Along the River

This is a scene from a Tennessee River trib. I took a photo years ago and I thought it would be a good subject as I am experimenting with trying to get the essence of a scene by abstracting it to basic value patterns. Fun and interesting. Looking forward to taking this concept further.
This is oil on wood panel, 32x34.

Three paintings accepted

The Energen Corporation, headquartered in Birmingham, AL, holds an annual art competition for all residents and former residents of Alabama. I am honored to have three paintings accepted into this year's show.
This first painting is inspired by the rare Cahaba lily which blooms in May along the banks of the Cahaba River in central Alabama. This painting is 32x32, oil on panel.

This painting is of a favorite dining spot in Birmingham, a nationally recognized restaurant, Highlands Bar and Grill. The painting is titled "Highlands Magic" and is 14x18, oil on panel.

Inspired by a visit to the village of Montmartre in Paris, this painting captures reflections of the old world quaintness. "Rain at Montmartre" is a 24x20 oil on panel painting.

All accepted paintings will be on display for public viewing and purchase at the company headquarters March 12-25.

Pastry Chefs

A lot going on in this painting, but then there's a lot going on in a pastry kitchen! This one was inspired by the chefs of our local culinary institute.

Oil on stretched canvas, 9x12.

New Beginnings

This time of year we begin to tire of winter with its cold, then warm front to tease us, then rain, then cold again. I look forward to spring and new beginnings once again.

I've had this painting on and off the easel several times trying to refine and adjust to get the feel I want.
We'll see how long I can keep it off the easel!
Oil on masonite panel, 24x30.

Apple Shadows-8x16

Lately I've been experimenting doing a few paintings on linen that is mounted on a foam panel. It seems to be a softer feel than canvas and a delightful surface for subtle passages as well as detail. I am enjoying doing 8x16's which can be completed in a couple of hours, giving a nice reward in a relatively short period of time.

I like the lost and found edges here as well as the shadow shapes appearing in the background.

Autumn Pasture

I like the layering of land masses as they recede into the distance. It is fun to create this illusion on canvas with color, value and perspective. However, this scene did not come alive until the addition of light playing off pasture grasses and trees. Once again, it's all about value relationships.

24x36, oil on panel.

Yellow Bike

I wanted to do a large (36x48) casual themed painting and decided a bike would be a nice subject. It is a composed painting, my thinking that a picket fence as a backdrop would set the tone.  It started out as a pink and blue bike with some foliage in the background that I never really liked. So I decided on a yellow bike and continued to work the background trees as live oaks. Been working on this painting off and on for a couple of months now and making ongoing changes. This is kind of an unusual approach for me as I generally finish a painting I start (alla prima) with a few slight adjustments the next day when viewed with a fresh eye.