David Westerfield Studio

Remembering summer

2012-02-07T19:01:00.000-08:00

A plein air piece I did at the end of last summer that I never posted. Nearing day's end along the Michigan shore. Looking forward to those days again.

Late day, summer, oil, 10" x 9"

Art and wine

2012-02-01T20:00:00.000-08:00

I'm heading to Michigan this weekend where I've been invited to participate in The Art of Wine Country, a one-evening event at the Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor. Eight artists will be showing their work while attendees enjoy food and wine tastings from Leelanau area wineries. I did this little still life which I thought apropos for the area.

Wine and cherries, oil 10" x 8"

Whitewall tires

2012-01-26T18:28:00.000-08:00

Another little sketch from last weeks trip. My mom lives in a "seniors" community. Most seem pretty active. Walking, swimming, or like this neighbor, that my mom says rides his bike everywhere.

Whitewall tires, oil 8" x 6"

Florida sunshine

2012-01-23T07:41:00.000-08:00

This week was a perfect time to escape the Illinois winter and I found great weather in the middle of Florida, upper 70's and sunny. I have done a little exploring around these parts before while visiting my mother, but this first little painting is her next door neighbor's Honeybell oranges. I got to sample one too, so juicy.

oil, 8" x 10"

Camp canoes

2012-01-13T15:08:00.000-08:00

My first studio piece of this new year, a large one. I have had it in mind since last summer up at camp on Portage Lake in Michigan. One of my favorite subjects: dappled sunlight.

I was recently considering entering a competition and looked at the judge’s portfolio online. He had a painting of an ordinary house with yard and trees. Well painted, but it was a gray day with totally flat light. I could never get excited about painting a scene like that. Had there been early or late-day sun, making interesting shadows with the contrast of warm and cool light, that would do it for me. Sunlight always puts me in a better mood. Even when it is 17 degrees here.

Off to FL next week where I hope to get a little plein air in while visiting my mother.

Camp canoes, oil, 18" x 36"

Seen better days

2011-12-19T18:18:00.000-08:00

I found this old Ford sitting by the side of the road out in the country with a For Sale sign in the front window. It definitely looked like it had been around the block a few times. Hood wouldn't shut, frame looked cockeyed, and of course the paint gave it an aged patina. It had character.

Fifty-something Ford, oil, 8.5" x 11.5"

More Aloha

2011-12-14T09:43:00.000-08:00

I have Hawaii on the mind right now. Winter is setting in and I'm daydreaming of my up-coming trip to Maui in February. And also trying to get some more pieces finished for Village Galleries. Hence my recent posts and this one. I just revisited Kauai with a studio version of a plein air piece I did a couple of years ago when I was there for Randy Sexton's workshop.

Hanalei, on Kauai's north shore, is the quintessential little Hawaiian town that time forgot (but who could forget "the land called Hanalei"?). Right in the middle is this popular, walk-up burger stand. Not on my itinerary for the near future, but I can't wait to go back.

Mauka (toward the mountains) view

2011-12-12T19:58:00.000-08:00

In Hawaii, directions to a destination often include one of two words: mauka—toward the mountains, and makai—toward the sea. Such is life on an island. It's wonderful to be in a place where you can be viewing a an amazing, panoramic seascape and then turn around to see equally beautiful mountains. This painting is a view from Lahaina on Maui. It doesn't do it justice. You'll have to go see it for yourself.

West Maui Mauka, oil, 8" x 16"

Hungry fish

2011-12-06T16:01:00.000-08:00

It seems like most of the resorts in Hawaii have koi ponds. An Asian influence I suppose, but they fit the tropical setting. It's relaxing to sit and watch them swim back and forth, and of course when they see you, they come expecting to be fed. The Red Koi Collection Gallery on Kauai has a great widget on their website. Hover your cursor over the koi and they follow it, click to feed them.

I've taken many pictures of koi through the years and finally got around to painting some.

Koi pond, oil, 16" x 12"

Glenview Art League Member show

2011-12-01T19:12:00.000-08:00

Opening reception, Friday evening, December 2, at the Midwest Care Center for the Glenview Art League Member's Exhibit. I have two pieces in the show and one was featured in the Glenview Lantern newspaper.

Beach beauty

2011-11-20T17:57:00.000-08:00

Studio painting time again. I've done a couple in the past few weeks, here's one of my favorite Hawaiian subjects. This was on the beach in Maui right next to where I stayed last time, pointing toward Molokai. Double outrigger canoe? Not sure what they call it. This is a high-gloss version of what the Hawaiian's used long ago.

Beached outrigger, oil, 12" x 24"

Into the Harbor

2011-11-08T11:12:00.000-08:00

While vacationing at Portage Lake in Michigan this past summer, some friends sailed up from Muskegon. They were headed farther north with their next stop being Frankfort. My wife took them up on their offer to sail along and I drove ahead to paint and meet them for dinner. I went to one of my favorite spots, a bluff in Elberta, where I've painted looking south before, but not north. So I faced the harbor channel and watched for them to come in. It was beautiful weather when I started, but rain was approaching. I had about an hour-and-a-half to get this done before a drizzle began. Not sure if I actually saw their boat, but enough of them came by for reference.

Into the Harbor, oil, 12" x 9"

A small mountain

2011-10-25T18:33:00.000-07:00

One early morning in the dunes I found this sand mound to paint. With the light to the east and the sky blue, it made great long shadows. After observing the shapes and roughing it in, I thought it really was like painting a small-scale mountain—about ten feet high. Instead of monumental cliffs with piles of rubble along the base, it was all sand held together mostly by the roots of dormant grasses struggling against the elements to hold their ground.

