Paint along - Alvaro Castagnet

I've just watched a fascinating DVD of Alvaro Castagnet painting... he did 5 paintings and they were all amazing! I enjoyed this DVD more than any other I've viewed. He's quite a character and his enthusiasm is catchy. I painted along with one of his paintings and here is the result. He did this painting in 3 washes, allowing it to completely dry between each. Of course he began with the next to lightest value leaving stark white for the big umbrella in the plaza. Then mid-tones and finally darks. The paint flows off his MASSIVE brushes and he mixes colors on the fly - very fun to watch. I like the results he gets with his intense darks... have a look at his website here for a nice shot of eye-candy. This has inspired me to put more figures in my paintings. Stay-tuned to see how that goes!

Long Light East Coulee (14"x10")

I've been attending to other important duties today - namely delivering paperwork ending my long-term employment relationship. I was thankful to have a painting to finish this afternoon. I sketched this painting and backed it up with photos last week while visiting East Coulee.

An hour before the sun set it cast beautiful long shadows across the landscape and illuminated the east bank of the coulee. The overcast sky seemed so dull contrasted against the bright hillside. I hope I've capture at least some of the clear crisp evening light. Enjoy!

Braaten Farmhouse (14"x10")

Just off highway #2 near Bagley, Minnesota sits a little white house where my 102 year old Grandma was raised. This painting is based on some photos I took when we drove by the house in 2003. I think the right side of the house was added on much later... likely wasn't there when Grandma grew up there with many siblings. Back then folks were more content to have a place to live and there were no ideas about every kid needing her/his own room. No sir! They must have been quite tightly packed into this little house and by all accounts they were quite content there. Simplicity... a discipline we could all practice in North America! Blessings to you...