Thursday, October 15, 2009

Reinheimer Barn, Idaho landscape

" Reinheimer Barn V "
Oil
6"x8"
We are having a beautiful fall, although with all the spring rain and throughout the summer the fall color hasn't been much. Maples are normal. Aspens, which are the abundant native deciduous tree, are not changing to yellow, but brown.
The Reinheimer Barn is the focal point as you enter Ketchum from the south. The round window is multi-paned. It dates from the late 1800's. The owners have recently re-sided it in the same style shingles that were original. It is one of my favorite views to paint. The beautiful red rock cliffs behind are a nice contrast to the white barn.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Dairy Barn, Idaho landscape, barley field, Art Tip #22 Sky Holes

" Price Ranch Dairy Barn "
Oil
6"x6"
This little oil was a challenge. So much information for a small painting. I usually try to simplify my subject, but this dairy barn is historic to our valley and I just learned, to my own family, too. I wanted it to be a fairly accurate recording. The barn dates from the late 1800's. My father-in-law grew up in this valley and worked on this farm as a young boy during the Depression. He would sneak into the dairy barn and eat the cream off the top of the milk containers (his father was killed in a mining accident and left the family penniless). He lived to be 87 and like many people surviving the Great Depression had a life long connection/obsession with food, never wanting to go hungry again. His freezer was always stuffed, he didn't throw anything away.
Oh, by the way. This barn is huge..I'm guessing 100' long. Fortunately, the current owner has the means to keep this property intact and restored. I hope to do more paintings of this barn.
Art Tip #22 Sky Holes...When painting the sky one sees through trees, make the sky color a half step or step darker than what you mixed for the sky. When you surround a small bit of color with darker color it appear lighter. Your sky holes will stay in place and not pop out. Also, as foliage nears the top of the tree where more light surrounds it, it becomes lighter, edges soft.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Apples on Cobalt Blue, Art Tip #22 Wiping or scraping or scratching paint off

"Apples on Cobalt Blue "
Oil
6"x6"
Sold
Here is a little study I did while my students were busy painting. I like to be busy otherwise I end up talking too much. They need to focus. The napkin I arranged the apples on was a fabric that is wrinkle-proof so I ended up exaggerating the folds to create more contrast. I loved mixing the lighter cobalt blue paint, nearly straight out of the tube.
Art Tip # 21 As I feel I am nearing the finish of a painting, I often find I am scraping off, scratching off, rubbing off paint as much as I am adding. Anything goes to get the effect I'm after...not that I always know what that is, it somethimes just happens. I get there quicker when I trust in the process. I have also learned that on those days that I end up wiping out everything I added during that session, it still leaves bits that add to the whole in the end. Does that make sense?

Friday, October 2, 2009

Still Life Bartlett Pears & Fiestaware Plate

" Pears & Fiestaware Plate "
Oil
6"x6"
Five pears on a vintage Fiestaware plate. There is red paper lining the right wall bouncing red onto the pears and plate. The fabric is an old dish towel. As many of my frequent readers know I love using stripes to direct the viewer's eye.
I have recently joined the Studio Artists of Xanadu Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ. You can see my work there. I have recently updated my web site, too.