I am beginning to drive around the state of Iowa more often, scouting for those special places that may be painted in the early or late light of day. This was a barn just east of Adel, Iowa that I found interesting enough to sketch out. The light, however, is the thing I am after.
The fields of Iowa have been in the news as of late. For us Iowans, we live, every day, with the idea that, if you build it, they will come.
Clouds have inspired me lately and, there is every color in the sky. Ultramarine, Cerulean, Viridian, Yellow Ochre, and Alizarin are all used, though very highly tinted, with Titanium White. This, excluding Burnt Umber, is my entire palette.
Something about this little calf I can’t let go of. My attempt, however, was to capture the ethereal quality of the summer Iowa air and landscape.
I loved the photo of this little newborn calf I captured a few weeks ago and, had done a little study in oil previously. Here it is again, in a 12×12, painted for a second time and, a precursor to a large format piece.
Just outside of Odebolt, Iowa where a newborn calf made his debut to life.
This is a field study for a larger painting but, fun to do quickly with a palette knife.
Fourth in a series of who knows how many. I’ll be looking for the proper gallery sometime this summer.
I’ve finally settled on a series of paintings that are related to one another and, it is this group of leftover floral arrangements. Welcome to “Memento.”
In and around the Tucson area, there are many photo and painting opportunities. Sometimes, one has to change things around a bit for composition purposes but, the hues, the atmosphere, and the saguaros remain.
11×14 oil on birch – sold
20×24 oil paint. Sold
Feat. Thinker on a Rock by Barry Flanagan
12×12 oil on canvas. – Sold
11×14 oil on canvas w/knife. – Sold
I took the liberty to paint a scene from the wedding of John and Christina Klisares – McGreevy.
9×18 oil paint on panel –Sold
done “en plein air” from our home on Park Point, Duluth Mn. July 12th, 2017
8×12 oil paint – Sold
done “en plein air” from our home on Park Point, Duluth. July 7th 2017
9×12 oil on panel – plein air (missing)
6×12 oil on wood panel
11×14 oil on canvas – sold
12×24 oil on panel – Sold
9×12 oil on wood panel – plein air 05/04/2017
8×10 oil on canvas – Sold
8×10 oil on panel – Sold
11×14 oil on wood – private collection
8×10 oil on panel – private collection
12×24 oil on canvas – private collection
8×12 oil on panel
9×12 oil on paper
9×12 oil on paper
One more pass at this needed and coming soon. Stay tuned for final draft.
9×12 oill on panel – private collection
I have been fascinated with the aerial lift bridge since seeing it for the first time over seven years ago. Now that we have been spending our summers on Park Point, I have finally gotten around to approaching this marvel as subject matter. I am so taken by it that I intend to keep painting the bridge in all available light. This little jewel turned out to my liking. I hope you enjoy it too!
11×14 oil on panel
9×12 oil on panel
16×20 oil on canvas – private collection
Along the Conejos River near the New Mexico border at a fly-fishing cabin of an old friend and master painter/outdoorsman Andy Peters. Just about as good as the western life can get. Of course there is always work to be done.
20×24 oil on panel
I went driving around Iowa on Memorial Day looking for cattle. I only found clouds.
12×12 oil on panel
I find that cows are very curious and nervous around bipeds tracking them down for photo ops.
8×10 oil on panel
Henry the Clown tried to hitchhike his way out of town on his escape from the circus he was living in. No one offered Henry a ride and now he is alone and darkness is approaching. He pauses though in revelation on witnessing his very first sunset as a free man. Who knows what tomorrow will bring for our neophyte Henry.
8×10 oil on panel
So Henry the clown contemplated the door and has now gone through it out into the world. He is “on the lamb” from the life he was living and is venturing out in the world to see just what it is made of. Stay tuned. We will be right with him through his discoveries, his trials and tribulations, his becoming.
8×10 oil on panel – private collection
This little painting is the start of a narrative about becoming. About questioning ones self about where in life they are and where they might be headed. Stay tuned as Henry the Clown adventures out into life, loses his innocence and discovers himself.
12×12 oil on panel – pending
In Downtown Des Moines we have a most excellent sculpture park. A subdued painting on a gray day of Nara’s “White Ghost.” Middle ground is Hume’s “Back of Snowman.” and the late Barry Flanagan’s “Thinker on a Rock.”
16×20 oil on panel – private collection
18×24 oil on panel – soldOnce again we walk the dark and rainy streets of Downtown Philadelphia in the area known as Rittenhouse. I am fascinated by the architecture and perspectives of the city. Especially in the rain.
jeff klisares 