tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36549086949755018632012-02-16T15:53:20.674-05:00Hilltown Views en Plein AirAlma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.comBlogger531100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-61711304584915179562011-11-29T12:20:00.001-05:002011-11-29T12:21:06.987-05:00

South Road, Westhampton

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-11659543771113338332011-11-29T12:12:00.001-05:002011-11-29T12:18:37.172-05:00

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

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-91254973981130605802011-09-30T20:14:00.002-04:002011-10-02T18:52:43.989-04:00

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

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-78615211262077106732011-09-06T11:08:00.000-04:002011-11-29T12:31:48.032-05:00

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.

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-73664827904313197722011-08-26T21:08:00.000-04:002011-11-29T12:24:20.957-05:00

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

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-78664200383844895552011-08-14T16:24:00.000-04:002011-11-29T12:29:44.433-05:00

The location of "Blueberry Hills," in Westhampton MA, was called "Fisher Hill" when we were children.  The owners  maintained a Wild Blueberry "plantation" on the site, which boasted 360 degree views of both the Pioneer Valley to the east and the Berkshire Hills to the west. Today the property has been subdivided into building lots.

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-85215613688840674972011-07-22T17:50:00.007-04:002011-10-17T20:29:33.412-04:00

Lofty Clouds over the Berkshires: 9x12 oil on Ray-Mar panel Lofty Clouds over the Berkshires Plein air study: Oil on Ray-Mar panel 9x12 When I began painting there wasn't a cloud in the sky. A high meadow view framed by grapevines caught my attention, and I worked steadily for an hour.  Looking up from new grape tendrils, I was surprised by a brace of fluffy summer clouds racing over the

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-11949887055382166942011-07-10T10:30:00.004-04:002011-10-02T18:54:43.572-04:00

At The Corners, Worthington MA Plein Air, 9x12, Oil on Ray-Mar Panel. sold This painting is shown on display at the "wet paint" silent auction sponsored by the Hilltown Arts Festival held July 9th in Worthington MA. Around ten plein air artists participated in the event, which also included  an Old Fashioned Country Fair, Artisan Demonstrations, Art Show and Sale, Music, children's

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-53406753295737053522011-06-12T11:55:00.001-04:002011-10-02T18:55:52.365-04:00

Painting rocks in a shaded spot along a small stream in Westhampton, MA  helped ease me back into the Greens of New England. Woodland Brook: Westhampton MA This is a palette knife plein air sketch on a 9x12 Ray-Mar panel. It received a 1st in Oils at the Blandford Fair Art Show, 2011

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-85509196733023011802011-06-09T12:16:00.015-04:002011-11-30T10:11:13.596-05:00

Sandia Peak from the North Sandia Mountains, Morning View  June 1, 2011: Seven of the Hilltown Plein Air Painters traveled to Albuquerque NM to visit Karin Cook, formerly of Worthington, MA. These five plein air sketches  were done in the early mornings, at about 6000 feet, in the High Desert areas surrounding the Sandia Mountains with a palette knife on 9x12 canvas covered hardboard.

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-18282759231703918172011-04-22T19:09:00.004-04:002011-11-29T12:27:55.251-05:00

Outlook Farm: Blossom Time: 9x12 Oil on Ray-Mar panel Top: Preserved farmland in Hadley between the Connecticut River and the Holyoke Mountain Range. Bottom: Orchard at Outlook Farm, Westhampton MA. Hadley Preserved: Oil on Linen 14x18

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-86086835081727187122011-04-07T13:31:00.001-04:002011-04-16T15:20:14.343-04:00

Edge of the Field: Oil on Linen: 9x12

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-32827496298305702952011-04-07T13:29:00.001-04:002011-04-16T15:19:53.272-04:00

Old Apple Tree: Oil on Canvas, 9x12

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-67384919996614179792011-01-30T14:25:00.005-05:002011-08-07T11:01:51.778-04:00

Home Farm Oil on canvas, 12x24.  This painting was selected for the cover of "As I Remember It, Ninety Years of Memories," by Richard Tracy,  published 2010 by Colleen O'Conner.

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-42034568778644442102011-01-30T14:15:00.003-05:002011-04-16T15:20:57.894-04:00

Blueberry Hill, Westhampton MA With three feet of snow on the ground, a stack of last summer's "reference" photos were appealing... This is a palette knife study on a recycled 12x16 linen canvas.

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-91399541607530866532011-01-08T09:56:00.006-05:002011-08-14T16:22:38.079-04:00

Davville, Westfield River, Huntington MA: Oil on linen: 16x20

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-41112606349283488192011-01-08T09:55:00.002-05:002011-04-16T15:21:43.261-04:00

Hadley Meadow: Oil on canvas, 11x14

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-55570677000064506392010-12-06T08:50:00.008-05:002011-04-16T15:22:02.619-04:00

Dahl Sheep at Polychrome Mountain Summit in Denali National Park.  Painting was based upon a photo, which  I snapped from inside the Park Tour bus with a 200mm lens. Oil on canvas panel. Pallet knife.  12x16.

