Saturday

"The Underpass," wc/ink on paper

Weather here is moderating, though we still get a spot of snow now and again. The outdoor temperatures have risen a lot, though trees have yet to show leaves and the grass in most spots is barely green,

Last Saturday the sketch group actually worked outdoors without caps, gloves and mufflers. I sat outside on the eastern edge of Waterworks Park and did an 8x10 watercolor of the bike/pedestrian underpass that connects the park with Grays Lake, passing under a major thoroughfare.
 

Evergreen Study

This little study, done on the spot in Redmond, Washington, shows the structure of several kinds of threes that we don't have here in the midwest. If you're an aspiring landscape artist, consider doing many similar studies. After a while you'll have a visual vocabulary you can draw on for newer work.
 

Ray Drive

A highly esteemed former Governor of our state passed on a while back. Unlike politicians today, Robert Ray, a Republican, was a consummate gentleman and a compassionate governor. During the days after the conflict in Southeast Asia, he championed welcoming refugees to our state. A street along the Des Moines River is named for Governor Ray. 

A part of our sketch group went to Robert Ray Drive last Saturday, scattering along the street. My effort shows downtown Des Moines from the east side. Watercolor and ink in a small sketchbook,

Shadowed Figure

"Hey Mister," oil on panel, private collection

Some years ago I did art festivals around the midwest, particularly in Iowa. A number ot times, as the show was closing, someone stopped into my booth to make a last-minute purchase. This painting was one of those. The collector told me he'd had his eye on this particular work during the whole show and had decided he really wanted it. I was delighted, and so was he.

A few years ago, he and his wife stopped into my booth during a local festival. She said this is her favorite painting, so much so she actually carries a photo of it in her purse.

Mt. Rainier

"Sunset, Gig Harbor," oil on panel. Private collection

This small oil of Mt. Rainier at sunset was an exercise in developing twilight painting. It went to a collector long ago.
 

On the Ferry

"On the Ferry," oil on panel, 8x5, private collection

This small painting began as an experiment in quick painting. Using a reference I did this in about thirty minutes, start to finish. The idea was to place a stroke of paint and then leave it alone. Sometimes I succeeded and sometimes I didn't, but the result was attractive enough that it sold.
 

Two Years Ago

"On the Bank," wc/ink on paper, about 8x10

Overall, seems to me, the days are warmer than they were a few years back. But only a bit, not enough to alter the look of the March landscape. Two years ago the land was still a study in dull color. The overall look was warmer--brighter trees, grasses and so on--and so the look is today. No obvious greens yet, but some beautiful ochres.