"only" 85 today...just right for plein aire!

I was attracted to the filtered light on the side of this house and the orange-colored bush. The bare branches of a couple of dead trees were in sharp contrast to other trees completely leafed out. "Moving shadows" aren't easy on location; the light was moving really fast..clouds crossing in front of the sun created another challenge. I "shaped" in the shadows & darkest areas first, then concentrated on the highlights & color. Painting completed in about 2-1/2 hours - 300# Arches cold press - 11"x15"

Doin' time at the computer.....

Sunday afternoon is the time I set aside to take care of my "art bizness"; Photograph & upload new paintings, create & print an "inventory sheet" with the digital image, title, size, date created, and an inventory number. Since I paint on a daily basis, I'll have anywhere from 3 to 10 paintings to add to my inventory file. Today, in addition to bringing my inventory file up to date, I've added some visual stuff to this blog such as the slide show, and some website links you may find interesting if you're an artist. Other websites will point you to my home town of Waxahachie. Anyway, as I've mentioned in a previous post, I'm "long on visual & short on verbal"....gotta get back to my "books".

Farmer's Market

TEXAS FARMER - 9" x 13"











Today, I spent a delightful morning in our historic downtown. Every Saturday, we have a Farmers Market on our courthouse square and I make it a point to complete at least one en plein aire painting. There are usually about 15 to 20 vendors that set up to sell locally grown produce. This vendor's tent with the red, white & blue caught my fancy. I noticed while I was painting that I wasn't the only one drawn to the colorful tent....he had a lot of "browsers". So, did I, actually; it's fun when people sort of "creep" up to peek at my work! I always stop painting and engage them in a little conversation....

Another day, another painting

Title: Shed, Wood's Farm - 8" x 10" Plein Aire

This painting is a simple exercise in control; using only 3 primary colors, plus Burnt Sienna and limiting each color/wash application to no more than 3 strokes. The objective was to produce an image with spontaneous, transparent passages. I think I cheated on the strokes at least a dozen times, but I still ended up with a very nice miniature.

Here I go....

I've given in (or given up) and entered the blogging world. My posts will be short on verbal and long on visual. My motivation is to share my progress on a daily basis whether it be a plein aire or studio session. This painting, a 5"x7" watercolor on aquaboard, is my first post...enjoy!