Winter's Chill

This is largely a made up composition. I saw the bare bones on a friend's Facebook post. I then added things like hay bales, live stock, etc. The photo reminded me of Edward Hopper. I added the influence of Frank Reaugh. I worked in Gamblin Oils on Arches oil paper.

Xmas 2013 Commerce

It snows in my hometown too. In 2013 we had a big snow and ice event in my hometown. It was a combination of snow and ice on Christmas day. I had a flight out to California on the 27th so I had to drive home the day after. Small towns like Commerce don't plow the highways or much else. So I had to "white knuckle" it home. It was a scary ride for sure at least until Dallas. I lost a dear friend today. She was Roberta Harney and I will miss her light. We attended high school together. Small communities don't have mobile dialysis units which is what she needed during a recent snow and ice storm in Commerce. She couldn't go to dialysis because of weather and that led to high levels of potassium and a heart attack. I am sad today because this should have been prevented. Her death deeply saddens me. As I said she had light.

Pastel Across The Way

I started this painting last weekend during West. I worked on one of my prepared panels. I drew in my composition in pastel pencil followed by a layer of gouache. I finished with pastel. My subject matter was the pasture across the street from where my sister used to live.

Big Bend Vista

This little painting was inspired by a road trip which included Big Bend State Park here in Texas. I think this was the ghost town area.

Freshly Plowed

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

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.

Highway Hay Bale 2

Study number two. I decided to leave out the wires and such and simplify the design a little.

More Branches

I can really drill down my scene in the landscape vision wise. What really drew my attention was the lack of branches. Refocus time.

Quiet Pond

This was created during a recent paint out with Plein Air Austin. My focus was on water reflections. The property was beautiful with livestock in the distance, beautiful trees, and a meandering body of water.

Houston Highway Clouds

Years ago when I prosecuted tax fraud cases I made frequent trips to Houston. On one of our trips back to Austin the investigator pulled over to let me get this shot of the clouds after a brief storm. This one is all about the clouds for me. 5 by 7 inches oil on copper panel