11" x 14" Oil on canvas

This is a view from our backyard looking out at Ashland BalloonFest on Saturday night. I try not to go down where all the action is. I got a fair amount of this sketched in before the balloons began lifting off. This stage is exactly what I was after and I had to paint like crazy to capture all the color of the balloons while they were blowing up. I had to finish the main balloon that is in the air after it was all finished because I couldn’t keep up. But it was fun trying.

11" x 14" Oil on board

This was painted as a part of Plein Air Ashland. A small group of us have gotten together and done some painting around town. This was supposed to be Ashland University but as I was doing a quick look around for somewhere to paint I spotted the coffee shop across the street with great light hitting it and the flowers around it. I also liked the play of the two buildings side-by-side and the way the roofs became one line down toward the center of interest. So, at least I stood on the grounds of AU while I did the painting.

Got out for a little plein air action this morning. Painted this on the campus of Ashland University. This is Miller Hall and it was used back in my days at AC but it is just used for storage these days. I wonder how long it will even be standing.

12" x 16" oil on linen panel

Yesterday I took a day off work to take my son Sam and a couple of his friends to a LEJGA Golf Tournament at Thunderbird Golf Coarse in Huron, Ohio. I dropped the boys off and then I went and painted while they got started. I went into town and hit one of the marina’s in town. This fire boat was just begging to be painted. It was a great day and very quiet down there in the morning. This was the result of my morning.

BTW – I went back and followed Sam for the back 9. He was 7 over on the front but pulled it together and was even on the back for a final score of 79 which got him 4th place. Not bad for the first tournament of the year.

Sam - 4th place

9" x 12" oil on canvas panel

Painted as a part of the Creative Chateau‘s paint Ashland. I wasn’t able to paint with them because I went to church and went to my son Sam’s choir concert, “May Fiesta.” However, I was able to capture an evening scene looking toward the bridge. There was some great light on the bridge that evening. I ran short on time and needed to put ont he final bling in the studio. Looking forward to the next outing. I probably should have added the ducks since this is the duck pond but they were all on shore bugging me instead of in the water.

12' x 9" oil on canvas panel

Painted beside Founders Hall on the campus of Ashland University. This was mostly painted on site in the evening. When it got too dark to see I stopped and finished it in the studio. I did this right before graduation a couple weeks ago. I took out a large tree that wasn’t doing anything for the scene. I had alaso painted in a couple students walking behind the tulips but that got out of hand quickly so I decided to just take them out.

This painting is available. Contact me if you wish.

9" x 12" oil on canvas panel, ©2010

Went out a few evenings ago and completed this painting. The trees caught my attention while driving down the road and then the little out building became the focus with its aqua colored roof. I still need work on the way I handle trees, that’s for sure. But each time out is another practice session and a chance to improve.

9" x 12" oil on canvas panel

I had the opportunity to paint this past Saturday with the Ohio Plein Air Society group in Athens Ohio. I chose a location outside of the left field wall of the Ohio University baseball field looking across the river at the old insane asylum turned museum. It was a great sunny day with a high around 68. There was a game about to begin on the field and someone hit a home run while taking batting practice. I heard the cheers and looked up in time to see it sailing over the fence and came to a stop about 20 yards away from me. Nobody came after it so I kept it as a souvenir from the day. The painting still has a little glare on it. I’ll take a better one later.

12" x 9" oil on canvas panel

The Virtual Paintout for the month is in Stavanger, Norway. Using Google Street view, you find a place to paint and go at it. Great idea and fun especially during winter months. I would much rather be on location but this is still good practice.

Available for sale. Contact me if you are interested.

9" x 12" oil on panel

I was supposed to be going to Columbus for a paintout with the Ohio Plein Air Society, the group that I belong to that provides opportunities to paint with others that share my passion. Because of the big snowstorm, i didn’t try to drive down there. Instead, after digging myself out I went downtown Ashland to do a little plein air on my own. I set up to paint this scene and after I got it roughed in the wind picked up and started blowing snow off of a nearby roof, right on top of me. So, I packed up and went back on Sunday afternoon and the sun was out and it was a perfect afternoon. I feel pretty good about this one. I feel like it has good design, good lead-in, and a focal point.

The setting is on Second Street in Ashland. I was actually right behind my office where we just recently moved Red Red Design. The main building shown is what used to be a pillar of the community, Gilberts Furniture. But a few years ago, it went out of business and the building now sits empty. the building on the right was the stores warehouse and it is being used and has great potential. The overhead walkway connects the two buildings.