Fall plein air

It’s a great time to be out for some colorful plein air. Last weekend had the perfect fall weather in northwest Michigan. This hundred-year-old schoolhouse is part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The dunes are nearby, a study for a an upcoming commission. While painting, photographer Todd Smigelski wandered by and took this shot of me.

Schooltime,
oil, 11" x 14"

Shore study, 

oil, 12" x 14" 

New work, new gallery

Here’s a new one that will be in the Glen Arbor Art Association's member show this weekend. I’m also being featured in the Underbark Furniture / Carol Spaulding Gallery in for the month of October.

Shore Birch, oil, 18" x 9"

ArtPrize — plein air to studio

This year, I again entered ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It’s one of the largest art competitions and probably pays out the most award money, more than $500,000. 1500-plus artist must “connect” with a venue to show their work.  I have been wanting to do a larger piece, so this was a good opportunity. Last year (click here) I entered a 24" x 30" piece, this year, 60" x 48." My piece is showing at Cathedral Square.

Since the audience is mostly from Michigan, and I paint a lot of Michigan subjects, I thought “A Michigan Shore” would fit well. This spot near Elberta is one of my favorite coastal views. I've painted en plein air there several times, so having studied the subject, doing a large studio painting was made easier. Here is my entry and some plein air versions from the last few years.

A Michigan Shore,
oil, 60" x 48"

At ArtPrize

8" x 6"

12" x 10"

11" x 14"