Fence Row

I just completed this 11 x 14 view of the "Fence Row" along Linn Road in Liberty Township. I was feeling a little cold this week (a couple inches of snow due tomorrow), so I went back to my photos of trumpet flowers in high Summer.

House Portrait 3

Today I delivered the third house portrait commission I received from the Hyde Park Art Show. This was a little more difficult due to the home being located in the Houston, Texas area. I worked from photographs supplied by the clients and their daughter, who owns the home. Just try to direct a photo shoot two people removed!

Clients were very happy with the result and I hope their daughter and her family will be too!

Warren County Holiday Tidings

I have four paintings in a show that opened Saturday night at Gallery 42 in Mason. Here are the two that I did specifically for the show, "1899 West 1" and "1899 West 2". My paintings won't be on State Representative Pete Beck's holiday greetings card this year, but Chuck Marshall's will be. Check out this photo to see what will be on the card: Chuck's Winner ... and my good friend Barb Pask took second place in the same show. Here's her painting: Barb's Winner

These paintings are different views of the same French-Bauer (a former local Cincinnati dairy) farm on State Route 63, West Main Street a couple miles West of Lebanon, Ohio. I'll be going back there to do additional work. There are some views of the fields and the barns, with those wonderful green roofs, I'd love to get on canvas.

MAP Monday

I finished this 8x10 painting, started at MAP group last week, this Monday. Titled "Fern Stairs– Natorp's" it is based on one of the photos taken before the Women's Night Out plein air evening we had at Natorp's Garden Center in Mason last June.

Home Commission 2

I was able to deliver the second of the house commissions received after the Hyde Park Art Show. This is the Romero-Cowdrey house in Hyde Park. This work was also a compilation of images that I took on site and those supplied by the clients. After discussing the possibility of a Winter snow scene, we decided to portray the home in Spring. I cut back on the flowering dogwoods and azaleas to keep from overwhelming the details of the house. And no, the dogs did not pose for their portrait.

House Commission

I just delivered the first of the house painting commissions I received from the Hyde Park Art Show. This is the Kempton-Osterhage home in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky. The 12" x 16" oil on canvas was executed from photos I took on site and some supplied by the clients. Since I was there in the fall and they wanted to include features from the spring, I worked between photos to better reflect that season.

Friday Plein Air

I'm really running behind on posting work this week. I had jury duty and have been working on some commissions for some house paintings. The jury brought in a conviction and the commissions are just looking toward a few touch-ups. Those paintings will be posted after the clients get to see them.

This is the old (now that they're about ready to move into a new...) firehouse in Mason. I couldn't paint the fire engines, because they went out on a run just before I started. We painted in the afternoon this time (shadow on the East side of the building) to compensate for the cool morning.

Plein Air Thursday and Friday

Once again my plein air adventures took place on Thursday and Friday last week. My painting on Thursday was of "Three Pines" near the entrance to French Park, an Amberly Village location, but  owned by Cincinnati Parks. This is a newer park that was the estate of the French family and includes their large Georgian mansion, a large wooded tract and three or four picnic shelters. I skipped the architecture and painted this scene, looking back to where the entry intersects with Section Road.

Then on Friday I painted the "Last Three on the West". A view on Route 42 heading North out of town (I guess this was a week to paint threes). It was a very bright, sunny day, but cold with a brisk wind. Temperatures have dropped and the leaves have turned, but probably won't last long because of the drought. Rain earlier in the week brought many down and another good hard storm might be the end of fall color for the year.

Plein Air Thursday and Friday

We're finally getting the barest hints of fall color around here, but mostly on the hill tops. As you can see the cold airs have yet to invade the lowlands to start the leaves changing color. Another week or so before the rest of the trees start turning. This 9x12 is from Thursday in the valley of Glenwood Gardens, one of the Hamilton County parks. Another one of the outings with the SW Ohio Plein Air group.

This is from the Friday outing with the Mason Area Plein Air group. We were back on the North side of Mason, but painting on the other side of Rt 42. This house was from 42 looking down Kings Mill Rd. Up on a hill top there is more color coming in the trees. Caught it in the earlier morning so the shadows were long across the yard.

Hyde Park Square Art Show

Lastly, A wet, cold and blustery Sunday with a few thousand fellow art lovers in Cincinnati. Thanks to all that stopped by and showed interest in my work. See previous post from today about the paintings in the photo. Here's a link to a few more photos of the booth at the Hyde Park Square Art Show from this weekend: HPSAS Booth

Mason Plein Air

On Friday our band of intrepid painters were outdoors in Mason again. We met behind Lil' Rascals photo studio, because some wished to take advantage of the photography props. I find this end of town a challenge to my compositional ability.

