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  • Iris Plein Air Painting – 20 April 2021

    you all will not believe what popped up in my garden today?!?! irises!!!! They are early for Northern Kentucky!They are in a funny spot, and it’s impossible to get a good photo with the distracting background. This session will be an example of how a painting filters and interprets a scene through the artist’s eye in a way the camera cannot.

    after doing a little bit of pruning, and changing my perspective, i have a rough sketch (to work out my composition) now it’s time to paint!
    I blocked out the basic shapes with a yellow ochre and burnt sienna…the warm yellows will make a nice contrast to the purple irises.
    Color Time!!! Using my broadest brush (a #10 flat bristle) I laid out the basic shapes and colors…now time to push paint around until it looks right…
    i Just cracked open one of my FAVORITE colors…a radiant turquoise…I’m trying to mix colors (not using ready mixed colors), but this one is so bright and saturated with color, right out of the tube. Warning: once i start painting with it, you’ll see this color in EVERYTHING i paint– until it gets out of hand and we have to have an intervention
    I’m still using a pretty wide flat brush (#8 bristle). I had to step away because there is some BEAUTIFUL brushwork in the painting right now. I don’t want to lose it when i go down to the #4 flat and working on the details…I put the tube away, but might need a few more areas with radiant turquoise?
    I’m so close to finished…just need to think about those last minute details.

  • Overlook at devou park

    I’m in the city today and thought I’d try to capture the view of the skyline from devou park.
    I’m trying to squeeze a lot in here , but I think it is going to work. Here’s my sketch to work out the composition.
    Some rough rough shapes worked out….now, time for the details
    More details…time for color! I need to hurry, as the sun is rising and changing everything
    Laying in the sky and river colors…trying to pay attention to the atmosphere
    The light is so different from when I started ..at this point, I’m ready to wrap it up and get those last minute details
    I’m calling it finished!!!

  • The log cabin print shop- Plein air painting 18 april 2021

    I’m painting Plein air LIVE. Keep watching this post for updates as the work is in progress!

    Today’s Plein air painting will b at the log cabin print shop. This location has a special meaning to me, because it is our community printmaking studio!
    My sketch for the painting.
    I’ve worked out the composition and values in an orange brown color.
    Color time! I’m trying something different today…more toned down colors. Im a little freaked out at this point. I don’t mix colors this way, but will see what happens!
    I’m unhappy with where this is going…going to wipe the panel and try something different.
    A clean slate…let’s try again!

  • Plein Air Painting – Lewis County 16 April 2021

    Today, i had the intention to go to Lewis county to paint the Cabin Creek Covered bridge.
    I’ve painted the bridge before, it’s a picture perfect scene, but I was in the mood for something a little bit different.

    Around the corner from the bridge, was an interesting curve in the road. I decided to paint it instead

    My thumbnail sketch
    blocking out basic shapes with a muddy mess of colors leftover from yesterday’s painting
    working out the dark and light values- still using the muddy paint
    starting to add color. I’m trying something different…usually I am a color lover, but I wonder what would happen if i keep my colors toned down?
    blocking in the colors – trying to keep it toned down, but the red bush wants to shine bright pink–im going to let it!

    building up colors and details
    i think its finished!!!

    the original is available for sale. I will update with a better studio photo once it is dry (in about a week)

  • Plein Air Painting in Fleming County, KY

    I’m visiting some good friends in fleming county, ky. Their home has one of the prettiest views i have ever seen…i seriously could just paint from here for the rest of my life. Watch this album for progress as I paint

