Iconic

I walked around the campground, looking to see what caught my eye to paint. By the entrance, the American flag stood out against the stormy clouds. Bits of bright blue sky showed through the clouds and it appealed to me on many levels. I rushed back to capture the flag. As a painter, I am attracted to those marvelous folds of stripes, their movement and pattern interest me. Look for where I lost edges...this is exciting for me!

Airstream

I loved how many reflections I saw on this classic Airstream in the campground near Zion. I tried to capture them, at the same time thinking of simplifying them. As for all my paintings on this trip, this was also painted plein air and alla prima. Alla prima refers to wet paint into wet paint, all done in one painting session. It helps if the first layers of paint are quite thin, then you can build up subsequent layers quite easily. Did I just say easily? Ha! Sometimes there is success, sometimes I scrape it all off with a knife and start over. 

Cody

I felt especially challenged as the wind picked up and the temperature continued to drop into the high 30's. I hadn't bargained for this but as I was determined to paint,  I took to my car.
Easel balanced on my knees, medium in the cup holder, an old apron draped over the dash, I tried to get this one done quickly. Heavy mist blotting out full view of the mountains, I still wanted their presence to dominate in the painting. A lone horse grazing gave it a quintessential Wyoming feeling.
I really enjoyed two visits to Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which is really 5 museums in one. The Whitney Western Art Museum has a staggering collection of big names and I especially enjoyed the reconstructed Frederic Remington Studio.

Late Summer Flowers

Another plein air study of flowers in their late summer glory.

Grace is a DPW FB pick of the day

My 5x7 painting achieves several of the things I hope will happen when I spy a potential painting.
First, the light was lovely, even though the sun was hot; I positioned my panel so that it would be in the shade. This makes it easier for me to see the value shifts.
Second, it had the great complementary combination of blue and orange, with the orange playing a bit part. It's more about the fabulous color of the purple cone flower for me. 
Third, I had opportunities to simplify with both the vase and the tablecloth. Even though I can appreciate the detail in both, it's more me to "keep it simple". 
Simple, strong shapes and color are what worked to make it a Daily Paintworks FB pick of the day. 

This was painted plein air in the garden, but here's a reference photo so you can see what has been left out.

Rosemary's Iris

Plein air painting has many challenges- wind, bugs, sun on the support, to name a few. When the sun hits the surface you're working on, it becomes quite a challenge to judge the value of a color. It works best for me to have my panel or canvas in the shade. But as we know, time stands still for no one, and that sun will move!

Yellow Iris

Another from the iris series, a favorite flower of mine. My grandmother had masses of them, appearing each spring after the daffodils. They told me summer was just around the corner.