Sneak Peek "In Progress"

24"x36" oil on canvas

A couple of sections within a 24"x36" canvas currently in progress. The top image is actually the focal point of the painting and encompasses approximately a 6"x8" area. I used a palette knife on the tree next to the barn. Trying to keep it loose. Any refined detail that far in the distance would be a mistake,  Anything closer would have to have equal or more detail.

Wildflowers south of Johnson City

Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas, 30"x40"

Painted from photos taken this past spring just south of Johnson City, Texas. I kept it pretty loose and impressionistic. I mixed most of my color before painting, mostly in the tertiaries and tried to create a flowing rhythm to the masses of color.

There is a little glare on the upper left side of this photo.

Late Afternoon View of the Del Carmens

Oil on canvas, 24"x48"

I have been wanting to paint this scene for quite some time. I thought a large wide canvas would work nicely, so I used a 24x48.

Fall Color

Oil on linen canvas, 16"x20"

I tried to keep this piece pretty loose. There are some nice impasto strokes of color scattered throughout the piece. I may try a larger version of something like this in the near future.

Sycamores in a Dry Wash (plein Air)

12"x16" Oil on panel

I painted this scene en plein air on the Rocker U Ranch, northwest of Del Rio, Texas on November 14th and 15th. I started it late afternoon of the 14th and had to come back to the spot the next afternoon for the same lighting to complete it. I was drawn to this scene by the play of light and shadow across the dry river bed and the beautiful shapes and colors of the Sycamores in their dressy fall foliage.

On the Rogers' Ranch

Oil on panel, 8"x16"

Another scene painted from photos taken on the Rogers Ranch in Montell, Texas north of Uvalde. I took liberty with the composition and added the bluebonnets.

Montell Creek on the Rogers Ranch

Oil on linen canvas, 24"x30"

Painted from a photograph I took on the Rogers Ranch north of Uvalde in Montell, Texas. I did one plein air piece while visiting the ranch, which helped me in completing this piece. The frame is not permanent, but it looked nice so I photographed with the frame.

Spring Creek (revised and completed)

Oil on linen canvas, 24"x30"

I have finally completed this piece after letting it rest then repainting portions of it. Still not sure about my photograph, it was taken outside so I think it appears a little blue and washed out. Hard to judge because monitors have their own color issues. But looking at the original i would say this does not do it much justice.

Sunflowers

Oil on linen panel, 14"x11"

Not my usual subject but it's good to break out of the norm and paint something different every now and then. Sunflowers were my mom's favorite flower. They are right up there, pretty high on my list too alongside the Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush. Fun to paint, I may do more.

Battered Barn

Oil on panel, 16"x20"

Once again I have revised this piece. It just was not up to par with what I wanted. I felt it had a few areas I could improve upon so I repainted several areas. I tried to keep a spontaneous feel while adding a little more detail in areas.

Tall Oak (revised)

Oil on panel, 11"x14"

I have brought this piece a more to a finish than the previous post which was more of a study. I felt it had some potential if I put a little more time into it. I have repainted just about the entire piece and have included a couple detail images to show the looseness of the brushwork. 

Deep Blues

Oil on panel, 10"x8"

I have not posted much lately but I have been busy working on several large pieces besides a few small ones. Some reworks and others are new works hopefully to be posted soon. This is a simple but fun painting of spring bluebonnets with a small cactus patch. A recurring theme for me, no doubt. Paint what you love they say.

On Montell Creek - Plein Air

Oil on panel, 11"x14"

Painted en plein air on the beautiful Rogers Ranch in Montell, Texas north of Uvalde.

Cactus, Oaks and Hills

Oil on panel, 16"x20"

A similar scene, painted a little larger. I added the cactus to this scene, but it was the hills that initially caught my eye.

Ranch Road near Johnson City

Oil on panel, 11"x14"
This painting was done pretty quickly. I found this scene south of Johnson City with yellow flowers sprinkled along the roadside.

Sunlit Oak on the Rocker U

Oil on panel, 11"x14"

This painting came off pretty quick and pretty much without a hitch. It is loose and has a nice spontaneous feel. The color works nicely and like all my photos, the actual painting looks much nicer.

Oaks in the Valley - completed

Oil on Linen Canvas, 24"x36"

There is a bad glare on the left side of this photo. As mentioned in my previous post, I have difficulties photographing larger works. I have had painting complete for some time while deciding if I was truly done with it and though I think there are things I could make better I have decided to leave it alone and move on.

Spring Creek

Oil on Linen Canvas, 24"x30"

This is a revised version of this painting. I still have trouble photographing larger pieces. I think I will have to invest in some photo umbrellas to help resolve that issue.

This painting was created using my smaller (11"x14") painting "A Creek in the Hills" as a reference. I also used photos taken near Johnson City this past April. It's very difficult to get the spontaneity in a larger piece you can get in smaller works. Painting trivial details tends to make paintings look contrived and tightly rendered rather than "painted". It all depends on what you like and what you strive for in your work. Personally, I would rather paint loosely and more interpretively. I consider myself a realistic impressionist rather than a pure realist. I want to achieve the look of realism with the brushwork of impressionism. I have much to learn but the pleasure is in the journey.

Tall Oak study

Oil on panel, 11"x14"

This study was painted from photos taken near Johnson City, Texas. It was painted rather quickly and has a nice spontaneous and loose feel.

Battered Barn

Oil on panel, 16"x20"

This is a revised version from the previously posted image. I pulled this barn reference from photos taken near La Grange and put it in a hill country setting complete with bluebonnets.