We may not have the Rockies here in the midwest, but it's still picturesque.

Sand Peak, oil, 10" x 10"

Testimony to Being

2011-10-20T13:12:00.000-07:00

Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago is hosting their annual "Healing Art" show, this years theme: Testimony to being. My entry is a little different from my usual style. Looser and more from my commercial illustration background. My take on the theme was kind of a universal concern, "What effect do I have on my world and what I will leave behind as a testament that I was here?" I would like to think that my career in art, design, and illustration have had some positive impacts and that my paintings will provide some lasting pleasure to some. But I think the most important proof that I was here are my children. This is my son who just turn 16.

Peter, mixed media on paper, 28" x 22"

More plein air in the sand

2011-10-16T19:37:00.000-07:00

I was in the dunes last week and up at the Glenn Arbor Art Association's member show which I had a couple of pieces in. Last of the great summer-like weather I'm afraid. Almost 80 degrees, warm for October.

Point Betsie, at the southern end of the National Lakeshore, is known for it's lighthouse (which I've painted before), this is the view north from there.
Beach at Point Betsie, oil, 9" x 12"

This big pine overlooks Sleeping Bear Bay. That's South Manitou Island in the distance.
Glen Haven Pine, oil, 16" x 11"

On Empire Bluffs looking toward Sleeping Bear.
Oil, 12" x 10"

New painting, new gallery

2011-10-05T19:43:00.000-07:00

If you've followed my blog or looked at my website, you may have noticed that I have an affinity to a couple of locations for painting. I grew up in Michigan and summers by the northwest shore are an ingrained part of me. The dunes and lake are always calling. Within a half-day drive I can have my easel in the sand and a beautiful coastal view in front of me.

I'm not sure how the same affection happened with Hawaii, but after my first visit about 25 years ago, I was hooked. It's not just the warm weather and beautiful beaches, you can find those in other places. I love the warmth of the people, the music, the culture, and of course, the island views.

I have had my work in a couple of Michigan galleries for a few years, and I'm happy to say I am now represented in Hawaii by Village Galleries of Maui. With locations in Lahaina and Kapalua, they are Maui's oldest gallery.

A great place to paint on the south end of Kaanapali Beach is the Lahaina Canoe Club. They have a good collection of colorful outriggers and interesting views. I have painted en plein air there a couple of times and now this just completed en studio piece is on it's way to Maui.

At the Canoe Club, oil, 18" x 18"

Sleeping Bear Point

2011-09-26T09:39:00.000-07:00

I painted over the weekend at Sleeping Bear Dunes again. In case you didn't hear, it was named by viewers of Good Morning America as "The most beautiful place in America." Some local residents weren't too pleased at the influx of tourists this brought, but businesses were.

I stood up in the dunes looking north toward South Manitou island for this painting. With the sky clearing after a stormy morning, the views in every direction were beautiful. I felt like I was on the edge of heaven. The Fall colors are starting to show-up in the trees now, and hopefully will peak when I'm back there in a couple of weeks for the Glen Arbor Art Association member show. I'll try to capture some of that on canvas then.

From Sleeping Bear Point, oil, 11" x 14"

Vacant lot view

2011-09-07T10:54:00.000-07:00

Along the Lake Michigan shore in some places, it can be hard to find access to the lake. If it's not public land then it probably has a home or cottage on it. When I saw a real estate sign on a vacant lot along Lake Shore Drive north of Manistee, I pulled over and climbed the hill to find this great view. Afternoon was a good time to paint there, but I want to go back for the morning light too.

Birch at the shore, oil, 9" x 12"

On the beach

2011-08-31T19:53:00.000-07:00

I spent a day last week at Warren Dunes State park in southwest Michigan. Lots of great painting opportunities: forest, dunes, beach. I took the first couple of hours to explore locations and unfortunately missed the best of the morning light. But it was such a beautiful day it didn't really mater. I found some shade to stand in and paint this one. More exploring in the late afternoon and now I'm ready to go back and start painting right away.

A walk to the water, oil, 10" x 8"

MacBeth & Co.

2011-08-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

A great little Home & Gift shop, MacBeth & Co. in Onekama and Glen Arbor, Michigan, has been selling my North M22 print for a couple of years. They are now also going to carry some small paintings of mine, like these.

Point, oil, 6" x 6" SOLD

Northern Shore--at Watervale, oil, 8" x 10"

Afternoon Coast, oil, 8" x 6"

Saugatuck/Douglas plein air event

2011-08-22T14:58:00.000-07:00

I was invited again to participate in Water Street Gallery's annual paint-out in Saugatuck and Douglas, Michigan. A very quaint and picturesque pair of towns on the west side of the state just separated by the Kalamazoo River. The day started out nice enough, but the sky didn't look too promising. A three-quarter mile hike with a couple of other artists, Brian Smith and Kristian Matthews, through the woods of the Saugatuck Dunes State Park lead me to this dune/beach scene. I had to do a little bit of shadow inventing with the sky turning overcast, but it was coming along for an hour or so till the rain started. I made it back to the car before the downpour and headed to a park pavilion in town to finish it. I would like to have done another, but with limited locations and time, I didn't have the chance. The sun came back out before the evening opening which had a great turn-out. Talking with other artists and gallery visitors made for an enjoyable night, and my painting sold.

Saugatuck Dunes morning, oil 12" x 10" SOLD

Wildflowers by the corn shed

2011-08-14T18:20:00.000-07:00

This was my morning painting at the Glen Arbor paint-out. I saw this shed among the buildings at one of the historic farms in the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore a few weeks before. So I went straight there after check-in. I started about 8:30 in the morning hoping for bright sunshine and long shadows. I got some sun in between high clouds for the first hour so I established the shadows a values right away. It then became mostly overcast so I had to do some from memory but I was able to finish it pretty true to where I started.

