Planning commissions

It was great in the fall to get several commissions to work on over the winter. The subjects were mostly places where I had already painted, which of course, makes it easier. One was for a beach I hadn’t visited, down a private drive. Turned out to be a great spot. I made multiples visits, painted en plein air, and took lots of pictures. The final composition for the commission hasn't been established yet, but I’m having fun getting ready for it.

Here’s one of my studio versions of At the end of Sylvan Road, 
oil, 12" x 14"

Plein air revisit

While on Maui a couple of years ago I painted at Secret Beach (original here). It’s a tiny little cove beach not easily found in a residential neighborhood behind a wall. But it’s worth the trouble. I was never satisfied with what I produced that day, so I just got around to doing a studio version. Some editing, simplifying and arranging, I’m a little happier now.

Secret morning, oil, 16" x 13"

Along the shore

Summer along the Port Oneida shore. A part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Port Oneida was a rural farm and logging community established about 150 years ago on the lake in northern Michigan. Now preserved by the National Park Service, the beaches, farms, dunes and forests make it a great place to paint.

Port Oneida shore, oil, 11" x 14"

More winter

Winter at the Olsen’s farm along M22 near Glen Arbor. I love the long shadows when the sun is low.

Olsen’s barn, oil, 12" x 16"

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"