Spring Pastures

For a workshop demonstration several years ago I did a sketch of this scene. The farm was fairly typical in that it's a lovely place but when you get right down to the nitty-gritty, there's not a whole lot to paint without extensive editing. Of course, that's usually the case. There were several interesting sheds and barns, but none of them had the distance and peaceful quality that I was looking for.  

When I do a demo, I try to find something that not only will appeal to the workshop participants and give them an opportunity to learn but also to me and what I find appealing.

In this painting, I put in different trees on the left, changed the direction of the road, which had been entering in from the far left and added the rocks for some contrasting texture. I wanted this to look like a place that I would want to go for quiet reverie..

I was pleased with the result and submitted it to the Salon International exhibit at the Greenhouse Gallery in San Antonio, Texas.  It was accepted!  In about three weeks I will be sending it off to the exhibit, which runs from April 13 to May 3.  For more details, check my  events calendar.