utah paintings

Fog Over Maple Mountain, 6.25 x 9, oil on wood

available

I have a couple more of my small Utah landscapes to show! I'm enjoying going through my reference photos I took while we were there in May to adopt Ruth. It's been fun to remember the beautiful views we enjoyed and most likely took for granted while we drove up and down the canyons, I-15, and around the towns. It's just such an expanse of wonder, Utah...

On another note, I want to start doing plein air paintings! I've done this before, but nothing ever came of it. I have all the gear, the easel, the paint box, the desire! Just where will I find the time?? It's something I'd love to share with my children, but that seems like a dream that would only come true in some alternate reality, so I believe it would have to be on a Saturday or in the early evening when Peter comes home.... either way it seems like it probably won't become a regular habit at this point! But that won't keep me from trying. Lately I've been admiring some wonderfully talented artists, and it seems they all gain such insight from what they glean from nature itself...the tones, the shapes, the depth and perspective...mmmmm. All elements I really want to improve upon in my own art. Perhaps I'll find a completely terrific workshop to attend! Off to scour my resources!

The Grass Is Green, 6.25 x 9, oil on wood

available

Toward Springville, 6.25 x 9, oil on wood

available

dusk on market

Dusk on Market, 24 x 24.5, oil on masonite

available

This painting is a bit more polished as a finished painting than is typical. It's always interesting to look at a painting several days after it's deemed complete. I often see elements that I didn't even know were there, which can be a pleasant surprise. I am a bit on the fence with this painting, but I spent my allotted time on it, so I'm saying it is finished. The smoother finish makes me feel nervous to put it out there, since it feels a bit different than some of my recent work, but there are enough highlights in this painting that make it feel right. It's difficult to capture the textures and color nuances with a camera, but I hope I have been able to convey the mood of this piece with these photos. I usually photograph my paintings in the early morning light as it feels the freshest and most unfiltered. I think my favorite parts of this painting are definitely the light holes in the two tall trees to the left, as well as the hazy sunlight bouncing off their tops. The other favorite part is the thick patches of pale creamy green near the horizon...mmm. After finishing the sky I questioned whether it was truly right. I left it until the next morning, and when I walked in the next day I knew it was right. I hope something in this painting will speak to someone else, too!

detail