Nature
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Quick Plein Air

I joined the Between the Bluffs Plein Air event, which included a quick paint (two hours) from the top of Grandad’s Bluff. From this vista rain could be seen to our West and North, but we were ok up to a point. I selected a site and worked on this view, looking South and three… Continue reading
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Earth Connections update

An artist’s reception was held on Saturday, September 9. Dane Arts Buy Local (DABL) also hosted a Pop-Up Art Market. I was relieved to see that my installation was intact. In fact nature joined in when a vine started to climb upwards. The stains are fading with time, but that is what happens to leaves.… Continue reading
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Bleeding Heart

The adventure with abstraction continues. I didn’t like these I painted over #1, moved in close, switched to pallette knives and turned the black into an under layer. This at least lightened things up. It reminds me of our Madison neighborhood which embraced the plant in response to the frequent accusation of being “Bleeding Heart… Continue reading
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Fall Leaves Fall

It could be a simple statement of fact: “Fall leaves fall.” It is what happens every year. It could be a direct request: “Fall leaves, Fall.” as if we could somehow encourage this to happen. I see it as a celebration: “Fall leaves fall!” This installation celebrates the symmetry of drawing from the soil, the… Continue reading
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Natural Stains

I’ve been experimenting with natural stains for wood. Many woodworking products are toxic. My first level has been with copper, pickled beets brine and coffee. This did give a good flat color, which allowed the varied wood to show through. However, nature is varied. Leaves have streaks and spots. So I’m trying a second richer… Continue reading
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Earth Connections progress

“Fall Leaves Fall” is the name of my installation at the Farley Center’s Earth Art event this year. I am working on oak leaves cut from wood sourced and milled on the site. The leaves shapes are actual leaves from my chosen location that were found while locating where the installation will be placed. I… Continue reading
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The Rock

We attended an event about pollinators at Justin Trails Resort near Sparta. On the top of a ridge is “The Rock”. The picture is in acrylic with trees made from cast off fabric from my wife’s quilt stash. Acrylic paints allow for endless layering. Here is the result. Continue reading
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Abstract Clematis #1

Abstraction is not as easy as it appears. The first three tries ended up being representational. This time I used the colors of the plant in rough proportion to the original image. Using pallet knives and a process of pressing painted plastic wrap into the image. I’m staring at the result to see if it… Continue reading