"Krug Pillars"



"Krug Pillars"
14x18 oil on canvas
2012

------------------------------------------------------------

Here is the latest Krug Park painting.  These are the pillars of the shelter in front of the playground in the castle.  The Italianate structure serves as a picnic area and is also used for weddings and various photography sessions.  Inspiration can be found from various angles.  I found inspiration in the way sun light casts between the pillars, reflecting all around the room. 

A four color palette was used; Winsor violet, cobalt blue, naples yellow, and titanium white.  

MVIS Reception 5-25-12

The opening reception for the Missouri Valley Impressionist Society (MVIS) exhibit went well.  A good crowd came to support and view the collection we have hanging at the Got Art Gallery on Third located in Lee's Summit, MO.  Twenty-three Impressionists participated, representing five states in our river valley---Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado.  With two pieces from participating artists, that's 46 pieces on display.

The wine flew well.

The exhibit was admired by many as a rare chance to view various Impressionist paintings side-by-side.  Interesting discussions were made in comparing one artists method of interpretation and imagery to another.  Some paintings were bold, others were detailed.  Some were painted loose, others were tight.  Some contain various colors, others a very limited palette.  In either case, the exhibit is a fine collection and one of the best I have participated in.

Two of the four Founders; Greg and I.

These exhibits give members of the organization a chance to exhibit together, not only in creating a fine display of representational art, but exhibiting in support of one another and to help gain appreciation as well as recognition in the style of painting---Impressionism. 

The exhibit will run until June 18th.  The next MVIS exhibit is scheduled for September with two receptions at the Kansas City Club.

For more information about the MVIS, visit our website at www.missourivalleyimpressionistsociety.com.

Work in Progress

Continuing on, this piece is coming along great.  Reflected sunlight bouncing around the interior of this gazebo brings it to life.  The subject of this piece, like many others, is how light touches and reflects on its surroundings.  I'm finding the pillars to be the most challenging.  While direct sunlight hits one side, reflected light hits the other side as sunlight passes between the pillars and is reflected off the ground.  The visual is the play of natural light.

Work in Progress

How can an Impressionist, such as myself, pass up the rich architecture found in my hometown, St. Joseph, MO?  A city with so many structures from the 18 and early 1900's built by well known architects of the time, from near and far. 

Here is a painting in progress depicting afternoon light through the pillars of the Italianate Krug Park castle.  A structure over a hundred years old, well known and loved by the locals, yet ignored and left in disrepair.  It's a shame it became nothing more than prop for a playground, as the old garden grounds of this gem contain monkey bars, swings, slides, and woodchips---certainly nothing worthy of my palette. 

Aerial perspective will be present through the entry way.  Linear perspective is strongest.  Reflected light all around will be a focal point in this piece.  Four color palette is being used.  Enjoy!

"Light and Shade"

"Light and Shade"

14x18 oil on canvas

2012

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A limited palette of four colors were used in this painting; Sap Green, Winsor Violet, Cadmium Yellow Pale, and Titanium White --- with only one type of brush, flat short bristle brush.  The emphasis in creating this painting was the practice of interpreting shadows.  Shadows contain a certain amount of light in them even though they are not in direct light from the source.  By muting the shade of color in the grass for shadow, I added a small amount of violet.  The darkest areas contain an even amount of green and violet.

The scene painted here is from Krug Park (St. Joseph, MO) at the top of the hill behind the castle.  I explored back there a few weeks ago following old abandoned paths and limestone stairs from the late 1800 to early 1900's.  The path leads up to this grassy opening which then leads to the limestone tunnel, allowing you to cross over it toward the playground.  These paths were interesting to see and follow, and may have at one time been a scenic route. 

Work in Progress

Continuing with oils on a little larger scale than previous studies, this is a 14x18 with a limited palette containing only four colors; yellow, green, violet, and white.  Only one type of brush is being used, Manet French Classic short bristle flat brush.
I am beginning to learn how to create mood as I have done with my pastel paintings. 

This piece is strongly coming together.  Composition is always one of my main ingredients.  In this piece aerial perspective is being achieved as distant shadows are lighter and closer shadows are darker. 

I always say, "elegant things in life call for delicate paintings," but even the ordinary can be interpreted into great art.  This is a scene from the top of the hill behind Krug Park castle in St. Joseph, MO.

New Oil Paintings

"The Afternoon Light at Krug Park"

11x14 oil on canvas

2012

"Across the Lagoon"

11x14 oil on canvas

2012

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

These are the two pieces I've done en plein air at Krug Park in St. Joseph. They were not entirely done outdoors. Running out of time, I had to take them to my studio to finish them without any reference. They had to be completed by memory.