Saturday, May 16, 2009

Tuscany Hills Clubhouse


This 10"h by 8"w plein air in oil depicts the view from the Tuscany Hills Clubhouse. When painting it, as I listened to young voices and splashing, a couple were enjoying valuable time with their grandchildren. Another group of children were playing in the adjoining park. I was reminded of all the times in the past 12 years that my family has walked to the clubhouse in the sweltering heat, to find refuge here!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

DeJongs Dairy











Today, two of the plein air painting groups I belong to were gathering to paint in gardens; one in Riverside and one in Huntington Beach. I couldn't decide which one to join, because they were both a drive for me and I was late in getting started. I finally decided to "stay home" and paint at the dairy that has supplied my family with the best milk in the valley for years-"DeJongs." The dairy was very accomodating, and the cows presented a great value study! (for the most part they ignored me, after a brief show of interest) This 11"h by 14"w plein air in oil shows them at work at their feeding trough. They cooperated by staying relatively still for a while, then in a moment, I looked up and they were gone!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

"Leaving Tuscany Hills"











This 11"h by 14"w plein air oil painting captures a scene that has caught my eye for years, just as we've driven down Summerhill Drive, leaving Tuscany Hills. The trees in the landscape here, just west of the waterfall create an interesting foreground for the cool backgound of the Cleveland National Forest, with just a portion of the lake visible. Yesterday, I finally decided to paint it!