BCAW 2018-FIRST PLACE

This post is quite late...I thought I had already put this on my blog. Back in September of 2018, I once again participated in the Brush Creek Artist Walk in Kansas City. I was fortunate to win one of the first place ribbons for my painting of one of KC's famous fountains down on the Plaza. In the photo above I'm flanked by our judge, Mark Alan Anderson, and Alex Hamil, BCAW Director, who is holding my blue ribbon.

Below is a close-up of my two submissions...a Sycamore tree and the Indian on a horse battling with an alligator.

The surprising thing about my first place win was that the original painting was a "nocturne" that was a complete "bust", because the fountain lights that were usually turned on, were NOT on for some reason. But my Mother had suggested that I use that work as an underpainting and to head back to the same location during the daylight. I did that...and Mom's suggestion paid off!! You can see the two phases of the painting below.

The next photos are of one of the "quick paints" that we did during the weekend. I'm in the middle of the crowd below.  I decided to tackle a painting of a big sycamore tree with the sunlight coming through the branches.

Below are two other paintings I did that were not entered into the show. The first was an early morning attempt...other two locations were done in late afternoon.

It was fun to hang out with some artists I have not seen in a while, and to make some new friends who had also come to paint.

NEW PAINTINGS: I won some ribbons!

I am happy to report that I won a second place and third place ribbon for two of my three paintings for the STEMS Plein Air painting event. I was not aware that there was a cash prize for each, so I was delighted when I attended the opening of the gallery last night! I also sold one ("Tomahawk Creek"), with hopes of selling more while the show is up for a month. My daughter, Courtney, came by with my grandson, Jackson. He was more excited about the refreshment table than the paintings.

NEW PAINTINGS: "STEMS Plein Air 2017"

This last week I participated in the yearly STEMS PLEIN AIR painting event. The sale of the paintings helps raise money for the Art and Recreation department of the city of Overland Park, KS. The three paintings above are my framed submissions. I'll find out in a few days how the judging goes. 

The one on the top left is on one of the walking trails of Tomahawk Creek. The center is a giant sycamore tree in Quivera Park. The one on the right is a steam tractor at Deanna Rose Farmstead.

Below is a painting I did of Craig Sole's Design little shop...a floral artist who has been a big supporter of the event, and sponsors a "for purchase" prize each year.

These are other paintings I did during the week, but didn't feel they were as strong as the ones I submitted. I hadn't painted in a while, so these were almost more like warm-ups. The one below is a little water tower at Deanna Rose Farmstead.

Next is the historic RIO Theater in Old Overland Park.

Below is my failed attempt to paint a heritage rose at the Arboretum, as raindrops drip off the trees. I am terrible at florals...scraped off the rose three times. Finally I just grabbed a palette knife and made some quick petal shapes. Maybe I should paint more flowers...nah...more tractors for me!

My New Book

Yesterday was a very exciting day for me! I just got my first printed proof copy of my new book, "Jewels In The Junkyard". I have spent the last year and a half working on it, and it is now available to order through Amazon.com!!! It is also available as an eBook in the Kindle format.

It's been a tough assignment, and I felt like quitting several times along the way. But I know that sharing my story of the last seven years since losing my wife, Cathy, will resonate with others who may be struggling with grief. Thanks to all those who have been so encouraging to me while on this project!! 

Click here for the link to Amazon.com!

Below is a postcard that you can digitally share with those who may find my story helpful.

NEW PAINTINGS: "Squaw Creek"

Had a fun day with some artist friends at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge south of Mound, MO (North of St. Joe). It was a gorgeous day! Here is my painting of a little frog pond by the entrance.

 A little selfie with the frogs.

 Here's my set-up.

I decided to draw a small sketch in the afternoon instead of setting up my oil paints.

And here are the other artists who met up at the refuge to paint today.

NEW PAINTINGS: "STEMS Plein Air 2016"

The last two weeks have been full of oil paints, sunscreen and bug spray! I decided to participate for the second time in the STEMS Plein-Air painting event. It is a yearly fundraiser for Overland Park Arts and Recreation. The last time I tried this was 6 years ago. While I did not win any of the final awards this time around, I did manage to pick up one of the five $100 prizes for a Saturday morning "quick paint" challenge. All in all, a great time proving to myself that I could enjoy painting again.

