Rush Hour

30"x40" Oil on canvas.

I can not seem to get a good photo across this entire piece. One side is always over or under lit. In this case, the right side is blown out a bit with glare from light coming from a window across the room. The lower right cactus actually has far more range of color. The smaller detail image is a closer resemblance to the actual. Anyway, I have worked on this piece for quite a while, never feeling good about it, something always bothering me so I let it sit for a while then came back to it with a clear understanding of what I didn't like about it and why. I proceeded to repaint those areas until I was satisfied with each area. Seeing it small always makes me see other things I don't like but other than a few minor adjustments here and there it is now pretty much complete.

UPDATE: New photo, much better

Cactus and Rocks

Oil on panel, 6"x8"

This was painted from an old 3.5"x5" photo print. I took great liberty with the overall shape of the cactus and color. The cactus was growing out of tall weeds which I replaced with the rocks.

Golden October

Oil on canvas, 16"x20"
I can't seem to get a good photo as my reds and oranges are a bit dull in the photo. This is a made up scene painted with a split complementary color scheme.

A Touch of Green on the Arroyo

Oil on canvas, 24"x36"

This is a scene from Big Bend National Park and is a re work of a painting I did a few years ago. The entire fore ground has been modified. I wanted to draw the viewer into the scene through the arroyo then lead the eye back up the mountain.

It is framed and available on my website

DavidForks.com

Around the Bend

11"x14" Oil on linen panel

I think I found this scene between Kerrville and Bandera, Texas. I painted it with much expression and saturated color. The clouds are a bit blown out in the photo, more color and detail in the actual piece.

On the Wild Side

14"x11" Oil on linen panel,

This scene was painted from photos I took just east of Fredericksburg, Texas. The title, "On the Wild Side" refers to wildflowers on the side of a hill, on the side of the road.

For purchase information, visit my website at DavidForks.com and sign up for my newsletter while you are there. I will be offering future specials for newsletter subscribers only.

Chisos and Desert

Oil on panel, 6"x8"

These little paintings seem so much easier than the large paintings with a million problems to resolve and decisions to make. Still, they are just as much fun! This scene is of course, from Big Bend National Park.

Montell Creek Crossing

16"x20" Oil on canvas.

This is a scene from the Roger's Ranch in Montell, Texas north of Uvalde.

Mitten (revised) from a 2013 painting

Oil on panel, 6"x8"

This is a piece I intitially painted in October of 2013 that I found in a box of old paintings. I thought I could vastly improve this with just a little work., so here is the revised version of "Mitten", originally painted from a photograph I took in Monument Valley.

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A Little South of Marathon

16"x20" Oil on canvas

This scene is from Hwy. 385 south between Marathon, Texas and the Hwy. 2627 turn-off to La Linda.  Still a few minor things I will do to this piece, but for the most part it is complete.

Available for purchase through my website. DavidForks.com

Down the River

6"x8" Oil on panel

I painted this scene from an old photo print taken on a camping trip. I'm not exactly sure of the location. I wish I knew more. I pushed the color of the scene a bit as those old photo prints seem to appear rather dull.

Painting is available through Daily Paint Works Auction. Click the link if you would like to bid.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/406794

Agatha's Needle

Oil on panel, 5"x7"
Painted from photos taken on a trip through the four corners region and Arizona.

Morning Chisos

Oil on panel, 6"x8"

I haven't done a lot of painting lately. I have been extra busy with work and trying to get my home in order to put on the market. I wanted to get back to some small pieces and explore some possibilities for larger works. I have painted this scene before but it continues to captivate me. I love Big Bend National Park and I love painting scenes from there. This is an early morning view of the Chisos as the sun comes over the ridge. If you would like to bid click on the link for the dailypaintworks auction. The opening bid is $99.


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Welcome Spring

24"x48" Oil on stretched canvas.

Not a good photo, taken with iphone.

This was a lot of fun to paint. Oaks, cactus, bluebonnets, a running stream and a sky with wind swept clouds all make for a beautiful spring day in the Texas Hill Country.

Sunflowers

Oil on archival linen panel, 14"x11"

More sunflowers, this time adding a vase. I do enjoy painting sunflowers quite a bit, this was however a request... commission piece, but I am happy to paint them any day!

Outbuilding near Johnson City

Oil on linen panel, 9"x12"

I have been working on a lot of larger works the last 6 months or more and have barely done any small paintings. I have to say I miss doing them. This piece was a release of sorts. I wanted and needed to loosen up and just have fun. The larger pieces can be painstakingly difficult at times balancing variety and harmony, color, edges, shapes, etc..  I think balance is the key after all, which means I need to fit smaller works into my schedule as often as I can.

Juno Road Vista (Plein Air on the Rocker U)

Oil on panel. 12"x12"

I did this piece en plein air on the beautiful Rocker U a while back and didn't quite get it finished. I had smeared paint in the sky, so I need to fix that as well as a few other minor touch. I finally got a round to it, so I am calling it done. I know we all need one of those round_to_its from time to time!

A Road to the Barn

Still in progress but very close to being complete. I have worked all over the canvas, refining and adjusting areas. Obviously I spent considerable time on the hill directly behind the barn as it is a major part of the painting and needed more attention than the initial block in the previous image. Hopefully I can make a few other minor adjustments and move on.

Oil on canvas, 24"x36"

Still in progress, I have work to do all over the canvas but wanted to see it posted. Color of this photo is off quite a bit. This is the painting the sneak peek images a couple posts back are from.

Cactus at Linda's Place

Oil on canvas 16"x20"

I wanted to show the progression of this piece, which was started very quickly and loosely. As the painting progressed, I slowed down quite a bit and became much more deliberate with the brushwork. Bad photos but you get the idea. Painted mostly from a reference photo taken at a friends property in Montell, Texas but improvised quite a bit as well.