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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06-17-2021 - Island Lake Bank

 

 

 

My boss has been kind enough to let me have some time during the week to paint. Trying my best to make the most of it. I happened upon this bank on a drive the other day. It appears to be out of business. There is actually a bit of graffiti on one of the planters that said "Have a nice day!" I sure did! It didn't make it into this small study as there was plenty of information to keep me busy. It's been nice pushing paint around and trying my hand at some new things these last few days. Hope to keep the momentum going...

Hope you enjoy the weekend! Thanks for looking.

Oil on Canvas - 6" x 12"

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The weather was awesome today so I snuck out for a sketch after work. This was the side lot of a Kmart years ago. (Our old storage unit was behind the fence to the left.) The building stood empty for quite a while. Now all that remains is the few businesses on the out lots and part of the parking lot has been taken over by a car dealership. Landscapes are all still experiments to me, so this was a fun little departure for me.

Hope you enjoy it. As always thanks for looking!

Gouache on paper - 19 cm x 25 cm

(The size makes more sense in metric)

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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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3-14-21 - Grapes and Silver Cup

  

Set up a new still life stage in a closet that should make it easier to control the lighting. No more having to wait till dark or the right kind of lighting during the day... Decided to give it a whirl before I go back tomorrow. Was a nice way to spend a Sunday! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Grapes and Silver Cup

6" x 9" - Oil on Panel

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3-9-21 - Daffodils

  

A couple bulbs of Daffodils for this morning. This is the last week before I go back to class. Was nice to sit down and paint something different. Spring is coming! It is supposed to reach the upper 60's today. Hope you are feeling the change of seasons too...

Oil on Panel - 5" x 7"

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Kettle - 2/25/21

 

I've been carrying my gouache all week hoping to do a study. The weather, while warmer hadn't cooperated yet. So I sat down for this this morning. Fun stuff! I don't think I've painted a still life in gouache since my first time round at college... Hope you enjoy the weekend.

Gouache on Cold Press Paper

6.5" x 7"

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Hallway Light

 

Had a little time after clearing the drive.  Felt nice to push some paint around.  Hope you all enjoy the holiday.

Oil on Panel - 8" x 6"

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A hair cut in the time of Covid

Been a little hectic lately. Starting to get back into the swing of things. This was for my Expressive Portrait project... A playful exaggeration on how I've been cleaning up of late. Haven't seen a barber since since sometime before March!

 

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Vehe Farm Experiments

First quick sketch at Vehe Farm.  I just sort of happened upon it on a nice day.  I set up to paint from a distance, but was having too much fun punching holes.  Sometimes these things have a life of their own...

 Day 2 at the farm,  I was struck by the contrast between this tree and the backdrop.  The light changed on me pretty quick and crept over the tree line.  I let a little of it come through, but tried to stay focused on the main idea.

Both panels are 8" x 6"

Baker's Lake Day 2

There were a few things I thought could be a little better.  So I went back for round 2.  Got stung by a bee for my efforts.  Guess I'm a glutton for punishment.  Happier with this version.

Baker's Lake
Oil on panel - 6" x 10"

Baker's Lake

The rain last night broke the heat, so the weather was beautiful this morning. Snuck out for a quick sketch. This was at Baker's Lake Forest Preserve. The lake is on the back side of the preserve. Oddly enough just about 100 yards from the end of a mail route I used to pick up A LOT. I was able to park feet from where I painted and was left to my own devices. It was nice to get out again! I included a pic of the meadow below.

Oil on Panel - 6" x 10"

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Buddy and a View

 

Had a little paint left after my drive the other day. This was a quick study of a tree I found interesting at a little preserve near Long Grove, IL. Landscapes are still an adventure for me!  Click to bid.

And below is another sketch of Buddy napping from today. I still haven't had the the nerve to try him in oil yet... He's a light sleeper!

Walnuts and Shot Glass

 

 

 

Donned on me today that it's been a while since I painted a still life. Tried to keep it fresh and loose. Definitely a nice change of pace. 

Oil on panel - 6" x 8"

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Fox River Bay Study

 

 

 

I tried to go to Starved Rock this morning, but it ended up being closed. This was from a picnic area near by. It was still early and there was a mist hanging just above the water. It disappeared pretty quick. I did what I could to get this one down quickly. The water was actually really still, but it almost appears as if a wake just passed.

