Seasonals

I just returned from a long weekend up north. I had hoped for some plein air, but it was a little too frigid. I did have a chance for some sketching and photographic reference time. Mostly gray skies, but one glorious day of sunshine on fresh snow. Got lots of images for studio work in the coming months.

Here is one I just completed.

Winter light, oil, 10" x 18"

Commission

After my shows this past summer, I received a half-dozen commissions. Here’s one I just finished of one of my favorite Michigan beaches. I find it makes a lot of difference for a studio painting if I have painted plein air at the same or similar spot. I can’t count the number of times I have painted at this location near Onekama. And I can’t wait to get back there again.

Off-shore breeze, 
oil, 16" x 22"

Lake Michigan Wind

On one of my trips to Michigan last year I stopped at the Van Buren State Park along the western shore. It was cool and windy and I didn’t quite have enough time to set-up for plein air. But I took a bunch of pictures and recently got around to working up this one. It’s now at Water Street Gallery.

September Wind, oil, 30" x 30"

Small works

I've been working on some small pieces lately getting ready for a couple of shows. It's become popular to have small works shows just before gift-giving season.

Dune study
oil, 6" x 8"

Winter sunlight
oil, 8" x 6"

Surf fishing
oil, 6" x 6"

By the shore
oil, 6" x 6"

Winter shadows study
oil, 8" x 6"

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"