The New Bridge o/c 20x24

Another studio painting. I had been thinking for some time that I wanted to paint the new bridge, maybe through the trees from a park along the river. I never expected to end up this close. The curves of these massive structures make them seem organic, as if maybe they belong here.

River Stand, Winter 8x10, oil on linen

After a record snow and record cold temperatures, Saturday was a balmy 50 degrees. I took the chance to spend a little time at the river painting a familiar group of trees. I enjoyed the weather, the light, the encouragement of passers by and the knowledge that Spring is only a couple of months away.

From the Kitchen 11x14, o/c

So what is there to do on a winter's day but head into the kitchen ad look for things to paint? This started as a still life with garlic, onions and a brass pot. I decided to simplify and ended up stringing a few heads of garlic across the table and before I knew it I had a series of garlic paintings. It turned into a good exercise in learning to see colors in a narrow range of color and value and I can't help but think it will help with portrait and figure work. If the weather's bad tomorrow I may head to the local open life session to see what garlic and skin have to do with each other.

Garlic 6x12 o/c

Garlic 6x12 o/c

I moved on to two paintings of the same basic arrangement, one a bit warmer than the other.

and more garlic 6x6. oil on panel

The paintings kept getting smaller. I'm thinking of moving on to single cloves next. I will probably stop and do some cooking before trying to paint smashed garlic.