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28-in-28 FEBRUARY 2022 Russ Slocum and 15 compadres from Art Plus and the Friends of the gallery are all aiming to post a new painting (or progress shot) each day this month. Follow everyone's progress at the Daily Art Plus Challenge facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DailyArtPlusChallenge |
Photo Finish!
I got close in Art Plus Gallery’s 28-in-28 Challenge, but a couple overly ambitious subjects in the home stretch left me with a final count of 26 paintings in February. Most are on this poster. If you'd like a souvenir, here’s a free download.
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Feb 27 & 28: Kiln Time
The shiny bike leaning under the No Parking sign lent senses of scale and passing time to the monumental ruins of the lime kilns that overlook the harbor of Rockport, Maine. For the second half of the 19th Century, a trestle ran above these kilns. Railroads would dump carloads of limestone, and the converted lime was shipped by schooners (sometimes 100+ a year) to New York and other East Coast ports to be used in mortar. The two days it took to paint 11” x 14” oil left me short of the 28 painting goal, but feeling good about the month’s work. $490
The shiny bike leaning under the No Parking sign lent senses of scale and passing time to the monumental ruins of the lime kilns that overlook the harbor of Rockport, Maine. For the second half of the 19th Century, a trestle ran above these kilns. Railroads would dump carloads of limestone, and the converted lime was shipped by schooners (sometimes 100+ a year) to New York and other East Coast ports to be used in mortar. The two days it took to paint 11” x 14” oil left me short of the 28 painting goal, but feeling good about the month’s work. $490
Feb 26: Long on the Hard
I went for more realism than usual to capture the rich textures of this long-abandoned skiff and its weedy resting place on a gray Maine day. It lies near the semi-circular embankment that is all that remains of Fort St. Georges, built in 1719 and burned by the British in 1814. The historical site is a boggy slog off Route 131, south of Thomaston. This oil on linen panel is 9” x 12”, $590.
I went for more realism than usual to capture the rich textures of this long-abandoned skiff and its weedy resting place on a gray Maine day. It lies near the semi-circular embankment that is all that remains of Fort St. Georges, built in 1719 and burned by the British in 1814. The historical site is a boggy slog off Route 131, south of Thomaston. This oil on linen panel is 9” x 12”, $590.
Feb 25: Buck Run
This charming little covered bridge straddles a creek south of Coatesville called Buck Run. It’s tucked away on a back road of Chester County, so this 8” x 12” oil might be making its debut at The Devon Horse Show in late May.
Feb 24: Salt Marsh
Autumn lent an extra splash of color to the texture of the grasses in this tidal marsh along Route 1, east of Wiscasset, Maine. I loved the late afternoon light on but put off painting this since October because I wasn’t sure how I handle the waves of dense flora. Then decided hey, no time like a 29-in-28 to try new things. This 14” x 18" oil is $390.
Autumn lent an extra splash of color to the texture of the grasses in this tidal marsh along Route 1, east of Wiscasset, Maine. I loved the late afternoon light on but put off painting this since October because I wasn’t sure how I handle the waves of dense flora. Then decided hey, no time like a 29-in-28 to try new things. This 14” x 18" oil is $390.
Feb 23: Girl with a Blue Umbrella
Scouting for possibilities in case it rains during Plein Air West Reading in June, my painting pal Karen Weber and I found a promising path at Reading Museum Park. “Girl with a Blue Umbrella” is a 6” x 8” oil.
Scouting for possibilities in case it rains during Plein Air West Reading in June, my painting pal Karen Weber and I found a promising path at Reading Museum Park. “Girl with a Blue Umbrella” is a 6” x 8” oil.
Feb 22: Fall by the Viaduct
This view of Reading’s Lindbergh Viaduct has been on my to-do list since last November. I was scouting Pendora Park for a commission, and was awed by the way the rigid majesty of the bridge made the perfect counterpoint for the explosive autumn colors. My timing was lucky; three days later every leaf was off that golden maple near the center of this composition. “Fall by the Viaduct” is 7.5” x 14”, $390
This view of Reading’s Lindbergh Viaduct has been on my to-do list since last November. I was scouting Pendora Park for a commission, and was awed by the way the rigid majesty of the bridge made the perfect counterpoint for the explosive autumn colors. My timing was lucky; three days later every leaf was off that golden maple near the center of this composition. “Fall by the Viaduct” is 7.5” x 14”, $390
Feb 21: Weather Change
As well as the tides, the highs, lows and in-betweens of the weather around Spruce Head, Maine also make good subjects. I mixed gesso with my water-miscible oils to soften the clouds and even the sheen on this 11” x 14” oil, $390.
