41×29 oil on Rivas 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.
Fallow BFK
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Tag Archives: Iowa
Party Line
Love the Iowa Sky in Fall at harvest time.
Expanse
Go the Distance
24×24
New addition to the ethereal Iowa Harvest Landscape Series.
Early Corn
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!
Odebolt, Iowa grain elevator 2
Searching for new Iowa towns to paint. Let me know your ideas!
Odebolt Elevator in Sac County
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?
Work in Progress revisited
Born Day
I usually stay on a subject for a series of takes and sketches. I’ve reached the finish line on this one.
Black Baldies
Latest works. Colors are just starting to change.
Odebolt Elevator
Crop Reserve
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!
Bus Route
The early morning bus ride is often in the magical time of day for most kids who live out in the country.
Iowa Farm Night III
I kind of like how this little series is developing. Time to try it on a larger scale. Be back soon!
West End
This is a larger version of my last painting. It was an hour later, so the pedestrians have changed!
Light Rain
I consider 10th and Locust, in downtown Des Moines, my neighborhood as it is three blocks from my studio. There is a rather decent Italian restaurant in the building you are looking at, along with the Temple Theater venue for live events. Across the street to the west is a Starbucks, also very convenient for coffee and meetings.
Sauk Country
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.
The New Horizon
2021 has come to a close with this last plein air study. Here I now stand, after following the rules of classical form for five years of painting, at the precipice of knowing that what lies ahead is toward the abstract. In order to avoid painting another ho-hum landscape, albeit ones with sound harmony and sensibilities, I’ve realized, from recent in-depth studies of the principles of Cezanne, that true art comes from the corruption and violation of nature. One is otherwise making a replica or a copy of her. The picture is the thing. It is its own thing. A two dimensional thing that must be created in its own right. I’m setting out. Wish me luck.
Racoon River in Water Works
This is the result of a two-hour plein air excursion in Des Moines. Though it is not finished, I am hesitant to paint on it again to guard against altering its freshness.
128 Corn
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!
R16 and 270th. Dallas County Sunrise.
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.
12 Sheep
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.
Flock B
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.
South of Odebolt
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.
East of Adel
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.
Iowa Fields
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.
Iowa Summer Storm
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.
Born Yesterday
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.
Gunderson Calf
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.
Little Calf
Just outside of Odebolt, Iowa where a newborn calf made his debut to life.
Field Check
This is a field study for a larger painting but, fun to do quickly with a palette knife.
Memento IV
Fourth in a series of who knows how many. I’ll be looking for the proper gallery sometime this summer.
Memento III
Memento II
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.”
Fruits et Fromage
12×12 oil on canvas. – Sold
Des Moines Sculpture Park
9×12 oil on panel – plein air (missing)
Six Cows
6×12 oil on wood panel
Pony
11×14 oil on canvas – sold
Countryside 111
12×24 oil on panel – Sold
Hildreth’s Pond
9×12 oil on wood panel – plein air 05/04/2017
Great White Heron II
8×10 oil on canvas – Sold
Late Corn
11×14 oil on wood – private collection
Winter Farm
8×10 oil on panel – private collection
Sapphire Day
12×24 oil on canvas – private collection
“CRP Mix”
8×12 oil on panel – sold
“Small Town Twilight”
9×12 oil on paper
“Hogback Bridge Study”
9×12 oil on paper
“Forty Four”
One more pass at this needed and coming soon. Stay tuned for final draft.
jeff klisares 