Fourth and Main

"Fourth and Main"
8" x 10"
Pastel on canvas panel

The second painting I submitted for the plein air competition was also a pastel of downtown LaCrosse. Of course, LaCrosse is seldom seen in these colors, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.  

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
Carolkeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

Fifth and Main

"Fifth and Main"
8" x 8"
Pastel on canvas panel 

This is one of the three pieces I submitted to the plein air competition this past week in LaCrosse, Wisconsin on the Mississippi. It's in my favorite style of painting with pastel, alas, it did not win any awards.

I made new friends and met up with a couple of recently-made new friends in my travels. I enjoyed being a part of this event, and hope to participate again.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

At Water's Edge

"At Water's Edge"
5" x 7"
Oil on canvas panel 

How it stayed rooted for as long as it had, amazed me. A pine that close to the water's edge doesn't usually stand straight and flourish as this one seems to have. I hope my commenting on it hasn't jinxed it.  Hang in there, beauty…  

I'll be out of state at a plein air event for about five days. I will not be posting during that time, but will be attentive to email in the evening if you care to write.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

Valley

"Valley"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard 

I've been reading some old missives about applying paint to a canvas to create art, "The Boston School of Painting" by Frank Benson.  Choose the right value, he says, get plenty of paint on the brush, and apply it in one stroke — flat, don't fuzz it or fuss with it.  I'm not sure I can abide by those rules, but I tried it. Maybe it's appealing to someone.  

Carol  

Brushstrokes@comcast.net

CarolKeene.com

Dailypaintworks.com

Dailypainters.com 

Streaming Amethyst

"Streaming Amethyst"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard 

The sky reflected an amethyst quality onto the stream in front of me. I was tempted to wade into it with a fine mesh net to gather  the precious booty. 

I love how water takes on the colors of what surrounds it and is in it. Here, I considered the sky, weeds, trees and rocks as I painted.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

Pine Time

"Pine Time"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard

A river ran across this corner of the ranch where my friend took me to visit. The air was crisp and we never saw a bug… so unlike summer in Illinois. 

The fragrance of pine was prominent. Maybe that's why there were no bugs, but I didn't know what other kinds of varmints there were to threaten me.  Ignorance was bliss.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

As We Came Through the Clouds

"As We Came Through the Clouds"
5" x 5"
Oil on hardboard

The captain informed us of possible bumpiness as we approached Chicago. The tops of the clouds didn't appear to be tortuous, but we cinched in our belts anyway.  He was right. Not so many bumps as rolls side to side. Beautiful to the eye — icky to the stomach. 

My last sky painting for a few days. I promise.  I needed to make them to cover while I was out of town to attend a wedding. I enjoyed the hours spent "in the clouds."

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com