Winter Studies

  Last winter and this year until spring I've been painting instead of drawing. First in acrylics and now in oils. Thanks Ken for your excellent coaching and support. http://www.kendewaard.com So far I am playing with the basics of value, shape and learning to think clearly about what the painting's focus is. Sounds easy but isn't. But it is great fun! I love working hard on something and the feeling of learning, of incorporating something useful or interesting that wasn't in my brain before the effort. I also love the colors so try to find a different color scheme for each study. One week it's reds, the next blues, then black and white and each has it's own characteristics but the same basic rules work for them all. Each week I also try to set up a more simple still life to practice on but it quickly becomes clear that they are not, any of them, that simple. At least not for me, yet.  Beginning with glass fishing floats-how much simpler can it be than a round shape of one color? then retreating to a vase, a book, a shoe, a bottle, none much easier than the glass ball but each time I get a little more understanding of what's going on and comfort with the tools and techniques of getting the paint to stick in the right place.

Abandoned Farm

Study-Minneapolis old mill on the river in winter

Study-old steps-pastel

Santa Fe Courtyard Arch-unfinished

Fiske's Pasture in Early Spring

An April morning in our neighbor's pasture. The trees have now changed, some are gone and others are grown taller; we will never see this field quite this way again. One of the most fun things about painting these scenes is capturing a view that I know will be different in the future.

VIVA at Holistic Health Center

VIVA Gallery's traveling art show features over a dozen VIVA artists. During January and February you can enjoy the exhibit at the beautiful Holistic Health Center, 114 FS Drive, Suite A, in Viroqua.
The exhibit can be seen during office hours Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and on Fridays by chance as the office is open by appointment only on Fridays.
The show highlights small works of drawings and paintings in watercolor, colored pencil and oils as well as jewelry and paper art. You will recognize many local artists!

The Holistic Health Center welcomes you to stop by and view the exhibit.

Kickapoo Valley Reserve Art Share

Remember to visit the Kickapoo Valley Reserve http://kvr.state.wi.us for our 'Student Art Share' opening August 28th.
The exhibit will present the work of students in the various art classes at the Reserve. From first sketch to finished and framed, a variety of styles, mediums and techniques will be on display. We hope to inspire you to try one of our classes and we want to share the fun of learning and playing with 'art'. Anyone can do it!
August 28th 1-3pm there will be a reception in the beautiful visitor center. The exhibit will be on display from August 28th to October 4th. See you there!

Old Prometheus Moth

Finally finished! Colored pencil reverse grisaille method on colored paper.
This moth was resting on our screen door. The worn wings seem to tell of
a long life. She was identified as a female because her antennae are not
feathery; only male moths have feathery antennae. I was intrigued by the
combination of beautiful colors and patterns with the marks of wear and age.
She reminded me of an old oriental rug, still beautiful and maybe more so
because of the stories now a part of the pattern.

Banana Plant Leaves

On a visit to Olbrich Gardens in Madison, the colors of the banana plant caught my attention. They had a rainbow of colors in each leaf. This is my first 'plein air' pastel.
Olbrich Gardens is one of the 10 best botanical gardens in the country! Well worth seeing at any time of year so if you haven't been there try to see it during the summer-and take your camera and/or paints!

Winter Moonrise

Winter Moonrise - a clear night, fresh snow; a world of black and white. But, maybe not. It's long been an interest of mine to figure out what colors are in 'black' in different situations, especially when outside at night. It seems all the colors that are there during daylight are still there if you look long enough. This was a quick study on paper for a painting on sanded paper.