Winter Rhododendron

Snowy Rhodie

9x12 Soft pastel on ArtSpectrum Colorfix

By Tom Willa

$75 matted

ready for framing

Winter seemed to be making its' presence felt today. This is my painting for today. I did this painting when the snow started back in December. It pretty much sums up my feelings about winter. I love the beauty of it but, always am ready for spring. Today, I spent a lot of time reading some technical photographic material and trying to figure out how to make Picasa and my blog create a slide show. I think my Picasa albums have some strange setting that is keeping me from sharing them with you. I hope to be able to share another new painting this week. The easel is my friend and the computer can be a large pickle.

Plein Air through the window

Late Winter Stump

9x12 Soft Pastel on Art Spectrum Colorfix

By Tom Willa

$75 matted

Here is the painting of the stump in our backyard. It was completed in the warmth of the studio. I was motivated by the return home from Arizona with the desire to paint plein air. The painting took on the challenge of having the easel in place inside the studio for a few days. The stump catches light on sunny afternoons but has a cool feel on the typical Northwest overcast day. My value study sketch was completed on a sunny afternoon while most of the painting was executed during one of those overcast days. I had the desire to meld both of these winter day temperatures together for the feeling of spring being around the corner.