MY ANCESTORS

German Village House

This painting is inspired by a trip to one of the historic areas of Columbus known as German Village.

It is in this area that many Germans settlers came to the new world and found work in Columbus and Franklin county.  This area harkens back to the days of narrow brick lined streets, small brick row houses, and tidy gardens. Though this house was not brick, it caught my eye because of the lovely garden in front. I can only imagine how lovely the garden in back must be.  And since most of my ancestors originated in Germany, I feel a certain closeness to these homes.

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Morning Glow

SILVERY SUNLIGHT

This painting is inspired by a walk in the woods along the Olentangy River on a very cold crisp winter morning.  I felt the sunlight was silvery colored as it reflected on the ice and snow and glinted off the water.  I experimented with using silver leaf in the sunlit areas and like the result.

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Welcome Home Spring

SPRING'S FALLOW FIELD

After what always seems like a long winter, spring is finally on our doorstep.  The inspiration for this painting is from a drive into the countryside.  Before the fields are made ready for planting, they are sometimes covered in low growing ground cover.  This particular field has a nice stand of a purple plant known as hen bit.  I think it's kind of sad that this beautiful plant will be plowed under soon.

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ORANGE

Orchard Fresh

These beautiful tangerines were calling to me at the grocery.  I love to be able to get food that still has  its evidence of freshness still attached.  It gives new meaning to the phrase, just picked.  Though I'm sure these beauties traveled many miles to get to the midwest, they are a welcome treat.

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BACK TO POSTING

DESPERATE DAISY

I have been on the go lately and remiss in posting.  I have been painting lots but not getting much posting done, so here goes.  The title for this painting came about when arranging the flowers for this small still life.  The one daisy just kept wanting to droop forward, so I left it.   Now I have the perfect title, because it seems like it is desperate to get it the painting. What do you think?

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BEAUTIFUL TANGLE

This painting is inspired by an area that I frequently walk by when I am walking my dog; a small grove of pine trees at the entrance to a park.  It was painted using gold leaf in the background, a process that I have been experimenting with recently.   It is also my entry into a show sponsored by the gallery where I show my work.  Every year, we have a show that features pieces inspired by poems.  Here is the poem that goes with this piece. 

TREES NEED NOT WALK THE EARTH

Trees need not walk the earth

For beauty of for bread.

Beauty will come to them

 Where they stand.

Here among the children of the sap

 Is no pride of ancestry:

A birch may wear no less the morning

 Than an oak.

 Here are no heirlooms 

Save those of loveliness,

In which each tree

 Is kingly in it's heritage of grace.

Here is but  beauty's wisdom

 In which all trees are wise.

Trees need not walk the earth

For beauty of for bread.

Beauty will come to them

 In the rainbow-

The sunlight-

And the lilac-haunted rain.

And bread will come to them

As beauty came;

In the rainbow-

In the sunlight-

In the rain.

David Rosenthal

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HAPPY NEW YEAR

FIRST SNOW, BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON

This is my first painting of 2017.  I am excited about a new year, with new painting opportunities and much more to learn about painting.  I received two special books for Christmas about two of my favorite artists, Richard Schmid and Joaquin Sorolla.  Both of these artist are fabulous painters within the plein air community and it is my hope that I can paint my of my work from life this year.

This painting is inspired by a trip to Utah last fall.  I took some family members there for the first time and we explored the area of Cottonwood Canyon where Brighton Ski resort is located.  How interesting it was to hike in an area where I had only skied before.  To see those wide swathes of ground that become a ski run in winter, was a new experience.  Of course the Aspen trees were at their most beautiful, so I ear marked the reference for future use.

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