Feb 19 & 20: Ebbing Tide at Mill Cove
Back to Spruce Head, Maine for another take on Mill Cove. Most of the docks at this end of the cove are reachable only at high tide. I love painting the highs and lows there, as well as everything in between. This 9” x 12” oil took two days, knocking me off the 28-in-28 pace. Tune in tomorrow to see if I double up to get back on track. $390,
Back to Spruce Head, Maine for another take on Mill Cove. Most of the docks at this end of the cove are reachable only at high tide. I love painting the highs and lows there, as well as everything in between. This 9” x 12” oil took two days, knocking me off the 28-in-28 pace. Tune in tomorrow to see if I double up to get back on track. $390,
Feb 18: Downriver
The drizzle had let up and the clearing skies to the south threw a warm reflection on the Susquehanna. “Downriver” is looking south from Columbia. I'm looking forward to revisiting this stretch of river in April if I get juried into River Towns Plein Air.
This 6” x 8” oil is $120.
Feb 17: Alley Cat
Amid the melting snow and strong light on the concrete, this cat’s thick white fur would have been good camouflage if she hadn’t been lazing on the top step. I ran into this silky snowball on Tuesday afternoon, in a little-traveled alley a few blocks from Art Plus Gallery. With a blink of indifference agreed to be photographed so I could paint her yesterday. “Alley Cat” is an 8” x 10” oil on linen panel, $490.
Amid the melting snow and strong light on the concrete, this cat’s thick white fur would have been good camouflage if she hadn’t been lazing on the top step. I ran into this silky snowball on Tuesday afternoon, in a little-traveled alley a few blocks from Art Plus Gallery. With a blink of indifference agreed to be photographed so I could paint her yesterday. “Alley Cat” is an 8” x 10” oil on linen panel, $490.
Feb 16: Midday Bustle
On a sunny summer day, people and positive energy can pack the lunch hour on Penn Avenue, West Reading. I used my photo archives and a palette knife to recapture the action in front of Say Cheese! Restaurant, next door to Art Plus Gallery, in this 8” x 10” oil. $390.
Feb 15: Oil of Oley
A remarkable thing about the Oley Valley is that scenes like this aren’t remarkable to those who know the area. Picturesque views like this at practically every turn help keep the entire township on the National Register of Historic Places. Oil of Oley is 6” x 8”, $100
Feb 14: The Whole Point: Marshall Point Lighthouse
This 6” x 16” oil takes in the seaward side of the lighthouse marking the entrance to Port Clyde harbor. The low tide view is a reminder that beyond the picturesque beauty, the unforgiving granite wall lining most of the Maine Coast is the whole point for its 70+ lighthouses. $390
This 6” x 16” oil takes in the seaward side of the lighthouse marking the entrance to Port Clyde harbor. The low tide view is a reminder that beyond the picturesque beauty, the unforgiving granite wall lining most of the Maine Coast is the whole point for its 70+ lighthouses. $390
Feb. 13: Gentle Bend
It's day 13 of the 28-in-28, and I'm still keeping the pace thanks largely to the photos I've archived over the last 6 months. For this one, I was drawn to the soft, golden hour glow that bathed the barn at this curve on Morgantown Road, near the northern end of Chester County. “Gentle Bend” is a 6” x 8” oil. $120
It's day 13 of the 28-in-28, and I'm still keeping the pace thanks largely to the photos I've archived over the last 6 months. For this one, I was drawn to the soft, golden hour glow that bathed the barn at this curve on Morgantown Road, near the northern end of Chester County. “Gentle Bend” is a 6” x 8” oil. $120
Feb 12: Old Mill Stream
I love this old stone mill near Lenhartsville, and used my palette knife capture the rustic character of the building and stream. What comes out of this beautiful old place these days I can’t tell you, other than a lot of character. Old Mill Stream is an 8” x 12” oil, SOLD
I love this old stone mill near Lenhartsville, and used my palette knife capture the rustic character of the building and stream. What comes out of this beautiful old place these days I can’t tell you, other than a lot of character. Old Mill Stream is an 8” x 12” oil, SOLD
Feb. 11: Winter’s Way 2
It feels like all is white with the world when snow covers the Golden Meadow in Wyomissing Park. That's when Winter’s Way trail, which goes from the parking lot near the barn up to the sitting bench, lives up to name. I did a larger, more Impressionistic oil on this stretch around 6 years ago, took a quieter, more gentle approach this time. This 11” x 14” oil is $190
It feels like all is white with the world when snow covers the Golden Meadow in Wyomissing Park. That's when Winter’s Way trail, which goes from the parking lot near the barn up to the sitting bench, lives up to name. I did a larger, more Impressionistic oil on this stretch around 6 years ago, took a quieter, more gentle approach this time. This 11” x 14” oil is $190
Feb 10: Back to the Bench
In the wake of yesterday’s detail-heavy Archangel, I was hankering for something loose. In my photo archives I found an angle on Wyomissing Park’s sitting bench that I hadn’t painted before. “Back to the Bench” is a 9” x 12” oil, $290.
