TAKING FLIGHT

 

"Taking Flight" 20"X16" Oil on Panel 

Once in a while a painting needs to sit for some time before it's finished. When I came back I started applying thicker paint in a more "painterly" manner with allot of dry-brushing. I try really hard to stay away from formulaic methods while working on a painting. The end result for Taking Flight is a more tonal painting. These Mallard Drakes with their signature Green heads really blend into their environments. I wanted to depict the since of camouflage that exists in nature. This painting will be available at Gallery & Interiors here in Billings, MT

  Gallery Interiors

Sunlit Path

"Welcoming Shade on a Sunlit Path"   Oil   24" X 40"

Here's another painting from one of my favorite areas.

I love the dancing light that is found in these shaded areas

along these Cottonwood paths. Normally I would've taken out

the wooden post-rail fence, yet the effects of the light were

too enticing not to paint it.

"Looks like a good spot for a Picnic."
Available at: Maydak Gallery & Studio, Ennis, MT artincool@comcast.net

Spring on North Stillwater Road

"Spring on North Stillwater Road"  Oil  12" X 20"

I love these old Barns, yet include the opportunity to paint Golden Willows,

"Awesome!" This also afforded me the opportunity to explore

some new pallet and color options.

Fan Mountain Sunset

"Fan Mountain Sunset"  Oil   9" X 18"

My field study for this painting was a failure due to the lack

of good drawing. I was working so quick to get the accurate color

of the sunlight on the mountain that the drawing fell apart.

I recomposed this in my studio.
Available at: Maydak Gallery & Studio  artincool@comcast.net

Mother Goose

"Mother Goose"   Oil   20" X 14"

"I Made It!"  This painting was Juried into Woodson Art Museum's

2012 Birds in Art Exhibit. I will be attending the opening weekend's festivities

at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau WI Sept. 7th, 8th and 9th.

I am very excited and honored to have been selected this year.

Look for my ad in the September

issue of American Art Collector Magazine.

WINGED

"Winged"   18" X 14"   Oil 

This was really fun to paint, so much so that it practically painted it's self.

I really wanted to keep the values close to give this piece allot more mood.

I also enjoyed discovering all the reflected color and light. I wasn't too concerned

with the background and just applied random tonal shapes. Enjoy!

Lazy Drake

"Lazy Drake"   12" X 9"   Oil 

 I really enjoyed pushing the color of this painting. It may seem a little garish, but I really don't care. Finding the Joy in experimentation and pushing color on the canvas.

This painting will be in the 2011 St. John's "Art for the Ages" event next month.

SWIMMING IN COLOR

"Swimming In Color"   14" X 18"  Oil   SOLD

I've been wanting to tackle more of these swimming scenes, yet not have it look to much like a Duck Stamp image. I want to maintain a loose, broken color and fluid style while maintaining a sense of honesty to the subject. These Geese have personalities and individual characteristics that I love observing. 

COTTONWOODS & COLOR

"Cottonwoods & Color"   Oil   14" X 18"

I'm constantly experimenting with new colors in my pallet. I've recently switched from using Alizarin Crimson to Rose Madder and I've introduced Cobalt Blue Pale to my pallet. I really had a good time painting this composition and focusing on the unique tree shapes.

This Painting is Available at Gallery Interiors, Billings Montana

Drying The Wings

"Drying The Wings"   10" X 12"  Oil

The morning light on this Goose was too hard to pass up. I had a lot of fun finding the colors in the shadows and creating the luminous effect in the wings. Reflective color and light play an essential part in these paintings and these Geese are proving to be an endless source of inspiration.

Available at Gallery Interiors, Billings Montana

Fall Solitude

"Fall Solitude" 18" X 24" Oil

This one has been on the easel too long. I was really happy to complete this one. I started the drawings for this last year. I had a blast testing out various textures and color harmonies.

Evening at White Bird

"Evening at White Bird"   9" X 12"  Oil

Painted on Location "En Plein Air" near the Still Water River.

I was experimenting with "Spots of Color" in the rapidly changing evening light.