Cold Feet

For me, getting out to paint in the cold is 99% a head game. I went out in the middle of a snow squall, convinced I would end up home with nothing to show for the trip. But there was a break in the clouds and I went for it. This little sketch was done along Lake Creek in Edwards. A little fine tuning and I'll call it good.

How do the rest of you get motivated when you know you'll be dealing with your least favorite conditions?  What helped me stay out there was setting a time limit, and cranking up the car radio to sing along to the oldies.

oh yes, and the other 1% -...warm boots.

Getting out in the winter

As much as I love all of the seasons, I'm not a big fan of painting out in the cold. My solution was to go someplace warm, so I spent a week in Palm Desert, painting palm trees and poolside scenes. The light was fading fast when I decided to grab my easel and dash out to the front porch and do this little piece.

As for my complaints about the cold, it's been a wonderfully warm March so far in Denver, but nature has her sense of humor and is suppose to drop a foot of heavy wet snow on us tomorrow. May be my last chance to paint snow this season, so I'm going to bundle up and get out there. brrr!

Patent Leather Pumps

7 x 9
Oil on masonite

This is a study to see how far I can push the color when the subject matter consists of two elements, one black and the other white. The large shape is of course, the black shoes. The shadow, although on a white cloth, is really part of the large shape. So I tried to tie them together. Patent leather has wonderful reflective qualities, so it allowed me to use more color.

I'd appreciate feedback on this piece, as well as the other paintings.

I'm off to the mountains, where the snow is falling like crazy this winter. Hopefully I can get outside to do some white on white plein air pieces.

Future Salad

5 x 7
Oil on gatorboard

Purple onions are so pretty on their own, it's kind of a shame to cut it up. But then again, oh so good to eat.