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.
Racoon River in Water Works
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Tag Archives: Iowa
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 of 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.
Dallas Country Grain
To quote, and borrow a phrase from baseball, “I’m seeing the ball really well right now,” I’ve got 10,000 hours invested in getting to where I can execute this sky and palette. If you go out early in the morning and look, meditate, on the color in the atmosphere, you will soon see that, starting at the horizon, all six colors (the three primary, the three secondary) are there. Follow me: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet. From bottom to top. So fun to paint. Enjoy.
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.
“F¥CK, Turn Around.” More appropriately, “Proceed with Caution.”
Trying to build a remuda of skies. This is a rather precarious one we often see here in Iowa.
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.
Gray’s Lake Plein Air sketch
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.
River Walk Center Street
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.
Mr. Randy Newman
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.
Lost Creek
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.
Morning Walk revisited
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.
Morning walk
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.
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.
Calf under Viridian Sky
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.
Travelers
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.
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.
Free Now
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.
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.”
Pastel Pond
12 x 12 oil on canvas
Antlers and Orchid
12×12 oil on canvas
Guardian
12×24 oil on panel. Sold
Feat. Barry Flanagan’s “Thinker on a Rock.”
Duality
9×12 oil on canvas – Sold
Sculpture “Back of a Snowman” by Gary Hume in the Des Moines Pappajohn Sculpture Park,
Fruits et Fromage
12×12 oil on canvas. – Sold
Don’t Look Back
12×24 oil paint on wood panel.
This was painted entirely with a little piece of plastic.
River Bend
18 x 24 oil on canvas – Sold
Exalted
8 x 24 oil on panel
Des Moines Sculpture Park
9×12 oil on panel – plein air
Six Cows
6×12 oil on wood panel
Pony
11×14 oil on canvas
Countryside 111
12×24 oil on panel – Sold
Hildreth’s Pond
9×12 oil on wood panel – plein air 05/04/2017
Monarch
11×14 oil on canvas – private collection
Still life 111
6×8 oil on panel
“The Hub”
20×24 oil on panel
“Greenwood Pond”
12×16 oil on canvas
Great White Heron II
8×10 oil on canvas
The Replacements
11×14 oil on canvas
Two Pines
11×14 oil on canvas
Late Corn
11×14 oil on wood – private collection
Iowa Horizon
20×24 oil on canvas – private collection
jeff klisares 