    I’m visiting my friends Rick Cain Sharon Cain and Rachel S. Wirrig in fleming county, ky. Every time I visit, i tell them their home is like being in a painting…today, I’m going to try to paint this part of their view. Stay tuned for work in progress.
    Thumbnail sketch of my view…I’m interested in the winding road crossing the creek, and the yellow field, and the mountains, and the barns…ok, I’m interested in all of it!!! Time to start painting!
    I had a little bit of a setback….left my jar of solvent at home!!!!! Fortunately, Rick Cain made a trip to the hardware store, and Sharon Cain had a mason jar i could usthank you both! Now i have some of my darks and lights in muddy paint,. This painting will be a challenge, because it’s partly cloudy with wind…meaning the darks and lights change every few minutes as the clouds move!!! Stay tuned!
    Starting to add colors….
    More clouds have moved in, so the scene is a little flat….no wait!!!! The sun is back!!!! ….no there it goes again!!!! Well, i keep painting…it’s beautiful no matter the weather!
    Its finished!!!! Plein air painting- rick and sharon’s view. Oil on panel.
    What a wonderful day!!!! I had a great time painting and catching up with good friends. Thank you again for all your support, friendship and giving my art such a beautiful home!!! Stay tuned, Rick is going to make the frame for their new ken swinson painting (it’s going to look great!)

  • Plein Air Painting – cherry tree in my backyard 13 April 2021

    I’m going to make a Plein air oil painting of this cherry tree. In true Plein air tradition, i wont use photos…but observe from life. This photo is just to show you all what I’m working on. Stay tuned for work in progress photos!
    There’s a lot of pretty blooms in this view, but the cherry tree will be the center of attention for this painting. I have a very rough thumbnail sketch to work out the basic composition. Time to start painting!!!
    I used the leftover paint from yesterday’s session to make a muddy color, and rough out the shape of the tree. Next I will add a few more details.
    Starting with COLOR!!! First the colors in the background…will start on the tree and cherry blossoms next
    Flowers flowers everywhere!!!! And i just saw my first butterfly!!! Life is good! Hopefully I can capture the joy of this moment in the painting!
    So close….i wrestled a little bit with this one, but now I’m happy with it again. Going to take a step back, then just a few details left

  • Plein Purple hyacinths 12 April 2021

    Plein air painting at my friend Joyce’s garden. Going to try these grape hyacinth flowers. I love the color, but they are are very small with lots of parts. It will be a challenge. The painting will be bigger than the flowers. Stay tuned for progress photos.
    I want an eye level painting, so I’m laying on the ground while making my sketch…hope my elbows will hold out long enough for a painting.
    Let’s get this painting started!
    Blocking out the basic shapes in a muddy color (See how the flowers are smaller than the painting?)
    Do you see the bumble bee?!?! I wanted him to stay and pose for my painting, but he said he was too busy to slouch around with artists.
    I’ve worked out the values (dark and light) also some more details. Next it’s time for color!
    Up to this point, i have only used a #10 flat bristle brush. The brush is almost as wide as the flowers. I have learned that using a wide flat keeps me from getting sucked into the details too early in the painting. I will continue using this brush for the color.
    No details, but some color finally in the painting. (Still using that #10 flat)
    Finally using smaller brushes: an #8 and #4 flat
    Ok boys and girls, this one is done!!! The sun came out at the last minute, and changed everything. That one out was of my comfort zone and a challenge, but I enjoyed the day in the garden, and am happy with the finished painting!!! I promised the hostess she could have first refusal, so don’t fall in love with this painting. Thanks for watching!
    what i nice day to spend painting!?!? in a beautiful garden, visiting a friend (without masks even–we are both vaccinated!!!) Thank you Joyce for the hospitality, inspiring (and giving a home to) my latest painting!!!

  • Tulip Plein Air Painting – 10 April 2021

    I’m going to try to paint these beautiful pink tulips that popped up in my yard.
    I have toned the panel and worked out the composition with a muddy color
    working out the values (dark and light) some more details
    time to start adding color!!!
    blocking in the color…need to add some details
    almost finished!
    Its been awhile! I forgot how much i LOVE painting directly from life–outside!

    the original painting has sold, but you can order archival reproductions on cotton rag by clicking above.

    thank you

  • Grow Through What You Go Through Woodcut

    I read this quote and it resonated with me at this moment in history. I decided to use it to make a woodcut. Scroll down to see the different parts of the process.

