"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.

“Boardwalk to the Beach”

Oil     6”x8”     Canvas Board

I haven’t had much opportunity to paint palm trees, so I had to try a close-up version of one on my last morning in Florida. So many different greens, it’s hard to get enough variety in them, while also concentrating on composition, depth, value, detail, balance, etc. in the space of about two hours before the light changes too much to continue. There are way too many things to think about and try to analyze while doing a painting. The trick is to get into the “zone” and just have fun.

“Sun and Sea”

Oil     6”x8”      Canvas Board

Another painting from about the same vantage point as yesterday’s, only looking a little more to the east, toward the rising sun. The sun was just behind the clouds, casting a yellow glow on everything. I love when there’s glare on the water, but I find it’s really hard to get it to look as bright as it actually appears. I don’t know the trick, but I’m going to keep trying to figure it out.

“Canaveral Beach”

Oil     6”x8”     Canvas Board

A slightly different subject than my usual landscapes! I spent the past week in Florida and managed to do some painting on location. I haven’t painted outdoors since around the first of November, so it was great to get out of the studio and enjoy the sun and sounds of the surf…even the wind felt good since it didn’t involve a “wind chill” factor. I’m a little rusty at solving all the challenges of plein air painting, but I can’t wait until it’s warm enough here at home to get out and paint again regularly.