Norwegian Star...

Mother...

Intersection...

Painting Buddy...

Here are two plein air paintings I did this past week. Both of these were with my favorite new assistant keeping me company. I’ve been watching my friend’s dog, Kona. So I brought him along and put a blanket down next to the easel, where he sat right there next to me while I was working. He’s so laid back that he was fine just hanging out with me while I worked. And during a break he was a great excuse to walk away from the easel and stretch my legs. We walked along the river bank. I rested my brain and eyes while he sniffed his way along shore.

This spot is not far from my house. I just stumbled onto it when I was driving around. Its a short walk from a major road, where you would never expect to find such a lovely, quiet painting location. It’s a place that I think will be fun to revisit as the season’s change. Right now it’s great seeing the melting snow on the fields, and the contrast of the white snow as it melts on top of the dark earth. One of the fun things about landscape painting outdoors is the feeling that I’m documenting some of these locations in all kinds of different weather conditions and seasons. It’s interesting to see how I can get several completely different paintings from the same place.

I’ve also been reading a really interesting novel lately, “The Elegance of the Hedgehog” by Muriel Barberry. It has some very interesting ideas in it, but one I like a lot is a search for Art in daily life.

“But Art…if I had more time to live, Art would be my whole life. Well, when I say Art, don’t get me wrong: I’m not just talking about great works of art by great masters. Even Vermeer can’t convince me to hold life dear. He’s sublime, but he’s dead. No, I’m referring to the beauty that is there in the world, things that, being part of the movement of life, elevate us. ”

”… whatever is beautiful enough to give life meaning. Grace, beauty, harmony, intensity. ”

Harbor Colors...