Wildflowers by the corn shed, oil, 12" x 12"

Glen Arbor Paint-out Award

2011-08-08T13:39:00.000-07:00

I'm honored to have received the 1st Place award for one of my paintings on Saturday at the Glen Arbor Art Association's Plein Air Paint-out. 66 artists got their canvases, boards, and papers stamped at 8 in the morning and were back at 4 pm with two, framed and ready to hang paintings. My afternoon painting was of the Pine Cone, a long-time favorite spot in Glen Arbor for hot dogs and ice cream. Lots of big pines around, of course, and two of them grow right through the building.

Flat light and iffy weather all day. I had to grab my umbrella for a few minutes of raindrops. But the sun came out as I was finishing, just in time to show me the shadow on the roof.

I was also happy to see the red dot appear soon after start of the reception. A woman visiting from Arizona with childhood memories of summer visits to the Pine Cone bought it.

The Pine Cone, oil, 16" x 10" SOLD

Paint-out

2011-08-04T21:03:00.000-07:00

Today I'm heading back up to Michigan for the Glen Arbor Art Associations plein air paint-out and show on Saturday. I had a great time at it last year, made some new artist friends, and sold one of the two paintings I did. This year about 60 artists will paint for the day around Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Glen Lakes and the surrounding area. Then an evening reception and sale complete with Leelanau Peninsula Wine and hor d'oeuvres.

This one is from the same area, painted at the Homestead Resort where we stayed a couple of weeks ago.

Toward Sleeping Bear Point, oil, 10" x 8"

From the dock

2011-08-02T10:56:00.000-07:00

Morning plein air standing on a friend's dock on Portage Lake. On the other side of the lake is the historic Portage Point Inn catching the early sunshine. I tried to keep it quick and simple to capture the moment. I will definitely think about a larger, studio version of this one.

Morning Mooring, oil, 12" x 12"

Along the shore

2011-07-28T19:52:00.000-07:00

A studio piece done with reference from a plein air and photo trip a couple of months ago. I've said it before, I love the shapes of these big Michigan white pines. They go so well with the shore and the dunes. It's much like my affection for palms by the ocean. Both hold challenges and can make for interesting compositions.

Pines along the shore, oil, 16" x 9" SOLD

Hay bales and small-town news

2011-07-23T06:56:00.000-07:00

I'm behind on my postings. A lot of painting in the past month, just not enough time to photo and post. This one is from last week, Michigan countryside. I love getting up early to try and catch the morning mist and long shadows--especially when blue skies make for blue shadows.
Hay bales along Miller Road, oil, 11" x 14"

I also made the newspaper up north for the painting I did on River Street of the Vogue Theatre. It has sat dark for the past few years, but now a campaign to save the old movie-house is underway. I hope to have the print of the painting I did a couple of years ago be a part of the fund-raising.

'51 Chevy

2011-07-12T19:51:00.000-07:00

I was in Manistee last week where River Street Gallery asked me to do a demonstration. I wasn't sure on my way up what I'd paint. A couple of years ago I was there and painted the classic, old Vogue theatre. Since this time I was there on the 4th, there had been a parade earlier and this '51 Chevrolet Deluxe was parked right across the street. I couldn't resist adding a little more interesting background then where it was parked, so after I got the car roughed-in, I moved a few doors down to add the theatre.

'51 Chevrolet, oil, 11" x 14"

Sailing

2011-07-10T18:45:00.000-07:00

I spent the last week in Michigan at a family camp just north of Manistee on Portage Lake. I had a few opportunities to paint, including a demo at River Street Gallery (I'll post that next). This is the afternoon view in front of our cabin.

Sailing on the lake, oil, 8" x 10"

Stable horses

2011-06-28T08:58:00.000-07:00

Another plein air event participant and I found a nearby stable to visit for possible painting time. I ended up doing three there. I did this sketch in a little under an hour. The horses moved of course. But I quickly roughed in the pose and then with multiple horses nearby, I could look around and find another in a similar position for reference. I'll post the others later.

Oil, 7" x 10"

Another pond view

2011-06-25T16:41:00.000-07:00

At the same spot as the "Best seats" painting I couldn't resist trying my hand at these. Now I need to work on a studio version of this pond.

Lily pads, oil, 12" x 16"

Evening farm

2011-06-22T14:51:00.000-07:00

A small study, late afternoon start, out in a field looking west. Kept expecting to see deer pass by, but I guess I wasn't there quite long enough. As Kevin Macpherson always emphasizes, doing lots of these little ones is great practice.

Oil, 6" x 8"

Cedarburg Plein Air

2011-06-20T18:51:00.000-07:00

I had a great three days in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, at their 11th annual plein air event. It continues this week, but I needed to get home so I did two days of painting in the area designated around town and then Saturday, participated in the "quick paint."

This was my fourth year so I know the area pretty well. I have driven a lot of the local streets and county roads there looking for painting locations that did something for me. I was happy that they expanded the map this year so I explored the new area first. When I saw this little wetland from the car I knew I'd found my spot. I looked at a few angles and then approached the landowner for permission. She told me they had created the pond six years ago from what was farmland. It looked so natural like it'd been there forever. When she saw what I had chosen to paint, she said "we call that our 'best seat in the house.'" A good title I thought.

Best seat in the house, oil, 12" x 16" SOLD

Colors in the sand

2011-06-15T13:40:00.000-07:00

I finished-up this last one from my trip to Michigan. I took a little too long while there and lost the light. Without over analyzing it, I love all the different colors you can see in sand. Especially the blue reflected from the sky. Oil, 11" x 14"

Off tomorrow to paint in the Cedarburg Plein Air event. Historic little town in the picturesque countryside of Wisconsin. Lots of subject possibilities.

