Plein Air

 Sauvie Africa, 9"x12" oil

 Sauvie Africa Reflections, 9"x12" oil

There is a place on Sauvie Island down a gravel road and through a cattle gate called "Africa" because it seems so remote and wild.  Instead of wildebeests, cattle graze and gather under shady trees.  The weather was cool and cloudy, a welcome relief from recent heat.  Light stayed constant throughout the day, easier for plein air painting.  I painted two studies, both on 9" x 12" canvas panels.

Memory

Hazy Summery Memories

Another painting that just happened, just from memory or imagination.  This started as a paint over on top of another painting that had lots of texture, so gobs of paint and more texture added to layers.  Actually it was two old paintings that did not satisfy, so there was no risk in trying something completely different.

Meadow

Fantasy Meadow 11" x 14" oil on canvas

This is one where my imagination just took over.  Some time ago I was painting plein air at Sauvie Island where there were beautiful views all around.  I took some photos for future reference of an old dead oak tree that was surrounded by shrubs with white blossoms.  That was the starting point for this painting, but the tree looked too stark.  So I adding more flowers, the dead tree disappeared and orange flowers appeared, and more trees in the distance.  It's as if the dead tree decomposed and created new life.

Another day, another creek

Sticks & Stones 9" x 12", oil on panel

painting plein air on my easel

The summer days are hot, my studio is air conditioned, but sometimes I just need to be out in nature, so I returned to one of my favorite cool spots along Johnson Creek.  I've painted here previously, but in acrylic, and the creek is always changing, so it was pleasantly familiar but a different experience.  "Everything flows and nothing stays" - Heraclitus.  The creek flowed over rocks and branches, little boys splashed rocks and girls waded in search of pretty snail shells.  And the light changed.  Some studio work clarified the scene and photos will be the source of future cool scenes.