#57 - Firefly Sunset

6" x 6" Oil on canvas panel

Each June we are treated to a lightshow when the fireflies make their first appearance in the wetlands behind our house. I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in a June sunset as I painted this on a cold December evening.

#56 - Woodstock Opera House

6" x 6" Oil on Canvas Panel
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I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. My family is first on the list, but this year I am very thankful for the town we live in, Woodstock, Illinois. Having lived in New England for several years we were first drawn to Woodstock because of the town square that was laid out by pioneers from Woodstock, Vermont back in the 1850's. The anchor to the Woodstock Square is the Woodstock Opera House where Orson Wells first performed and from where Bill Murray famously fell to one of his deaths in the movie Groundhog Day.

#55 Lowertown Texaco - Paducah Arts District

6" x 6" Oil on Gessobord
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Last summer we visited Paducah, KY and were impressed by the art community. Several years ago some enlightened souls in the town decided to offer real estate at reduced prices in the town's Lowertown section to artists. This, and a population that appreciates and supports art, have created a community bursting with creativity; a town symphony, playhouse, quilt museum and numerous galleries. This little old Texaco station is in Lowertown and I just loved the lines of it.

#54 - Outstanding in His Field

6" x 6" Oil on Gessobord
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We stopped at a barn sale a while back and this beauty was out front. Wish I had the acreage for this old Farmall tractor.

#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.