Two from up north

2011-06-09T19:47:00.000-07:00

Had mixed weather on my trip a couple of weeks ago. Got three paintings going, mostly finished, but had to stop for one reason or another so I've just gotten around to some touch-up in the studio. This first one was after the rain let up, on a wet, foggy day. I wish I'd had time to do something larger by the shore to take advantage of the atmosphere. But with the day waning, I was happy with this spot I found up in the hills above Portage Lake. For those who've been there, that's the Portage Point Inn faintly showing in the center across the lake.

Pines above the lake, oil, 8" x 10"

This one was done with a little better weather at Lake Michigan.

Afternoon shore, oil, 6" x 8"

On Guard

2011-05-18T11:51:00.000-07:00

Some of the best times to paint plein air are early morning or late afternoon. Known by artists as the "magic hour" or "golden hour," after sunrise or just before sunset. The sunlight gives everything a golden glow and the shadows are long and cool. You have to work quick when you are on location to capture that light. This is a little more studied version done in the studio. I tried to keep the fresh, bold brush strokes of a plein air piece without having to hurry so much.

On Guard, oil, 18" x 12"

On deck

2011-05-08T04:57:00.000-07:00

A little boat study from a marina visit last summer.

Oil, 12" x 7"

A Graduation Gift

2011-04-25T11:03:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine had a great idea for a personalized graduation gift for the daughter of a close friend, so she commissioned me to carry it out. Three small paintings of important places in the recipient's life. The steeple is from the summer camp she has gone to her whole life. The tower is part of the church she grew up in. And the cupola is at the University she will attend. The family happens to be close friends of mine as well, so that made it an extra-enjoyable project for me.

Two in the show

2011-04-15T05:48:00.000-07:00

I had two paintings juried into the Randy Higbee Gallery 6"x6" show opening today in Costa Mesa, CA. They are also known for great frames at King of Frame.

Canoe Beach

2011-04-13T19:20:00.000-07:00

Just at the south end of Kaanapali beach on Maui is a public park that is also home to the Lahaina Canoe Club. They often have their outrigger canoes lined-up on the beach ready to go. I was there for the morning shadows one day and did this. Took lots of reference photos so I'd like to do something bigger in the studio.
Canoe Beach morning, oil, 9" x 12"

Back from Maui

2011-04-11T10:20:00.000-07:00

Had a great time with my family for spring-break on Maui. Wonderful weather, just a bit breezy from the trade winds. And I even had the chance for a few plein air pieces. My family likes to sleep-in on vacation. I'd rather be up with the sun--especially in paradise--the perfect time to paint.

I spent a couple of hours first thing one morning at a small park on the south side of Lahaina to paint this one. It's a great spot with paintable views in all directions.

Island solitude, oil 16" x 8"

Commissioned

2011-04-05T19:59:00.000-07:00

Here is a commission I recently finished. It was a wife's gift to her husband, their favorite path to the lake from their cottage.

To the Lake, oil, 14" x 20"

And here are some work-in-progress images. I generally follow the usual rules of oil painting, thin to thick, dark to light. On a warm-toned canvas, I begin with a transparent wash-in of the composition with Alizarin and a little Ultramarine blue, establishing the dark values still with semi-transparent paints before moving to opaques. In a scene like this, I work for the most part foreground to background, so I can cut-in around object to define their shapes. But I like to bring up the whole painting at once as much as I can to make sure it holds together and doesn't end up looking like a paint-by-number. Rocks, sand, foliage, water, and sky.

A new studio piece

2011-03-09T19:01:00.000-08:00

I like the time-change when visiting Hawaii. Getting up and out early allows you to see the most beautiful light. In Lahaina you are in the shadow of the West Maui Mountains at daybreak when the first light hits Lanai. Impossible to capture all the colors, but fun trying, and remembering being there.

To my friends heading there today—enjoy! I'm not far behind you.

Lahaina Harbor Morning, oil, 24" x 18"

Procrastinated finish

2011-02-23T10:55:00.000-08:00

I started this one a couple of years ago on Maui. I set-up on the ocean-front side of the Whalers Village mall on Kaanapali beach. It's a nice place with shops and restaurants, including one of my favorites, the Hula Grill. I was about 40 minutes into it when a security guard happened by. After asking what I was doing, he proceeded to tell me I was on private property and that I would have to leave. I was on the grass at the edge of their property, out of anyone's way, by the sidewalk, but I said okay, give me a few minutes. I tried to get a little more done, then he was back "warning" me, so I packed up. It's sat, half-finished, in the corner of my studio since.

This week I was inspired thinking about my friends on Maui at the Plein Air Invitational (and wishing I was there), so I put it up on the easel and had at it. I think I'm a little better painter now then when it was started, so the security guard probably did me a favor.
From Kaanapali, oil, 10" x 20"

Mango pair

2011-02-14T19:38:00.000-08:00

Another little studio painting between larger pieces. Mangos must be in season, wherever they come from, they were only a dollar a piece at the grocery store. Very tasty and hard to paint. It's difficult to achieve a three-dimensional look while trying to capture all the varied colors.
Oil, 6" x 6"

Small works

2011-02-07T11:54:00.000-08:00

I've been working on some small pieces in the studio the past couple of weeks. There's an upcoming show I want to enter, but it is also both good practice and satisfying. It's nice to be loose and bold and not worry about messing-up a big canvas. And it's nice to have a finished piece in an hour or two.

