winter creek

20"x24" oil/linen

A quiet place where you here the occasional bank beaver splash into the water.

fun da mentals

16"x20" oil

The recent exorcisms, I mean exercises, have freed up my brushwork significantly. Excited to get back to some observation stuff with the freedom of a Chilean miner. This one was like smelling fresh baked bread. Last nights was like a hockey game.

Do not be afraid

both 24"x24" oils


The top piece I just did. Took a year old painting that I didn't mind and immediatly covered it with red paint. Blinding bloodbath would be a good phrase. Grabbed some paint soaked paper towels and started wiping. The painting I mean. Vertical.......horizontal......throw on more red......wipe more out.....20 minutes of this and I started to see the image. Carved out a brushfull of neutral and threw it on. Nothing gentle here and yet there is a softness in edge that I truly like. Not sure how my galleries are feeling right now.........

Last week my painting friend Peter Stolvoort came over for dinner and conversation. We spent some time in the studio and we had a bit of a critique. He suggested the original of this piece(scroll down it's about a week old) was a bit confusing to the eye. It was difficult to figure out a focal point. The barn competed with the cows. I agreed wholeheartedly. He suggested eliminating the barn completely. I figured what the heck. Ditch it. Loaded up a brush and in one fell swoop.........half gone? hmmm. This is interesting. It now looms perilously over the hill. Me thinks Me likes. Lesson.......Don't be afraid to screw up a piece. It might just get better..............