Rt 22 April Snow, 9 x 12, oil on panel

Last weekend we got about 7 inches of snow in Cambria County. That's pretty freakish for late April. On my way back to Pittsburgh I couldn't resist stopping to enjoy the subtle beauty of the lightly tinted landscape.

On another note, I'll be given a one-day workshop in Johnstown tomorrow at ARTWORKS, 814-535-2020

And this August 10 - 12 I'll be offering a 3-day workshop in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
http://redbarnarts.wordpress.com/home/workshops/

Fisk, 30 x 40, oil on linen

This one was a struggle to enlarge from a 9x12. I wanted to get the feeling of warm light at the last moments of the day. This location is just around the corner from my studio. The building that is barely visible at the back is the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Lawrenceville branch. It was one of his 2,811 free libraries, built in 1898.

Fisk, 9 x 12, oil on panel

This little study is now being made into a 30 x 40. I'll post the completed larger piece later this week. My drawing group, which has been meeting for 26 years every other Monday night, gave meet a critique of this one. They mostly liked it. A few thought the sky could be a tad lighter.

Shearing Time, 16 x 20, oil on panel

A couple weeks ago I watched sheep being sheared. It is really wild. Something like a wrestling match with an animal. But the whole thing is done rather quickly. These pretty gals were in line for the spring trim. The light coming in from a nearby window was illuminating them in a soft  glow. And here comes the art lesson: when cool, blue light is the source the shadows are warm. In other words, the shadow areas are yellowish. Why? Well that is the next lesson. Just take my word for it and enjoy the sheep. Count them carefully and you will feel drowsy.