A beach up north

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

Pine study

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

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

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

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

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

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