Work in Progress

This is an unfinished 20" x 20" oil, work-in-progress, titled, 'Low Clouds Over Buffalo'.  It's a view of Buffalo Mountain from Silverthorne, Colorado. 

Step 1:  The colors felt a little dreary so I sat the painting aside for the rest of the day and thought about it.

Step 2:  I decided to really push the blues in the painting but struggled with the trees as they were competing with the mountain.

Step 3:  I simplified the trees and got rid of many of the tree trunks.  Tomorrow I will push the clouds by making them stronger and bluer - then will finish the foreground.  I've used this brand of gessoed linen before (Centurion, pre-stretched) but I don't like the slick surface.  However once I have an underpainting down, it is fun to work on. 

"Summer Fox"

I'm back in my Northern Arizona studio briefly.  In a month I head to Colorado where I'll be artist-in-residence for the Breckenridge Arts District's Tin Shop.  This painting is of a Breckenridge fox - they wander around the streets while tourists line up to photograph them.  The 16 x 20 isn't quite finished....the body of the fox still needs a bit of rounding out.  But at this point, I set a painting aside
for a couple of days before finishing it.  By then I've got a pretty good idea of what it needs to be called 'finished.

Summer Fox

20" x 16" oil on Ampersand Board

Goodbye New Zealand

I'm heading back to the U.S. today after spending three months in my home-country of New Zealand.  I'll be at my Arizona home for a month, then off to Colorado where I'll be spending the month of July as artist-in-residence in Breckenridge, Colorado.  While there, I'll be working on a couple of my daily painting projects - so stay tuned!

Today's Study - A Gosling

I've done a little Canada gosling for today's study.  I'm in New Zealand (returning to the U.S. in a week) where Canada Geese were introduced as a game bird.  The Canadas is native to North America where it migrates seasonally, but here in New Zealand, it's my understanding that the Canada geese don't migrate.  There's probably no need as the weather here is mild.  New Zealand's Canada geese are so plentiful they're regarded as a pest and can be hunted without limit.

268 - Canada Gosling

5" x 7" oil study on board, unframed

$75 plus $6 shipping within the U.S.

SOLD

Today's Oil Study - A Bluebird

Today's study is a bluebird. You'd think the loose, painterly look would be easy to achieve, but it's easier to paint detail.  I wiped the background off a couple of times before I was happy with it.

267 - Bluebird

7" x 5" oil study on board, unframed

US$75 plus $6 shipping within the U.S.

SOLD

Today's Oil Study - A Spotted Towhee

For some reason I felt in a festive mood this morning so I decided to paint a colorful bird - what better than a Spotted Towhee, formerly known as a Rufous-sided Towhee.  I like these little guys - I often hear them scratching around in the undergrowth around my house in Northern Arizona.

266 - Spotted Towhee

5" x 7" oil study on board, unframed

US$75 plus $6 shipping within the U.S.

This afternoon, I did this second little piece, a plein air study, from the deck looking out over Sandspit.  It's a quick 6" x 8" and the 39th painting I've done on location since arriving in New Zealand in February. Somehow I don't think I'll be meeting my goal of doing 60 plein air pieces before I leave New Zealand in about 9 days.

"Tide's Out"  #39 of my 60/60 Challenge

6" x 8" oil on board

Today's Study - A New Zealand Fantail

As I'm leaving New Zealand in about ten days, today I painted my favorite of the New Zealand birds, Piwakawaka - a fantail.  When walking through the bush, these cute little flycatchers will follow you closely giving the appearance of being friendly when they're actually after the insects you're stirring up.

265 - New Zealand Fantail

5" x 7" oil study on board, unframed

US$75 plus $6 shipping within the U.S. or New Zealand

SOLD

Today's Study - An American Goldfinch

I've been travelling so it's been a while since I've posted an oil study.  I hope to make up for it this coming week.  I was just north of Wellington (Mt. Bruce) at the southern end of New Zealand's North Island for a month, and now I'm back in the north, near my hometown of Warkworth.  I'll be here until the 15th of May when I fly back to the U.S. and will then mail all of the studies that have been sold. (and thanks for your purchases and support!)

Today's little study is an American Goldfinch, though I was very tempted to paint a Rosella as I could hear them screeching in the trees around me as I was painting this morning.  It's a large red, yellow and green parrot - actually an Australian species that self-introduced itself to New Zealand, and is flourishing in this part of the country.

  

264 - American Goldfinch

7" x 5" oil study on board, unframed

US $75 plus $6 shipping within the U.S.  

SOLD

I have been trying to paint 60 paintings on location, plein air, while in New Zealand and I'm far from reaching my goal.  This is #38.  Will I be able to paint another 22 pieces in less than two weeks?  Stay tuned!

60/60 #38   8" x 6"

Painted from the deck of the house where I'm staying.