Spring-break plein air

I have been working on a lot of studio pieces lately in preparation for the coming gallery season in Michigan. But last week was spring-break in Florida where I did a lot of relaxing and one plein air sketch.

Beach palms study, oil, 12" x 7"

Two to Water Street Gallery

A couple of new works to start the season at Water Street Gallery’s Prelude show.

Both studio pieces from spots in Michigan where I have painted plein air in the past.

Summer coast, oil, 24" x 24"

Spring shore, oil, 13" x 20"

Waning Winter

With spring around the corner, I feel better about painting winter. This is a scene I found while driving around the Leelanau peninsula in northwest Michigan. I’m normally most excited about painting on bright, sunny days when shadows are prevalent. But the subtle purple and blues of this winter day were irresistible.

This was a studio work after my trip. Lots of plein air soon to come.

Leelanau Winter, oil, 10" x 14"

Winter studio work

After painting snow I have switched to remembering, and anticipating, summer again.

I have painted en plein air a few times along the shore of Good Harbor, just north of Glen Arbor, MI. I just finished this one working from photo reference. That's "Whaleback" across the water.

Next I'm on to a large one of another favorite spot.

At Good Harbor, oil, 16" x 20"

Upcoming show: scales

Water Street Gallery in Douglas, Michigan, is hosting a show for gallery artists entitled “Drawn to scale.” Its subject is open to each artists interpretation. I chose a fish. I purchased it at Whole Foods, and not wanting to waste it, painted fast. I put it in the frying pan to paint, but then I took it out of the frying pan and into the oven to bake. Then I had lunch.

Before Lunch, oil, 9" x 12"

Happy New Year!

A little painting I did last month of a scene in Michigan. A few friends, of Swedish decent, said they thought it was a Swedish stuga.

The Red House, oil 11" x 14"

A Large Commission

Just finished this 24" x 48" commission I received over the summer. Point Betsy in the northwest part of Michigan’s lower peninsula. On a sunny, summer day the Lake Michigan water looks like the caribbean.