Where's the Fall Color?

I was hoping to come to Wisconsin Rapids this week, to see the fall color. One of the paintings for the conference room will be featuring fall colors. I have roughed in the skies for both of the paintings for the conference room. I'm hoping to paint en plein air on both of these paintings. The fall color report online says peak color will be the first week in October. Depending on the weather I will be coming back to paint at Demitz Park sometime between September 26th and October 3rd. I will keep my eye on the fall color reports and the weather and do another post when I firm up the date.

Here are some teasers - the skies are, while not finished, fairly well described. Every time I've scouted or painted in Rapids the skies have been quite dominant. These paintings will reflect that. They will also speak to the new Tribune Building project as a bridge for the community. Bridges connect people and places.

Belle Island Bridge Phase 1

W Riverview Expressway Bridge Phase 1

Plein air painting at Hanson Park - May 26-27, 2016

Thursday evening, May 26, 2016 I'll be plein air painting in Hanson Park along the Wisconsin River in Wisconsin Rapids. Look for me around 5:30pm. I'll be painting some small sketches. I'm looking to inform a larger painting from that area. It's a beautiful park with terrific views of the river and the opposite shore. But then, if you've been there, you know that.

Value studies using markers.

Friday morning, May 27th I'll be back at Hanson Park painting the morning light on the river. ~7am-10am.

Plein Air Painting the Sandhill Wildlife Area, April 28-30, 2016

Had a wonderful time painting with fellow artists on Friday. Deann and Diane joined me Friday morning; Dawn joined me Friday evening. I painted solo on Thursday evening in the rain. The colors were beautiful but the rain and cold were slightly daunting. Friday was a better weather day. Saturday was again overcast. We spotted a pair of swans nesting on Gallagher Marsh, also saw muskrat, otter, deer, great blue heron, coots, ducks, geese, evidence of porcupine and beaver. We could hear all sorts of birds and frogs. There were a few insects plus the ever-present ticks.

Deann painting a beautiful birch tree

Diane painting Gallagher Marsh

Jan painting Gallagher Marsh

Dawn painting Gallagher March

April 28, 2016 Spring at SWA (Sandhill Wildlife Area)!!!

It rained all day. Scouted the SWA for about 2 hours and then decided to paint in the rain. It worked for a while but as the wind picked up the rain started to cover my palette and then my painting. Retreated to the car. Painted a while longer then decided to pack up. Yup, it stopped raining by the time I'd put away everything.