12-18-2023 - Willy Wonka Sketch

 

Willy Wonka was on and caught me in the right mood. So here's a quick little sketch. I began this last night, and touched up a few things this morning. Hard to fit it all in when you get up the same day you go to sleep! lol

Below is where I left off last night. I only spent a half hour or so to soften a few edges and adjusted some things I didn't like in the drawing... Been a minute since I've painted a head. It was a fun little diversion!

Oil on Panel - 7" x 5"

Signed on Back

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A study of a peach on the table next to my paint box. Tried to bring this one back out of the shadows by working back into the wet paint.

Studio Peach
Oil on Panel - 5" x 7"
 

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02-27-2023 - Bowl of Strawberries

 

Today's meditation... Felt like painting something a bit more formal. Definitely a nice change of pace.

Oil on Cradled Panel - 6" x 6"

Unframed. Signed on back.

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11-26-2022 - Mandarin and Bottles

 

Today's effort... I was cleaning up yesterday, and saw how the leaves had dried on this mandarin. Might not make sense, but we had an assignment in school where I had to draw a "hot" E... This one sort of embodied "fast" to me..I dug it! So it's shown here paired with some new bottles. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

As always, thanks for looking.

Oil on Cradled Panel - 6" x 6"

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11-20-2022 -- Mushrooms

 

I've picked up mushrooms, a couple of times lately... Today I actually sat down to work while I watched the World Cup's opening game.  I had fun with these.  Can't say I saw much of the game, though I listened intently.

Looking forward to the game tomorrow!  With my schedule I don't know how many I'll get to take in.  I'm glad it's here and that the U.S. is in it again!  Until next time.. Thanks for looking!

Oil on panel - 5" x 7"

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8-20-2022 -- Shower Head

 Oil on Panel - 8" x 6"

$100.00 - Available

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8-14-22 - Stock - Mathiola incana

 

Saw this at the store the other day and it just called to me.  It's common name is Stock also known as Mathiola incana.  Seems to be a secondary player in floral arrangements, but it was fun to disappear into for a little while.

Stock - Matthiola incana
Oil on Panel - 7" x 5"
$100.00
 
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8-30-2021 - Bird Box

 

The start of something different. I went looking for somewhere to paint this morning. (I've really grown quite fond of my little quests.) Stopped at the grocery store and saw this little arrangement. The box sort of reminded me of a tour of sake a friend ordered at a Benihana. Random, but, I digress. Got a little lost in the main carnation for a minute. They get confusing! This felt like a good point to take a break. This is a little larger than my usual blog painting. It'll be interesting to see where it goes from here...

 

8" x 10" - Oil on Cradled Panel

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8-13-21 - Ray Lake Forest Preserve

 

Managed to sneak a painting in before work today. I was setup before 7 and ready to go. The sky lightened and grayed as the sun rose. I chased it at times. There was some really intriguing colors, I did my best to capture the mood.

When I got to work the power was out. We were trying to figure out how to work under the emergency lights when it came back on. Only about half an hour lost... Ha! If that's all Friday the 13th had for us... Now, now. I don't want to get too carried away and press my luck.

Ray Lake - 9.75" x 5"

Gouache on paper

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Just for good measure a shot of my view and setup part way through. I've really enjoyed this cigar box pochade... It's an almost unaltered Acid brand box. If anybody should be interested, I've stashed a few away.

 

8-12-21 - McHenry Dam

 

 

 

Today things started off a bit haphazardly. I headed out the wrong direction just to get through the traffic. (Everything around here is under construction.) Having been forced another direction, I ended up changing my intended spot and went to the dam. Turned out I forgot to transfer my panels back to my usual bag. So gouache it was for this morning! It turned out to be a nice morning. Couldn't have planned it better..

Below is a shot of my view. Taken after I had pretty much packed up... Thanks for looking! Have a great weekend!

McHenry Dam - 8-12-21

Gouache on Paper - 10.5" x 5.25"

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7/22/2021 - Water Pump at Wright Woods

Thursday seems to be the day I get to get out lately. Wasn't sure where I was going, but I ended up at Wright Woods in Vernon Hills. This was a fun little study, I'm glad I painted it in oil. It gave me a chance to soften some edges and adjust some other little things that might not have worked out in gouache. I really enjoyed painting the bike rack too. The sun was in and out as I painted. The news this morning suggested it was overcast due, in part, to the fires out west. I'm not sure myself, but I do hope this finds you all safe and well.

Have a great weekend! As always thanks for looking.

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07-01-2021 -- Wheeling Rock Plant

 

I think I had drawn this one up before the rain last week? Either way, it became completely overcast while I was working. Sounds strange, but I really just lost the idea. Yesterday was so nice, that I decided to try again around sunset.. There was a lot more warmth about the structure. This one really forced me to try some new things. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process!

Gouache on paper - 7.25" x 10"

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While your here I had taken a process shot... always fun to see what happens afterwards. You can also see a little of my paint box too, I replaced the Cotman watercolor kit with gouache. It comes apart to make an extra mixing area too. I hadn't added any white yet in this shot, usually just use that at the end.

 

Thanks for looking.  Enjoy the long weekend!

07/01/2021 - Willow Stream

 

After a week of rain, I was able to get out for a little bit this morning. This is a view of Willow Stream Park, right by the house. The water level was higher than I expected, so I changed a little from my planned composition. This park gets a lot of foot traffic! I avoided too much conversation by just hanging out the side door of the minivan as I painted... It is such a wonderful day out. Maybe I'll be able to get out for a little later today or this weekend.

Hope you all enjoy the holiday weekend! As always, thanks for looking!

Gouache on Paper - 8" x 6"

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Now that the spring semester is in the books, things are starting to settle down. I'm getting into some sort of schedule anyways. I've been eyeing this tree for a while. It is just a few minutes from the house. I was able to find a nice spot in a lot where I could paint from the car. (It's been oddly hot here for spring.)

Hope you enjoy it! Have a great weekend!

Gouache on paper - 8" x 6"

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Huddle Study

Couldn't sleep. Was trying to organize my files... and look for inspiration. You never know when you'll find a gem you missed!

 

Anyways, stumbled on this quick sketch from a number of years ago. Was meant to be one of the main figure groups...

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Fun with Ma

Had a little paint left from this morning's open session. Managed to talk Ma into posing for a bit. Always great to spend some quality time! About one hour... Zorn Palette..

Oil on Panel - 8" x 6"

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