Botanic Garden Urn

Early morning at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.

"Morning Light"   20" x 14"   Oil

Spanish Walk

Andalusian stallion El Apagon performing the Spanish Walk.  

"Spanish Walk"   24" x 30"   Oil

Thank you to Chon Macedo for posing his magnificent animal while in town for the International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association's National Competition.

Fort Worth, Texas Magazine Blog - "Last Light on First Methodist"

Click here to watch a time-lapse video and learn more about this painting.

"Last Light on First Methodist"   24" x 18"   Oil

Dancing Girls

I'm exporting a little of Fort Worth's hispanic culture up to Vermont.  This painting of three Ballet Folklorico dancers will be on display (along with many paintings by other artists) at the Oil Painters of America Twenty Third Annual National Exhibition  in Bennington from June 7 through July 27.

"Trio"   24" x 48"   Oil

Here are a few more paintings from my series of this colorful dance troupe.

"Mariposa"   24" x 24"   Oil

"Ballet Folklorico"   12" x 16"   Oil

"Rosa"   36" x 24"   Oil

The Chancellor's Hallway

The hallway leading to the Chancellor's office at Texas Christian University was a little sparse, so I was given the assignment to spruce it up a bit with paintings of Fort Worth scenes.

Here's how it looks now.

"Memorial Column"   30" x 24"   Oil

"Early Morning in the Garden"   30" x 60"   Oil

"Courthouse at Dusk"   30" x 24"   Oil

"Winter Twilight"   30" x 72"   Oil

Winter Twilight

Finished painting of the Fort Worth skyline at twilight on a winter day.

"Winter Twilight"   30" x 72"   Oil

Shapes and Colors

Currently I'm working on a painting of the Fort Worth skyline at dusk as seen from the Amon Carter Museum.  

 Most of the detail is going into this cluster of buildings which I'd like to be the focal point of the composition.

Here's a close-up.  Just a messy bunch of shapes and colors, really.

The Modern

Here in Fort Worth we're fortunate to have three world-class art museums within walking distance of each other - the Kimbell, the Amon Carter and the Modern Art Museum.  This is a view of the Modern with "pavilions that seem to float on the water".

"The Modern"   24" x 18"   Oil

Earth Day

One of the many varieties of wildflowers blooming in the Tandy Hills Natural Area in Fort Worth.

"Larkspur"   20" x 14"   Watercolor

Courthouse At Dusk

I recently finished this painting of the Tarrant County Courthouse which was built in 1895 and is one of the architectural masterpieces here in Fort Worth.  It particularly shines at dusk when the light is fading and the city lights along Main Street are beginning to turn on.

And speaking of Main Street...the Main Street Arts Festival happens next week from Thursday to Sunday.  The festival is regarded as one of the nation's premiere art and craft fairs and is a fun event to experience.

"Courthouse at Dusk"   30" x 24"   Oil

A couple of details:

City Sidewalks, Busy Sidewalks

Strings of street lights, even stop lights blink a bright red and green...

Video by Justin Tennison

"Haltoms Clock"   30" x 20"   Oil

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Apagon

I recently attended the Lusitano and Andalusian National Championship Horse Show here in Fort Worth.  Below is a small study for a larger painting that I'll be starting soon.

"Apagon Performing the Levade"   9" x 6"   Oil

Chon Macedo was so kind to pose his Andalusian Stallion Apagon for me!

I've heard it said that a small painting is no small effort.  I agree!

And just to keep things interesting...up next is a 30" x 60" cityscape.

Steps To The Gate

I often have the urge to get out the watercolors and splash some color around.  I decided to paint the impressive wrought iron gate to the HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in Fort Worth (originally the W. I. Cook Memorial Hospital) - an Italian Renaissance style structure built in 1929.

But first a couple of studies for practice.

A step-by-step look at the painting progression.

"Hospital Gate"   21" x 14"   Watercolor

St. Ignatius Academy Building - In Progress

I've begun a painting of the St. Ignatius Academy building in downtown Fort Worth.  This unique structure of the French Second Empire style was completed in 1889 and was originally used as a boarding school for young ladies.  Ever since moving to Fort Worth it has fascinated me as I walk by it - particularly in the late afternoon/evening light.  

"St. Ignatius Academy - Late Afternoon" (in progress)   24" x 30"   Oil

I've decided to simplify the background.  Here's a photo of it's actual surroundings.

I'm a big fan of Edward Hopper's paintings of architecture - one of my favorites being his "House by the Railroad".  I suppose it was in the back of my mind when I got the urge to paint this.  Here's Hopper's painting.

Edward Hopper's "House by the Railroad" (1925)   24"x29"   Oil    

The John Peter Smith Oak Tree

"The John Peter Smith Oak"   14" x 21"   Watercolor

This 200-300 year-old tree is a living tribute to John Peter Smith (1831-1901), known as the "father of Fort Worth".  Among his many accomplishments, he is credited with starting the first school in Fort Worth in 1854 and this tree is designated as a memorial for his contributions to the school district.

The Kimbell Art Foundation is the caretaker of this old oak and you can find it north of the Kimbell Art Museum.  Just look for the sign.

"Roger" Finds A Home

"Roger"   24" x 30"   Oil

Thanks to all of you who were able to come to Galerie Kornye West on Saturday for Gallery Night -- it was great seeing you!  For those of you who couldn't make it, I want to show you the finished painting of Roger, which you may have seen in progress in a February post.  Although these Fort Worth paintings I'm working on throughout 2011 are for next year's Spring Gallery Night, "Roger" was on display Saturday night as a preview of things to come.  I'm happy to say that this painting has been pre-purchased by a local art collector who has graciously agreed to loan it to us for the show next spring.

January Recap

The project so far.  In between working on a couple of commissioned portraits, I was able to finish several watercolor sketches, four oil paintings, and have four more oils in various stages of completion.

I like to have several paintings going at the same time.  Working on a variety of subjects keeps things fresh and interesting; and setting a painting aside for a time enables me to come back to it later with renewed enthusiasm.

Today I hope to venture out into the ice and snow(!) to check out the Super Bowl happenings in Sundance Square.  I'll let you know how that goes.  (Deb, where'd I put my snowshoes??)

"Horse Fountain"   10" x 8"  Watercolor

A watercolor of the top of the historic horse fountain by the courthouse.

"Ball-Eddleman-McFarland House"   10" x 8"  Watercolor

We live a few blocks away from this 1899 Queen Anne-style Victorian home.  Every time I walk by I appreciate its architecture, and love the way the verdigris and red sandstone complement each other. 

I just started this oil painting of the First United Methodist Church, a 1930 Gothic Revival structure we see out the north windows of our apartment.   We enjoy watching the effect of changing light on it from morning to night and in all seasons.  

In Progress - Part 2

Continuing from my last post.  At this point the canvas is covered, and I am starting to add detail.

The goose is finished.

First duck and reflection finished.

   "Duck, Duck, Goose"   18" x 24"   Oil

The finished painting.

Coming up next:   Something architectural, and then the Fort Worth Stock Show!