Have you ever forgotten…

Standing in front of the easel while looking at the soothing colors of the countryside forty minutes outside of town. Morning light plays on the mist and highlights the trees. An idea for the composition comes together while squeezing out the cadmium yellow, cerulean blue and carmine onto the palette. Where are the brushes? They [...]

Driving from Alaska to Florida

The unknown is in front of the steering wheel. We left the 8-5 clock behind us and settled in for the ride. We needed gas, lots of it to keep us going through Alaska, over the Rocky Mountains in Canada, across golden fields of grain and south to curl our toes in the sand of [...]

White Nights of Summer in Alaska

8 p.m. Beautiful summer evening. Warm. Clouds dance on the horizon between the patches of blue sky. Cumulonimbus towers above everything else and demands attention. The mountains peak out occasionally from the curtain of clouds. The blue distant hills stand in front. 10 p.m.The low sun pours warm tones over the valley. The aspen tree [...]

The Story Behind a Painting

I start this painting with a sketch using bold colors. I put in the main elements. I want to show brushwork, keep it loose and portray the feeling of the big mountain. This view of the mountain is from inside Denali National Park. There is a road that appears to lead toward the mountain. At [...]

Spring Mountainscape

Spring in Alaska. There is more sunshine. Warm sunshine. Snow is still on the ground but there is the sunshine. It makes all the difference in the world. The nights are still cold and some of the days can be brisk and bite at your skin. But sunshine warms us up and improves our spirits [...]

It is Four Below Zero, Time to Think About Warm Ocean Sunsets

It’s four below zero at my studio. Seems like a good time to be painting an ocean sunset. i’ve been cooking on some painting ideas from what I saw a few weeks ago in Florida. I love sunsets and watching the sun set on the ocean is a wonderful treat. I’ve got photos and images [...]

Silver Forest

Frost has silver plated the trees. Every branch is covered. No shadows in the treasure of this solemn forest because the sun is hidden. Quiet tones No bright whites, no deep darks Only silver middle tones reflecting off each other. Waiting. I am staring at the beauty of this forest. The colors and textures seem [...]

Balancing Opacity and Transparency

What does your studio look like? I love to look at pictures of artists studios. I’ve seen hundreds. Historical artists and current artists. Paints, palettes, brushes, canvas makes me want to paint and it gives me ideas on how to organize my studio. My studio. It’s not as organized as it could be. I would [...]

Doubt Cramps Energy

“To believe is to be strong. Doubt cramps energy. Belief is power.” I heard this quote while watching the tv documentary “Into the Storm” recently on the airplane. It was a drama about Winston Churchill. This quote was said by Roosevelt and he attributed it to Dr. Peabody. The quote really captured my attention and [...]

Nightscapes, Nocturnes, Planets and Dreams

When the moon gets larger and brighter, get ready to paint nocturnes. The full moon lights up the landscape. Study the light, shadows and values. The patterns of moonlight and shadows are very different from daylight. The sky is not going to necessarily be the lightest light. Shapes and long shadows are soft and mysterious. [...]

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