Painting historic Grapvine, Texas

"C.M. Millican Blacksmithing" (click here to enlarge)

12" x 12" Alla Prima Watercolor  

140# Arches on Panel

The past couple of days, I've been "iced in" by the Arctic blast of winter that has Texas (and most of the U.S.) frozen solid.  What a contrast in temperatures! January 29th - only 4 days ago, the thermometer hit 80 degrees here in North Texas! On that glorious day, I joined 30 fellow members and guests of Outdoor Painters Society  in downtown historic Grapevine, Texas where we spent the day painting en plein air.  

In the morning I set up my En Plein Air Pro watercolor easel across the street from a working blacksmith shop.  In the 3 hours of painting, there was a steady stream of people in and out of the open barn-type doors amid sounds of metal being "pounded" into shape by the blacksmith. I spotted the building about a block away and as I approached, I noticed a set of 50's-style blue metal lawn chairs in the entrance. As a teen, my family had a set of chairs exactly like that...they were even the same color! That settled it...this was the perfect place to paint!

Later that afternoon I went to Nash Farm, a short 1/4 mile drive from downtown Grapevine.  This was the Nash family's farmstead that is now a historic landmark with antique farm implements, the farmhouse and outbuildings including a huge red barn.  

 I wasn't able to complete the painting on location, but I was able to get a good color study and composition for use to do a larger studio piece. The photograph doesn't reveal a lot of detail in the shadows but there's some gorgeous 'bounced light' inside as well as an old tractor parked midway between front and back doors.

By the way, this photo gives you a look at my favorite watercolor easel...the En Plein Air Pro! To the right of the painting is a 5x7 sketchbook with my 'thumbnail' drawing. Note that on the same page as the drawing, I sometimes test color and value before I commit a brush load to the painting surface.   

For price information about either of these paintings, email me or to view available plein air and studio paintings, visit my website. 

The Make-Over....

Workshop Study - April 2010

"Three's a Crowd" - 9x12 - Oil on Canvas Panel 

Last April I participated in a 3-day plein air workshop led by my good friend, Jill Carver. (I'm SO in awe of her talent...that gal can really paint!)  The location was in picturesque Wimberly, Texas, about 20 miles south of Austin.  At a workshop, my primary goal is to complete lessons or tasks...with the knowledge that seldom will a good painting surface.  This adventure into the Hill Country was no exception.

On the second day we set up along a riverbank lined with Cypress trees.  Subject matter was everywhere, but 3 trees in the river with their root systems all entangled caught my eye.  There were a lot of clouds that day that changed the light and shadows as they floated by the sun.  I struggled with the light source as well as getting color, temperature and value correct. I can't remember the lesson theme, but I think it was an exercise in frustration. :-) Anyway, I came home with pages and pages of notes, several canvas studies and a resolve to work harder.

Today, after several months, I studied the painting again...and with a fresh look, I realized that it only needed a few adjustments.  Above, the workshop study is the result of a frustrating afternoon on a river bank.  The painting below is after I performed a "make-over" in the studio this afternoon.

"Three's a Crowd" - 9x12 - Oil on Canvas Panel

December 2010

I "warmed up" the Cypress and "cooled down" the background water and trees.  Using highlights and 'sparkle' in the water at lower right as a lead-in, the eye is drawn from there to the darkened foliage near the distant waterline; then upward to the "v-shape" where the trees meet the sky; and then gently moves over and down the Cypress to contemplate a tangled web of roots and soft reflections.

I like it a lot better.  What do you think?

Persimmons 9x12 Watercolor

Persimmons - 9x12 Watercolor

This still-life subject was a good one with lots of color.  Persimmons laying in a cobalt-blue dish; gorgeous....and inspiring!   This is from life; painted alla prima (all in one go).   Most of my watercolors are alla prima - forcing a quick sketch with focus on large shapes, and getting color, value, and temperature right with the first wash....no 'fiddling' with it!  I seldom do still-life paintings so I was very pleased with this one.  It's available! Go to http://www.dailypaintworks.com/ and place your bid. 
P.S.  This is a re-post from December 2010. for the purpose of announcing the availability of the painting. 

