
This is a new support and a new process I am experimenting with. MJ Harding non-absorbent primer and paint on Rives BFK paper.

This is a new support and a new process I am experimenting with. MJ Harding non-absorbent primer and paint on Rives BFK paper.

This is fifth in a series of large format corn harvest paintings. This one being 2 miles east of Granger, Iowa. The sky all subtle hues of the three primary and three secondary colors from horizon to zenith. Violet, red, orange, yellow, green, and blue.

Love the Iowa Sky in Fall at harvest time.


24×24
New addition to the ethereal Iowa Harvest Landscape Series.

This is a work-in-progress, and fairly large for me. But it’s turned out great so far. I may just do a tiny bit of adjustments. Enjoy!

Searching for new Iowa towns to paint. Let me know your ideas!

There is plenty of subject matter in the small towns of Iowa to build a series of paintings reflecting small town charm. this one is turning out pretty well. What do you think?

I usually stay on a subject for a series of takes and sketches. I’ve reached the finish line on this one.

Latest works. Colors are just starting to change.


Because I constructed this large painting straight from the imagination, you can count me out as a realist. From the imagination counts as romanticism, and if it’s considered not ugly, it then falls within Romantic Positivism.
It’s a work in progress, as I see a few things, a few values worth fixing. Maybe some telephone poles. This painting is rather big at 4 feet by 5 feet and, I am getting very comfortable with the larger paintings. Stay tuned!

The early morning bus ride is often in the magical time of day for most kids who live out in the country.

I kind of like how this little series is developing. Time to try it on a larger scale. Be back soon!

The latest in the Iowa Sheep series which has found a home in a private collection.
The rural Iowa land scape continues to inspire this painter to reap the beautiful and true from the simplicity of eternal forms that surround us.

I have just a few adjustments to make, and then I’ll sign this one. Edit: you are now looking at the updated and final version. Thx!

I’ve been driving around the surrounding farmlands this summer and fall, taking photos of future paintings. I just got around to facing, and finishing this one, after starting it a month ago, and being intimidated by the light in it.

It’s rewarding to knock off a small painting of, say, 12×16 but, I’d like to increase my production of larger paintings such as this one. This is still a work in progress and I’ll only fix a few small details.

Farm life subject matter is something not to be overlooked in Iowa. In fact, it’s a challenge not to consider when looking for striking compositions here in the prairie.

Took a nice trip to Odebolt, Iowa to see some farming friends, play some golf, do some grilling, with a side trip to Boyer. Breaking trail with that one.

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.

11×14 oil on canvas – sold

12×24 oil on panel – Sold

9×12 oil on wood panel – plein air 05/04/2017