Oil on Panel - 5" x 7"

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Self Portrait Update

 

 

 

 

An update on this self portrait. Shaved my head and regrew my beard... haha. Couldn't bring myself to get a real hair cut. All kidding aside, a few steps forward. I tightened up the drawing a little. Worked lightly in the background and most of the head. I wish the camera on my phone picked up more accurate color in the flesh... It's a lot softer in person. Anyway, it's still pretty early. Think I'll let it dry for a few more days and try some glazing in the background and try to bring out a little more variety in the portrait too.

10"x10"

Oil on Canvas

 

Lincoln

Lincoln -

Charcoal and Chalk

6" x 8"

Always wanted to draw this guy.  Such a scraggly dude!  Never been quite sure how to approach it... Figured I'd try a little exploration.

Study of Jacob

I woke up at four this morning and started working on homework. At about 11, I decided I deserved a break and some time to paint. Intended to start another self portrait. But. frankly, I've had enough looking at myself for a while. Found this in a heap of photos and reluctantly jumped in. It's my friend's son Jacob and it is his should he choose to accept it. I've had a bit of a block working from photos lately. I just haven't felt as present or inspired painting from references for some time. This was fun though! It might be awful, my eyes are tired. But, I'll take it! All the better if it gets me over the hump...

6"x6"

Oil on panel

Buddy Sketch 7-27-20

Been itching to draw all day. Finally caught Buddy napping for a few minutes. Being amidst a whirlwind of and intersession class, this was a much needed break.

Side note, my leg fell asleep and the middle of my back is sore as can be... Totally worth every second!

Before the Session

This was a fun one. I hated those sheers when she first put them up. But they've made it into a number of studies. It was tough trying to decide just how much to let you see into the silhouette of the lamp. I think it came out pretty well in the end.

Finally getting to the guest room so I can get a more practical workspace into the studio... It seems all my classes are going to be online for now; even the drawing classes. I guess I'll have to learn as I go since I have yet to partake in any of the zoom sessions people have been hosting.

Some of the new furniture has been here for a while taking up valuable space. With no one around to help, It'll come up one piece at a time... ha ha

Hope you've all had a wonderful weekend!

Oil on Panel - 8" x 6"

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Throwback Thursday

A peeled orange for you today. An older still life study I unearthed cleaning the studio. Been spending a lot of time working around the house when I don't have time or energy to paint. Which has been pretty often of late. Its been cathartic. It's amazing the sheer amount of stuff that piles up over the years. Been nice to accomplish some of the things I've been putting off... Really just to de-clutter and rearrange my spaces. It has let me breathe again! The whole process has slowly but surely been relieving much of my stress.

6" x 6"

Oil on Panel

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A fun little gouache study today. The weather was too nice to pass up! Really should have been working on homework... But I'm glad I took the time.

I had pretty much cleaned up by the time I thought of it... Below is a picture of my set up. Close to noon by then.

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Gouache on cold pressed paper

6" x 9"

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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A fun find

I was working on the downstairs painting area... aka the basement. Found a bunch of old paintings stored in shirt boxes. I thought they were empty. Anyway, I remember this painting being particularly fun! At the time I was surprised just how much color I found in such a seemingly simple subject. I anticipated doing a small series... It did lead to one other painting that sold long ago. Brought me right back though! Fun stuff!

Oil on panel - 6" x 6"

A tentative first layer

A tentative first layer. Camera on my phone picks up too much yellow. I think you'll get the idea.

Needed a warm up to get back into a few pieces that have been sitting. After months of being just plain exhausted, I feel pretty good the last few days. Maybe I just needed time to decompress... Maybe life and my body has been telling me to slow down?  I don't know, but I'll take it.

Fun to dive in though! I haven't put out this full of a palette in a long time!

A Narcissus from today

 

I hope this finds you all safe and healthy. This is the first time I've picked up a brush since this all began. A quick study of a Narcissus.

Said to symbolize rebirth, renewal and the coming of spring. Seemed a fitting time to paint one. Three yellows used in this one, cad yellow light, yellow ochre and lemon yellow hue. These flowers have brightened my days of late. I've done a few studies of them and they've each been a great escape.

I hope it will bring you a moment away too.

 

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Figure Friday - 02/28/2020

The first pose from this week's Figure Friday.  I still need to speed up!  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

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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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