Pasture Family

On my last visit to Commerce I took the time to take some photos of the farmland between Commerce and Neylandville, Texas. The animals were out as were the wildflowers. Unlike a lot of artists, I love using green especially in the landscape. My mom always told me that if you see the cows sitting down, rain is coming. Its funny how I have retained so many of her musings.

Diners Needed

When I had to give this painting a name I immediately thought "no cows". Thus the title. Those of you who follow this blog know that I love hay bales. When I was home recently I actually stood out in the bot sun to sketch hay bales. I was drenched in sweat when I got back to my car. Yes I wore a hat. The scene is from Northeast Texas. I like how the copper peeps through the paint.

Sketchbook share.

Pasture Ritual

This little painting was inspired by a Facebook post. I love to paint cows.

Guardians Along The Road

A painting of the sunflower guardians that are planted to protect the tender crops. These were along Highway 34 on my way home. I found a spot with enough shoulder and stopped to take a few photos. It would have been better to do some quick sketches but cars come whipping through a lot and its not safe.

Sunflower Guardians

During my last trip up to commerce I passed this field (or what appeared to be) of sunflowers. I pulled over and took a few photos and continued on my journey. This is an interpretation of what I saw. I worked on guessoed masa paper. I like the surface texture.

Since this photo has lots of information, I painting it in squared off sections. I did go home for Independence day and the flowers were leaning forward because they were heavy with seeds. An office mate told me that farmers plant sunflowers around tender crops to protect them from the winds.

The watercolor version of "Really Wild".

Spring Morning Commerce

During my most recent visit to Commerce I got in a little plein air painting. I sat on my sister's front and back porches and painted a series of small watercolor and gouache pieces. Commerce has a special light in my opinion. I just finished up a week on being in trial. Its nice not to have to argue and fight about the law for a change. My energy is different when I try cases. I like that but my artistic energy is a lot more peaceful.

We were sitting on the front porch when I painted this one. My two sisters were with me hanging out. I used my toned tan sketch book and gouache.

North Texas Snow II

I love painting snow scenes. This is another painting of the snow we had in Commerce last Christmas. I thought about painting outside for only a second and opted for my camera. It was very cold. I'm working with the Strathmore artist tiles again. I also broke out my new set of Terry Ludwig True Lights to paint the snow. They are very soft and a joy to paint with.

I will use this little plein air sketch for a larger painting. It was nice just painting these little fleeting moments in gouache in one of my tan toned sketchbooks.

North Texas Snow

I rarely get to see real snow where I currently live. This snow scene is from where I grew up in Commerce, Texas. A year or so ago we were treated with a really nice snow storm during Christmas. I of course went out with my camera to get some images. While I was shooting I was amazed at how peaceful it was to walk around my hometown while it was snowing.

Sunlit Tree With Bales

I actually finished this painting last year. Those of you that follow this blog recognize this scene. This is the largest version at 30 by 22 inches. Its a scene from the Northeast Texas area along the Sulfur Springs, Texas highway. I hope that all of you had a happy new year and that it is filled with joy and success.

Mr. Mines Garden

I took the photo that inspired this painting in Commerce, Texas during the fall. Its near the old Norris School. Mr. Mines used to farm this land. He fed many of us from his garden. Norris was the school that I attended prior to desegregation. To the left of this scene was our baseball diamond.

My Hood

You have seen this scene before in watercolor. My oil version is above. I don't paint in oil much but I probably should as the paintings sell better. This is the Sulfur Springs highway near my home Commerce, Texas. If it wasn't dangerous I would set up in one of the fields and just paint. I would need a guardian as I don't like snakes, etc. I love the landscape because it is me.

Distant Bale

I have had this piece of copper sitting around so yesterday I revisited some of my hay bale photos for inspiration. I rarely paint in oils but yesterday was an oil kind of day. This scene is from North East Texas along the Sulfur Springs highway.

Abundant Bales

I isolated a part of the picture for this painting. The fence and the bales were my focus. This scene has generated many paintings because of these bales.

Three Times

Another group of bales from the Sulfur Springs highway in north east Texas.

Three of Them

A little landscape from the North East Texas area.

Bale Drawing

Another exploratory drawing for a few landscape paintings. I like to draw a scene multiple times before getting to a painting. It helps with the values, composition etc. This is another scene from the Sulfur Springs highway in Northeast Texas.

Bales In Abundance

Another in my Hay Bale series that will probably be ever expanding. I saw this line of bales along the highway. Beautiful shapes and light are what drew me to this image.

Spring Pasture

Another little study of a North East Texas landscape that I am currently exploring. I don't know what it is about hay bales but the do attract my attention.

As Summer Settles In

Getting myself prepared for the long hot days of summer here in Texas. Of course I plan a few escapes to California to survive.

Grazing In The Grass

I love painting cows and hay bales. Its the country girl in me. This is yet another landscape from the Sulfur Springs, Texas highway. I worked on a surface coated with Golden's coarse pumice gel. The under painting was gouache.