WARM WINTER LIGHT 15 X 21

Happy New Year! The warm light of the setting sun created beautiful abstract patterns of  pinks, yellows, and peach tones against the blues and violets of the shadows. The warmth of the terracotta colored paper created a nice undertone. This one nearly painted itself. The simplicity of this piece is a direction I hope to continue in; I'd love to know what you think.

PEACE IS A GIFT TO BE SHARED - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

BEYOND THE MILL POND

15 x 21

GOLDEN FIELDS 12 x 18

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
These three got away!

                                         

THE MOON MARKS OFF THE SEASONS 14 x 24

                                            Early evening moon over Lake Napowan.

AUTUMN COLORS 16 x 22

Autumn Colors is one of my autumn paintings being featured at the Jura Silverman Gallery in Spring Green, Wisconsin until November 18 .The exhibit Celebrating Autumn features my paintings with the paintings of Jens Carstensen, Mary Francis Hill, David Beloit, and Jonathan Wilde.

KARNER BLUE MEADOW - PAINT THE PARKS

                                           Karner Blue Meadow 12 x 16

This paintings is of the wild lupine in the Karner Blue Meadow State Natural Area near Wild Rose, Wisconsin. Designated a State Natural Area in 1998 the area is a dry sand prairie that is home to a strong population of the federally endangered Karner Blue butterfly. The Karner blue is restricted to habitats that contain wild lupine, abundant throughout this natural area. As a member of  www.PaintTheParks.com I will donate 10% of the sale of this painting  to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

TURN, TURN, TURN 9 x 24"

To everything turn, turn turn,
There is a season turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven.


These are lyrics from the song by The Byrds that my son and I danced to at his wedding on September 24th. What a reminder, just how fast time passes. Of course, it seems like only yesterday that he was a little boy. How proud I am of the man he is today and how happy I am for him as he begins his life with his wonderful bride, Jessica.

The past couple of months have gone by without a post from me. I have not taken a break from painting, I've been working on special requests. I also have been working on some studies which are "for my eyes only"! I've been learning from them, but they are not worth the time to photograph and post. I've been experimenting with small "100 strokes" paintings. I'm attempting to loosen up, get to the heart,  reduce detail, and "see" only the large abstract shapes. Sticking to 100 strokes is much more difficult than I thought, it can be very hard to stop. We'll see if this experiment affects my larger works.

Here's my latest painting, I've decided Turn, Turn, Turn would be a fitting title.

It's Gonna Be a Great Day 12 x 21.5"

Rolling Hills 8 x 23"

                                         A typical Wisconsin farm scene.

Buffleheads 6 x 6"

These Buffleheads were on our lake only a few days before migrating farther north. I knew they wouldn't be here long so I watched them as much as I could.

Amber Reflections 16 x 12

I often listen to books on tape while I paint....I was listening to "The Secret Life of Bees" while painting this one. The subject of this painting is the Parfrey's Glen Area of the Devil's Lake State Park near Baraboo, Wisconsin. As a member of www.PaintTheParks.com I will donate 10% of the sale of this painting to the Ice Age Trail - National Scenic Trails.

April Melt, Plein Air 4-2-11, 10.5 x 8.5

After painting March Melt we had another snow storm, so there was still snow to melt in April. Today however, almost all the snow is gone.... yesterday was in the 80's and we had a hard rain last night. Only a few piles left and the ice on the lake is breaking up. I am looking forward to the next plein air painting which will hopefully have plenty of spring greens.

Reflection

I did this one just for the fun of working out the reflections.

Blue Waltz 18.5 x 9

Picking up the bright color theme again....the winter doldrums are setting in. The calendar may say it's Spring, but yesterday we had another winter storm, complete with rain, sleet, snow, slush, thunder and lightning. It might be cold and dreary outside, but my eyes were on these intense colors for several hours....ah, art therapy! 

March Melt, 8 x 12, plein air 3-21-11

Beneath the crisp and wintry carpet hid
A million buds but stay their blossoming;
And trustful birds have built their nests amid
The shuddering boughs and only wait to sing
Till one soft shower from the south shall bid,
And hither tempt the pilgrim steps of Spring.
Robert Bridges 1844-1930

The Sun Knows When to Go Down 13.5 x 17

"The sun knows when to go down" Psalm 104:19

Still lots of snow on the ground, so today I decided to "do" red.

WILLOW CREEK 12 x16

Our ground is still covered with several inches of snow. Working on this painting brought welcome relief to my snowblinded eyes. I'd love to be sitting on the fallen tree, dangling my feet in the creek.
This creek is in the Willow Creek State Fisheries Area. As a member of Paint the Parks, I will donate 10% of the sale of this painting to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

Think Spring!

                                             Spring Green - River's Edge 11 x 15.5

Rock Pile 13.5 x 24

I drive or walk by this scene almost everyday. It has been calling to me for quite some time. I'm sure I will return to this scene to paint it in the different seasons.

                                           Lilies 11.5 x 18

                                           Quiet Morning 10 x 14
These two paintings have been accepted to the 7th Annual Northeast National Pastel Exhibit to be held at The Arts Center - Old Forge, NY. The exhibit will run from May 14 - June 26, 2011.

Blue Note 11.5 x 16

Haybales, Mist, and Crows 15 x 16

                                           "He makes grass grow for the cattle,
                                             and plants for man to cultivate-
                                             bringing forth food from the earth:
                                             wine that gladdens the heart of man,
                                             oil to make his face shine,
                                             and bread that sustains his heart." Psalm 104:14-15

Farm Lane After the Rain 18 x 25

                                           Chariot Clouds 18 x 26

"He makes the clouds His chariot and rides on the wings of the wind." Psalm 104:3

During these bitter cold days, I head for the comfort of the studio to work from reference photos and sketches made during the warmer months.

We often see this eagle flying over our house or sitting in one of the trees by the lake - fishing. We don't see him during the winter, apparently he heads for open water.

                                           Soaring 12 x 18"--

Artist's often make jokes about "artist's block" and how intimidating a blank canvas can be. Well, this blank page is far more intimidating to me then any blank canvas or white paper has ever been. But, I have to start somewhere so I'm going to start with something I found when I googled my name (Oh, come on...you've googled yourself, too!!) Well, I was scrolling through the usual stuff that comes up with my name and I found this blog, and at first I thought
"Hey, some one's using my art..what's this?" So I clicked on it and this wonderful blog came up with my art next to this poem. Wow! This is cool! - So -why don't you check out this blog:  ceresNature.blogspot.com

    
                                Fairest of the months!

Ripe summer's queen

The hey-day of the year

With robes that gleam with sunny sheen

Sweet August doth appear."

-R. Combe Miller-