Thoughts While Painting

Located in rural New York overlooking farmland, this view with its row of trees under fast moving clouds was a joy to paint. The simple land features are a nice contrast to the cloud shapes. 

This early evening view, with the softness of fading clouds over the darkening land below, was a good end to a day spent painting outside. I finished this one in the studio but I remember the feeling of wonder at the beauty of such a simple view in the changing light. 

As this heat wave persists I am spending more time in the studio where it is cool and comfortable. There is plenty to do here; starting new paintings and revisiting old ones that need to be finished. 

I remember thinking as I painted this one how quiet and peaceful the day was, just the wind and the sound of the occasional car passing by. It started as a rough plein air landscape sketch, was finished in the studio and is now drying on the "done" side of the room.