Ponds In May

Some of the artists met on another afternoon to paint the ponds at the Mill Creek wildlife sanctuary. This is a smaller painting. One of those days when the sun was hot, but the wind was brisk, so that the shade soon felt chilly.

9" x 12"    Oil on board        $350& the sun hot

The Storms Blew Through

We painted from Pleasant View Mennonite Church parking lot on Renkenberger Road this week. Light & shadow moved around quickly as thunderstorms moved in & through. Trying to capture the rolling clouds & the rain moving in was exhilarating. We had to run for cover at least twice. We want to return to this area again.

17" x 23"     Oil on stretched canvas       SOLD

The Ponds, A Bird Sanctuary

Today the Plein Air group met  at a little known area of the Youngstown Mill Creek metro park. In fact  I had to call the park office for permission to paint here. The official was very gracious  & sent us a signed permit to be displayed when we are there. I painted on a larger canvas today & Monday. This is a 5 or 6 hour painting.  Serenading redwing blackbirds, woodpeckers, martins, bluebirds, wrens, & others I was too intent to notice, kept us company.

21" x 29"         oil on canvas          $850

Mill Creek Wetlands Preserve

This it a section of the Mill Creek Metroparks Wetlands reserve, off of Western Reserve Road. The day was perfect for cloud studies. Must practice them.

18" x 24"      Stretched canvas          $450         

Corner of Wilms Greenhouse

We went to Wilms at Franklin Square again today. The plants are lush & lovely. The sun played peek a boo, but I tried to capture the shadows when they appeared.

14" x 14 "    canvas on masonite        SOLD

Wilm's Greenhouse

This quaint fascinating greenhouse at Franklin Square, Ohio, is brimming with flowering plants this season. Every nook & cranny is paintable.  A steady stream of people came & went to purchase plants. Yesterday Trying not to interfere with their business, I stood across the highway working to capture in paint the flicker of light as it played around the angles & gave a gemlike glow to the flowering plants. 

12" x 16"        canvas on birchboard         $450

Magnolia Blossoms

The Magnolia tree was dropping it's petals in today's slight wind. The pink petals fell onto the stone walls & the surrounding ground.  We painted in Fellows Garden at the Youngstown Mill Creek Metro-park. It was a perfect spring day. People flocked through the park, many of them photographing their families against the colorful background of spring flowers. I usually avoid formal gardens, preferring the more natural habitat of plants.

11" x 14"    canvas on masonite      $250

Peach Blossoms

Apple Castle is the name of a fruit orchard north of New Castle. This week the Peach trees were making a lovely show against the dark pines & spring greens. PAC, the new Plein Air club met there to paint monday. The day was mostly cloudy, with periods of light rain. A bit damp, but warm. 

11" x 14"       canvas on masonite       SOLD