Lakeside Mist, 24x30

This painting was started during the time I was rebuilding my new life. I went thru a single tree period, one strong single tree standing as strong as possible. I also felt separated from the world a bit but I knew I would be ok. It was from a lake north of Durango and the morning mist was so incredible and actually a surprise as I found camp in the dark and awoke to this. Artistically, I am in love with high key paintings like Monet, Twachtman and Whistler and was being as daring with the value range as I could possibly muster.  I recently got the painting back after a long absence and realized I could do more to push the theme and technicalities so back on the easel! More paint and more heart later, coming from a place of much more stability, the piece is finally finished!  Here is the before and the after.  The changes are more on the surface than in the composition.

BEFORE

AFTER

Carter-Morris House Workshops

Latest work!

This little piece is called appropriately "Minuet", a small dance between two people.  It is done on Oil on paper, my newest fascination.  This new surface combines all of my years of experience in watercolors with the viscosity of oils - the best of both world brought together!  I start the work in the same manner I would a watercolor, mineral spirits being the water, and finish as an oil with more depth in the brushwork.  I will be doing a series of at least 8 of these small little gems to take to Great Falls, Montana in three weeks.  Here is the first....