This scene is looking from the parking lot behind the photo studio toward the lot next door. A couple of pine trees were covered in some kind of vine and there were great shadows too. So this is "Back of 118 Main".

Plein Air Thursday

Catching up from last week's paintings... the SW Ohio Plein Air group met in Burnet Woods, on of the Cincinnati Park system's jewels. Located just North of the University of Cincinnati campus. In fact the UC Main Campus was built in the South end of Burnet Woods. Burnet Woods is lushly forested, with walking trails and this "Trailside Nature Center". Located just across pedestrian only Brookline Drive, the nature center was built by WPA and park staff in the 30's-40's.

Established as a park in 1872, Burnet Woods was developed on what at that time was undeveloped suburban land. Like many of the great parks in Cincinnati, BW benifited from the planning of a great landscape architect, George Kessler (1862-1923). Like Frederick L. Olmsted, his ideas were to create winding drives, incorporating the use of hillsides to provide distant views and overlooks, an oasis of nature to relieve people of their workday stresses.

I've been forgetting to take pictures of my paintings  "in situ". I like to see these kind of photos in other blogs, so here's my first!

Holiday Gift Idea...

I held off on this post until after this weekend's Hyde Park Square Art Show. I featured this painting and the one I posted 9/16 (Christmas Gifts), out front in my booth to drum up some house painting business. They are two views of the same home, that of my good friend Donna. The show was the first time she got to see her house portrait. She was so proud, that she started grabbing people by the sleeve and hauling them over to look, claiming "That's my house!"


I've received several commissions and hope more are on the way. My price sign with price list is shown below.

Images of the Past

This is my entry in a show at the Greater Loveland Historical Society Museum titled, "Images of the Past--Visions of Today". This juried art exhibition inspired by photographic images of Nancy Ford Cones ran from September 18 and will close October 3, 2010. Though many of the entries were closer reproductions of the Cones photos, I chose to paint something more "inspired". Below you will see the photo that was the inspiration from which my painting developed.

You can check out more about Nancy Ford Cones and the GLHSM at the following link:Greater Loveland Historical Society Museum 

Mason Plein Air

"Quatman's Cafe– Night" 9"x 12" Oil on Canvas Panel

Well, this week we went out to paint in Mason on Tuesday night. One of our group, Barb Pask (wwwlovetopaint.blogspot.com), has been wanting to try getting out to paint in the dark for quite a while.

We got there at about 8:00P, just as the sun was setting. I did have a fair amount of light, I was under a street lamp similar to that in my painting, but it was still dim. I setup a small LED book light to shine on my pallet. Having LEDs on my painting didn't work because of the glare off the paint.

I got most of the painting done by the time they turned off the lights in the restaurant at 10:30P. I couldn't tell what the painting actually looked like until I got it in some "normal" lighting at home. I went back last night four about an hour to touch-up a couple of things and put in the neon lights.

MAP Monday

Our painting group has made the move to Cottel Park in South Deerfield Township, this was our second week. I forgot to go through my photos and didn't have something I wanted to paint inside. So I took my paint box outside and painted the "Snyder House". It looks like a southern plantation house and it's old underneath (c1830's). We're meeting in the old caretaker's cottage behind. There is a great deal of property around this place and I think there will be more work done in the vicinity.

Mason Arts Festival

No one took advantage of my layaway offer on Sunday at the Mason Arts Festival. I did sell one of my plein air paintings to the mayor of Mason though. It was the one of the old city hall. Here's a picture of the Honorable Mention ribbon I got for the booth. No prizes for my entries in the City Gallery either. For more pictures of the booth you can click on this link:  2010 Mason Arts Festival 

Mason Plein Air

We were back in Mason this week painting from near where we were last week. This is a couple of bungalows along Reading Road. Beautiful day to be out on the shady side of the street. Loved the highlights and shadows on the tin roof.

I'll be showing some of my Mason plein air pieces at the Mason Arts Festival this Sunday. I'll have my booth set up and work inside the City Gallery. Come join us from 11:00A-5:00P. Weather is supposed to be great!

Christmas Gifts?

I went down to our good friend's house this week to take pictures and do a quick painting for color reference. I'm intending to do a more finished painting of the place. She and I are trying to cook-up some business for the holidays by putting some house paintings and a price list in her hair salon.

Mason Plein Air

We were back out in Mason painting today. Wound up with this "vehicle landscape" view across a parking lot and between some of the buildings on "Reading South of 2nd". This spot is south of town on Rt. 42 (Reading Road) and at the lower limit of the area we're supposed to be working in. Was a pretty day to be out and yes, that's Ann Grimaldi's car in the foreground.

