"Beauty In The Country"

This is one of my favorite places to visit. It's in New Boston, NH right along Rt 13. I set up my easel right by the riverside and sketched the scene. I did this one all prima. All in one sitting. I like the loose look and the scenery is beautiful. Thanks for visiting!

 "South Park, Summer after Christensen"

This is my version of Scott Christensen's painting and composition. I wanted to take a challenge and see if I could figure out colors, values, edges, etc. My version of his composition. I had fun with this. Just an exercise. Thanks for visiting!

"The Peninsula"

I copied this Corot painting for the challenge and simply just for the beauty of it. I edited it to my liking and left it at that. There was a man in a boat to the left and a stick on the water's edge in the middle in the original painting. Perhaps other things also but I like where it's at. I painted it but it's someone else's composition. Thanks for visiting!

 "My Sis Deb and Phoebe"

This was my first portrait that got me started in charcoal drawing of portraits. It's a very small picture but I wanted to see if could get a likeness of my sister. The dog, Phoebe, is just in a supporting role. It was quite a struggle but I definitely captured her likeness. When my sister saw it she bought it. That got me started in charcoal portraits. I don't do them this small. I do a standard size of 9 x 12 on Bristol vellum. I now have a skill in portraits. Next would be to try an oil portrait. Someday... Thanks for visiting!

SOLD

 "Dead End, Winter"

I sketched this scene near my home on a cold winter day. It's at the dead end of Moores Crossing Road in Bedford, NH. I liked the way the house stood out from some of the woods and the road leading down with the ranch style fence posts leading to the house. I sat in my car and faced the scene. It was too cold to work outside. It's very sketchy but the house grabs you as it's the focal point and has a bit more detail and careful rendering. As you move about farther away from the house the rendering diminishes as it's not necessary unless one wants to sketch it fully. I don't usually do that. I sketch like I paint - with a composition and a focal point or subject. Thanks for visiting!

SOLD

 "The Old Ice House"

This is a popular motif in New Hampshire. It's an old ice house that was reproduced and sitting on a farm in Hollis, NH. I sketched this sitting in my car with the AC on because it was so stifling hot outside and I was weak from my current condition. I feel I captured the essence of the scene on this bright and beautiful sunny day. Enjoy!

 "The Other Tree"

This scene is down the road from the town center of New Boston, NH. It's easy access because it's right by the road but it's down below a bit so it's away from the road and the traffic. It's such a nice place and a bucolic scene. I usually favor the tree on the left but this time I favored the tree on the right hence the title 'The Other Tree'. I really enjoy sketching here. I just sit in my lawn chair down by the riverside and sketch away. I was lucky once and saw a black mink in the water. A minute later he had a fish in his mouth. Such a nice way to enjoy nature. Thanks for visiting!

 "Gentle River Flowing"

A beautiful river scene in New Hampshire. I sketched this plein air out in the open. The scene is a little busy but it gives the eye plenty to do. One of my favorite spots to sketch. Thanks for visiting!

 "Still Standing"

I sat by the river on this cool winter day and sketched this beautiful scene as the river quietly flowed by. I loved the look of the tree all gnarled and weather worn and silhouetted against the sky. The rock added a support mechanism to the tree. The background is loosely sketched with a small tree to the far right as a minor point of interest to move the eye around the piece. Thanks for visiting!

"Milford Stone Church"

A plein air sketch I did while sitting on the side of a busy street. I really liked the shadow patterns and the interesting shapes of the church so that was the reason for wanting to sketch it. Thanks for visiting!

"Tami"

I tried a different method when I started this portrait. I drew directly onto a piece of Bristol vellum without using a grid. It was a challenge but I was successful in the end. I purposefully rendered the torso and hand less detailed because they aren't the focal point. The face has all the attention. Thanks for visiting!

"Ashuelot River"

I found this beautiful spot along the Ashuelot river on a small dirt road just off the main roadway. It was very quiet and peaceful and a perfect spot for painting. I wanted a fairly loose look with fresh color. Thanks for visiting!

"Curiosity"

This is a charming piece of three children apparently mesmerized by something in the sand. It's a bright, sunny day at the beach and the curiosity of the children led them to this cameo pose. This was a tough one getting the figures accurate and the values correct. Thanks for visiting!

"Covered Bridge, Hopkinton"

I went out on a short little trip in the country to enjoy the unusually warm weather we had on March 9th here in New Hampshire. What a beautiful day! I saw this covered bridge and decided to do a quick sketch so I set up my lawn chair in a dirt turnaround area and sketched this piece in about 1/2 hour. Just practice. Thanks for visiting!

"Afternoon Stroll"

This area isn't far from my home and I walk this trail all the time. It runs along the Merrimack River in Bedford NH. It's a beautiful place. There are many views to enjoy along the trail and this is one of them. This was sketched mainly with charcoal pencils and a little graphite too. The two figures give just a hint of human presence in the vast scenery. This kind of scenery reminds me of times gone by. I think I'll be doing more sketches from this area. Thanks for visiting!

"Self Portrait 2015"

This is my first self portrait. I have sketched a few other portraits in the recent past though. I think it's a pretty good likeness. It's a new endeavor so I'm in the experimental phase right now. I'm just getting a feel for the mediums too. This is mostly vine charcoal with some compressed charcoal and a lot of kneaded eraser. I may try a self portrait every year for practice and to see how well I improve in my art skills and perhaps how well I age too! Thanks for visiting!

Not For Sale

"Elegant Trees"

These beautiful trees in the middle are so elegant and old. They stand about 60 feet high and are so magnificent to look at, especially at dusk when the sun catches the trunks near the top. This is in a local neighborhood in my home town of Merrimack, NH. I really enjoyed painting this piece. Thanks for visiting!