Spring Grasslands - Landscape Oil Painting

Spring Grasslands - 6x6" Oil on panel

The result of a recent drive around rural Ontario. Barns of all shapes intrigue me. They are disappearing. Some of my favourite painting subjects have fallen down, which makes me sad.

Early Spring 10 x 8 Landscape Oil Painting

Early Spring 10 x 8" landscape oil painting on panel

March can be a dreary month but fortunately I find that subtlety of colour in landscapes really appeals to me. The red barn adds a lot of vibrancy and interest to this painting. It's sitting next to a fairly neutral field that is waiting to come to life when warm weather arrives.

The dormant grass has a faint cast of green and is ready to burst forth with life when warm sunny spring days come.

I posted this on instagram but something was nagging at me until I added more colour and thicker paint to the field in the foreground. Now I'm happy. The thick paint and variances in the colour of the paint creates another layer of depth. At the same time the difference in colour is subtle.

Red Roofs - Landscape Oil Painting

Red Roofs 12 x 12 Oil on Canvas

Cold days with dark snow filled clouds appeal to me, especially if the colour red is involved. These barns have stood the test of time through a century of all weather conditions and farmers working in and around them.


My goal right now is to create small paintings for galleries in the area that are carrying my work. In the summer and fall, I'll be in more art shows than last year.

In Berkley 6x6" Landscape Oil Painting

In Berkley 6x6" Landscape Oil Painting on panel

SOLD

This barn fascinates me. Every time I drive by it, it looks different. This is the second time I've painted it. In each season and time of day, it changes. Unfortunately it's roof has holes in it and the foundation is probably giving way. So I'll paint it while I can, until it gets taken down or it falls down.

I'm getting ready for a show in Owen Sound this weekend. It's a three day show which starts on Friday. The Fine Craft Christmas Show & Sale at the Harmony Centre.

Black Barn 12 x 12 Landscape Oil Painting

Black Barn 12 x 12 oil on canvas

SOLD

While driving around from place to place, I often see barns that I would like to paint. This one caught my eye. It's simple classic lines were irresistible. I was quite surprised and delighted that it sold so quickly.

Barn in Early Evening - Landscape Oil Painting

Barn in Early Evening 6x6" landscape oil painting on panel

SOLD

I'm getting ready for The Art Map Open Studio Weekend event at my studio coming up September 30, Oct 1 & Oct 2 from 10-5 pm. I'm painting a bunch of new work for the event. I'll have small pieces and large pieces. There are 22 studios and galleries participating in this event. Visit the event web page for maps and addresses. I'll also be at the Art Crawl event on Sept 24 from 6-10 pm. I'll be in front of Graphic Wear House on Hurontario Street in Collingwood.

The lighting on this barn makes it even more interesting. The shadow on the barn comes from a large tree on the right which is for the most part is not in the painting.

Canola Field - Landscape Oil Painting

Canola Field - 6x6" Oil on cradled wood panel

SOLD

Painting is providing me with a much needed break from work at the moment.

The setting sun is lighting up the side of the barn and small sheds in this painting. I love canola fields. They provide an opportunity for more more colourful paintings. I find that I enjoy painting these small 6x6' panels. They can be completed fairly quickly, which is a good thing right now.

Sometimes the photograph doesn't show the true qualities of the painting. This one is very close.

These wood cradled panels are first sealed, then primed with 2 coats of gesso, then 2 coats of burnt sienna. This one is .75" deep.

Pastoral by Design, Landscape Oil Painting

Pastoral by Design 6x6" Oil on cradled wood panel

SOLD

I love barns and simple rural images with trees and sky. What more can I say. This barn is close to where I live and I was driving past it almost daily for a time. It's simplicity interests me.

In the Pasture - Landscape Oil on Canvas

In the Pasture -  60 x 30" Oil on Canvas

I was driving on the back roads of Grey County when I came across this scene of a maple tree with holstein cows laying underneath it. It was one of those moments when you have to stop and take a photograph.

The tree was huge with a very large trunk and long branches. It must be very old.

I like to paint scenery as it is without much editing. A few cows were removed from the final composition and moved over slightly. Deciding on the final arrangement of the cows was the most difficult part of the painting process. The leaves on the ground were painted individually with many different colours making up the final composition.

This is the second large painting over 48" that I've done and I'm enjoying the process.

This painting is at the Matilda Swanson Gallery in Clarksburg, Ontario.

Old Barn with a View - Landscape Oil Painting

Old Barn with a View 12x12 Oil on Panel

SOLD

This is the third painting of this barn that I have done. Each time I've painted it from a different angle and in a different season.

I'm drawn to this barn because it sits on a hill with a wonderful array of colour in the background. Layer upon layer and hints of different types of landscape. There are bushes, fields and more tree rows and fields. Each layer is different and each is a different colour. I find that fascinating. Autumn provides  a variety of colour in the rural landscape which I find interesting.

This painting is at the Hanover Saugeen Artist Store currently.