The first night's kickoff was a "Sundown" paint challenge at the Arboretum and Gardens of Overland Park. Below is a photo of me in deep concentration, trying to imagine a sunrise, as the overcast rainy clouds completely obliterated any hint of light and shadow.  I chose to paint the purple cabbages in the big terra-cotta planters. The final painting could use some more finessing, but we only had two hours.

The next painting was done in Old Overland Park, KS. I was attracted to the pink RIO Theater set against the clear blue sky. 

The huge beautiful tree that was my model in the next painting, can be found in front of the Presbyterian church in the historic areas of Old Overland Park. I sat and painted this one over two different afternoons.

The angel statue on the porch was done for a "special purchase award" offered by florist/designer Craig Sole. Because of the ever-looming possibility of rain, I had to work on this one over a couple of days.

Around the corner from the angel on the porch, I was attracted to this planter of flowers in front of the ivy-covered chimney. It was a bit tricky to capture the fleeting sunlight.

The early morning threat of rain (again) encouraged me to hurry to the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead where I captured the sun trying to push through the thick clouds. Not long after I finished the painting, a storm dumped a lot of water on everything.

I made my way back to Deanna Rose Farmstead and spent a couple of days working on this "wishing pond". I may go back into the painting and darken up some of the rocks a bit. But I liked how the sun illuminated the pennies in the water.

On the eve of Memorial Day, I woke up about 5:15 in the morning. So I decided to try to catch the sunrise in Old Overland. I learned just how fast the light changes in those moments when the sun peeks through. Next time, I'll have to leave out the amount of details, and just stick to the larger shapes.

Later that same day (or night, I should say) I painted my very first "nocturnal" piece. I had just purchased some "mighty bright" clip on lights, and was eager to see how it worked. I enjoyed the challenge, and will do more night paintings.

 At the end of the first week of the event, the artists met at the Deanna Rose Farmstead for an early morning "quick paint" challenge. We had two hours, but that still didn't feel like enough time for me. As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I was fortunate enough to be one of the five chosen winners!! I will continue to push myself to get better and hopefully loosen up some more with my paint strokes. I tend to be pretty "literal". There are more plein air events in the months ahead, and I plan to be there!!

NEW PAINTINGS: "Combines"

This morning I painted in a field next to my church (a regular occurrence now, after my men's bible study). There were two combines and a terrific old blue truck out there, and I couldn't resist.

 After finishing the painting, I decided to grab my sketchbook and get a more detailed drawing of the machines. The lighting had dramatically shifted, since it was about noon when I finished adding color. These were mostly in cast shadow, so no highlights to speak of.

NEW PAINTINGS: "Last of The Cabbages"

Here's a new painting I completed this morning. This is the last lonely row of cabbages left at my church's community garden. The sun had already gotten up pretty high before I started painting, so it was not the best lighting. Wonderful weather, though.  
8x10 oil on canvas board.

New Paintings...another one

A dangerous morning..."hedge apples" were falling all around me as I painted this tree which is on a little nature trail on our church property. Thump! Crackle...Crash...THUMP! Of course they aren't really apples at all...more like mutated giant yellow softballs...which aren't soft. 10"x8" oil on board.

New Paintings...a few more

Today, I finished a painting that I started yesterday. This was in the "Community Garden" at my church.  I had finished the painting, but wasn't happy with the lack of darker values. and I wasn't crazy about the little shed's details.  So...I reworked much of the painting. I'm not sure it was entirely successful...lost some bits that I really liked in the first version better.
UPDATE...here's the final, final version below...I reworked a bit in my studio.

I think I like my first version below the best...but now it's too late. WHEN WILL I LEARN?!

Here's the view in the real world.

This painting below was done last week at a construction site near my home. It was fun talking to the work crew. I'm sure they didn't really get the "impressionist" technique I was going for. But they were nice about it.

This next painting was also done last week, over two consecutive mornings. My family had just gone to a parade and crafts show here the weekend before, and I really wanted to paint that huge sycamore tree.  So...I did. :)