I always wanted to paint this barn, and I’m finally getting around to it. This is a historic, round barn in Wayne County, Iowa. There are not many round barns left and they are interesting characters! Working from a photo, I enhanced all the weathered boards and roof in my usual bold, saturated pigments of ultramarine, […] more »
I am back to painting barns and landscapes of southeast Iowa! This particular barn is located on the winding highway traveling to Oskaloosa. At the time I took the photograph, there were many more outbuildings around this barn, but they are no longer there. It has the characteristic weathered worn boards and shaggy roof. The […] more »
This painting is a continuation of my engine series. It is a close-up of an engine I photographed in the Albia trainyard in winter. I wanted to focus on the abstract design qualities and omit some of the details. I drew the large shapes first and then added some of the important details. A limited […] more »
These glorious blooms were painted from my garden. I worked from my reference photo and sad to say I no longer have tulips in my garden, as the deer have destroyed them. Tulips are one of my favorite flowers and a sure sign that spring has arrived. These graceful blooms were wonderful to paint. The […] more »
This is a petite composition done specifically for an upcoming show with size limitations. I found it difficult to crop my reference photo and even more of a challenge to paint a six-inch-square format. So it is just a piece of the larger design I had planned originally — I may get to that another […] more »
In the back of my mind, I have always wanted to do another bicycle design in collage. When I received an invitation for an upcoming show with a bicycle theme, I got to work right away! I took a few photos of an antique bicycle, which was my reference for this composition. The main objective […] more »
These teapot shapes continue to interest me. I set up part of my favorite collection outside on a glass table when it was nice and sunny outside. I also put some mirrors behind the teapots to capture their reflections and add depth to the composition. It was tricky setting the mirrors up against the chairs, as they […] more »
I’ve painted another design of the crushed and mangled cans that I viewed at the recycling center here in Centerville. I find the abstract metal shapes fascinating and have to simplify the elements as there are too many details within each can. In this design, the round bottoms “frame” the larger can with ridges and […] more »
I’m doing another storefront composition on the other side of the street. Many of these old buildings have intricate details, which I’ve simplified, of course. Also in evidence is the old blue mailbox — something you don’t see anymore. I did go back recently to see if the box was there, but it has been […] more »
I’m continuing my metalscape series with all the interesting ridged cans and circular lids. This is the eighth design, and I used a limited palette of burnt sienna and various blues. It took me about a week to paint. I began by doing a couple thumbnail designs in my sketchbook since I worked from my […] more »