Archives for Landscape

A Journey of My Life

A Journey of My Life

September 26, 2012 | by

The life that Dean Mitchell knew in the poverty stricken rural area where he grew up in many ways can be glimpsed by looking at his art. Dean Mitchell (Florida) Snow Hills Watercolor 20″ By 30″ I love the white of the snow on the land in winter. It is beautiful, airy, and peaceful. Dean Mitchell (Florida) Winter On Gillham Road Watercolor 12″ By 16″ This winter scene is in the greater Kansas City area, about a block or two from the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. I traveled this road many times when I was a teacher at the
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Filtering Nature’s Truth

Filtering Nature’s Truth

September 26, 2012 | by

Montana artist Josh Elliott has a tag line for his art: “Nature’s truth filtered through the artist.” Josh Elliot (Montana) St. Mary Shores Oil 18″ By 36″ I enjoy painting scenes where you can see the connection of the foreground to the background. Josh Elliot (Montana) Floating Gold Oil 20″ By 20″ Blue and gold is a pleasing color combination. I tried to make an interesting composition. Dividing a painting with half water, half land is typically not recommended. Because the patterns of light and dark are varied, the painting doesn’t look split in half and stagnant.
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Opening Windows

Opening Windows

September 26, 2012 | by

Born in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1958, and raised in Monroe, Louisiana, Heide Presse is one of a long list of renowned artists, who first honed their talents in the field of commercial art. Heide Presse (Florida) Transition Oil 12″ By 9″ This painting features a mid-19th century teen, still young enough to wear the low neckline common for children’s garments, but transitioning into a young lady with her hair up and wearing one of her mother’s shawls. This is one of my antique paisley shawls, which were very popular in this era. Heide Presse (Florida) The Sound Of Wings Oil
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Payne’s Power

Payne’s Power

July 26, 2012 | by

Wanderlust, combined with a love of nature and an incredible natural artistic talent, made Edgar Alwin Payne (1883 – 1947) one of the most sought after and celebrated of California’s early plein air painters. Edgar Payne Canyon Mission Viejo, Capistrano, N.d. Oil 24″ By 28″ Private Collection Courtesy of The Irvine Museum. Edgar Payne Sierra Peaks Oil 42″ By 42″ Collection of D. L. Stuart Jr.
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Walk On In

Walk On In

May 26, 2012 | by

As artistic careers go, Daniel Mundy’s didn’t come to fruition until he was almost 45 years old, despite a life spent painting and dabbling in various art forms. It’s not that Mundy didn’t love the patterns and colors of the sky, or the nuances of form and color that shadows cast on the light; he just hadn’t quite figured out yet that he was an artist. Daniel Mundy (California) A Field In Bloom Oil 24″ By 30″ A few years ago, I happened on this field of poppies in late afternoon light. I jumped out of the truck, threw up
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I’m Not Just an Artist

I’m Not Just an Artist

March 26, 2012 | by

With the Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, the vineyards of Sonoma Valley, or the Big Sur coastline as his backdrop, Kevin Courter never wearies of painting the majesty and diversity of the California landscape. Kevin Courter (California) Moonlight Oil 20″ By 16″ Nocturnes are a common theme of mine and are especially intriguing when utilizing the subtle light of a full moon. I enjoy pushing the subtle color shifts and warm hues in these scenes. Kevin Courter (California) Dance Of The Pacific Oil 12″ By 18″ Eucalyptus trees are one of my favorite trees to paint. I love their graceful lines
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Still Pouring It On

Still Pouring It On

January 26, 2012 | by

In 1972, Walt Gonske made a decision that, he says, was “probably the smartest thing I ever did.” That decision-to leave illustration and New York City behind and move to Taos, New Mexico, and try his hand at fine art-changed the course of his life. It also provided art lovers with the opportunity to enjoy his incredible talent. Walt Gonske (New Mexico) Los Colonias Oil 30″ By 28″ Winter cottonwoods and red willows along a Taos creek-it doesn’t get any better than this, having all of these forms and color in one composition. Walt Gonske (New Mexico) Placita Winter Day
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The Journey Continues

The Journey Continues

January 26, 2012 | by

For more than two decades, California-based artist Calvin Liang has been inspired by the majestic beauty found along the Pacific coastline, so it is not surprising that billowy sail boats, rosetinged sunsets, misty coves, and secluded beaches continue as favorite subjects for his impressionistic, yet slightly stylized, oil paintings. Calvin Liang (California) Venice Canal Oil 30″ By 40″ Venice might be somewhat of a tourist trap, but it is beautiful to the eye. In this scene, it is surrounded by colorful buildings and dramatic water reflections Calvin Liang (California) Spider Rock Oil 24″ By 30″ Spider Rock is one of
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Magical Sights

Magical Sights

November 27, 2011 | by

With winter on the horizon, not many people look forward to the months of snow-covered ground that lie ahead. That’s not true of landscapist Karen Vance, however. She revels in the fact that the mountains surrounding her home in Winter Park, Colorado, often are engulfed in the white stuff for eight to nine months each year. Karen Vance (Colorado) Another Spring Oil 28″ By 36″ This is the Murphy Ranch in Granby, Colorado. These two barns are more than 100 years old and still standing. The Murphys homesteaded this land and still raise cattle and put up hay with a
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