More clouds.....

Clouds #3

5.5" x 14"  oil

More clouds from my windy plein air evening.

Clouds on my mind again!

Clouds #2

5.5" x 14"  oil

I was very distracted by clouds all last summer.  Size, shapes, mood, color ~ I wanted to paint them,  take photos of them, describe them to people.  I found myself pointing them out to everyone...talking about it to you on my blog.  Then one day, as mysteriously as it came , the distraction quietly crept out of my mind, I don't know when.

Yesterday, it came back.

Last night I had a great view.  The wind was blowing and the clouds were moving and shifting, 

I gave it my best shot and painted a quick as I could.  I finished a couple small studies last night out in an open field.... then I went home, warmed up and went back to take a bunch of photos.

Clouds are so cool.

Head in the Clouds

"Head in the Clouds"

16" x 20" oil

You would think a skull would look 

ominous.....spooky....haunting, 

but the skull I have, he seems kinda cheerful.  

That big grin of his, just makes me want to paint him! 

I guess he should have a name.  I paint him enough, he's starting to feel like family.

Hmmm.......what should I name him?

I'll think on it.

Look to the sky.....

Just before sunset...

Pullman, WA at sunset

I've had clouds and sky on my mind these past few months.  I seem to be engaged in a totally different task when I look up and see some incredible sky hovering above me........just flaunting itself in front of my eyes, while I carry in the groceries or check the mailbox.  As if to let me know a beautiful painting is always waiting for me to paint....every day....any minute, I'm just not making time for it. 

The two paintings above were done on a hilltop in Pullman, WA.  The sun was setting and we grabbed all our gear and raced to catch the last of the light and color of that evening sky.  Fun!  I loved the speed and immediacy of these paintings.....color only!  My last lesson of the trip and I had no idea it was going to be taught. Thank you Henry for teaching me these past few years, I have appreciated all you have taught me.