October Afternoon

Here is another plein air piece, 11" x 14", oil, painted over two afternoons in October near Taos, New Mexico. Placing everything in cloud shadows except the area around the tree allowed for heightened drama and focus on the middle ground.

Arroyo Seco

Arroyo Seco, 11" x 14", oil. A two morning effort near Taos, New Mexico. Finished in the studio.

Field of Dreams

This studio piece titled Field of Dreams, oil, 14" x 12" is another attempt at keeping the composition simple/minimalist. The result is a meditative, serene or even dream-like effect. I am drawn to the beauty of clouds, which are, themselves, formed from a few simple ingredients: moisture, dust, heat and air currents. From these is formed towering giants containing incredible energy, all of which happens over a period of just a few hours — only to fade away by day's end. The water particles suspended in the cloud can reflect light from the ground, sky, other clouds and city lights as well as direct light from the sun and moon. Changing shape, size, value and color from one moment to the next, clouds are a constant source of drama and mood throughout the day.

Afternoon Cloudburst

Recently completed, Afternoon Cloudburst, oil, 30" x 40", is an example of how I am working toward a more minimalist approach to my sky-themed landscape paintings. The location  is nowhere in particular. Therefore, attention is focused without distraction on the drama playing out in the sky. The ground, although subordinate, holds its own with a dramatic play of light and cast shadow. Overall, I feel the painting has an almost meditative quality to it.

Raindrop Road

Here is another painting I had ready for the gallery, but the pandemic has shut everything done. Raindrop Road, oil, 40" x 30" was recently completed.  I was striving for a sense of monumentality and distance in the sky by minimizing the value and color contrasts between sky and clouds.

Serenidad de la Playa

Serenidad de la Playa (Serenity of the Beach), oil, 36" x 36".  This painting is one of five larger paintings I have recently completed with intentions of placing them in galleries. Unfortunately the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the closing of galleries. Artists are not "immune" to the negative financial impact brought on by the virus. If it is within your budget, please consider purchasing some original artwork from a favorite artist. They (and I) will appreciate it!