"Memory Lane"

The final plein air piece.

The actual scene.

A short video.

I went out to paint today at a place I frequent often - the Heritage trail. I went to the opposite end of the trail this time and took a short walk down the trail - it runs along the Merrimack river in Bedord, NH. The sun was in and out my whole session but I didn't chase my shadows. I made sure to paint them in at the beginning and then stayed with it. It's difficult painting where everything is green so I tried to inject some other colors. It's just a sketch with more work needed in the studio as usual. What a gorgeous day! Thanks for visiting!

"Souhegan River"

The final plein air piece.

The actual scene.

A short video.

I was out in Wilton, NH this August day and it was beautiful! I pulled into a small picnic area on the side of the road and thought I'd check out the river. I chose the scene and got setup right away. The light was difficult as clouds kept coming and going and the sun was filtering through the trees. Also, I was in the shade looking into a very bright sunny area so there was a lot of glare and eye strain. Couldn't see colors so well on the palette or the canvas. That's the adventure of plein air painting! The painting is just a start that I will continue in the studio and change and adjust as I see fit. Thanks for visiting!

"Reflections #3"

This is the next one in the pond series. I went with a more yellow/violet them here and it looks like it works out. The water is a little dark but I wanted more mystery in the painting. I really like the tree on the right and how it came out. Sometimes busy areas are hard to work out. Painted alla prima like all the others. Thanks for visiting!

"Reflections #2"

Another in a series I painted on this theme. I attempted to change colors, the sky, shapes, etc. but it still looks very similar to the first one I painted. So the next few I made sure to make them quite different! Having fun! Thanks for visiting!

"Reflections #1"

I painted a series of pictures on this theme giving myself freedom to change colors as I wanted and adjust shapes, etc. as I explored this freedom. My goal was to finish each picture 'alla prima' which means at the first attempt or all in one session. For the most part I succeeded. I have more coming soon, stay tuned! Thanks for visiting!

"Still Waters"

This is from a series based on Psalm 23… "He leadeth me beside the still waters". I wanted to evoke that time at dusk when everything is quiet, still and peaceful. The colors just add more beauty to the whole experience. It was tricky getting the values in this backlit scene to not look black and to allow some detail but not too noticeable - everything should be vague. Thanks for visiting!

SOLD

"Idaho Pastoral" after Kathryn Stats

This is a copy I did of an artist I admire, Kathryn Stats. I love the colors and the loose feel with all the shapes and brushstrokes. This was quite a challenge and it took me many sessions to get it where I wanted it. I copy other artists work sometimes - for the practice and the learning experience. Not For Sale. Thanks for visiting!

"By the Old Shed"

I found this nice little area out in the countryside of New Hampshire. It looks like from time gone by. I love the overgrowth that comes late in the summer season. I challenged myself to paint this scene with only three cool colors, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue, and yellow ochre, and of course titanium white. What do you think? Thanks for visiting!

"Summer"

The final plein air piece.

The actual scene.

A short video.

Another plein air adventure in NH. Today I was at a fishing spot in Hopkinton NH - it was a beautiful day. The sun was in such a way that my canvas was in the shade (good) but my palette was in the sun (bad). I worked it out eventually but it was a frustrating session - I was working on an 11 x 14 which is larger than I'm used to and the panel was very absorbent. Anyway, I finished with a nice start to continue on in the studio. Thanks for visiting!

"Streaming Light"

This was the scene as the sun was getting very low on a hot summer day at dusk. Of course I started the painting earlier because this type of light situation will only last a few minutes. I always find this kind of light so beautiful. Thanks for visiting!

"The Gate"

I found this old gate in an out-of-the-way place and walked into the woods a bit to get a good angle for the light. The actual scene looks quite different but I created a piece that hopefully invites the viewer into the scene. I hope you like it. Thanks for visiting!

"Cardinal"

A nice portrait of a beautiful cardinal. I get them around my house all the time. I enjoyed using a lot of pure color in rendering the bird. I hope you like it. Thanks for visiting!

"Rest by the River"

At the height of summer take a rest by the river. This piece came together quite quickly and almost painted itself. It has beautiful colors and evokes a sense of peace. I wanted the light to really show and the colors to pop a bit. I really like this piece. Thanks for visiting!

SOLD

"Field on Hawthorne Drive"

A nice, plein air sketch of a wonderful field just off Hawthorne Drive in Bedford, NH. This property is owned by an old farmer and he just lets it be - it's nice and overgrown and left alone. Looks like from the past. Just a simple, quaint sketch.

"Last Day in June"

The final plein air piece.

The actual scene.

A short video.

Went out today to paint a small piece en plein air on the last day of June this year. It was a beautiful, sunny day and I was at one of my favorite places - the Heritage Trail in Bedford, NH! The sketch will need some minor work in the studio with edges and color/value adjustments, but it's mostly finished. Thanks for visiting! 

"Summer Sunshine"

One of my favorite spots to paint. Had a lot of fun with this one. The scene is deceiving as I don't have a figure in there for reference. The trees are quite large and there is a drop off to the right that leads to the Merrimack River - quite a nice view. I hope you enjoy this piece! Thanks for visiting!

"Follow The Path"

This area is along the Merrimack River in Bedford, NH. It's known as the Heritage Trail - a beautiful place. I originally started this plein air and then it sat around in the studio for a long time (happens to a lot of my paintings!). I finally finished it up - I warmed up the colors and brightened it up a bit. Thanks for visiting!

"Friday Afternoon"

The final plein air piece.

The actual scene.

A short video.

I worked on this piece for about 3 hours onsite one day on a beautiful friday afternoon. It was very hot and I wasn't feeling so well but I trudged on anyway. I consider the finished piece only a start. I'll typically edit it more in the studio with adjustments here and there. I took a short video of some of my process. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for visiting!

"Dwell in the Lord's House"

From a  series based on Psalm 23… "And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." I'll let the painting speak for itself. Thanks for visiting!

"Thy Staff Comforts Me"

From a series based on Psalm 23… "Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me". I really like the colorful display in this piece. The reds and greens compliment each other well. I felt the resting staff against the tree brought a sense of comfort. Thanks for visiting!