JAKE AND THE WEEPING CHERRY

If you want an animal to pose for you, it is impossible.  However, some dogs just seem to show up when you are painting and sit or lie in the middle of the scene.  It would seem our new dog Jake is one of the posers.

Birdbath and Forsythia

Forsythia #1

The feisty forsythia thrusts itself into the blue violet air of spring,

everywhere joyously poking and jabbing,

Atwhirl among the city trash or dancing down an open field,

It won't stop saying - 'Yes'!

Except of course, where some  fool 

has brutally whacked its spirit into an ugly ball.

Then it squeezes out an occasional desultory bloom, 

just to show what might have been.

Next Door Early Spring

Here the snow is gone and Spring is on the way.

Nest Door Snow

Here are two paintings of the same subject - my next door neighbor's yard as viewed from my side of the fence.  Things are melting in this one.

Deep Snow

This is most likely the last snow painting of the year.  It is surprising to note that one can paint outside after a snow storm.  You have to dress very warmly of course and sit in the sun - sometimes that requires sunglasses as the glare is fierce.  It is best to prepare exactly what you want to paint first, as far as shadows are concerned. Then start to paint about a half an hour before that moment.  You will probably only have about an hour total before your fingers are too cold to continue so speed is of the essence. Heavy boots are a must.  This is a painting that was completed quite a while ago as there has not been this much snow for some time.

neighbor's garage

Melting

Porch Shadows in the Snow #2

Porch Shadows in the Snow #1

Since I am posting snow paintings I thought I would include two large works that were done many years apart.  The first was done quite a while back.  The second was done many years later after my painting had loosened up a bit.  They are paintings of porches on the second floor of my house.  One on the east side and one on the west side.  They were done from the door leading to the porch, not from photographs.  I think there is an interesting change in the work, although I still like them both.  I may have to try this theme again as the shadows are so interesting.

The House in the Snow