Below 0 Sunrise II

Below 0 Sunrise 9 x 12 pastel
I have painted this in oils and was fascinated with the colors and relected light available . This is a pastel on sanded paper. This scene looks across a field to our nearest neighbor. The cold crisp air makes the sunrise spectacular.

Still Waters

Still Waters 24 x 30 oil on canvas
This is a special spot I visit on my morning walk when I am at Mt. Carmel, the summer retreat center I teach at.  It has as many moods as the light and the weather can present. I have never seen it the same way twice. This was a special morning with the light capturing the most beautiful colors of greens. These are usually very yellow green and the water often covered in algae . I waited three years to paint this scene and although it was many hours of painting, I relived the morning I saw it each time I was at the easel

Catching the Rays at 30 Below Zero

Catching the Rays at 30 Below Zero  6x8 oil on panel
This little guy was desperate to get warm at 30 below zero these rays of sunshine as the sun came up must have seemed like heaven. Sparrows are among  my favorite birds, they seem able to endure almost anything and always seem to be chipper as well.

Nature"s Frost Feathers

Nature's Frost Feathers 12x16 oil on panel
This is a scene  in our yard, always amazing to wake up to a crystal like fairyland. It almost seems as though  we should whisper lest the vibrations of speech will cause the tree to shudder and all will fall as though in a veil to the ground. I am always in awe of this magical happening,

Quick Study

Quick study 6x8, to sharpen skills
I have been working on several larger pieces the past weeks, honing details to the point where I needed a break. I grabbed a photo that had some strong color and values, used three colors plus white, a #6 flat bristle brush and spent between 45-60min. I refrained from any diddling or reworking, Needless to say it does look strong in strokes etc. and if I do work on a larger version this will be a good resource to tell me what changes in composition I need to make. This is just one of many skill builders you can use to be more decisive in working on larger pieces.