Experimenting, Growing, Developing

Here are some sketches that were done RIGHT after Lauren left. Of course, I have CONTINUED painting daily since--which means that I need to apprehend my mother's SUPERNICE camera to take some pictures of what I've been up to...I've also been doing some painting with my oils.

I am experimenting with different ways to use watercolor. Painting from a picture is ALWAYS easier than painting from life, and I suppose you can see that in this painting of a fisherman on Fabbiano paper (bought IN Italy when I lived there), 5''x7''.

A gentleman came into the park on a home-made motorbike (a Schwinn bike with his own makeshift motor) wanting to travel around Montana for the next few months. On the day that he left, he told us that he had to leave behind a bag and some clothing that were weighing him down. Inspecting what he discarded, we found a stack of family photographs (one that closely resembles this one, above) inside! Since we were going to throw the photos away, I felt that I needed to give it the afterlife that it deserves in the only way that I know how--through painting! 5x7 Fabbiano

Flew 2,345 miles to see a Minnich!

My oh my. ...Last Thursday, June 17th, I recently arrived back to the garden state with a bundle of new watercolors to show from glorious adventures in Montana. Lindsay Minnich and I plein air painted along side Glacier National Park and near many other incredible views. The landscapes all throughout the state never decreased any of my creativity whatsoever. Endless possibilities with compositions and color. 

(2) Plein air Glacier National Park. 5" x 5" watercolor and pencil 

Sinclar Gas Station in Babb, MT, 5" x 5" , watercolor 

Babb, MT, 5" x 5" , watercolor 

Old Church in Babb, MT, 5" x 5" , watercolor 

Kila, MT, 5" x 5" , watercolor. 

Used different paper than above. Cold press paper lighter pound. I noticed the quality of pigment on the surface immediately. More smooth and flat. 

Near Whitefish, MT, 5" x 5" , watercolor and pen

Used Lindsay's pen and drew inspiration from her continuous contour line sketches. Really enjoyed the free spirit of the line. 

St. Ignatius, MT, 4" x 4" , watercolor 

Well, after the bus from Kalispell to Big Timber, MT made the bus driver curse loudly to avoid a deadly crash, I had a great amount of time to sketch in St. Ignatius, MT. This navy topped farm house was located to the right of the bus and just was begging to be cared for or noticed. 

BACK!

I'm sure that Miss Lauren Whitney will one day soon post on this blog...but I'm sure glad I beat her to the punch!

HA!

She traveled the 2456 miles from NJ to MT to visit me a week ago. During that time, we had a chance to do a bit of plein air painting in this gorgeous land from which I hail.

Check-check-check 'em out below...

Lauren's shoes in the grass--I made them red instead of off-white to give them some sass.

We kayaked to an island on Flathead Lake, painting supplies in tow, and sketched out this area next to Somers, MT.

A church in Babb, MT --just outside of Glacier National Park.

...also in Babb, MT (across the street from the church).