Back to still lifes

I've started back to my still lifes, as it's waaaaay too hot to paint outdoors right now. And since my mission is to not use photographs, I'm setting up life paintings. This one is of a variety of glass/ceramic objects. I've been thinking a lot about Alex Katz, the paintner these days. I have always loved his simplicity of brushstrokes, achieving almost a flatness that is irresistable to contemplate in figurative work. hmmmmn, flatness for round objects.... Also, I have to take this next week off to teach at The Monroe Institute again, but will back in 10 days. This painting is about 1/2 way completed

Rockfish River plein air painting

5" x 7" oil


8" x 10" oil
Yesterday and today I was able to find some new locations for painting here in southern Virginia. One was the banks of the Rockfish River, the other a field across from a peach farm. It was hot, but at one point, I jumped in the river fully clothed and couldn't have been happier.

2nd Portrait of Patrick

8" x 10" oil on panel

Today I finished another portrait of Patrick,. He sat for me last night, right after playing 4 games of softball in our county softball tournament. Country life. Anyway, he was so tired, but was a real sport to sit for a while for me.

Today's small objects paintings

Nectarine Slice, 4" x 4" oil on panel

5" x 7" oil
I did some little studies of small objects in my studio this morning. Just exploring minimal strokes to get the maximum effect and amount of information.

Self Portrait with Velvet Hat

I did another self portrait today, this time with one of my newest winter hats. Winter hat in June... measures 8" x 10" oil on canvas panel.

oil on 8" x 8" panel

Today I finished another plein air piece done at Crabtree Falls, VA. The weather was gorgeous, breezy and clear.
My veiwers may have noticed a stylistic change in the past few posts..it was the plein air workshops and intention to learn to paint differently that's behind it all. Over the years, I've tended to go back and forth with 'tight' vs expressionistic. So here it is again. But the 'on location' painting provides a perfect opportunity to let my brustrokes free up and dance with the light.

Blue Ridge Mountains, plein air, June 20

I finally got out in the field, literally, by about 3:00 today, and did get at least one painting done. It was HOT! Whew! I may head back to the same field tomorrow morning as it had lots of old farm equipment as well as the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Oil on 8" x 10" panel.

Portrait of Patrick

Here's today's portrait of Patrick