Duck Tales

This was my plein air study (above)

 "The Family That Quacks Together, Stays Together" (above)

"Off to Swimming Lessons"  (above)

Besides the usual subjects of chickens and cows, I added DUCKS to the lineup over the past 6 months.  I spent time at a local farm painting these ducks plein air (which is a BIG challenge, since they never ever sit still).  However, the plein air study was invaluable for appropriate color notes as I worked on some of these larger paintings.
The farmer also talked to me about how to identify the gender of these ducks.  One way is the difference in Quacks....which I didn't catch on to.  The other is the feathers.  If a duck has a curled tailed feather, it is the male! 
Enjoy these two paintings of this entertaining duck family.

About Face

While I consider myself mainly a landscape artist, I have always enjoyed drawing and painting portraits.  I did my first real portrait drawing back in high school.  Then, in college I discovered there is more than just ONE pencil and ONE eraser!!!  I was introduced to a whole range of pencils (10 different leads) that created so many neat effects.  The kneaded eraser was also a new concept for me that enhanced so many drawings. 
During my college years I was asked by a friend to create a portrait of his dear grandfather.  I remembered the family was thrilled at the result (pencil portrait above, 1982) because this gentleman was a devout Catholic who attended Mass daily and the nuns all LOVED the portrait.  That made me smile.
Now on to painting portraits with oils.  That's a whole different ballgame for me and a huge challenge.  I have been blessed to be part of a portrait painting group for about ten years now that is full of learning and fellowship.  Often, I have many "scrapers" but this one posted above was a keeper for me.  I felt the model was in a very reflective state of mind and I am hopeful I captured her emotion. 

Snow Globe

Posting this painting that I completed back in August, as much of Wisconsin has been hit with a blizzard.  Thinking especially this morning of my brother and Dad as they dig out from the storm and get food to all the animals.  My brother and his wife have cows to milk as well.  Hoping all the equipment is in good working condition this morning to get the job done.
In the meantime, enjoy my interpretation of "Snow Globe."

Beans and Barley Exhibit

The walls at Beans and Barley are decked out in bold colors for the Christmas season.  Former Pfister artist in residence Shelby Keefe has more than 10 paintings in the main dining room area that include both her performance paintings and studio/plein air work.  My work runs along the wall where restaurants guests gather before they are seated.  It includes many of my feathered and furry subjects.  Beans and Barley is located at the corner of Farwell and North Avenue in downtown Milwaukee.  Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and a wonderful place to shop for Christmas gifts!

ArtBar Mini Show

It's November and that means the MINI show at the Artbar in Milwaukee's Riverwest area.  The opening is Friday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m., that's when sales begin.

The owner, Don, exhibits more than 400 miniature paintings on opening night, then continues to refresh the walls as sales proceed through end of December.  It's a fun, fun time.  I'll have about 20 pieces in this exhibit, hope you can support local art!

Overcast October

I recently enjoyed a quick (but fun) 24-hour trip up to Pembine Wisconsin for a little Plein Air painting.  We spent the first afternoon at Dave's Falls, one of those beautiful places where you feel like you're in Colorado.  The next morning was spent at Beecher Lake.  The challenge of both these sessions was the constant mist and even rain.  Putting up an umbrella would of made my palette/canvas even darker, so that wasn't an option.  I tried to position myself under a tree, but that natural cover only provided temporary shelter.  In plein air painting, there is always a learning.  What I enjoyed the most was the fellowship of special friends, a little time away from the normal routine and the plip-plop of acorns falling into nearby water.....plein air is always a full-on sensory experience....THANK YOU!

Plein Air in the Pumpkin Patch

I'm in an orange phase.....these pumpkins just seem to radiate happiness.  There are plenty of pumpkin farms in the neighborhood, this one happens to be at Barthels.  The early spring frost was devastating to these apple growers, the fields are usually filled with families picking apples.

On this morning, the slate blue clouds were forming which I felt created a nice contrast to the orange pumpkins.  I will do a larger painting from this study.