"Lattitudes & Attitudes"

16" x 12"
Oil on panel

I started this right after painting "Saint Paul Yacht Club". I wanted to do a larger one of the area and used a black and white reference photo and sketches to work out the composition. Then, with the colors still fresh in my mind, I went to work on this using the plein air as my reference for the mood and color. After laying in the first block-in of color, I decided to change up my scheme a bit. I wanted a clearer feel than I had observed painting the study. It meant emphasizing the complimentary color. Instead of the orangey cast of the study, I concentrated on keeping in the blue range.

"Saint Paul Yacht Club"

8" x 10"
Oil on panel

The docks are located across the Mississippi from Downtown Saint Paul. This was my third attempt to paint this area. I dodged lightning the first two times! Finally I had some decent weather. It was partly cloudy with the sun ducking in and out. I like the blue covers that sit over some of the slips. Great shapes to play with.

"Bloomington farm"

6" x 8"
oil on panel

This farm is located kitty corner from the Mall of America and down about a quarter mile. I went out at lunch and painted this. There was a soft mist falling that added to the soft light from the low clouds.

"Summer evening"

19" x 14"
oil on panel

I used a painting I had done called "Summer days" to make this larger one. I didn't use any references whatsoever except for the smaller painting itself as a jumping off point. I did do several sketches to plan the composition and rough out the value structure. I wanted to create a more subdued atmosphere and the value sketches helped me to attain that.