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.
Trying to build a remuda of skies. This is a rather precarious one we often see here in Iowa.
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.
This year, in many ways, is a moving year. One major change in my orbit is to get outside and paint more plein air. Here is a little one hour sketch, in order to begin to stretch the plein air muscles.
Three night paint out in Des Moines, in association with Mainframe Studios, Salmagundi, and the Polk County Conservation, began at the Lauridsen Skate Park downtown. This was my Friday night entry.
I was asked to paint a portrait of this guy as a gift and, could only find a few photos where he is looking at the camera. I settled on this one, which was black and white so, I had to invent the color palette. Happy with results.
I’ve lived in the State of Colorado twice in my lifetime. Loveland Co. for one year in 1975, before returning to Iowa to attend University. (ISU.) Then again for six years throughout the late 1980’s in Colorado Springs Co. I knew the state well and, often miss the open range feel of the West.
I painted this very view only a week ago at 12×12. Here is a larger version. I enjoyed the sky and clouds from this vantage point during an early morning rain shower skirting by to the east.
This is a work in progress of the walking bridge that spans Grays’ Lake in Des Moines, Iowa. Currently tacking up a bit so I can add the rest of the bridge structure and railing. Stay tuned for final.
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.
This is a Work in Progress. Des Moines is, or was, home of the Travelers Life Insurance Company and, this rooftop sign is an iconic part of the downtown cityscape. I’ve still to add the letters under the Umbrella and, it is basically all the farther I intend to take it. Cheers.
Since first posting, I’ve updated the painting to include the letters of the classic sign.
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.
I was asked by a friend to paint a portrait of their dog, Remi, who passed away recently. It turned out nicely and they are delighted. RIP – you are free now.
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.”
12×12 oil on canvas
12×24 oil on panel. Sold
Feat. Barry Flanagan’s “Thinker on a Rock.”
9×12 oil on canvas – Sold
Sculpture “Back of a Snowman” by Gary Hume in the Des Moines Pappajohn Sculpture Park,
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.
24×24 oil paint on mounted wood panel.
This too was painted in its entirety with a little piece of hard plastic. Almost akin to a little trowel. It’s rather exciting and allows one to go extremely short (thick) with the paint.
12×16 oil paint on wood panel
12×24 oil paint on wood panel.
This was painted entirely with a little piece of plastic.
18 x 24 oil on canvas – Sold
8 x 24 oil on panel
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
6×12 oil on wood panel
11×14 oil on canvas
12×24 oil on panel – Sold
9×12 oil on wood panel – plein air 05/04/2017
11×14 oil on canvas – private collection
12 x 24 oil on panel
8×10 oil on panel – Sold
20×24 oil on panel
12×16 oil on canvas
8×10 oil on canvas
11×14 oil on canvas
11×14 oil on canvas
11×14 oil on wood – private collection
20×24 oil on canvas – private collection
8×10 oil on panel – private collection
jeff klisares 