Here are a couple that were done with plein air and photo reference from my trip last year to Kauai.

Outriggers, oil, 6" x 6"

Hanalei view, oil, 6" x 6"

A winter day

2011-02-02T15:55:00.000-08:00

Here's a little winter scene I finished recently--to go along with our weather here in the Midwest. We got about 18" of snow in my neighborhood last night. I shoveled for a couple of hours then into my studio for some good painting time.

Winter shore, oil, 9" x 12"

Snow and a show

2011-01-19T09:04:00.000-08:00

I have finally gotten around to painting a seasonal scene. A warm location is always my first choice, but winter shadows on a sunny day are hard to resist. One of the things that attracts me to a subject like this, is contrast: shadows vs. light, cool vs. warm, sharp focus vs. soft. These things can make about any subject more interesting and dynamic. Trying to capture them is one of the reasons I don't get tired of painting. Winter brook, oil, 14" x 10"

On another note, I just installed artwork for a group show of the Glenview Art League at The BookMarket in the Glen Town Center. I was happy to find out another graphic designer/painter I knew joined the group: Deb Anderson. She has some great pieces in the show and she's also, like me, a North Park University alum.

More palms

2011-01-12T13:06:00.000-08:00

I almost forgot about this one from my trip. Started on the beach with the other painters from the workshop, we were interrupted by a sunshine shower. Finished it up when I got home. Palms at Manele, oil 12" x 12"

I've been putting off winter subjects. I think I need try one next.

One more from Lanai

2011-01-05T12:02:00.000-08:00

My last afternoon on Lanai I painted this little one near the Four Seasons Manele Bay resort. All the essentials of a tropical paradise: warm sunshine, golden sand, turquoise surf, and rustling palm fonds. I worked on this for an hour or so, and could resist the call of the ocean no-longer. A great place to snorkel.

Ocean front, oil, 8" x 6"

Another Sweetheart

2011-01-01T07:45:00.000-08:00

Another view of Sweetheart Rock on Lanai. I'm always drawn to scenes with distant as well as foreground subjects. The afternoon light made the rock so dimensional and I love the blues and purples of the islands of Maui and Kahoolawe. Afternoon at Sweetheart Rock, oil, 10" x 16"

And here are a couple of shots of our workshop group painting around this little bay that day.

A rocky coast

2010-12-23T17:18:00.000-08:00

The day after the workshop I painted with Randy Sexton and Mark Brown who had just arrived from Oahu. They were painting for the rest of the week with others from the Islanders group for a show at the Mike Carroll Gallery. We found this great spot on Lanai's west side. Ancient lava flows, dramatic cliffs, great views. Challenging.
Lanai coast, Oil, 11" x 16"

Two birds

2010-12-20T13:39:00.000-08:00

I painted this last week at the Four Seasons Lodge at Koele following the workshop I attended. Beautiful grounds at this resort with gardens and an orchid house. Our group painted for the morning here and I did this in the afternoon.
Birds of Lanai, oil 12" x 9"

Hulopo'e Beach

2010-12-16T12:03:00.000-08:00

I did this one my first full day on Lanai before the workshop started. This is a beautiful, crescent beach, part of a park and adjacent to the also beautiful, Four Seasons Resort. A great place to paint. Lots of subjects and angles. I went back twice--and hope to go back in the future.
Oil, 12" x 9"

Hotel Lana'i

2010-12-13T10:26:00.000-08:00

After watching Randy Sexton do a demonstration of a cottage, the workshop participants gathered around the hotel to paint during some challenging weather. The "plantation" style architecture is everywhere here. The hotel was built in 1923 by James Dole who owned the island which was mostly covered in pineapple fields then. A nicely restored kind of bed and breakfast now where I'm staying.
Hotel Lana'i, oil, 12" x 16"

From Lana'i

2010-12-10T20:48:00.000-08:00

Before my workshop with Randy Sexton, I had a day on my own to paint. This is one of Lana'i's landmarks, Sweet Heart Rock.
Oil, 14" x 11"

Island dreaming

2010-12-06T19:35:00.000-08:00

I'm off to the island of Lanai (HI) this week for a few days

of painting and participation in Randall Sexton's workshop

that is being hosted by the Mike Carroll Gallery.

I'm really looking forward to some productive--and warm--

plein air painting. Aloha.

oil, 18" x 8.5"

6" Squared

2010-12-01T19:56:00.000-08:00

Red Hibiscus

2010-11-29T18:58:00.000-08:00

Another small one, 6" x 6". This along with Laguna View, were juried into the Randy Higbee Gallery 6" Squared show in Costa Mesa, CA. They are doing a cool thing using traditional plein air frames, but "floating" the art in the opening. Carol Marine, who is also in the show, has some samples posted on her blog.

Small works

2010-11-17T09:22:00.000-08:00

While working on a large commission, I'm taking breaks to do a few small pieces for an upcoming small works show I'm entering.
This one was done in reverse of the usual plein air to studio progression of small location work to larger studio painting. A few years ago I did a 12" x 16" plein air painting of this scene in Laguna Beach. I was never quite happy with it, so here is a cropped-in, smaller version I just finished. Maybe I'll get to a big version someday too.
Laguna view, oil, 6" x 6"

The season has changed

2010-11-12T19:37:00.000-08:00

Our leaves have almost all fallen now here is Illinois. And our reprieve from cold is about over. More studio painting now. I started this one after returning from my trip to Michigan last month.
Autumn Birch, oil, 20" x 30"

A beach up north

2010-10-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

Here's studio piece I just finished from summertime references I'd gathered.
Shoreline perspective, oil, 18" x 18"

