Early snow scene

                                                12"x16" Oil  on linen
                                    Gift to family

This is one of my early snow paintings.  I can see so many things I would change, but the relative, who received it as a gift, likes it as is,so-----.   I am trying to get something for the OPA, but other responsibilities continue to interfere.   Still wondering what I'll do when my blog runs past my supply of paintings.  Perhaps I'll just try for humor.   I used to think I was indecisive, but now, I'm not sure.        Mike

Dirk's barn

                                                        16"x20" Oil on linen
                                                                Sold

A while back, I think I mentioned that my first lessons were with an old gentleman named Dirk Smit, who passed away about twenty years ago or so.  Dirk is fairly well remembered as a Chicago and Indiana painter.  I owned several of his works over the years; he was, and is, one of my inspirations.  The scene above was one of his favorite subjects, I have seen at least five or six variations.  One day we painted in his studio, and I did this from one of his sketches.  Memories!        Mike

New Hampshire snow

                                                         9"x12"  Oil on linen
                                                           SOLD
I like snow paintings.  I just don't like standing in snow.  It is beautiful when you view it from the warm side of a closed window.   I did this from a photo I took from my car a few years back.   Just so you won't think I'm a wimp, I did open the window for a split second to snap the shutter.  Later, in my studio, with a hot cup of coffee in one hand, I really enjoyed doing the painting.               Mike

Nevada snow

                                                16"x20" Oil on linen canvas
                                                      Sold
I have friends who own a home in the mountains above Lake Tahoe, and I was there one year when it snowed pretty heavily.  It was very cold, but I drove down the Nevada side of the grade and took a lot of photos of winter scenery.  This interesting setting is in the little town of Genoa, and I painted it later, with a few changes,  in my warm studio. Here, in NC, the leaves are starting to show the first signs of autumn.  My favorite times for plein air work here are autumn and late autumn, when just a few leaves are on the trees
Mike.