Buttercup Fields

Buttercup Fields, oil on panel, 5x7

I really enjoyed painting this quick small one, a view of the farm next to the ranch (see previous post). I only had about an hour of good light left in the day. Enjoyed seeing the horses come and go in the near distance, and the bright yellow buttercups made for a striking scene. I should have taken a photo of my setup - the easel was on one side of a fence, while I painted from the other side with a small incline sloping back behind me.

El Rancho de Paz

El Rancho de Paz, oil on panel, 8x10

We stayed for two nights at a summer camp and horse ranch outside Binghamton, NY. This was the setting for my niece's wonderfully casual wedding reception. I enjoyed our stay here very much, and did three plein air paintings on the grounds last Sunday.

Chautauqua Rhododendron

Chautauqua Rhododendron, oil on board, 8x10

After spending nearly 3 hours on the bell tower painting (previous post), I moved a hundred yards to capture the sunlit rhododendron at the lovely Arcade building. I worked as fast as possible on this painting, resulting in a looser brushstroke than usual.

Chautauqua Morning

Chautauqua Morning, oil on panel, 8x10

Took a trip last week to upstate New York, where I managed to do five plein airs. This is one of two at Chautauqua Institution on Lake Chautauqua. In a few weeks there will be lots of people and boats there, but not in late May. I found this spot looking at the Miller Bell Tower a short distance from the many bare boating docks.

Trees By the James

Trees By the James, Oil on Board, 8x10
Amherst County, Virginia

Chicago Nocturne

Chicago Nocturne, Oil on Board, 11x14
Wabash Avenue, Chicago

Return to Harbor

Return to Harbor, Oil on Board, 10x8
Wilmette Harbor, Wilmette, IL

Williamsburg Winter Light

Williamsburg Winter Light, Oil on Canvas, 16x20

My New Blog for (Very) Small Works

I'm pleased to announce my new blog, Mini Fine Art by Mark D. Johnson, which will feature my new small works - original oil paintings on gessoed business cards, mounted on flat magnets. It may be a novelty or gimmick, but to me, they're just fun! These are available for sale at just $35.

Summer Shade

Summer Shade, Oil on Canvas, 16x28