Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Daily Fare

"Daily Fare", oil on canvas, 12"x12", $125
Here is one of the locals in Montepulciano, Italy out shopping in the morning. Her focus seems to be on making the right decision for her dinner. She stood there looking for a long time before making her purchase.
Below are images of my painting in the three phases prior to making the final adjustments and adding some additional details in creating the completed painting above.
1. Block in general shapes and color

2. Establishing the Focal Point
 
3. Developing the background

 

Monday, November 24, 2014

Reflecting on Montepulciano

 
 
"Reflecting on Montepulciano", oil  on canvas, 12x16, $225
While in Italy, I ran across several classic cars and this one was my favorite. Every time I went by, I took more pictures. This was in the afternoon and the sun was reflecting light off the windows of the building across the street from this old Fiat 500 making the greatest lightshow on the wall above.

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Stinkers

"Stinkers", oil on canvas, 10x8, $75
While painting in Montepulciano, Italy, I stumbled across these Converse tennis shoes airing out on someone's window sill. I'm guessing they didn't want them inside.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Tilting at Windmills

"Tilting at Windmills", oil on canvas, 14x11, $125
European travels are almost over! On the way to the airport in Amsterdam, at the break of day, I saw this scene that pretty well sums up what you can see in Europe. The juxtaposition of old and new, the dawn of new technology, man against (with?) nature...other thoughts/comments welcome.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Stadsherberg de Mol

"Stadsherberg de Mol", oil on RayMar panel, 12x10, plein air, $100
Here is a restaurant we ate at on Molsaan in Delft, The Netherlands. This place has been in continuous operation for over 500 years! Originally, it also provided lodging. There was no electrical lighting inside, only candle light. Dinner was accompanied by great entertainment and a lively crowd. There was the most amazing mist in the morning air and you could barely see the church spires in the background.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Bridge Across Koornmarkt

"Bridge Across Koornmarkt", oil on RayMar panel, 10x12, plein air
 Sold
This is a view across the canal from the Leeuwenbrug Hotel in Delft, The Netherlands. Painted on a drizzly day last fall. What a beautiful place, I can't wait to go back. The bridge dates back to 1668.

Monday, November 17, 2014

Not in My Backyard

"Not in My Backyard", oil on RayMar, 12x10, plein air, $100
In the Cinque Terre, you would be lucky to have any yard at all, even as steep as this. Over a long period of time, they have terraced this extreme terrain with dry stack rock walls. My yard in Oregon is certainly not flat but it is much easier to work on than this would be.

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Corniglia

"Corniglia", 10x12, oil on RayMar panel, plein air, $100
Corniglia, perched high on a cliff above the Ligurian Sea, is the next town north of Manarola, Italy. It is in the middle of the Cinque Terre and highest above sea level. From the train station, it is about 400 steps uphill to the town.

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Manarola Bell Tower

"Manarola Bell Tower", oil on RayMar panel, 10x12, plein air, $100
Painted at happy hour from our veranda. The background is typical of the Cinque terre with steep terrain that, over the last several hundred years, has been terraced to allow vineyards, fruit trees and general gardening.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

High and Dry in Manarola

"High and Dry in Manarola", oil on RayMar panel, 10x12, plein air
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With a storm brewing, all the fishing boats had been hauled out of the water and were lining the streets of Manarola, Italy. This one had an especially nice wood interior.
 

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Manarola

"Manarola", oil on linen, 9x12, plein air, $75
After Tuscany, we headed to the Cinque Terre. We spent a week in Manarola and enjoyed every minute of it, hiking the trails and taking the train to all of the other four cities. The weather was stormy so all of the fishing boats were out of the water, lining the streets.

Monday, November 10, 2014

Piombia




"Piombia", oil on linen, 9x12,plein air, $75
Another agriturismo in the Brunello Wine region was Piombia, a few kilometers south of Montalcino. Surrounding this collection of historic stone buildings was mostly vineyards and olive groves.

Sunday, November 9, 2014

La Crociona Farmhouse

"La Crociona Farmhouse", oil on linen, 9x12, plein air, $75
We spent a few nights at Agriturismo La Crociona outside of Montalcino, Italy in a farmhouse that was over 200 years old. That's quite modern compared to the place we stayed on Rotherdam, Germany as it was over 400 years old. Anyway, this house was situated in the middle of a small vineyard and olive orchard. These grapes are only grown in a small area and made into a wonderful red wine called Brunello which is aged at least four years in oak casks and then aged in the bottle for at least another 3 to 4 years to fully develop.

