Nature's Ballerina

Nature's Ballerina 6 x 8 oil on panel
This wild plum tree reminds me of a ballerina  in her beautiful tulle skirt making her debut on the Spring stage. There is a grace and beauty in these trees reminding us that Spring has arrived and showing off their blossoms against a few green buds just opening on the other trees.
This is an example of a "do-over". I had an unsuccessful painting, sanded it down and toned the old painting with the "soup" from the bottom of my paint thinner container, always a neutral grey, sometimes warmer, sometimes cooler. This tone was slightly warm. If you haven't tried doing this, it is a free tone from what you would wipeout and throw away.

Sunrise Peeking Through

Sunrise Peeking Through 6 x 8 oil on panel
Early in the morning driving to a small the town nearby I held my camera to the window and just clicked away. Bone chilling cold, crisp clean air . The delight in seeing this sliver of sunrise was just calling to be captured in paint. It is a quiet moody piece, very contemplative when you spend a few moments looking at it.

Wild Grapes

Wild Grapes 7 x 5 oil on panel
During my summer at Mt. Carmel I have the delight of watching a fence full of wild grapes change from green to blue/purple. the most fun is getting to pick them and make wild grape jelly which is unequaled in taste.

Drying Out

Drying Out 5 x 7 oil on panel

Drying Out, every day after swimming at Mt. Carmel, wet towels and suits are hung out to dry, they make a colorful display moving in the breeze. It is a reminder of the squeals and giggles of the children jumping and playing in the lake who have probably worked up an appetite and are wolfing down cookies and chips.