The Addition, oil on linen panel, 11"x14"

This is a plein air painting I did up in Vermont. I was driving toward a wetland area that I had spotted the previous day when I saw this barn in the distance. At first I snapped some photos with my telephoto lens with the intention of quickly moving on, but then decided to try to get closer. This can be a challenge since many times a barn like this may be deep inside the private property of owners who may not be home. But I lucked out on this one, the barn was right off a side road, so I set up to paint.

It was a mostly cloudy day which worked nice for this type of scene. You see, the barn faced north, and on a sunny day the face of the barn would have been silhouetted from the southern sun, and the painting would not have worked. I took about two hours to paint this, with some slight modifications made later. I used my typical palette of just four pigments, Cadmium Lemon, Cadmium Red, Ultramarine Blue and Titanium White to complete this painting.

I called this painting "The Addition" because of the interesting white siding on the lower right. I'm not sure if this was just a siding job or if they added on a another section to an already existing structure. Either way, I love old barns like this. They are a testament to a way of life that is rapidly disappearing, the family farm, the small, independent family business. I'm glad that some people still hold on to this spirit, as this beautiful plein air painting shows.

The Addition
Oil on linen panel, 11"x14"
$890

Hillside Hay Bales, oil on panel, 6"x8"

This was the first painting I did during Plein Air Vermont. The state of Vermont has so many areas of beauty that it can be challenging to finally settle on something. I painted this small because the clouds were moving in and out and I felt I had better paint fast. These sky condition created that very challenging change of light where you have thick clouds that completely block the sun, then perfectly clear skies that almost blind you because your pupils are wide open from the dark overcast. I did move a couple trees and hay bales around to make the composition work better. But just sitting on this hillside with a brush in hand was an incredible feeling that I wanted to share.

This painting will be displayed at the legendary Bennington Center for the Arts in Bennington, Vermont until mid-December. If you are interested in having this beautiful little painting in your collection, let me know and I'll put you in touch with "The Bennington."

Hillside Hay Bales,
oil on panel, 6"x8"
$390, framed. Contact Jason at luke_tako@yahoo.com or at 717-814-1391 to inquire

I'll be at Plein Air Vermont

This next week I will be participating in the 2nd Annual Plein Air Vermont Competition, from September 4th through September 9th. The event takes place in North Bennington, Vermont, and will include some fantastic artists and artwork. I hope to be able to see you there. http://pleinair-vermont.com/

Late Summer
9"x12" oil on linen panel
$790, contact Jason at luke_tako@yahoo.com to inquire.

A single window and a single door. After a couple thumbnail sketches this was the composition I settled on, a pattern of rectangles with the abstract shapes of the flowers creeping up to outdo the windows and doors. This painting won the People's Choice Award at Plein Air Camp Hill 2012.

The Blue Door
Oil on linen panel, 9"x12"
$690.00-SOLD

Carroll Creek Alley, oil on linen panel, 11"x14"

 A hot morning in Frederick, MD, an alley that most people would overlook, but through the eye of an artist it can become an image of beauty. The resident of the upstairs apartment steps outside for a smoke. A delivery truck makes a stop and the driver pounds on the back door, then leaves. Another woman complains that her parking spot was taken. Then a woman pulls in the alley with a small red pickup truck which adds a perfect splash of color to the scene. This painting won the Second Place Award at Easels in Frederick 2012.

Carroll Creek Alley
Oil on linen panel, 11"x14"
$790.00-SOLD

Ole Rusty, oil on line panel, 11"x14"

 

An old rusted barn just outside of town tells the story of simplicity, honesty, family, country, and endurance. Actually, it has many stories to tell, if people will listen. It's days are probably numbered, but it continues to speak to us about our past, and perhaps about our future. I had to paint it so it would continue to speak even after it's torn down. This painting received the Second Place Award at Mountain Maryland Plein Air 2012.

Ole Rusty

oil on linen panel, 11"x14"

$890.00, framed.

Award at Easels in Frederick

I saw this alley and had to paint it, even though it was going to be around 100 degrees that day. The event was Easels in Frederick 2012 and I took 2nd Place at the event with this painting.