfully to the occasion. The demonstration of the rocks was a challenge to prove my technique by one of the students. These photos were taken by her. I love a good challenge, but rather be a good teacher. I believe the students are now armed with new tools to approach their artwork. I love to teach!

Warren County Holiday Tidings Event

Been a busy year and the Senator Pete Beck's Warren County Holiday Tidings Event was a great treat for me to win first place. The painting "Winter's Light" was an experiment in technique for me. I have been playing with surface texture and shapes with keeping true to the scene and realism on my terms. It is a true compliment to have the painting chosen for Senator Beck's Holiday Card for 2010. The painting will hang at the Ohio State Capital for 2011 year as well as be mailed to voters all over the state of Ohio. Till the end of the month the painting can be seen at Gallery 42 105 East Main St., Mason, Ohio 45040.

So Much Going On

Wilmington College/Harcum Gallery One Man Show

As the holiday season quickly approaches I find my self getting busier and busier. It also reminded me I really don't keep up with my blog. Due to my feeling that I am not a great writer and lack of time I tend to put this off. I will try harder in the future to post more.

I will try to fill in some spots as I catch up, but as of recent I opened a one man show in Wilmington Ohio, my home town, at Wilmington College November 4, 2010. It was a great evening seeing old friends family, along with meeting many new people. It was a wonderful evening for me. Who says you can't go home? The show will be open till December 10, 2010.

Another Plein Air Event!

I am so looking forward to painting in yet another plein air event. Not only will I be able to see old friends, meet new ones, I will be able to enjoy the sun and sand of Florida. What a great time to be in Florida!
I will be gearing up for it from here on. Anyone in the area please stop and see me and all the great artist.

Busy with models and demonstrations

"Emily" 20"x16" Oil on Canvas

This painting was done at my studio. I had sketched this model in this pose the week before and decided I liked the pose enough to try it as a painting. I had the model show up at 1:30 and the session lasted till 4:00. The light was pretty constant coming through the windows which helped tremendously. I finished the painting to this stage, in that time frame, which I was happy with. I hope to continue painting from the model and explore the human form in my art more.

I see great value in it, just like I do with my plein air painting.

"Celebrate the Arts"

Event at Performance Lexus at Kings Auto Mall, in Mason Ohio

Since I got back from my Wisconsin trip I have been painting away back in the studio on a commission as well as from live models. Like painting in plein air, painting from life is the greatest teacher for me. When I do paint from a photo I have a better understanding of the subject matter, and know how to compensate for the photos short comings.

Recently I had an opportunity to do a demonstration at an event where over two hundred people showed up to enjoy art from a variety of artist and art forms. It started at 5:30 pm and ended at 8:30 pm. I was able to finish my painting except for a few minor alterations back in my studio. I cleaned up an edge or two mostly. I enjoyed the evening and found out about myself that I would be willing to do more events like this. It was great to interact with the crowd. The energy was amazing.