RICHARD SCHMID ART AUCTION

"Unused Hay Bales" 9" x 16" oil/c

Each September Richard Schmid puts on
an art auction to raise money for
the local volunteer fire department.
I created this piece to donate to this
year's auction. The 9" x 16" format
is a little strange, but I think it works.
I actually painted this as a 12" x 16" and
then cut it down.

I have found snow scenes to be a
blast to paint. The use of purples, pinks
and teals in the shadows
in contrast to the brightly lit areas of
white snow with a ting of yellow
ochre. I like the way the creek takes
you into the left side of the painting
then shoots you into a hard right
turn into the center of interest.
Using the rule of thirds, the painting
has a nice design in addition to a
thick application of paint.

CHANGE OF PACE

"Wind in My Sails" 9" x 12" o/c

Heading to the coast next
weekend so that put me in the
mood try a maritime painting.
Thought I'd do something simple
before trying a more complex
subject. I am attending the
Port Aransas Centennial Art Show
and Auction. It is a fundraiser
for the new Port Aransas Museum.

This little gem was fun to paint. I
don't sail but I certainly see the attraction.

PAINTING WHEN FROZEN

"Snow Day" 8" x 10"

This was my third stop of the day. By
now I'm getting cold and I had to
walk about two hundred yards in knee
deep snow to get to this location.
Done in an hour I'm headed home for
some warmth and a cup of coffee.

CHANNELING RICHARD SCHMID

"Frisco Bridge" 9" x 12" o/c

My second stop was this great looking
bridge that leads to some tennis courts
in our neighborhood. A lot of people
where outside now playing in the snow.

I tried to seclude myself, but me painting
in the snow garnered attention and it
wasn't long before I had an audience.

I received Richard Schmid's new landscape
book as a Christmas gift. While working
on this painting I couldn't help but think
that this was a perfect day and location
for a Schmid painting. I'm happy with
my result.

FIRST SNOW PAINTING

"Snow on the Farm" 9" x 12" oil/c

This farm was my first stop and
first on location snow painting I've
done in over ten years. The south pasture
was under water and snowed over.
I was so excited to be painting a
snow scene I could barely concentrate.

The farmer that owns the property mounted
his hay tractor and drove out to see what
I was doing. He thought I was nuts.

SNOW DAY

Snowed here Wednesday and Thursday.
As everybody else ducked out of work
and pulled kids from school I eagerly
packed my gear and headed outside
to paint. We only get snow like this
once or twice a year and it only lasts a
day before it all melts away.

I wish I had a month of this stuff so I could
paint every day or at least have the
opportunity to scout locations. I didn't
have that luxury so I had to choose
scenes close by. Got three paintings in the
box before the brain froze up and
my hands quit working. I'll
post the paintings next.

SORRY FOR THE DELAY

"Lydia Ann" 22" x 28" oil/c

Hello fellow bloggers. I apologize for
disappearing for awhile. I have been busy
redesigning my website which took
me away from painting. Now if I can just
get the thing uploaded to the web, life will
return to normal.

I also finished editing a video from the
Canyon De Chelly paintout, but can't seem
to get it uploaded either. Even Youtube is
rejecting it. I think my file is too big.

The painting up top is of the Lydia Ann
Lighthouse in Port Aransas, TX. One of
my favorite Texas icons to paint and
a great fishing spot. Trout and reds run
up a down the channel next to the
lighthouse. I have taken refuge underneath
the porch on more than one occasion when
a sudden storm passed through.

I did this at the request of my gallery,
Port A Gallery. They are busy helping the
city raise money for a new museum that
has been built and now needs to be funded.
There's a fund raising event coming up in
March so we are making giclee prints of the
painting to be sold at the fund raiser and
at the gallery.