Palouse Plein Air 2012

My Piece, "Pines Between The Fields" made Honorable Mention at the Palouse Plein Air 2012 Competition this year. Congrats to all the winners! It's a great show, lots of great work. I think two of the winners came up from Boise, ID to participate. 

 I will post more soon, but I figured I would get this up now. Many thanks to my fellow Plein Air companion, Gloria, for supplying snacks, drinks and transportation to great venues. I am very thankful for her wide knowledge of the area, as well as her infectious enthusiasm. 

Proof! 

                                     

MoonRaker, 6"x6" oil on hardboard panel. $110. 

This piece was done the day before the competition. The Latah County Fair was in town. Bunch of shiny rides in candy colors. And a challenging "warm-up". Thanks to my friend Gloria for the suggestion.

Wheel of Fire, 6"x8" Oil on canvasboard panel $125.

Another piece at the Latah County Fair. 

Railroad Lines (WaWaWai Park) 6"x8" Oil on Canvasboard panel. $145.

Day 1 of the Plein Air. The wildfires made the air smoky but we soldiered on. This is a view of the lower portion of the buttes across the Snake River, with the Railroad track & trees in the foreground

Butte, (WaWaWai Park), 10"x8" Oil on Canvasboard panel, $175.

We were sitting in the Park, overlooking a small lake that led out to the Snake River. This was behind me.

Day Two

 The Distant Shore, 8"x8" oil on cradled wood panel, $230.

(Spring Valley Reservoir, near Troy, ID)

I honestly love this piece. No idea why - it's not that refined, but looking at it in retrospect, it gives me a sense of calm. 

Smoke on the Mountain - 5"x7" Oil on hardboard panel - $100.

(Spring Valley Reservoir, near Troy, ID)

Trying to capture the smoky air - this was a day between the big flare ups from the wildfires in nearby Washington State. The air was still smoky but there was a cool breeze and the sky cleared up to a beautiful pale blue for a couple hours. 

Day Three

After the Harvest, 8"x10" Oil on hardboard panel, $175.

(from Kamiak Butte)

Kamiak Butte gave us great views of the Palouse. And the challenge of the wide panoramic view. Something I need to work on. And trees. Darn trees. The great thing about the locations, for the most part we were within walking distance of a public bathroom. Score! 

The Pines Between the Fields, 6"x6" Oil on hardboard panel, $130

(from Kamiak Butte)

I am happy with this painting. I zeroed in on two trees from the previous composition. Focused on a variety of oranges/ochres in the background. Thought color, color, color. And value, of course. 

Day Four 

Moscow Roofscape, 4"x12" oil on gallery wrap canvas, $175.

(Across the street from the Recycling center, Moscow, ID)

I had forgotten that Plein Air wasn't just rural views. So I tried a view that I walk by almost everyday. This is a snippet of downtown Moscow, seen from one street over. The building that kinda looks like a ship is the Water Department. I was standing near a tractor/farm equipment supply store. What did I learn? I need to lose some edges. But this was fun!