Friday, November 7, 2014

Hangin' Out in Montepulciano

"Hangin' Out in Montepulciano", oil on linen, 9x12, plein air, $75
Not an uncommon sight to have clothes lines stretched out in front of windows or even between buildings over alleys here in Italy.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Tuscan Mist

"Tuscan Mist", oil on linen, 9x12, plein air, $75
I'm sure everyone has seen the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun", well as it turns out, Tuscany is more noted for it's mist. Not just in the morning, it could develop in the afternoon, or stay all day. It sure made for a wide range of scenery. This painting is looking east from Montepulciano in the afternoon. The broad valley beyond had many ridges and hills that just peeked above the mist.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

View of Montefollonico

"View of Montefollonico",oil on linen, 9x12, plein air, $75
This view is from Montepulciano, Italy painted in early October. Most hills in Tuscany have a house or winery on their tops. Some have a whole village, large or small. Some of the farms have just been plowed displaying the beige to ochre soils which appear to be a heavy clay that gets tilled up several times before it smooths down. 

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Morning Light on Montepulciano

 
 
"Morning Light on Montepulciano", oil on linen, 9x12, plein air, $75
Here is a view showing just how steep this hill town is. Most buildings are built way above the adjacent downhill streets. In many places there is only one row of narrow buildings between each street. The building on the right is where we stayed. Where ever we walked, it was either uphill or down.

Monday, November 3, 2014

Roof Top View in Tuscany


"Roof Top View in Tuscany", oil on linen, 9x12, plein air, $75
We spent four days in Ravenna, Italy looking at all the classic mosaics. There was too much to see and so no time to paint. Drove to Tuscany and decided to stay in hill town of Montepulciano for a couple of days, but extended it to six. This is the view from the room we stayed in! Some days, in the morning, there was a low lying mist which at times obscured the distant mountains. At other times the air was crystal clear. The old buildings were remarkable.

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Bavarian Farmland

"Bavarian Farmland", oil on linen, 9x12, plein air, $75
Here is the typical countryside in Bavaria. Rolling hills with pastures, corn fields, forests and farm structures. Here and there, the fields are filled with cows. Except for the quaint style of the buildings, the look is quite similar to Oregon. Even most of the trees and plants are the same.

Saturday, November 1, 2014

The Cat Stalking the Owl

"The Cat Stalking the Owl", oil on linen, 9x12, plein air, $75
One afternoon painting the front of Herr and Frau Kinhammer's farm house, their cat Mia decided to stalk the ceramic owl yard art. Brave cat! After all the excitement, Mia jumped onto the bench and curled up for a nap in the sun.

Friday, October 31, 2014

Chapel at Tettelham


"Chapel at Tettelham", Oil on Linen, 9x12, plein air, $75
The small Bavarian village of Tettelham is composed of maybe 8 or ten farm houses clustered around this old chapel. The week we were there, the last service of the summer was held on a Tuesday evening. From now until spring of next year, the villagers will go to the larger church in Otting, Germany about two miles away. In this part of Germany there are small chapels like this dotting the hillsides everywhere you look. Each is the center point of five to twenty or so farm houses and farm and grazing land. All the houses have lush displays of flowers in window boxes and their yards. 

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Bavarian Farmhouse

"Bavarian Farmhouse", oil on linen, 9x12, $75
Click to Buy
I just returned from a trip to Germany. It started out traveling around the Rhine and Mosel Rivers, then a few days in Rothenburg. The scenery and the people were incredible. After that, we spent 10 days in Bavaria just a few miles from Salsburg. Here is a painting of a typical farmhouse, painted plaster with wood shutters and window boxes overflowing with bright flowers. Beyond is the wood barn which is actually attached to the house. This house was built in the 1700's and housed several generations of the family that owned the farm.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Umpqua Plein Air

OK, it's time to catch up. I've been gone for 6 weeks. Here are some painting that I did during the Umpqua Plein Air in September, a two day paint out. It started with a quick draw competition and then a day on the North Umpqua River and then at Doc Bailey's farm in Garden Valley. Here are four paintings I completed. As soon as I cleaned up my palette, I was off to Germany, Italy and Holland.


