Here I am again on the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos, one of my favorite subjects.   I hiked at daybreak down the river bed a couple of miles west of Highway 84 southeast of Post. It was difficult going because of the mud and quicksand. 

    This painting went through several stages.  I replaced the sky and tried several foreground ideas before discovering a balance that I like.  It is 22 by 40.

Reflections on the Canadian River

     The water in the Canadian is red.  I mean REALLY red.  This is an image of the Canadian at the Recreation area north of Amarillo off of HWY 87.  There were quite a few off-road vehicles splashing around in the mud.  It looked like fun.

     This painting is 24 by 48 inches. I will be included in an exhibit in the Slaton Texas City Hall on October 31st.  I hope to see you there

FIFTEEN MINUTE PAINTINGS

This series of exercises has really energized my work.  I have been doing it for about two months now.  I set a goal of making six paintings a week. Sometimes I'll do two a day.  Sometimes one or none.  I mix all my paint first, then set the timer and paint.  If I only need a few more strokes to finish, sometimes I'll let myself paint a couple of extra minutes.  

FIFTEEN MINUTE PAINTINGS

Well, I just wanted to give you an idea of what my 15 minute paintings are looking like.

Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos

I've been working on this painting for two days.  I am liking it except for the erosion formation in the foreground on the right.  The part that seems not right is in the center at the bottom where it is close to the water.  I am not so sure about the line of the river bed either.  I might crop two inches off of the top.  Hooray for masonite panels.  I tried something new with this batch.  It is a product that Gamblin sells as an alternative to gesso.  It does not suck the oil out of your oil paints.  It doesn't have a tooth like gesso.  I really like the way it leaves my paint really wet and malleable.  I actually had a chance to get some good brush work going.