MAP Monday

Here is the "Other Side of the Wall- Victoria's" and the second in the series based on the photos from Olde West Chester. This painting took up the last two meetings of the Mason Area Painters and a little besides. Trumpet flowers and lilies in this view with the background blown out. This one is 9" x 12" too, so I've got a matched pair.

Mason Plein Air

We didn't paint out in Mason until Friday this week and here is my painting: "Main At East". This is the North side of Main Street across from the Dowrey/Stover Insurance Agency and Dupriest Antiques, two other locations I have painted (previous posts). Once again, the camera just isn't sensitive enough to render the sky tones in these photos.

MAP Monday

I'm running behind on my posts this week... Here's the painting I started at the Mason Area Painters meeting this week: "Wall Plantings at Victoria's", 9" x 12", oil on canvas panel. This was done from a photo I took at a gift shop/jewelry studio in Olde West Chester, a village near home. I have a couple of other photos worth working up from there and will probably do additional paintings.

Mason Plein Air

I spent yesterday morning painting in Mason again. It was a wonderful day to be out, unlike the previous days we painted in sweltering weather. I worked on Mason-Montgomery Rd. just south of the intersection with Main St. The view up the hill takes in the old hotel (haunted I'm told) and the back of Gallery 42. They have installed a creek bed type fountain and landscaping that's rather attractive along the street and leading down to the parking lot. I really liked the large elm tree, but I don't think I did it justice.

I'm also told we may get a show of these plein air pieces in September at Gallery 42. We'll see what develops...

Evening- Reserves Park 3

I finished this 26" x 42" oil on canvas painting today. This is the third installment in the Reserves Park Series. All paintings in this group are based photographs from that Liberty Township park. I'm trying to work on the low light color and contrast conditions at sunset. Bright sky, warming hues on the foliage and dramatic shadows.

For other paintings in this series, click on the Current Work slide show. "Evening- Reserves Park 2" is now hanging in the Cincinnati Art Museum show: The View from Here: Mason, OH.

Plein Air Thursday

I went to Piatt Park (the first park in Cincinnati) to paint with the folks from SW Ohio Plein Air Painters on Thursday. Here is "William Henry Harrison at Piatt Park" from the west end of the park. The other end of the park is anchored by a statue of another Ohio president (Garfield). This is the only equestrian statue in Cincinnati and it's placed to face Covenant First Presbyterian Church across Elm Street. The day was another scorcher (heat index above 100) and it was on downtown pavement. Good thing I found a tree to hide under!

I also finsihed up the painting of "Sugar- Milford" (previous post) from Saturday.

Milford Plein Air Paint Out

I spent the day in Milford, OH at the Ohio Plein Air Society's Paint Out. Here is the first of the two paintings I worked on, "Main at Mill". Milford and the surrounding area has some of the most beautiful early (c1820-30) stone buildings in the Cincinnati area. These anchor the end of Main Street and are pictured at about 9:00 in the morning. I finshed it at about Noon. Didn't sell in the wet paint sale, so it is at Row House Gallery in Milford awaiting a buyer.

The second painting didn't quite make to the finished stage. I'll probably go ahead and try to finish it up later. This is "Sugar" a cupcakery a couple blocks further North on Main.

Milford Plein Air & CAM Luncheon

As a preliminary to the Milford, OH paint out sponsored by the Ohio Plein Air Society, I joined several members of the SW Ohio Plein Air group there on Thursday afternoon. This painting is the result. Someone stopped by to inquire about a purchase... so we'll see if that comes through.

The participants in the Cincinnati Art Museum's show "The View From Here- Mason, OH" were invited down to have lunch with the curator. We also got a walk-through of the exhibit with her and some time to critique our own work (see photo). The show continues through 8/20. I've got some additional photos of the luncheon attendees up online and here's a link- The View From Here- Mason, OH Luncheon

Beckett Ponds 20

Here's another 8" x 10" in the Beckett Ponds Series. I'm trying to get my stock ready for the Mason Arts Festival, Sunday, Sept. 9. I'll have my booth there to display my oils. These small water lily paintings seem to draw some interest in the booth and I enjoy painting them. Started this one at the MAP meeting on Monday and finished it yesterday.

I've entered "Beckett Ponds 18" (previous post) and "Evening- Reserves Park 1" (see below, painted 1/2010) into the jury selection for the City Gallery. There is a separate entry and jury process to get displayed inside the Civic Center. We'll see if  one or both get in...