 

Friday, September 5, 2014

Lone Palm

"Lone Palm", Oil on Masonite, 12x6, $50
I took my grandson to a park to see Queen Califia's Magical Circle Garden in the San Diego Area. Most of the trees were oaks except this lonely palm standing all by itself.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Runnin' Free

"Runnin' Free", Oil on Canvas, 11x14, $125
Click to Buy
A good place to enjoy the morning is on the beach in Bandon.   

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Tide Pooling

"Tide Pooling', Oil on Canvas, 11x14, $125
Click to Buy
It's fun watching people discovering the wonders of tide pools. It's also interesting to watch the constant change in water levels and all the sea life that it exposes and then hides again. This scene is of a spot just south of Bandon Oregon.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Sea Star Bistro

"Sea Star Bistro", Oil on Canvas, 11x14, Plein Air,
Sold
I spent a weekend painting in Bandon Oregon and happened upon this great sidewalk café the Sea Star Bistro. It's just off 2nd Street and has a beautiful dining area surrounded by flowers and shrubs. It gets pretty busy at times. I caught the owner standing in the doorway checking on their patrons.

Monday, August 25, 2014

Path Through the Birch Trees

"Path Through the Birch Trees", Oil on Canvas Panel, 9x12, Plein Air, $75
Click to Buy
I went out painting at a friends house in Elkton, Oregon and really liked the way the path to their garden cut through this little grove of birch trees and other mixed conifers beyond. At the same time, a few rays of light marked the ground cover in the opposite direction. As the light was fleeting, I had to paint it quickly. I tried for 30 minutes and almost made it, running 5 minutes over.

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Hillcrest Winery View

"Hillcrest Winery View", Oil on Panel, 8x10, plein air,
Click to Buy
Last weekend we went out to HillcrestVineyard to taste some wine. It is the oldest bonded winery in Oregon and believe me, they have some good wines. The people that work there are great and there is always an interesting crowd of visitors there. After a few tastes, I decided to set up my pochade and paint the view. Luckily I was able to still get more tastes brought outside! This is a view to the north from just outside the tasting room.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Feeding Time

"Feeding Time", Oil on Canvas, 8x10, $75
Click to Buy
I went to our friends house the other day and got to see the feeding of their chickens. Watch your toes. I think the chickens all had names.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Spring Bouquet

"Gladioli in Ceramic Vase", Oil on Canvas, 10x8, $75
 Click to Buy
 
This as a painting from last month when we were getting a surplus of bulbs flowering. Setting was in indirect natural light, mid day, south facing window in handmade ceramic vase.

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Before the Falls

"Before the Falls", Oil on Canvas, 9x12, $75
The last painting of the group is again above Deadline Falls. Not only is the view great but the sound of the falls below is almost deafening. On top of that, the mist coming off the falls along with the steady breeze heading up the river both help to offset the summer heat. Add to that the continual parade of Steelhead jumping the falls and you have a day on the North Umpqua.

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Overcast Morning

"Overcast Morning", Oil on Canvas, 9x12, $75
The last day we painted together, we drove out North Bank Road and painted a view of the North Umpqua River about ten  miles from Roseburg. The light was cool and somewhat flat, but what a great view.

Friday, August 15, 2014

The Old Feed Store

"The Old Feed Store", Oil on Canvas, 11x14,
After painting in Paul's back yard, we headed up to Oakland, Oregon. This old brick building used to be the old feed store in Oakland ages ago. I used it as a studio back in 1976 and I can't believe how good the Bull Durham sign still is. The building was vacant for a time and is now "Old Town Gardens" offering gifts, wines and vintage items. It's right on Highway 99 next to the Oakland Tavern.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Morning Reflections on the South Umpqua

"Morning Reflections on the South Umpqua", Oil on Wood Panel, 9x12, $75
We started the next day painting by the river in Paul's back yard. My eye was caught by the deep shadows under the trees and shrubs on the opposite riverbank and the reflections on top of the transparent water.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Deadline Falls

