From Beginning to End

This is my reference material.  I was hiking at "Jewel of the Creek Preserve," part of the Desert Foothills Land Trust, near Carefree, Arizona.

In the studio I did a simple sketch onto a canvas.

This has been heavily cropped.

Here is the final piece.

December Morning

" December Morning"

Oil on Panel

12" X 24"

This is from my trip to Wyoming this past December.  Yes, very cold and of course much colder than Arizona.  I got up early one morning and wandered around, crunching on the snow.  Very intense light with all the snow.  I wondered if I could paint that kind of strong light.  I love the red chimney.  The old house has been abandoned for many years.

Cemetery Painting - Colorado

"Finale"

Oil on Linen

12" X 16"

Certainly not everyone's choice in a painting, however, I was intrigued by this old pioneer cemetery in Colorado.  And I just could not resist the composition.

From Plein Air to Studio Painting

Final studio version of the previous post which is the plein air version

My work is based on studies done in "plein air" and then transformed into larger studio pieces.

Plein Air Study

Painted at Lost Dog Wash Trail Head, Scottsdale, AZ. on Feb 20, 2016

I have always been interested in figuring out how to paint on Ocotillo bush, which when in leaf and backlit are amazing plants.  I think this one is fairly successful.  I painted the bottom half as one solid form and then added darks and lights and some peek-a-boo rocks in the background.

Oil Painting, old house, doorway

"Open Door"

Oil on Panel

12" X 12"

$425

Saw this old abandoned house on my trip to Wyoming.  Snow on the ground and the old door open.  Loved the way the sunlight hit the front of the house.  Great mix of cold snow and sunlight.

Oil Painting Winter Barn

"Winter Barn"

Oil on Linen

16" X 20"

From a recent trip to Wyoming.  Yes, it was cold.  Never got above 30 degrees.  I wanted to convey the feeling of a cold day but warm sunshine on your face, warming you.