This is a larger version of my last painting. It was an hour later, so the pedestrians have changed!
West End
Leave a reply
Tag Archives: landscape
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.
The Golden Gate
I lived in California for five years in the early 90’s. As a school age kid, I was a California dreamer. Volkswagen beetles and flower power seemed very alluring to me. The entire west did. I eventually discovered it all and, the west and its beauty became my inspiration to paint. The Golden Gate Bridge represented the entire promise of what the west had to offer. Today, it is a vastly different cultural and political climate but, the beauty remains. This painting will most assuredly find a home.
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.
Starr Pass
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.
Duluth from Park Point 02
9×18 oil paint on panel –Sold
done “en plein air” from our home on Park Point, Duluth Mn. July 12th, 2017
Duluth from Park Point 01
8×12 oil paint – Sold
done “en plein air” from our home on Park Point, Duluth. July 7th 2017
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.
“On the Park Point bridge”
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!
“Aerial Lift Bridge II”
11×14 oil on panel
Canal Park Duluth
9×12 oil on panel
“The Farrier”
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.
“Warren County Road”
20×24 oil on panel
I went driving around Iowa on Memorial Day looking for cattle. I only found clouds.
“Are you Following Me”
12×12 oil on panel
I find that cows are very curious and nervous around bipeds tracking them down for photo ops.
“Clown Sees First Sunset”
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.
“Clown Goes on Lamb”
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.
“Clown Contemplating Door”
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.
“Thinker on a Rock”
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.”
“Cafe di Scala”
16×20 oil on panel – private collection
jeff klisares 