"Deadline Falls", Oil on RayMar Panel, 8x10, $75
After painting above the falls and the day rapidly passing by, Thomas Kitts challenges us to a 30 minute paintout! So we all clambor down closer to the river and then ultimately set up our pochade boxes right on top of deadline falls. Thomas gets out his phone and sets a timer for 30 minutes and says "30 minutes, that's all you get!". The heats on, well yes it is at least 95 degrees out, but as we're trying to paint, one steelhead after the other tries to jump the falls. It's really hard to concentrate on painting, then to make matters worse, a Heron flies in and lands on the rocks right in front of us (probably thinking it'll snag one of the fish). Everybody is freaking out and then we realize time is of the essence. Before we know it the timer goes off and Thomas shouts "TIME'S UP". We all step back and truthfully, we all admit you can't beat the freshness of a 30 minute plein air painting. After we pack it up and get back to the car, we decide that we need to eat. So off we go to Munchies in Glide for burgers and a cold beer.  

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Paul Zegers Painting the North Umpqua

"Paul Zegers Painting the North Umpqua", Oil on Canvas Panel, 9x12
 
So after we left Steamboat Creek, we headed up the North Umpqua and then hiked about a half mile to a place above Deadline Falls. It was getting later in the day but the sun was still shining onto the river. We all were able to find a place to perch on the rocks. It turned out that I also had a good view of Paul painting. You can check out  Paul Zeger's great paintings on his Facebook page.

Monday, August 11, 2014

Steamboat Creek

"Steamboat Creek", Oil on Canvas Panel, 9x12, price $75
The next morning we drove up the North Umpqua River and then along Steamboat Creek. First we stopped at a place where the Steelhead hold up until the water temperature cools down and the water flow increases, then they move upstream to spawn. Some of the fish spend up to seven months waiting in this pool. This day there were about 240 fish waiting. Then we moved on to this location where the creek cascaded downward in several steps until the rocks we were standing on were about 10 to 15 feet high. Before we finished painting, a group of people showed up and started jumping off of the rocks into the water. As it was approaching 90 degrees, I think THEY had the right idea.

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Last Light on the South Umpqua River

"Last Light on the South Umpqua River", Oil on Canvas Panel, 8x10, price $75
A couple of weeks ago I ran into Paul Zegers at an Art Reception here in Roseburg. He asked if I wanted to join him, Thomas Jefferson Kitts and Andrew Duclos at the river behind his house to knock out a painting before dark. It was 6:30, so I hustled home to get my gear and made it there by 7:30pm. I was able to get set up and paint this view of the river before dark set in. It was then that I found out that they had been painting all day and planned to paint for three more days and got invited along. Another bonus was getting to go through Kitts' portfolio of work he brought back from a workshop he taught in Tuscany, other work painted in the Cinque Terre along with a few others he just painted in Eastern Oregon. WOW

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Morning Feeding

"Morning Feeding", Oil on Canvas, 12x16, $175
This is the last in a series of three. I was really surprised that this Hummer kept fluttering about, from one flower to another, while I photographed it feeding off of nearly every Gladioli in the patch. It really wasn't bothered that I was standing just a few feet away.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Hummer on Gladiola

"Hummer on gladiola", Oil on Canvas, 12x12, $150
So when I went down to the garden to water today, I took my camera to photograph the gladioli. To my surprise, a hummingbird flew up and proceeded to feed off of all the gladioli. it was just a few feet in front of me. It went from flower to flower and could have cared less if I was there.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Gladoli on Garden Path

"Gladioli on Garden Path", Oil on Canvas, 10x8, $50
I can't believe a month has gone by since painting this! In July our garden was brimming with flowers. There is one patch of Gladioli with a Yarrow in the middle of it. Here is what it looked like on the 3rd of July. Much better that fireworks.
 
 

Thursday, July 31, 2014

If You Can't Join 'em, Lick 'em

"If You Can't Join 'em, Lick 'em", Oil on Canvas, 11x14
Driving back from Bandon, Oregon I ran across these curious cows hanging out in a marsh west of Coquille. I'm sure they were hoping for a treat.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Skimming

On our last trip out to Bandon, I got some great pics of people on the beach. The weather was great and so there were many opportunities to capture people enjoying their time at the coast. This is a painting of a group of kids sharing time on a skim board. It was kind of funny, no matter who was trying to ride, they all ran after it.
"Skimming", oil on canvas, 11x14