Sunday, May 17, 2015

Buckskinner Measuring Spoons

~click image to enlarge~

6"x6" Oil on panel

This was a fun exercise in using a limited palette as Burnt Sienna being the dominate color.
These spoons were created by artisan Steve O'Grady of Bloomfield, IA.. He supports and participates in Buckskinner (Mountain men) Rendezvous through out the Midwest.

A small group sets up camp every year in Bentonsport along the Des Moines River during the villages open business season.  I couldn't resist this set of measuring spoons hand forged by Steve. 

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Field of Lace

~click on image to enlarge~

14"x 11" - Soft Pastel on Board

I had the opportunity to take several pictures of one of my friend's place where they turned 80 acres back to prairie grasses and other plants.  A beautiful place in the NE corner of Van Buren Co. Iowa.

This was a foggy morning that she invited local artists to come paint.  I wasn't able to set up on location that day, but loved all the Queen Anne's Lace in bloom so thank goodness....camera was in hand.

I started this work with a watercolor underpainting over AS Colourfix Multi Media Primer on a masonite board.  There's a few places where you can still see the watercolor wash.