Feb 9: Archangel
I theorized that big brushes would be all I needed to briskly handle a big 12” x 16” panel. I was wrong. It might’ve worked with a looser landscape, but I got sucked into all of the detail of this quiet landing between Allen and Benner Islands, off Port Clyde, Maine. I tallied upwards of 15 hours on this oil, but it was a good place to dwell. Archangel was the converted lobster boat dedicated to these islands, which were owned by the Wyeth family until Betsy died in 2021. The boat is the namesake of the British ship that came upon the stretch of the Maine coast in 1608. $590.
I theorized that big brushes would be all I needed to briskly handle a big 12” x 16” panel. I was wrong. It might’ve worked with a looser landscape, but I got sucked into all of the detail of this quiet landing between Allen and Benner Islands, off Port Clyde, Maine. I tallied upwards of 15 hours on this oil, but it was a good place to dwell. Archangel was the converted lobster boat dedicated to these islands, which were owned by the Wyeth family until Betsy died in 2021. The boat is the namesake of the British ship that came upon the stretch of the Maine coast in 1608. $590.
Feb 8: Safe Harbor
This peaceful view of South Thomaston, Maine, was 70% done on site during last October’s 30-in-30. It was painted in the little park across the street from the Kaeg Store, where I shared the space with Maine artist Peggy Fitzgerald. I just needed a nudge from another paintathon to finish this 9” x 12” oil in the studio. $290
Feb 7: Land and Sea
There were plenty of fine boats in the Port Henry, NY marina on Lake Champlain. But it was the John Deere and power boat sharing long rests in the weather-worn shed that made a lasting impression, and I just dug the photo out of the archives. With hopes for two plein air competitions on the horizon (River Towns in April and West Reading in June), I gave myself 3 hours and mostly big brushes to paint this 9” x 12” oil. $390
There were plenty of fine boats in the Port Henry, NY marina on Lake Champlain. But it was the John Deere and power boat sharing long rests in the weather-worn shed that made a lasting impression, and I just dug the photo out of the archives. With hopes for two plein air competitions on the horizon (River Towns in April and West Reading in June), I gave myself 3 hours and mostly big brushes to paint this 9” x 12” oil. $390
Feb 6: Mill Cove: I warmed up some nice memories by returning (in the studio) to this cove south of Rockland, Maine. It’s the front yard view from my sister- and brother-in-law’s place on Mill Cove. That’s Spruce Head in the distance. This little 5” x 12” oil the was mostly done en plein air in July, in that golden hour before sunset.
Feb 5: Winter Break
This little painting catches the tail end of a raw February stretch in Wyomissing Park–a welcome sliver of light breaking on the horizon south of the barn on Old Wyomissing Road. “Winter Break” is 6” x 8”, oil on panel, $150.
Feb 4: The Wheelmakers
This fiery frenzy was from the Goshenhoppen Folk Festival in Perkiomenville. I had videoed two minutes of the Amish wheelmaking demo there. The moving action was a helpful reference in trying to catch the energy of the scene, which I endeavored to do on an 8” x 10” linen panel. If the oil paints dry in time I might enter this one in the BAA members show this month for something different. I don’t paint many close figurative subjects. SOLD
This fiery frenzy was from the Goshenhoppen Folk Festival in Perkiomenville. I had videoed two minutes of the Amish wheelmaking demo there. The moving action was a helpful reference in trying to catch the energy of the scene, which I endeavored to do on an 8” x 10” linen panel. If the oil paints dry in time I might enter this one in the BAA members show this month for something different. I don’t paint many close figurative subjects. SOLD
Feb 3: Runnymede Run
Back in the studio I enjoyed a mental return to Chester County to finish “Runnymede Run”, a bucolic corner of another horse farm that’s the size of a township. This 8" x 10" oil will be returning closer to home for Devon Hose Show in May.
Feb 2: Curious Cows
When I stopped to photograph this Pennsylvania pen, the herd seemed to find me as interesting as I found them. I liked the way the light was hitting them on the edge of the shadow. Not sure what they saw in me, probably just a new face around their Robesonia farm. “Curious Cows” is an 8” x 10” oil. SOLD
Tuesday, 2/2: High on the Hill
I’m starting the 28-in-28 by finishing up a few Chester County scenes I started in fall. “High on the Hill” is near the southern edge of the sprawling Iron Spring horse farm. I’m aiming for at least 8 new paintings to unveil at the Devon Horse Show art gallery around Memorial Day.
Monday, 1/31/22
I have 20+ blank panels and canvases, plus half a dozen paintings mostly done in autumn that still need some spiffing. I made the laptop pochade box in this photo for the option to paint from a vehicle if needed. Two winters ago I tried painting en plein air when it was 25 degrees and the water-miscible oils froze on my palette.