Rain over Kauai

This was done in the studio after our trip to Hawaii in

February. I'm quite happy with the clouds over the

land mass. I'm not thrilled with the overall value in this

piece. To many mid tones, no darks and no serious lights.

Rather bland overall. The size is about 12" by 18" done

on Arches cold press 140#. Another example of not painting

enough. What do you think. Get real now!

In the Distance

More from the flat files

A quick study of Mt Rainier from 2 years ago. I found that

this perspective is actually to close to the mountain. It's distorted

because of the immense size of Rainier. It just doesn't seem

to fit in a low angle like this with a middle ground in front of it.

I'll tackle this one again in the future. Maybe someone has

some suggestions to this situation. In the mean time, enjoy.

A note to any viewers of this blog. I'll be gone on vacation

for the next couple of weeks so no new posts and no visits

to others. I'll miss you all, but I'll do it with a smile on my face.

All the best, Doug

5 New Pieces

At last, something brand new. I just completed these pieces

for a commission I've been putting off. The top piece is done

on hot press Arches 140# paper. The colors tend to be more

brilliant on hot press. Certainly not good for floating colors

together but has other benefits. The rest of the pieces are

all done on cold press paper. I feel good that they're done and

the person can buy them all or only what she wants. I'm such

an agreeable person. HA.

Hope you enjoy.

Verde Valley Railroad

More from the flat-files.

The colors in the canyon walls were constantly changing with the light.

Amazing contrast around every bend in the road. One of my favorite times

in the Sedona Area. Hope to do it again soon.

Let me know what you think and thank you for visiting.

The Walk

More from the flat-files.

In the distance a man and dog walk the beach in and

out of the fresh water waves.

This painting is @ 10" x 18" done on 140# Arches

cold press watercolor paper. This was done during a

gallery walk and several artists demonstrating. It was

interesting but tedious. People being people, want to talk

and ask questions. Difficult to concentrate on a moving wash,

wrong brush, wrong color, wrong time, and so on. Well that's

part of the game isn't it.

Maybe I'll try it again in the peace of the studio, course then there

is the risk of lost intensity, urgency and spending too much time

messing around for no reason. We'll see what happens.

Hope you enjoy this one.

Traverse in the mist.

From the flat files.

This little 7" x 10" plein air piece was done during a weekend

paint out in the Traverse City area. Unfortunately the first day

was wind and rain and impossible to paint outside with watercolor.

I was determined to paint something. The front seat of the car

seemed to be the only choice. I really dislike painting in the car

but had no choice on this day.

This is a view from the middle of Mission Point Peninsula over

looking one of the vineyards and Traverse Bay. Colors were muted

from the wind and the rain. The car was rolling back and forth from

the force of the gusts coming with the rolling clouds. In the end I was

pleased with the results. Let me know what those of you that view it

think.

House in Muir

From the flat files.

This is from a small dwindling little town where

my dad lived as a teenager. (long ago that is)

I spotted this old house on the corner of a very quiet

street, it was bathed in sunlight. Lots of bright whites

and very deep shadows. I decided to try it on hot press

paper and throw in some black india ink as an accent and

help create some contrast. Lets just say I'm putting this out

there because I feel I didn't accomplish what I was looking for.

I want you to see that everything doesn't turn out the way it was

intended, it's also a reminder to me to think more before I try this

again. I'm an impatient type looking for immediate gratification.

Sometimes, gratification takes a lot longer.

Up-bound Ogle Bay

More from the Flatfiles

Another ship passes through the locks at Sault Saint Marie, Michigan.

Every time I'm there I love to stand on the viewing stand as ships

pass through from all over the world. They all have there own

individual character, some well kept, some not so good.

The inspiration comes from all the ships that have passed through

before, such as the Edmund Fitzgerald and the crew that went missing

off White Fish Point many years ago on Lake Superior. It's sort

of a chilling thought to wonder if this ship passes without incident

or finds itself in a terrible storm or worse, never makes it's

destination. Think positive Doug, with todays technology

and modern ship design, 99.9% make there journey's without

a problem.