#53 - Sentinel

11" x 14" Oil on Canvas Panel

My wife Maureen took a picture of a country lane with a big old tree standing guard. I liked the lonliness of the photograph and she suggested I paint it. I had a lot of fun with the background's muted colors and the simple composition.

#52 - Harvest Time

8" x 8"

Oil on Canvas Panel - Plein Air

Another beautiful Sunday morning in nothern Illinois. I was out driving and enjoying beautiful autumn colors and came up over a ridge. Down below sat a busy steel blue grain elevator; a nice contrast to the warm earth tomes of the surrounding fields. I thoroughly enjoyed myself with a good vantage point, a couple free hours and a cup of coffee. A great morning.

#51 - Omi's Garden

8" x 10"
Oil on canvas panel

We spent another memorable 4th of July in Arcadia Michigan with our son's girlfriend's family. They are a big close-knit family and own two homes next to each other on a tree lined street with classic midwestern frame homes. Last year I painted our host's house and this year I hoped to get a good shot of the grandparent's house to paint from. Omi and Grandpa are just amazing; she cooks and he grills and with their easy conversation and hospitality they both made us feel like part of the family.

#50 - Queen Anne Gem

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8" x 10" Oil on canvas panel, Plein Air

My fiftieth painting. Another beautiful morning, so I ran out with my paints to a nice high spot on Queen Anne Road where I had a nice view of this gem of a farm and the distant Illinois horizon. I felt rushed during this painting session because of diminishing shade, sudden mosquitoes, and a big to-do list at home, so I probably could have added a little more detail. Still, it turned out alright.

#49 - Made in the Shade

8" x 8" Oil on Canvas Panel

My wife and I woke to a beautiful morning, so after a cup of coffee and an apple clide donut on the deck we drove out into the country. She dropped me at a corner of two country lanes that was shaded by three big oak trees across the road from this little red barn shaded by an oak of its own. She went off to take pictures and I set up my easel. Great morning.

#48 - Garden of Eatin'

6" x 6" Oil on Gessobord

I love early September because gardens around here are in full production and mine is no exception, despite the weeds, rabbits and deer. We've got a lot of tomatoes, poblano and jalapeno peppers, and a bumper crop of onions. Perfect for salsa and bruschettas on the deck.

#47 - Next Stop: Dahlgren

6" x 6" Oil on Gessobord

Last month we found ourselves traveling thru Dahlgren, Illinois, a sleepy little town of 500 with a great old Scandinavian train depot. It made me wonder who designed it and where they came from.