'Hard Rock' - image size - 18" x 8"

A few hours of work over this past weekend and the 'star' has made her appearance! A few more hours of work on this one and it will be ready for its frame.

I'm seeing the light at the end of this pile of rocks!

I squeezed in a few hours of work time yesterday, so here is where things stand this morning. I am really enjoying all that rock texture!

Yesterday's work.

For years, I guess, I've been accused of having rocks in my head. Well, I'm not sure about that, but maybe more like rocks on my mind? I love rocks. I love the texture of rocks. I love the interplay of one type of rock up against another. I love to draw rocks! As I recently hinted at, I thought it about time to turn things up a notch, do something vertical for a change. So, here are the first stages of this new work, 18" x 8" overall. I think I will get my fill of noodling on this one.

Fall is rushing by outside my studio and over this past weekend my neighbor was out raking and decided that the maple in my front yard was just too spectacular to pass up taking photos of.

I've been eyeing the tree, just outside my dining room window, for the last couple of weeks but had not lifted the camera to take a picture or two. So thanks Elaine, for sending me these and other wonderful, colorful, bright, warm and sumptuous shots! I guess I will be raking these up in another week and then waiting for the first snowfall!

Finishing touches last night and this one is ready for framing this morning. Image size - 7 1/2" x 10". I feel something more vertical coming on for the next one.

Yesterday's work . . .

Early start to work time today as I have a lot of catch up to do being away for the Waterfowl Festival four days last week. So, before I pick up a pencil this morning, here is the conclusion to yesterday's work; trying to establish the important breaks between light and shadow and slowly build up dimension and depth.

I haven't posted any in-progress shots for a bit and thought this new work would be a good one to do that very thing for. This work is going to wind up being about 8" x 10" when completed. New pieces now, are in preparation for an upcoming Artist's Open House I will be sharing with several other artist friends in early December. With that, here is the first couple of hours of work on this one.

I was pleased to hear that at last night's opening of the small works show at Howard/Mandville Gallery in Washington state, my two works were among the many pieces sold. And today is the last day of this year's Waterfowl Festival here in Maryland, where the crowds have been steady and sales are happening! Whoo-Hoo for November. Thanks to all who have stopped by and I've chatted with in Easton at the Festival.

The 20th Annual Invitational Small Works Show is now up and ready for viewing at the Howard/Mandville Gallery in Kirkland, Washington. But, you can review it on their web site and see some fantastic pieces of art, including two of mine! Intent to purchase slips will be drawn on Saturday evening and you can put in an intent to purchase on any work via a phone call to the gallery. Take a look and see some outstanding small and relatively inexpensive works by some of the country's best artists.

A Colonial Autumn

Took off for Williamsburg, VA to spend some time with long-time friends for a few days this past week. I guess I had not been in the area for at least 15 years and perhaps a bit longer than that. Anyway, it was a fun few days of catching up with friends and wondering around playing tourist, though the camera was at the ready to capture possible reference material. Here's a little photographic pastiche, impressions of fall in Williamsburg.