    doodle of saying: go through what you go through
    sketch for woodcut idea

    photo of design on tracing paper for a woodcut print
    design with more detail drawn on tracing paper
    tracing design from paper to block of wood for woodcut printmaking
    tracing paper used to flip and transfer design onto wood block
    painting a sealer over woodcut before carving
    wood block tinted orange (to make it easier to see cuts) then coated with a sealer
    first quarter section of woodcut carved - work in progress
    one quarter finished with the carving process
    woodcut block carved and ready to print
    The finished block-I decided to print on green paper
    mixing green ink for woodcut print
    mixing a dark green ink
    rolling ink on the woodcut print
    rolling ink onto the block
    test proof for woodcut print
    the test proof
    touch up carving woodcut printmaking
    fixing some of parts of the block for the final proof
    finished prints hanging to dry
    the finished print and proofs, hanging to dry

    The finished Woodcut! You can add one to your print collection (and support my work!) by clicking below

  • kiln firing 23 March 2021

    I just opened the kiln, and have some new porcelain pots!


    I don’t sell pots online. I try to take the best photos I can, but a pot (especially porcelain) needs to be picked up and held to really ‘know’ if it’s the right one for you. You can see them on my front porch in Old Washington. Large plates are $80. Cups and the small sandwich sized plates are $40 each. First come, first served. The porch has a ‘half off’ table with perfectly functional pots, that have slight flaws.

    If you are looking for a good reason to come visit: this weekend March 27, 2021, we are having an Art And Chocolate festival in our little historic village of Old Washington from 10-5pm.

    Click the arrows below to see all the pots

    • porcelain cup with black log cabin sgraffito design
      Mefford’s ford cup – SOLD
    • porcelain cup with black sgraffito design of washington hall, old washigton, ky 1796
      Washington Hall Cup – SOLD
    • porcelain plate of man holding on to a bull's horn black sgraffito design
      grab the bull by the horns – SOLD large plate
    • porcelain plate with tulips and horse black sgraffito design
      horse small plate
    • porcelain plate with tulips and peace symbol sgraffito design
      peace tulips small plate
    • porcelain cup with peace love sgraffito design peace symbol
      peace love cup 2
    • porcelain plate with doves and olive branches peace symbol sgraffito design
      peace birds small plate
    • porcelain cup with black sgraffito designs of tulip flowers
      tulip cup
    • porcelain cup with tulip bees and peace symbol black sgraffito design
      tulip bees peace mug
    • porcelain cup with birds and peace symbols sgrafito design black
      peace birds cup 1 – SOLD
    • porcelain cup with tulip and peace symbol black sgraffito design
      tulip peace mug 2
    • porcelain cup with black sgrafftio design with sheep and peace symbol
      sheep cup 2
    • porcelain cup with peace and love sgraffito design
      peace love 1
    • porcelain cup with sheeep sgraffito black design
      sheep cup 1
    • porcelain plate with blue birds in tree sgraffito design
      birds in tree small plate
    • porcelain cup with blue sgraffito peace symbol and flowers
      Blue Peace Cup 1
    • porcelain cup with blue sgraffito design peace symbol
      blue peace cup 2
    • porcelain cup with green sgraffito frog design
      frog cup 1
    • porcelain cup with green sgraffito frog design
      frog cup 2
    • porcelain cup with green sgraffito frog decoration
      frog cup 3
    • porcelain cup with green sgraffito frog design
      frog cup 4
    • porcelain cup with green frog sgraffito design
      frog cup 5
    • porcelain cup with green sgraffito frog design
      frog cup 6
    • porcelain cup with green frog sgraffito design
      frog cup 7
    • porcelain plate with red cardinal sgraffito design
      Cardinal small plate
    • porcelain plate with love one another red sgraffito design
      love one another – small plate NFS
    • porcelain cup with blue bunny sgraffito decorations
      blue bunny cup with glaze flaw – runny NFS
    • porcelain cup with goat sgraffito design
      goat cup with cracks on bottom NFS