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-33143923901843386962010-11-18T16:44:00.001-05:002011-07-11T12:05:10.871-04:00

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-11125069501817688072010-10-03T17:47:00.002-04:002011-04-16T15:22:27.672-04:00

The Blue Heron The Old Beaver Pond: Oil on Linen: Plein Air; 12x16.

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-53463059651370293232010-10-03T17:45:00.003-04:002011-04-16T15:22:46.720-04:00

Heading Out Oil on Canvas: 12x24: Plein Air at the Great Marsh near Sandy Neck on Cape Cod

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-26488310969781750172010-10-03T17:42:00.001-04:002010-10-03T17:50:05.402-04:00

Birches  Oil on Linen: 9x12

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-2986617246216363892010-09-01T13:26:00.004-04:002011-04-16T15:23:08.157-04:00

Greenhouse: Oil on Linen: Plein Air 14x18. It was early July, and very hot, so we arrived at the Smith Botanical Gardens early in the morning. The sun found it's way between the campus buildings and lit a corner of the Greenhouse, right behind the evergreen. I'm photographing the paintings with a small sony camera...and the colors should be better than they are coming out here. Hmm.

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-87960629954773238752010-08-28T12:51:00.007-04:002011-04-16T15:23:31.928-04:00

August Morning: the green of the trees didn't photograph well.  "Wet Paint!" River View along a stretch of  Nash Road, Cummington MA on a wonderful August morning. One of the pleasures of plein air painting is experiencing the moment. The Hilltown Plein Air Painters set up easels on the banks of the East Branch of the Westfield River in Cummington. A group of goats and sheep scampered over

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-81838034866404892022010-08-21T18:13:00.004-04:002011-04-16T15:23:53.377-04:00

Autumn on the River Autumn at the Thousand Islands: Oil on Linen: 9x12

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-17997573867328205012010-08-21T18:10:00.005-04:002011-04-16T15:24:23.081-04:00

Passing Time: Plein air: Oil on Linen 14x18: The property on which this barn is located had a "For Sale" sign out by the road. No farming artifacts were to be seen..."broom clean," it was. No tools. No kernels of grain. Only the white cat and the shadows. Passing time.

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-61504804575924774462010-08-21T18:08:00.003-04:002011-07-13T21:17:12.024-04:00

Autumn on Prince Edward Island Oil on Canvas: 12x24

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-73639665171757290882010-07-29T17:06:00.007-04:002011-07-13T21:19:27.000-04:00

Pleasant Bay, South Orleans: Plein air: Oil on linen: 12x16. The tide was out and the sun breaking through the clouds.

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-62213748935298428352010-05-08T12:11:00.007-04:002011-04-16T15:25:19.161-04:00

The Old Gravenstein's  Outlook Farm:  Plein air, Oil on Linen, 14x18, plein air.

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-33864696294970976202010-04-03T11:20:00.002-04:002011-04-16T15:25:45.565-04:00

Lanesborough, MA Last Snow of Winter: Early March 2010: 10x12 oil on Linen

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-89453611985848700982010-03-07T11:18:00.003-05:002011-04-16T15:26:14.888-04:00

Gaspe Lobster Shacks: Oil on Linen: 9x12

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-4284203980499590892010-03-07T11:14:00.001-05:002011-04-16T15:26:34.447-04:00

The Cardinal: 8x10 Oil on linen. 

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-40279686541892620242010-03-03T15:20:00.004-05:002011-04-16T15:27:03.615-04:00

State and Maine: Plein air, Oil on Board: 9x12. View from the Old Courthouse Lawn.

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-14239149497461184452009-11-14T11:34:00.003-05:002011-04-16T15:27:45.438-04:00

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-70984701023765187342009-11-14T11:30:00.005-05:002011-04-16T15:28:52.197-04:00

Spruce Head: Oil on linen: 10 x 12. One of my "small works" in the Souvenir series.

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-21822508019585993172009-11-14T11:17:00.006-05:002011-04-16T15:29:15.979-04:00

Peggys Cove-a Souvenir: Oil on canvas: 8x10

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-18661247202461561212009-11-14T10:59:00.009-05:002011-07-13T21:20:52.259-04:00

Autumn on the Westfield River: Oil on canvas: 8x10 At the Knightville Basin.

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-86944206120955143002009-09-18T20:45:00.019-04:002010-03-02T20:40:11.299-05:00

 Penobscot Bay Clam Digger,  Oil on canvas, 12x24.

