"Big Valley"

Oil     6"x8"     Canvas Board    

A hazy June afternoon, looking down on a green valley that stretched for miles in each direction.

"Long Shadows"

Oil     6"x8"     Canvas Board

This was painted in the late afternoon as the shadows stretched across the yard. Seems like only yesterday that these two trees were the size of the little ones just getting a start. I tried to capture the sense of distance with the ridge receding into the background. In this high, dry climate, the cool of the evening was already settling in.

"Poplars"

Oil     6"x8"     Canvas Board    

I painted these young trees at midday, battling a very gusty wind, but savoring the rustling leaves and far-off blues of a mountain range.

"Red River Greens"

6"x8"     Oil     Canvas Board

This week's painting spot was along the banks of the Red River. It was another cloudy day so there was a softness to the landscape with no strong sunlight to define the shapes of trees and grasses. This distinctive tree, whose branches were bending toward the river, is what caught my attention, along with the gray sky's reflection on the quiet river.

“Downtown Lilacs”

 
Oil     6”x8”     Canvas Board

Out of all the things I could have chosen to paint today, these lilacs won because their wonderful fragrance just begged me to paint them. Nothing says “spring” like the smell of lilacs carried on the breeze.

“Courthouse Cupola”

Oil     6”x8”     Canvas Board

Our county courthouse is topped by a distinctive dome that’s very appealing to an artist. I painted this late afternoon view earlier this week, but I think I’ll go back some summer morning and try another version with the sun from the east. There’s no end to the great architecture around Fargo just waiting to be painted.

“Gray House, Gray Day”

Oil     6”x8”     Canvas Board 

Last week, our plein air painting group met in a classy, “old- Fargo” neighborhood to paint charming houses and stately elms. It rained, off and on, so I found myself caught up in the warm grays and greens and soft edges of a misty spring day.