Weeds And Bales

I try to find beauty even in the most mundane appearing places. This scene is from the parking lot of the Dollar Store in my home town. I have painted this scene many times as I cannot pass up hay bales. I'm sure the staff is used to that wierd lady hanging out in their parking lot taking photos and sketching. For those of you in town this weekend, we are hosting the Austin Studio Tour at Austin Art Space. Stop by and see us. We will be open 12-6 Saturday and Sunday this weekend and next.

The Standout

This piece in addition to quite a few other miniatures will be on display and sale tomorrow from 11-6 with a small gathering from 2-6 at Austin ArtSpace. We are located at 7739 Northcross Drive Suite Q, Austin, Texas 78757. We are also open today if you want to stop by ahead of time. On December 23rd we will also be open for those last minute shoppers. In addition to paintings we have notecards, t-shirts, prints, stickers etc. Hope you can stop by.

Bales In Snow

It feels as if winter will just not go away. I don't mind much because I like cooler weather. This painting was inspired by photos of a friends ranch when we had our first or second round of snow. Hay bales are one of my favorite subjects. I'm attracted to their imperfect symmetry.

Snow Covered Bales

My workout partner shared a few pictures of his ranch in the snow. Of course being obsessed with hay bales I had to do this little painting. I liked the fence lines too. This is a little trading card image. I really like working small. Its a challenge to put in detail. My intent is to frame up a few of these little jewels for my gallery. They don't take up much space and I think they draw your attention.

Hay Bales In Fog

Commerce is beautiful in deep fog. I was headed home one Monday and saying my goodbyes to family. This fog surrounded the landscape. I took a few shots from my car on the way to see one of my sisters. This represents two of my favorite things in a scene fog and hay bales. This type of scene and weather makes me feel cozy. I have to give a shout out to my two sisters. One has a birthday and the other has finished chemotherapy both are very strong women.

Hay Harvest

This is an older piece that I finally varnished. Its a northern California scene in the Anderson Valley. I worked on copper with really thick strokes in some areas. The attraction was to the shadows and the hay.

Sketchbook share.

Transformer Sunset

I painted this little piece while standing in Pam's kitchen looking out the window. I like including transformers as they are part of the landscape and are evidence of humans. I was attracted to the colors of the sky as the sun was setting.

Sketchbook share.

Tracey Hay Bales

I must admit that I buy a lot of products as a result of reading and watching blog and vlog posts. I bought some french made pastels by Roche because of a recent post. This was the first test of those pastels. I love the density of color and size. The painting was inspired by sketches and photos taken during my ride through the Central Valley of California.

A sketch of my baby sister.

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.

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.

Vineyard Bales 2

I always paint another version so this is the second watercolor. Its a bit larger than the first version and not as tight. At least in my opinion. We did take some time in this area so I think the paintings are true to the spirit of the land.

Line of Bales

A study for a pastel I have in mind. Its from my photos of the Sulfur Springs Highway. I have never seen hay bales like this.

Sulphur Springs Highway Study

On the way back from Sulphur Springs, Texas I took a ton of photos. I love scenes with freshly baled hay. I hadn't been on that road since I was a teenager. I plan on a large pastel and watercolor of this scene.

North Texas Bales

Since I'm visiting north east Texas, I thought I would share a painting inspired by the area

Freshly Plowed

A scene from one of my many trips along Highway 34 in Texas.

Hillside Hay Bales

On the first painting excursion my camera battery was dead. A lot of the scenery was captured via value study and camera phone. Pam saw this scene as we were driving to Bodega Bay and pulled off the highway. The value sketch is below.

Lone Bale

I liked everything about this composition. Of course the hay bale but the sky and trees overhead were all in the mix.

Springs Bounty

Yes I am still playing with the hay bales. I just love the shapes. I'm working with a view catcher and 8 by 10 color photos to design my composition along with a value sketch. I usually work with copic markers for my studies. I decided on pencil just to change it up a little.