Two Days of Plein Air

Well this was a week for plein air painting, both in town and out. Tuesday I was in Mason close to the location where I painted the perky yellow house. This day's subject was the businesses along the  "300 Block of Main St." (9" x 12" oil on canvas panel) that are now fronted by triangular "square". New construction that reconfigured the intersection at the center of town and created some interesting angles.

 ...And then on Thursday I went to Winton Woods Park, Hamilton County to paint with the SW Ohio Plein Air Painters. "Pines and Queen Anne's-Lace" is a 12" x 16" landscape I completed at the Butterfly Bluff picnic area.

Got my water lily, architectural and landscape fixes in in one week!

Beckett Ponds Series

Here's the newest installment in the Beckett Ponds Series, "Beckett Ponds 19". This is an 8" x 10" oil on canvas to match those "dainty" works in this series. This one has a slightly colder cast and a nice shade of blue in the water reflections.

Mason Plein Air

Several of us went out to paint "en plein air" on Wednesday in Mason, but their were light showers passing through. We moved to one of the local parks and set up under a shelter. Of course, as soon as we moved the showers eased off and things started brightening up. This is the 9" x 12" painting I completed– "Pine Hill Park- Summer".

We had painted in this same park earlier in the year, before the trees were out completely. Here's an earlier view...

A different pond, a quicker painting and the redbuds with out– "Pine Hill Pond"

MAP Monday

For this week's Mason Area Painters meeting I revisited the photo research I did at Natorp's Garden Center. This is a 11" x 14" oil on canvas panel of one of their sales displays. Bright colors, reflections, in and out of focus, complex shadows... you name it, this one got it! I've got a couple more photos from this group to work on in the future, so more to come.

MAP Monday

With all the plein air painting this week, I forgot to post the painting from Mason Area Painters. Here is "Lakeside Bald Cypresses" started in the group and finished that afternoon. This is a view from my "weeping willow" research photos I took at Spring Grove Cemetery. This place is a Cincinnati area landmark on one of the most beautiful places to visit. No willows on the grounds, but plenty of locations for future painting. For more info on Spring Grove, visit their website:
Spring Grove Cemetery

Two Days of Plein Air

I spent the last two days out painting "en plein air". Wednesday we were in downtown Mason again, but closer to the center of town. This little yellow house is behind the bank, across the street from the new "square". The drive you see to the left of the house goes into the banks parking lot. Several people stopped to comment on how much work the couple who own the house have put into it. It's a gem!

Today I was out with the folks from South West Ohio Plein Air Painters in Covington, KY. This is Wertheim's Restaurant... "Come where Kraut is King! Nestled in the heart of Covington's Historical "Mainstrasse Village" You will find authentic German Cuisine here, including the best Reuben Sandwich. Our award winning menu has something to please each member of your family from our publicized and well known signature Champignon Schnitzel, our sauteed Wurst and Mushroom appetizer not to forget our award winning and delicisous Kentucky Silk Pie: We think you will enjoy your experience at Wertheim's." Sounds good, doesn't it? I'll try to contact them to see if they'd like to buy a painting, or maybe I could wangle a free meal...

Mason Plein Air

Last week we tried painting in the evening on Wednesday in Mason to avoid the daytime heat. Good idea on staying cooler, but the light sure changes fast. I picked this Dutch Colonial to paint because of the wonderful backlighting on the big Maple tree. The humidity was high and the sky turned pink, orange then red. I started with the sky color to lock it in, then worked on getting the house blocked in before the light ran out.

I had to go back on Sunday night (totally different lighting, even though it was the same time and weather) to finish. The tree had more back lighting and the porch light was on, so I added that too.

The View From Here: Mason, OH

As part of the Cincinnati Art Museum's "See America" series of exhibitions for this summer, members of the Mason-Deerfield Arts Alliance were asked to submit artwork for inclusion in "The View From Here: Mason, OH". For some photos of the art hung in the gallery, go here: The View From Here: Mason, OH

Artwork from a total of thirteen artists were accepted into the show and I feel lucky to be included... in the art museum and I'm not dead yet!
Here is a list of those with work represented: Carol Abbott, Celeste Bryant, Alla Dorn, Louise Dusing, Chuck Marshall, Tracy Molitors, Barbara Pask, Meredith Raffel, Alicia Rizzi, Donald Schuster, Nancy Stapleton, Dianne Therien, Frankie Wheeler

Sorry everyone, we couldn't take photos of all the works close-up, due to museum reproduction policies. Thanks to Meredith Raffel, Executive Director, Mason-Deerfield Arts Alliance and Carrie Maras, Cincinnati Art Museum, Art For Life.