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-39218663118905721572009-06-22T10:37:00.019-04:002011-07-13T21:21:33.857-04:00

Call me a "Daytripper" to Monhegan. We rode the 7 am mail ferry out of Port Clyde, and returned on the 4:30. It was early June and hills, rocks, wharfs and cliffs were dotted with painters and easels. I thought of sheep dotting the hillsides of Yorkshire. Not an unpleasant sight. Spots were competitive, though. I had gained permission to set up on Fish Beach, so I ran up to buy a cup of

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-21411338958473081332009-06-22T10:31:00.007-04:002009-08-06T20:32:54.331-04:00

Rain Clouds over Turkey Cove: Oil on canvas: 12x24.Drift In Beach: Morning Run: Oil on canvas board: 12x16Plein air sketches of Drift In Beach, Port Clyde, in the early morning. Oil on canvas board; 12x16

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-65860962625575192922009-04-29T19:10:00.014-04:002010-03-04T17:10:07.584-05:00

Easthampton Meadow: Oil on linen: 16x20. This painting was juried into the 1st Annual Laumeister Fine Arts Competition in Bennington VT: On display Sept 19th through Nov 29th, 2009. In the "tonal" style, it was begun during the 2008 Easthampton (MA) Plein Air Paintout. After the show, I added the water for foreground interest.

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-88575118407651909642009-02-16T17:05:00.003-05:002009-02-16T17:18:26.506-05:00

 View from the Top of the Bisbee, AZ Tunnel: Watercolor sketch, 8x10.

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-22584898874187128542009-02-16T09:33:00.007-05:002009-02-16T17:15:52.791-05:00

Old Bisbee: Watercolor sketch 5x7. Carol Chandler found in an isolated island of pavement and buildings, an old sign and truck, between  a 1970's traffic circle and the Lavender Pit Copper mine.  Years before this short island of civilization was part of  the main road between Douglas AZ and downtown Bisbee.  

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-73230996188550121212009-01-23T21:34:00.001-05:002009-01-23T21:37:56.545-05:00

Evening on the Marsh: Oil on Linen, 11x14

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-10456735653489202442008-11-16T22:33:00.006-05:002010-03-04T16:56:22.444-05:00

AUTUMN BIRCHES: Plein air oil on linen; 14x18. Early October on Round Hill, Chester. The photo doesn't do the colors justice, and perhaps that is why I didn't upload it earlier. 

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-23506137087670058832008-11-03T18:40:00.005-05:002010-03-04T16:48:12.804-05:00

CARL'S HOLSTEINS; Westhampton, MA: Oil in canvas; 8x10 plein air sketch. The sun erased the morning frost and lit the young maples on this, the last day of October, 2008.

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-48537862099339008312008-07-01T19:03:00.006-04:002010-03-04T16:55:37.207-05:00

MEADOWLARK: Oil on canvas: 8x10

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-6714281209897547112008-06-02T11:34:00.020-04:002008-12-11T16:51:29.128-05:00

BAY VIEW: Oil on linen board; 16x12: My inspiration for this painting were dark cedars,  old stone walls, and the blue of Narragansett Bay beyond. Grazing livestock is an important part of the Watson Farm story, so I exercised "artists license" and relocated  the flock.  BARNYARD AT WATSON FARM: Oil on linen board; 16x12:Plein air sketch. I was inspired by the slanting afternoon sun; as I was

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-35520998127964647402008-04-27T18:57:00.010-04:002008-12-11T16:51:29.251-05:00

ALONG COW CREEK: Texas Hill Country.Oil on canvas panel; 8x10It's the end of April and the Texas Bluebonnets have gone by, to be replaced with carpets of yellow.Nearby is Doeskin Ranch.

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-36448753636010450262008-04-23T12:50:00.006-04:002009-01-23T16:54:07.922-05:00

Lake Travis Sunset-8x10 Oil on Canvas BoardOak Glade-8x10 Oil on Canvas BoardFrequently we'd catch sight of a doe and her fawn under the oaks beside the water, or perhaps a Jack Rabbit, Road Runner, or Great Blue Heron.http://www.pointventure.com/index.html

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-7303107040824596742008-04-14T13:17:00.007-04:002010-03-04T17:01:12.548-05:00

NORWICH SUNRISE: Oil on Linen, 11x14: An alla prima painting inspired by one of the last storms of winter.

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-68754093005852016462008-03-20T21:40:00.022-04:002010-03-04T17:03:33.332-05:00

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654908694975501863.post-4687580838495430762008-03-17T14:21:00.017-04:002009-03-11T13:55:40.643-04:00

  SAP BUCKETSOil on masonite-16x18The weather was 37 Degrees and Sunny: It was below freezing during the night. Mud season and Maple Syrup season coinside in the Hilltowns. It's not pretty. Pure sweet maple syrup is yummy, however. This scene was a difficult plein air subject.

Alma M. LaFrancehttps://profiles.google.com/106824504363011541303noreply@blogger.com0