Pine study

2010-10-18T18:20:00.000-07:00

I've had a large painting in mind for a while of a big pine, so I did this little study for practice. The white pines around the Greatlakes are not your average conical, christmas conifers. Most are very asymmetrical, sometimes poking out of the woods, branches extended toward the light. Or out in the open, growing up being shaped by the prevailing winds. I love the unpredictability of them. This one is on the edge of the beach reaching north toward Sleeping Bear Bay.
Late day pine, oil, 12" x 7"

At Good Harbor

2010-10-13T06:57:00.000-07:00

I was up in Glen Arbor, MI, this past weekend for the G.A. Art Association's member show (I sold two out of the three painting I had in the show). Perfect fall weather. Blue skies, 70+ degrees and peak fall colors. I did some exploring along the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore and ended up at Good Harbor Bay. Miles of deserted beach lined with pines of all sizes.
Toward Good Harbor, oil, 9" x 12"

A studio piece

2010-09-23T08:33:00.000-07:00

Working from sketches and photos from my spring trip up north, I recently finished this in the studio. It's nice to make time to work larger and I enjoy working with non-standard proportions. To me the shape of the canvas should fit the subject, not the other way around. This will be in the Glen Arbor Art Association’s upcoming member show.

Springtime by the shore, oil 36" x 12" SOLD

Oval Beach

2010-09-05T19:46:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I had the chance to spend a couple of hours at Oval Beach In Saugatuk, MI. A beautiful place for a swim on a hot afternoon. Wish I'd brought my swimming suit along with my paints. But I found a shady spot under a tree with a view.
Oil, 9" x 12"

Corn crib

2010-08-29T12:47:00.000-07:00

A perfect late summer morning yesterday so I went to the farm (and the farmer's market). I found a great spot in the shade to do this painting of the dappled sunlight. But of course, my shade didn't last. As is often the case when my painting is in direct sunlight, I tend to make it a little too high-key--the darks a little too dark and the lights too light. Next time I'll remember my umbrella. I did a little studio adjusting and I'm happy with it now.
Oil, 10" x 12"

A Plein Air Affair

2010-08-22T19:48:00.000-07:00

I had a very enjoyable day Saturday in Saugatuck/Douglas, MI, at the paint-out sponsored by Water Street Gallery. There were twenty-something participants and an impressive one-day body of work. It was good to meet some other Michigan artists who's work I've followed, Brian Smith, Margo Burian, Molly Sturges, and others. And the gallery did a nice job hosting.

The day started gray and rainy, which turned out to be an advantage for my first painting. I found a gazebo in a park overlooking this small lake created by the Kalamazoo River. The air, heavy with mist, made for great atmosphere.

By the time I finished the sun was coming out so I headed to a boatyard, at a marina, I'd spotted earlier. This one took about three hours but I could have used a fourth.

The evening opening was well attended and both my paintings sold. A good day.

Morning Solace, oil, 10" x 16" SOLD

Out of Water, oil 11" x 16" SOLD

Location, location, location

2010-08-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

Someday I hope to live in a home with a view. It doesn't matter exactly of what, but as an artist, I require visual stimulation.

This is another plein air piece from my July trip. I love standing in the sand by the lake in the morning and painting (till the sand gets too hot). Summer is going by too fast. There's not enough time to do all I want.

But I'm participating in another one day paint-out and show this coming weekend: a Plein Air Affair sponsored by Water Street Gallery in Douglas, MI.

Home by the shore, oil, 14" x 11"

Birch trees

2010-08-15T18:18:00.000-07:00

To me birch trees are a symbol of northern Michigan. Along with White Pines, you see them wherever you drive up there. I painted these one afternoon in July standing on the side of a hill above Portage Lake. It got rather uncomfortable after a couple of hours and I lost the light so it went unfinished till now.
Above the lake, oil, 16" x 9"

My last painting with birch trees was North M 22. It's now available as a limited edition giclee print from Les Sirenes Gallery (a gallery I've just started exhibiting with in Frankfort, MI), MacBeth & Co. in Onekama and Glen Arbor, or from me.

Sleeping Bear Bay

2010-08-10T08:24:00.000-07:00

Had a great day in Glen Arbor, MI on Saturday for the paint-out. Perfect weather, beautiful views. I arrived just in time to paint, so I didn't have time to search out new locations, and went right to a spot I'd seen last year: Thoreson Farm. It's a historic property that is now part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The farm is on a bluff overlooking the bay. I went with the intention of painting the farm house, but walking around I found this view and couldn't resist. I'll save the farm house for the studio.
Sleeping Bear Bay morning, oil, 11" x 14" SOLD

A barn

2010-08-04T10:54:00.000-07:00

One more from Wisconsin. The last day of the plein air event I had about an hour-and-a-half before the opening reception so I set-up across the road from this barn. I'd driven by it several times trying to figure the best angle to paint from. But with just a short time to fill, I just started-in to get something down. If I go back sometime, I think it would be an interesting composition to do a wider version and include the crossroad.
Barn at the corner, oil, 6" x 8"

I have been traveling a lot in the last month, family trips to Michigan, England, and California. I got a few paintings done and a few more that need a little studio touch-up, so I'll be posting them as I can. This weekend it's back to Michigan where I'm participating the Glen Arbor Art Association's plein air paint-out and show on Saturday.

Shuttle in Her Hand

2010-08-02T17:16:00.000-07:00

A just released book that I had the pleasure of designing and illustrating. Published by The Swedish-American Historical Society, it's a novel about a young Swedish woman in the early twentieth century, who's skill as a weaver brings her to a new life in America. The original is oil on canvas panel, 12" x 9".

