Orchard

Apple Tree Study: Oil 9x12

Outlook Farm, Westhampton MA has acres of apple trees..
While the Winter Orchard is dramatic, it is spring weather which is more agreeable to a plein air painter. As one passes the Orchard in a car, the prevailing impression this time of year is of dark kinky branches and bright spring green  against the purple cat's paw shape of Pomeroy Mountain to the south.

This composition works much better than the one I attempted last spring. Orchard, 2011)

Spring!!

Arcadia Pasture: Oil 11x14 Oil on Canvas

Done with Winter

Snowy Pasture on Norwich Hill: 9x12 oil sketch

Snow Flurry on Norwich Hill: 9x12 oil sketch

Two quick oil sketches of
scenes viewed from my car window.
The sun was trying to break out through
the clouds..it was like being inside a
snow globe.

February Thaw

A Northampton Pond

Today I am posting a photo of quick 12x16 oil sketch done in mid-Februray.

Float Frame with Linen Liner by Raphael's Inc

Friday--en plein air!!

First Wash...Forbes Library. 11x14 on 300 lb rough paper

It was wonderful to be outside painting today with watercolors. This is the first stage...and the drawing needs work..but I just wanted to share the wonderful March day that seemed like June!

Westhampton View

March Morning: View of Westhampton: Watercolor 11x14 on rough paper.
This is from a photo taken on my iphone. 

Amber: Summer 2011

Last Ride Before Going off to College. 18x24 oil on linen.

South Road, Westhampton

South Road, Westhampton. 18x24 oil on canvas. I'm thinking I'd like to crop this from the bottom and left side. 

Close to Home

Pisgah Road: Oil on linen; 14x18

Dappled Byway.
Route 66, bordered by old Maples and dappled by Autumn light.

Route 66. Oil on canvas board: 9x12

Route 66 Bikers. Oil on canvas board: 9x12

Pochade Painting Mt Tom

This was a quick plein air sketch done in late August with lots of juicy paint and a pallet knife on 9x12 Ray-Mar panel.

The view is across a portion of Paradise Pond in Easthampton, MA, looking toward Mt. Tom.

It is an attempt to use three specific transparent primaries, plus white. It is also an attempt to put more paint onto the canvas. If I can maintain the strength of color, and boldness and gesture,  while bringing in a bit more "considered" detail, I would be happy.

("The Real Color Wheel," by Don Jusko.)

August Skies

The skies of summer were breath taking this year.
Thunder storm clouds formed in the azure skies each  hot afternoon.

Summer Skies: Oil on Linen, 14x18

The barns in the painting are on Park Hill Road, in Easthampton, MA.

August, Wickland's Barns

Summer pastures..hazy mornings, cyan skies...red-tailed hawks:

Hint of red in the Swamp Maple in the back pasture.  The challenge was two-fold. To use a restricted the pallet of three new--to me--transparent primaries, plus white. (Holland's Indian Yellow- #PBR23, Quinacridone Magenta (# 545) and Thalo Blue (#T203).  Then, to create a sense of distance, across the field and up the hill, by applying the lessons of aerial perspective upon the value and tones of those three primaries.