No. 865 Return to the Fields

No. 865 Return to the Fields

Oil on Canvas Panel

5" x 7"

It's that time of year! Spring has arrived and the tulips are poking their heads up in the garden. For me that means getting ready for the art show in Mt. Vernon. I really enjoyed getting to know the local artists there last year and look forward to hanging out with them again.

I'm giving you guys first shot at my newest collection of tulip field paintings before I take them up to the show...

Click to view auction

No. 783 Sunny Day with the Tulips

Sunny Day with the Tulips

Plein Air

Oil on Canvas Board

7" x 5"

Click to Bid

We had one day, that I'm aware of, with sun from morning to dusk on the tulip fields and we were there to paint it. It was an amazing if exhausting day.

Friends Maggie, Diana and Karen out painting with me in the morning.

This lovely lady kindly let me take her photo.
The color of her saree was a perfect match with the tulips.

One painting down!

No. 780 Tulip Field Plein Air #1

Tulip Field Plein Air #1

Oil on Canvas Board

5" x 7"

I can not believe how soggy our weather has been this year. Last Monday we had a bit of a break so I grabbed willing students to go up and paint in the tulip fields. The color, as always, was mind blowing but the weather was definitely iffy. The wind was stiff, blowing poor Connie's pochade box over more than once. We persevered, however, until the rain started in the late afternoon.

Here's a link to some video I shot of the windy, tulip filled day with my GoPro:

Tulip Fields 2017

No. 462 Mt Vernon Tulip Fields

 

 

 

 

Mt.Vernon Tulip Fields

Oil on Canvas Panel

9" x 12"

 

This painting was commissioned by an old co-worker friend. Thank you, Chuck, not only for the commission but you patience as I tinkered and tinkered with it. Woo hoo! It's finally finished!

 



No. 419 Mt Vernon Tulip Fields

 

Skagit Valley Tulip Fields 2014 - Plein Air

Oil on Linen Panel

5" x 7"

SOLD

 

A little over a week ago I ventured up to the tulip fields to try my hand at painting them in plein air. I've been to the fields many times but had yet to bring my paint box with me. Visiting these fields is a "wow" experience. To see such a large swath of intense color in the landscape is breath taking.

 

 

 

Tulip Field Mini

Oil on Linen Panel

3" x 5"

 

For the first hour or so I just took photos. The weather was a bit dicey. The sun came and went but no rain. The fields were quite mucky since it had been raining pretty steadily the previous two days. People were literally "tip toeing through the tulips" trying to steer clear of the mud puddles.

 

 

 

 

 

Then it was time to pull out the old paint box and go for it. I've been experimenting with painting really small. These mini paintings are fast and easy. Because of this, it's easy to experiment and take a chance since there isn't so much time and effort invested.

 

 

 

 

 

It's fun listening to the chatter of fellow visitors as they walk by. I can't tell you how many different languages I heard as I stood there painting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The soil near where I was painting had a surprisingly spongy texture. I'm guessing it's because the soil on top was drying much quicker than that underneath. Many people commented on this as they walked by. One lady remarked to her friend, " It feels like walking on clouds!" My favorite comment was from a gentlemen who said, "It's like walking on chocolate cake!"

 

 

 

 

 

It was a banner day for me. I loved painting the fields. Many kind people stopped to chat. I even sold two of my mini paintings right off the easel. This most definitely will have to be an annual tradition!