Lighthouse View

I started this one last week when my granddaughter, Kari, was visiting with us.  She wanted to paint a picture for her mom's birthday.  Her first attempt did not please her but instead of just letting it dry and painting over it she insisted on a fresh canvas. I think she was more satisfied with the second one.  I did not finish my painting and we were pretty busy so I did not get back to this until today.  I tried a couple of different things here, blurring the faraway hills with more blue, patches of plants instead of a uniform texture, adding a faraway lighthouse.  The sky is blue and yet does not appear clear.  Summer skies are often hazy over the lake.  This is a lonely spot, no figures walking on the beach. 

Morning Sail 05152016

I painted this piece last weekend after my visit to MIAD to see the Senior exhibit and to the Milwaukee Art Museum to see their special exhibit of landscape paintings.  It is warmer in the painting than it is here in Port Washington, however, the brave Wisconsin sailors are out on the lake enjoying the sun today.
I planted some annuals on Friday, taking a chance on Mother Nature being kind enough to keep our low temperatures above 32.  It was close last night, but it seems my flowers survived the night.

Lake Michigan with Waves 02162016

I started this one on my birthday (2-27) and finished it today.  I am heading for Florida in a few days, but this is not a painting of Florida!  Maybe somewhere in Door County. 

Sunrises over Lake Michigan are a favorite subject.  I often like the time right before the sun comes over the horizon, when it is still dark but the colors in the sky are vibrant.  I started this one a couple of weekends ago and it came out way too dark.  Today, I brought my card table out of storage, moved the furniture around in my bedroom, laid a drop cloth over the carpet and set up a permanent space for me to paint next to our north windows with the light from the east window at my back.  Then I sat down and took another stab at this one.  I am much more pleased with the results.  That is a good thing because I need to take something new into the Blue Heron Gallery.  I think this one will do 

She was worried about getting her clothes wet. I promised to wash and dry them when we got home so she left her shoes on the beach, rolled up her pant legs and went for a walk, dug holes in the sand, and threw rocks in the water.   

More Artwork from Work!

I started this piece on 5/27/14.  Everyday I worked I spent some time on it.  I used different brushes, pencils and techniques, just trying out to see what effects I could get.  Today, I am done.  Time to move on to something new.