Spring Work Awaits

                                Spring Work Awaits 6 x 8 oil on panel
Our spring is late, cold and wet, I brought the wheelbarrow out to my flower garden in hopes I could do some cleaning and weeding, so far it hasn't worked but it has been a bright spot in my yard and is a reminder that at some future time I will have to use the tools to prepare my garden for summer. However, the most prolific thing in it right now is an over abundance of weeds.

Alvarado , Summer of 2011

                               Alvarado,MN. Summer of 2011 6 x 8 oil on linen panel
We live five miles north of the town of Alvarado, MN and because of our extremely flat land in the heart of the Red River Valley of the North we can clearly see the large elevator and storage bins from our yard. We have had an exceptionally wet, stormy spring and although you can see the green of the tree and grass line, the field is still shiny with water standing, delaying planting yet another few days. The unusual light of the the sun behind the storm clouds illuminates the tall structure, or as we call it here the skyscrapers of the prairie. To some this may seem a boring flat land but it truly has a beauty all its own.

Strawshine

Strawshine 9x12 pastel on board
This strawstack was in our neighbor's field across the road. Very unusual to have strawstacks here as most of the time the straw is chopped and left in the field as the grain is harvested. After several evenings of watching the sun hit the end of the stack , I was captured by the light and just had to take some photos so I could paint it . My painting is a bit more mellow than my photo but the light on the stack is still my focus.

Royal onion

Royal Onion 6x12 oil on canvas panel
lOnions, something I just can't pass up painting. The minute I see the sprouts starting to grow I am counting the days til they say, PAINT ME! I love the deep rich backgrounds to set off the beautiful twisting turning tops, and there you go.....................a painting.

The Flock

                           The Flock 8x16 oil on panel

Living on a farm this is how we are used to seeing our chickens on a daily basis. Long before the term free range etc. the chickens were out during the day and locked in the hen house at night, hopefully to keep them from predators. They were like little children in the yard, picking seeds, bugs and worms and picking fights with each other as well. The greens of summer made all of the different varieties look like color jewels with their shiny feathers catching the sun. Our family dog would lie in the sun and just watch for awhile and then sleep in the sun, never bothering them at all. They co-existed with a leave me alone attitude which seemed to work just fine for everyone.

Thistle

Thistle 6x6 on canvas
Thistles have been a long time love of mine, they go through such lovely changes from bud to spent blossoms which leave a fussy nub on the stem. Many of my favorite things to paint are considered weeds, but I believe beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. You be the judge. These are some of my favorite colors to work with as well, keep checking my blog you will see many more wild flowers and weeds in my intimate landscapes.

Crabby Baby

                                                 Crabby Baby 6x8 inches pastel
This poor little guy is obviously too young to be on his own. His baby feathers are sticking out among his new feathers and it seems there is nothing that is right in his little world, but I can't help wanting to pick him up and console him.
This pastel is done on pastel board and what I call drip and run. I lay the panel flat with the sketch on it. I then use soft pastels in colors I want in the area then use a small spray bottle and spritz the pastel and tilt the panel to get it to drip and run. I call these appropriately Drip and Run pastels. The co-mingling of colors is not unlike watercolor. I then move on with pastels in the regular way.