Grazing, 6" x 8"

Once I'm finished with a painting, I can usually narrow in on a specific part that appeals the most to my sensibilities: In this painting, it is the clouds. I was able to lay them in quickly, they are so thick and fresh, and I love the warm glow of the underpainting peaking through. I wish I could have duplicated the feeling of the clouds in the foreground. I seem to struggle with foreground. As for subject matter, I really gravitate toward paintings of cows. I have been wanting to paint cows for some time...I think it is because grazing cows seem so content. 

Barn, 6" x 8"

I feel drawn to barns and rural life. I grew up across the road (for many years it was a gravel road) from a grand old barn. Though my parents were not farmers, we did have a few acres on which we raised chickens, cows  and pigs from time to time.  This is my first barn that doesn't appear to be floating...Hooray!

 Golden Fields,  5" x 7"

 Spring Planting,  5" x 7"

 Summer Green,  5"x 7"

Emerging Colors,  5" x 7"

Desert Morning, 5" x 7"

 Reflections on the River, 6" x 8"

Cypress Trees, 6" x8"

 On the Desert, 6" x 8"

Dust Storm, 6" x 8"

 Oregon Misty Morning, 6" x 8"

Green Mountain and Golden Fields,  5" x 7"

I love to compare the size of mountains to trees and other objects (houses, barns, cows). I grew up surrounded by fields but now I am surrounded by mountains. When I take the time to really look around at my new surroundings a thrill goes right through me, and I am left amazed at the grandeur and the splashes of unexpected color I see.

Cut Field,  5"x 7"


I am trying to learn how to paint golden fields. I find this most challenging. I am also experimenting with using line, however using line to marie all of the plow tracks seems like cheating-which is exactly what I did on this painting...

Warm Fields,  5"x 7"

I am drawn to the warmth of ripened unharvested fields.

Mountains in Repetitive Palette Knife,  5" x 7"


Here is another painting I did this year. I plan on painting quite a few more like this one. The texture makes the painting seem more alive. I can almost see the light and shadows moving and changing.

Fields in Palette Knife, 5"x7"

I completed this painting a few weeks ago. I really enjoy exploring the application of paint with palette knife. I especially like to see the change of the colors in the central field, the hues are warm and rosy and somewhat human-like, perfect for mother-earth.

Edge of the Field, 6"x 8"

Fresh Cut Hay, 6"x 10"


Here is a painting I did actually a few years ago. It is one of my favorites. I really feel drawn to painting fields probably because I grew up surrounded by rural farms. I love to see a bright field peaking through in the distance. The color combinations never cease to amaze and thrill me, depending on the lighting they can be bold and bright to subdued and muted. And I just can't get enough of them.