I woke early to paint on this head study before everyone woke in my house. I've been painting fast and furious for several different exhibitions. It's been really nice to slow down and search for all the subtle little passages. This morning I worked from a photo which I took of this model. It was really different going from life to working from a photo. Also, I used rags and soft sable brushes instead of a palette knife. I hope to get the model back to finish this piece.
Today I started a portrait study. Unlike most of my previous paintings for this blog, I'm not concerned with taking this piece to a complete finish in the time I have set aside for "painting in a day". Instead I focused on value and form. I'm using a minimal palette of colors, rags, and brushes. I hope to keep developing this piece but will probably have to finish it from a photograph.
We had a tough plein air day - dump truck nearly ran us over, rude people, broken equipment but the biggest problem, not being able to connect with that creative side. I think I scaped away three paintings because they felt so weak. This quick study was done at the end. 
Painted in Andersonville for their upcoming arts weekend.
The back of St. John's is just as spectacular as the front. The bonus is discovering their sunflowers in full glory. Thanks Karen for sharing this find.
Quick study looking toward the Navy Pier. I guess these harbor pieces have become my "haystacks/Monet."
This might be my new favorite spot to paint. My concern with this piece is that because of my compositional choice, it became too abstract to understand that I painted the water complete with reflections, lily pads and a bit of the foliage edging the pond. I really responded to the newly beginning fall colors.
Painted early in the morning with a palette knife. I was after capturing the feeling of the hazy light which caused the buildings to filtering in and out of view.
It doesn't take me long to make a mess even after spending hours cleaning my piles. But I think the mess makes a more interesting painting highlighted by artifical lighting.
Chicago is a great place to live; good food, wonderful people, lots of city clatter, and beautiful landscape all tucked neatly together.