A Page from my Plein Air Sketchbook

Today’s plein air session is a good example of making the most of a sketchbook page.  The day was overcast and threatening rain at 9am when I arrived on location just south of the courthouse in Waxahachie, TX.  Anticipating a downpour before I could complete a painting on the “good paper”, I decided instead to work in my sketchbook….under the back door hatch of my Expedition.  I paint out of the back of my SUV often using it for protection from sun – or in this case - from rain that was already beginning to fall. It takes some pretty ugly weather to cause me to pack up and call it a day….especially when the day has only begun!

My favorite sketchbook size is 11 x 14 -  it gives me several options; I can use the entire page for one composition, or divide it up into 2, 3 or even 4 “minis”.  In about an hour and a half, I completed the 4” x 9” vertical on the left “Crossing on S. College” and the upper right  3” x 7” horizontal “Viaduct – Crossing on S. Rogers”.  - by this time, the rain was falling pretty hard and it was almost time for lunch, so I packed up & met 2 other artists (painting from their SUV’s as well) for lunch.  Afterward, we all went to Getzendaner Park, for the annual Chautauqua Assembly and set up our easels under the exhibition tent and spent the next couple of hours painting a “portrait” of the Chautauqua auditorium. The lower right 4” x 6” titled “Chautauqua” completed my day’s work in the sketchbook. 

Did you notice that even though I never saw a ray of sunshine today, I used my artist’s license and created a “bright & sunny” day with blue skies & fluffy clouds. 

Sketchbooking with Watercolor Workshop

Last weekend I spent 2 days in Tyler, Texas teaching a group of artists how to utilize a sketchbook in and out of the studio. The workshop took place in the studio of watercolor artist and teacher,  Wincie Caskey.  Wincie’s studio & home is located on a beautiful wooded acreage just outside Tyler, Texas.  In addition to being an accomplished artist, she is also a Master Gardener! Since this workshop included some “on location” lessons, the property surrounding the studio had excellent subject matter; flowers, trees, a garden, flagstone walk to a wonderful “quiet shady place” with a place to sit & just relax. 

Over the 2 day period the artists learned how a sketchbook can be valuable to an artist for notes, and for developing ideas in the studio as well as for recording information while on location. I demonstrated various techniques in watercolor using water soluble graphite pencils and “sharpie” markers.  I showed them how to paint “doodle” trees, and people.  The surface and texture of the paper in a sketchbook will vary greatly between brands, so in the process we also explored some quick brush exercises with various amounts of water in relation to pigment - an important step when using a sketchbook for the first time. 

After lunch, the group gathered up brushes, paint & sketchbooks and moved outside and painted trees, flower pots, bird houses & rocks.  Starting out with a sketchbook and watercolor is a good way to begin painting from life outside the studio.

This was a new experience for the group in that no one had worked “en plein air” prior to this workshop…and I must say that  everyone produced at least one good watercolor sketch that afternoon…a couple of them painted 2 or 3!

 

   Judy won my demo on the 2nd morning!  This demo took only took about an hour to paint….but the lively interaction and questions from the group inserted between brush strokes expanded the demo time to about 2 hours!

I had a great time over in the “Piney Woods” of Tyler and plan to return soon.  Did I mention that one of the students was my cousin, Joellen? What a joy for me to have her in the class!

Fort Worth Stockyards – 2 New Plein Airs

Many times I tend to overlook great painting locations close to home – such has been the case of the historic Fort Worth Stockyards district.  It’s been several years since I last visited that area and it wasn’t to paint – it was to attend a performance at Billy Bob’s.  Yesterday, I met up and spent the day painting with a group of area painters – had a great time re-connecting with a few I hadn’t seen for several months – and managed to complete 2 paintings in spite of the holiday crowd (hundreds of people by mid-morning!)

 

“Morning on Exchange Avenue” 9 x 12 Watercolor

 

“Strollin’ toward Exchange” 11x14 Watercolor

Two Paintings in Grand Prairie Arts Council 2010 Juried Show

I’m delighted to announce that “Misty Meadow” and “Cottonwood Valley” have been accepted into the 2010 Grand Prairie Arts Council Juried Art Exhibition and Sale - September 12th through September 25th. This will be the 2nd consecutive year my work will be included in the annual event.

                                                          Misty Meadow – 16x20 Watercolor

                                                     Cottonwood Valley – 11x14 Watercolor

The show opens with a Reception and Awards Presentation Sunday, September 12th at Grand Prairie Memorial Library, 901 Conover Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas. The Juror is James Behan, Professor of Art at Mountain View College, Dallas, Texas.