Valley Ranch

Valley Ranch

24" x 36"

Oil on wood Panel

[click on the image to enlarge]

I enjoy painting snow scenes, the subtlety of snow, which is not white but opalescent and beautiful, is fascinating. Tilting your monitor or moving slightly will allow you to see a bit more of that

I started with the dark Angus cattle and the red barns and then modified the design from that. The small metal shed also provides an opportunity for interest and eye movement. In deference to Lori 's sensitivities, I allowed the range cattle a place of refuge.

The barn has legendary cattleman John Hartley Carlile's 'historic' brand. It's surprising how much interest that small mark adds to the end of the barn.

The atmospheric changes result in the more distant mountain snow being a duller and a bit more grey violet hue than the foreground. Massing the dark is also a design feature.

This is a larger painting, especially when framed, the size that might fit behind a sofa, etc.

Self Portrait with Red Tie

Self Portrait with Red Tie

Oil on wood Panel

24" x 20"

I've been painting although busy with other activities as well. So I have not posted for a time.

After doing several other family members I decided to try one of myself. Painting others is different for several reasons. When looking in a mirror I see a 'mirror image' so it is reversed from what others see, but photos are reversed from what I usually see.

It was an adventure. I changed my plans about the level of finish and detail as the painting developed, so that was interesting. 

I like it and Oscar indicates that it is great, while Lori wants a big toothy grin or at least a smile. Curiously portrait paintings from a century or two ago very seldom had a smile. Only with the advent of photographs did every start to say 'Smile' for a portrait.

I felt that the balance was good