Summer vacation

2010-07-16T06:15:00.000-07:00

Our annual trip to Michigan for a week at Portage Lake. Summer as it should be. Relax and do what you want. My son chose to read by the water. I chose to do a little painting.
Summer Reading, oil, 6" x 8"

Cedarburg Creek

2010-07-11T16:14:00.000-07:00

I'm just back from a week in Michigan but haven't had time to photograph the paintings I did. Here's another from a couple of weeks ago. A quick one, about an hour-and-a-half before the light was gone and it started to rain.
Water over the rocks, oil, 8" x 10"

Clover

2010-07-02T04:58:00.000-07:00

Another one from Cedarburg. I found this field of clover at the end of a road while driving around. A beautiful morning to spend out in the country painting for a couple of hours. My idyllic scene made more-so by a doe and her fawn trotting by--too quickly to include. Also, here's a picture of the show opening at the Cedarburg Cultural Center. Two of my paintings just to the right of the woman, top and middle.
Clover field, oil 8" x 10," SOLD

'51 Chevy pickup

2010-06-27T18:46:00.000-07:00

I spotted this great old truck parked in a driveway in Cedarburg. I've been wanting to paint something like this. I found a spot across the street in the shade, a very hot day, and started in. After a couple hours a woman came out to check on my progress and brought me a glass of ice water. She said it was her husband's truck and to come for something more to drink when I was done. He turned out to be sculptor Chuck Whitehouse and she was author Barbara Joosse. I had a nice visit with them and a tour of Chuck's studio, a converted 150-year-old barn.

This was my third time at the Cedarburg Plein Air event. Each time enjoyable, but this time even more so because of the artists, committee members, and others I got to know. Ken DeWaard, a nice guy and great artist did a demonstration one day. It was inspirational to watch Tom Nachreiner paint, as well as Mary Ulm Mayhew, Larry Seiler and many others. Fun to walk around this historic little town and see artists painting everywhere. We each were allowed to submit two paintings from the week plus one each from the "quick-paint" event and "Paint the strawberry festival" day. I was happy to sell two of my four submissions.

I'll post more soon.

'51 Chevy, oil, 10" x 12"

Quick paint

2010-06-23T05:23:00.000-07:00

Saturday I participated in the Cedarburg Plein Air "Quick-paint" event. Sign-in, have your canvas stamped, and return in two-and-a-half hours with a framed, ready to hang painting. We could choose any subject in the designated town and surrounding area. I picked Kuhefuss house, one of the many historic homes right on the main street in town. I liked the picket fence, garden and flag. My first time in the quick-paint. I liked having the clock ticking, no time for fussing and overworking.
Oil, 12" x 9" SOLD

Cedarburg Plein Air

2010-06-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

I'm participating in the Cedarburg (WI) Plein Air competition again this year. It's a week-long event, but I can't be there every day. I was there Friday and Saturday, got four paintings done. Here is my first, the local, retro, drive-in. I was there on Friday, but wished I could have been there Thursday night. Thats when everyone comes with their "antique" cars and hot-rods. Maybe next year.

Wayne's, oil, 12" x 9"

Back to the islands

2010-06-10T18:33:00.000-07:00

I just finished this studio painting from a plein air study I did on Maui a few months back. Now that the warmth is here in the midwest, I'm not missing it quite so much. I hope to get lots of plein air time in this summer and some larger studio paintings done too. When it's nice weather I use my "outdoor studio." I have an easel on our deck where I get some good sky light.
Shore fisherman, oil, 20" x 14"

Cabin 10

2010-06-07T19:43:00.000-07:00

The Michigan summer camp I've been going to for more than forty years has been slowly upgrading their facilities. Some nice changes, but some of us will miss the more rustic, old camp. There are three remaining original cabins (1940s I think) and the "Canteen" that I want to paint before they get demolished or "renovated." This is cabin 10, the one we've stayed in for the past few years at Family Camp. It's small, simple, and has a nice view facing the lake.
Oil on panel, 12" x 9"

The Steeple

2010-05-31T09:30:00.000-07:00

A good post for Memorial Day. This is part of a three-small-paintings commission I'm working on. It's the chapel steeple of Portage Lake Covenant Bible Camp where I, and many friends, have been going every summer since we were kids.
Oil, 5.5" x 5"

Morning view

2010-05-24T13:23:00.000-07:00

Here is another one I did last weekend in Michigan. Got an early start and set up in the shade on a dune in Elberta overlooking Lake Michigan. I did one from a nearby spot last year in the afternoon. This time I wanted to work quickly to capture the morning light and the dynamic of having the foreground in shadow and the beach and distant hills in sunlight.
Cedars on the dune, oil, 12" x 10"

Little Sable Point

2010-05-18T18:21:00.000-07:00

I spent this last weekend in N.W. Michigan, delivering paintings to my gallery, visiting friends, and of course a little plein air painting. This lighthouse is at Little Sable Point in the Silver Lake State Park.
Oil, 9" x 12"

North

2010-05-12T11:55:00.000-07:00

I just finished this painting I have been meaning to do for years. M22 is a highway in northwest Michigan synonymous with summer vacation for many of us. It winds along the shore of Lake Michigan from Onekama, north through Frankfort and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, then up the Leelanau Peninsula and along Traverse Bay to Traverse City. With historic, quaint, summer resort towns all along the way, it is designated a Michigan Heritage Route. To me, since childhood, it has meant going to Camp on Portage Lake.

North M22, oil, 16" x 20"
Available as a giclee print, $95, email me.

