PAINTING NEAR BASTROP, TX

This week, I went out to the area around Bastrop, TX; the second time I went out there to paint. The first time was last year, and I didn't get to paint anything that day, because I (of course) chose to drive in that direction the day the major wildfires started . This time, I drove through Bastrop State Park, and saw nothing I felt like trying to paint. I wasn't in the mood to paint blackened stumps, so I gave up and was heading for home when I saw this broken down stable, with some hills way off in the distance. I'm always drawn to those rusted metal roofs.

This 9x12" study is what came of it.

Stable near Bastrop 9x12"

ANOTHER DAY AT McKINNEY FALLS

I went back out to McKinney Falls State Park while there is still hope of catching some wildflowers in bloom. We're getting to the tail end of the season, and Texas is starting to get really hot. I wandered around taking photos until I saw this hill. It's not the view I thought I would go back to paint, but this was fun.

McKinney Falls Wildflowers 12x9"

You can still find some nice blooms at the park. Here are a few of the flowers I saw today.

McKINNEY FALLS STATE PARK

Today, Saturday, I went out to McKinney Falls State Park, where I took a bunch of photos and painted at the remains of the homestead. I didn't have a lot of time to spend, so I just did this one 8x10" study.

McKinney Falls Homestead, 8x10"

As I was leaving, I came across a really nice field of wildflowers and a mostly dead tree, which would make a great subject if I can get back out to the park on Sunday.

THE PRESERVE AT WALNUT SPRINGS

On Saturday morning, I went out with painting buddy Jimmy Longacre to a new gated subdivision in Johnson City, called The Preserve at Walnut Springs. It's a beautiful 2000+ acre hill country ranch being subdivided into 66 non-contiguous 5-7 acre parcels, with 1500 acres to remain undeveloped. What's really nice about painting there is that they cleared out all the cedar and left stands of native oaks. It was definitely worth the 45 minute drive from my house.

We both did 3 studies: a 2 hour 9x12, a one hour 6x8, and another 2 hour 9x12. Here are mine.

2012-04-07 Walnut Springs 1

12x9"

2012-04-07 Walnut Springs 2

6x8"

In reality, the main tree in the 2nd painting was pretty boxy, but the painting emphasized it too much, I think. The main problem is the even distance from the top and side. To fix that, I should have let it go out past the edges of the canvas.

2012-04-07 Walnut Springs 3

9x12"

OFFICERS QUARTERS

On Saturday, I went out with some of the guys from Powerhouse Animation to paint the area around Inks Lake and Longhorn Cavern. We've had an amazing year for wildflowers in Texas.

This building dates from the 1930s, and was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps as officers quarters.

Officers Quarters, 9x12"

Ronnie Williford, Bruce Tinnin, Evgeny Lubaev, Frank Gabriel

LUNCHTIME PAINTING AT BULL CREEK

This painting of Bull Creek in Austin is one of my 45 minute "lunchtime paintings." I keep coming back to this same area because it's close to my office (about 10 minutes), and if I work quickly, I can get back to work in a little more than an hour. We had several days of rain, and the creek was full.

2012-03-21 Bull Creek 10x8"

I've circled the place where I painted. I stood in the shade, just under the bridge.

BERTRAM, TX

On Saturday, I drove up to Bertram, TX to paint with Ronnie Williford. We each got two studies done. Setting up for my first painting of a barn was interrupted by a curious pair of cows, who stood right in front of the barn I wanted to paint. After they left I was able to get to work.

"I'm ready for my Closeup, Mr. DeMille."

Bertram Barn, 11x14"

Next, we set up to paint the a cactus and wildflowers right next to some railroad tracks. By that time we had midday sun and the light was horrible, but we decided to go for it. When the gravel train went past, my easel fell over and the glass palette shattered. It was time to abandon work on it anyway.

Cactus and Wildflowers, 11x14"