Standing Tall - Landscape Oil Painting

Standing Tall - Oil on 10 x 8" panel

I'm getting ready for several art shows this summer and fall. I need to get a lot of painting done.

Birches are fascinating trees and look great in a painting. Many people like birch trees. These birch trees are near Big Bay looking toward the other side of the bay. I love the fact that the trunks are so high and the leaves are concentrated at the top, like lollypops.

Storm Clouds - Landscape Oil Painting

Storm Clouds, 10 x 8" Oil on Cradled Board 

SOLD 

I enjoy painting clouds and like the texture that they add to a landscape painting. This is rural Ontario in August. I enjoy painting small landscapes where I can finish a painting and then learn from the experience quickly. Large landscapes take time to create so the lesson it provides is a long time coming.  My hope is that each painting gets better with experience.

On this painting I toned down the greens which I seem to have trouble with each time. They tend to look too intense. I think I've got the green looking more natural here.

This painting is now at the Saugeen Artists' Store in Hanover.

Early Spring in the Valley - Acrylic Landscape Painting

Early Spring in the Valley 6 x 6" Acrylic on cradled panel.

SOLD

This is a barn close to where I live. I drive past on a regular basis and have seen it in all seasons. I find it to be a compelling subject. The willow trees growing near the barn hide part of it and other out buildings. The red colour, stands out against the bare purple trees growing on the hill behind the barn, creating a wonderful backdrop. The clouds in the sky create a highlight in the right place which gives it further appeal.

This is an acrylic which I don't normally use to paint with. When I'm in a hurry and need a painting to dry quickly, I'll use acrylics. I much prefer oils.

I find that my camera's photos tend to make the blues look more exaggerated. I've tried to tone it down a bit in the photo but it's still looking very blue.

The Birches - Landscape Oil Painting

The Birches, 12 x 12" oil painting on canvas

SOLD

I finally broke down and painted birch trees. I resisted painting birch trees since a lot of artists do this subject matter. However, these trees have light colour bark with intriguing patterns and I find that an irresistible subject for a painting. I decided to paint one small canvas and take it from there to decide if I want to continue with any more paintings. I have not come to any conclusions at this point. I've been told by another artist that birches are over. Time will tell.

My goal when painting is to apply the paint thickly. I love the texture of thick paint and the role that the texture adds to the overall painting.

Update: I sold this painting. I may do more. Honestly I do like birch trees.