Platte Bay

2010-05-06T18:40:00.000-07:00

Another view of South Manitou Island from across Platte Bay in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Summer up north.
Oil, 9" x 12"

Point Betsie

2010-05-02T17:54:00.000-07:00

I painted here at Point Betsie, just North of Frankfort, MI, last summer. Recently finished this one in the studio. It's a hard spot to find a perfect vantage point. The lighthouse is raised up and from the beach, mostly obscured by trees and shrubbery. I stood out on a thin seawall to take photos to get this angle. Then I made some adjustments to the tree locations for a better composition.
Gray day at Point Betsie, oil, 12" x 16"

Colorful Cat

2010-04-29T13:25:00.000-07:00

Another Portage Lake (my favorite summer retreat in Michigan) piece, a beached Hobie catamaran. This one is on it's way to the River Street Gallery in Manistee. I can't wait to get back up that way with my paints.
Oil, 10" x 8"

Morning at the Big Lake

2010-04-26T18:26:00.000-07:00

Last summer I found this spot at the end of Esch Road in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. I did a small plein air painting in about an hour-and-a-half. This is a slightly different angle piece I just completed in the studio. The big dune on the right is Empire Bluffs. In the distance is South Manitou Island. It was a beautiful morning. I only saw four people in the couple of hours I was there. About a three mile long, completely natural beach. I'll go back this summer.
Empire Bluffs morning, oil, 8" x 16"

Laguna Plein Air show

2010-04-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to say that four of my paintings were juried into the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association Less is More show. It's a small works show, all paintings must have been painted en plein air, of course, and be 11" x 14" or less.

Healing Art

2010-04-16T12:42:00.000-07:00

Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago is exhibiting their second annual Healing Art Show: Dreams of healing. This painting, recently finished, of my daughter was juried in. Although you can't tell, Sarah was wearing a cast from a broken arm at the time I took reference photos to paint from.
You can read more about the show at the Covenant Church's website where my painting was also featured.
Dreaming, oil on canvas, 18" x 24"

After Easter

2010-04-05T18:23:00.000-07:00

This is a painting I did for the Covenant Companion magazine. It illustrates the story from John 21 of Jesus appearance to the disciples after the resurrection:

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. "I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?"

"No," they answered.

He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."

Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Something different

2010-03-25T12:58:00.000-07:00

I've never been much for urban painting, just not a subject that excites me (all those man-made straight lines). But I know there are things to be admired in the city. Artists like William Wray and Stephen Magsig can point them out.

For the more than thirty years I've lived in the Chicago area, I've driven by the Stars Motel at Lincoln and Kedzie avenues an uncountable number of times. As far as I can remember, It's always been seedy, but the graphic designer in me has always liked the--now retro--sign. In preparation for gentrification, they tore down the building a year or two ago. They left the sign and with the economy the way it is, I don't think anything will be happening there for a while. But just in case, I stopped the other day to paint before the era has completely gone by. When was the last time a motel advertised having a Switchboard?

The Stars, oil, 12' x 9"

Back to Michigan

2010-03-19T10:21:00.000-07:00

Enough Hawaii for a bit. here's a new Michigan painting from a location I've spent summer vacations at for more than forty years.
Ready to go, oil, 14" x 20" SOLD

North Kaanapali

2010-03-09T10:47:00.000-08:00

I started this late one afternoon and had to stop when I lost my light. I took to much time with the drawing. I figured I'd come back the next day, but didn't get to it. So back at home it became more en studio then en plein air. It lost some of the freshness and spontaneity, but I'm not completely unhappy with it.
North Kaanapali afternoon, oil, 11" x 14"

Lots of palms

2010-03-06T12:50:00.000-08:00

I just finished touching up this one from Maui. I painted it in a park on a very windy day. I lost my set-up once to a strong gust. Spent the rest of the time holding on to it.

I sometimes get into trouble painting in the sunlight (my oversized painting umbrella seemed like too much work to bring). That happened on this one. I painted it a bit dark and the palm trunks didn't read right against the big tree in the background. I worked on that a little during the touch up--as well as removing some of the dirt from the wind.

Through the palms, oil, 16" x 12"

Now showing

2010-03-01T17:02:00.000-08:00

As a member of the Glenview Art League, I have the opportunity to exhibit in group shows around town. For the next couple of months I have paintings at the Bookmarket in the Glen Town Center. They have a nice kind of gallery/events/reading area adjacent to the bookstore. There are six of us who each have six to ten paintings. Stop by to see a nice little show.

Maui no ka 'oi

2010-02-26T19:44:00.000-08:00

Maui no ka 'oi. That's the saying on the island. Maui is the best. All of the Hawaiian islands have unique personalities and I've enjoyed every visit. But there is one thing about Maui that makes it stand out for me: the views of the other islands. All along the west side you can see Kahoolawe, Lanai and Molokai. I never get tired of looking at them. Especially in the morning when the sun first rises. I painted this last week at a park on north Kaanapali beach.

At rest, oil, 16" x 12"

South Wailea

2010-02-22T13:40:00.000-08:00

I found this beautiful beach the other day just south of Wailea, in the very high-rent district, on Maui. I got there around 2 pm and there were only about 20 people on the quarter mile stretch. As I was finishing-up around 5, I had it all to myself. Paradise.
Oil on linen, 16" x 12"

Last on Maui

2010-02-20T09:36:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my last full day on Maui and I did this at a park in the morning. Later I went to the opening of the Plein Air Invitational show. Some really great stuff by Ken Auster, Darrell Hill, Ronaldo Macedo, Larry Moore, Randall Sexton, and many more (see links at right).

Today I'll do some touch up on a few pieces before heading to the airport. I'm not looking forward to Chicago weather, but I am anxious to see family and get back in the studio to do some bigger pieces based on some of the studies done here.

Aloha.

Mauka view, oil 10" x 8"