View From Panther Junction

"View From Panther Junction"

8"x10", Oil on panel

I painted this from a photograph taken at Panther Junction in Big Bend National Park. 

The actual photo was rather mundane, taken mid day the light was not very interesting and the entire image was rather gray. I took much liberty with the painting process, working quickly I splashed in some light and shadows and accentuated the desert color. 

Up A Creek

"Up A Creek"

11"x14", Oil on panel

Found this little creek flowing after spring rains in the Texas Hill Country.

Always fun and challenging to paint water, I kept this piece fairly simple and bathed the creek and foreground in warm sunlight.

DavidForks.com

A Place in the Hills

"A Place in the Hills"

24"x48" Oil on canvas

Im not sure why I've not posted this before, as it was painted this last spring, over 6 months ago now, but alas here it is. A totally made up scene using many of my reference photos from north of San Antonio in and around the Blanco, Johnson City, and Willow City areas. 

From Out of the Shadows

"From  Out of the Shadows"

Oil on panel, 11"x14"

This painting is a result of combining some reference photos taken between Bulverde and New Braunfels on hwy.  46 and my imagination. Lots of fun to paint, I took much liberty with this piece in order to create a piece of art rather than copying a photo. 

available: DavidForks.com

Hillside Blues

Hillside Blues

Oil on panel, 6"x8"

This was a fun little painting to create, entirely made up, which is always good mental exercise. Sometimes when you use photos or work en plein air, you become a slave to what you see in front of you. Using your imagination allows you to create a piece of art and structure your painting to your personal preferences.

Available: DavidForks.com

On the Rocker U

"On the Rocker U"

Oil on panel, 8"x10"

This painting was started en plein air on the Rocker U ranch northwest of Del Rio a couple years ago. I didn't get very far with it at the time but since decided to work on it from memory mostly. It is a very simple composition but somehow this painting captivates me. I don't know if i will add anymore to it but i will think about it for a while before jumping back into it.

Not yet available but if you like it, let me know!

Along the upper Ross Maxwell

"Along the upper Ross Maxwell"

16"x20", oil on panel

No doubt one of the prettiest drives within Big Bend National Park is the Ross Maxwell scenic drive that takes you from mountain plateau to the desert floor on a winding and descending non stop sensory overload. This scene is painted from one of the many beautiful vistas on the drive.

Available: DavidForks.com

Field with Coreopsis

"Field with Coreopsis"

11"x14", oil on linen panel

A few modifications to the back and mid grounds then some detail to the fore ground coreopsis and it's complete.

Building up the values and adding some details, still very loose and using the largest brush possible.

Here I start separating back ground from mid ground and establishing darker values.

At this point I begin to add broad washes of color, keeping everything loose and spontaneous.

To start this piece I sketched directly to the canvas with thin washes of burnt sienna.

Dappled Light

Dappled Light

8"x10" oil on panel

I loved the play of light in this scene. Texas springtime bluebonnets and dappled light under the oaks. 

to view other works visit:

davidforks.com

Just a little Blue

"Just a little Blue"

Oil on panel, 6"x6"

A small study of Oaks and bonnets

Oaks on 311

"Oaks on 311"

Oil on linen canvas panel, 11"x14"

This painting was started en plein aire north of San Antonio off hwy 311.

It was later finished in the studio.

Chisos

"Chisos", 6"x6" oil on panel

I actually started this painting a long time ago, but what has become rather normal for me is to rework my paintings until I find nothing to change. Sometimes they sit for a long time before I revisit them. Different is not necessarily better but maybe closer to my vision.

Montell Creek Crossing

"Montell Creek Crossing"

16"x20" Oil on Canvas

available DavidForks.com

Cactus and Trees

Cactus and Trees
8"x10", Oil on panel

A study of cactus and trees in the hill country.

Somewhere in Texas

"Somewhere in Texas"

24"x30" oil on linen canvas

available:

DavidForks.com

Oaks in the Hills

"Oaks in the Hills"

16"x20" oil on linen panel

available:

DavidForks.com

Early Spring in Texas

"Early Spring in Texas"

11"x14" oil on linen panel

available:

DavidForks.com

Oak and Wildflowers

Oak and Wildflowers

12"x16", Oil on panel

I found this scene east of Fredericksburg, Texas. I modified it a bit as the field did not have any flowers but the nearby roadside was loaded with bluebonnets and indian paintbrush so I conveniently added them to this field along with a few cactus pads.

Available on DavidForks.com

Fence Line

Fence Line

10"x8" Oil on panel

Available on DavidForks.com

Spring Fed

Spring Fed

Oil on linen panel, 16"x20"

Available on my website DavidForks.com

Morning in the Hills

Morning in the Hills, 

Oil on canvas, 40"x40"

Not a good photograph as the painting is just to large for me to get a decent image of. 

I had fun painting this, as it is an entirely made up scene.