Winterscapes

Frosty Artifacts Make Great Painting Subject Matter

Art, History, Outdoor Adventure, watercolor
Classic Rusty Truck in Winter

As a family, we love adventuring to Blooming Hill Farm. It is an organic farm located in South Blooming Grove, NY. Salad greens and root veggies are always available there in the middle of winter. The folks that run the place are the best! There are also these old rusty trucks laying around on the property. I’m not sure what the story is, but I’m pretty sure they don’t run anymore. One thing is for sure – they make an excellent subject matter for a watercolor painting!

Here is another old rusty truck painting from Blooming Hill Farm. This painting found a home with our friends Jordan and Miranda.

Another frosty artifact

Red Barn Winter Landscape in Watercolor

Art, Outdoor Adventure, watercolor

A local photographer, Cindy Plumb Bishop, captured a stunning image of a Red Barn in snowy New York State, which inspired me to paint the scene in watercolor. Places close to home are some of my favorites to paint, as it helps to enhance my awareness of where I live. This scene is simple, yet effective in creating visual interest because of the dramatic contrast between the snow and the red barn. If you’re looking to do a quick and simple painting, scenes like this make terrific subject matter. Not a lot of detail, no fuss, just great color combinations.

Red Barn Winter Landscape (watercolor on Arches Rough paper)

I’ve also recorded a time lapse video of the painting process.

For more examples of my work, please visit my Etsy shop!

Kids Playing Outside – Watercolor 10×14”

Art, Outdoor Adventure, watercolor

Kids Playing Outside w/c 10×14”

Sometimes inspiration comes from a photo taken by your sister-in-law. I’m not sure what about the photo inspired me, but for some reason I just wanted to paint it. It’s great to see kids playing outside. The cold northeastern weather doesn’t seem to bother them. They are happy and curious exploring the streets of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania with their parents.

Winter of 1780

Art, watercolor

Winter of 1780 in Morristown was a brutal situation for the continental army – solders were given almost nothing to eat and supplies were scare. Meanwhile, General Washington and other high ranked officials stayed at the Ford Mansion with plenty to eat. I suppose little has changed since then; a few benefit while the majority struggles.

At this time of year, I am always grateful that I can get warm whenever I want to. This painting is a representation of the hardship that these men endured as they fought for independence from Britain. Fire was crucial for both survival and sending warning signals of British attack.

Winter of 1780 in Morristown, New Jersey

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Here’s are work in progress photos for this painting.

Original idea sketch for composition

Starting to lay in some of the washes and trees

The pines dry much lighter in color than expected

Time to refine and define values better

Winter of 1780 (w/c 14×20”)

Washington’s Birthday

Art, New Jersey, Outdoor Adventure

Today, Presidents’ Day is a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents. But, some still refer to this day as “Washington’s Birthday”. This holiday was originally established in 1885 to honor President George Washington, though his actual birthday is February 22nd. Coincidentally, Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, and William Henry Harrison were also born in February.

Washington was commander in chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Jockey Hollow (the inspiration for this watercolor) was used as a winter encampment by the Continental Army. Here, the soldiers suffered hunger, from lack of resources, and miserable cold and stormy winter conditions.  As I hike through the hills of Jockey Hollow, I imagine this place some 240 years ago.