New Mexico panorama

New Mexico view P2091895x
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

This is one of the largest plein air paintings I have ever done. of course I had my uncle driving me in his pickup so I didn't have to worry about lugging this 18x24 piece of hard board too far. I propped it up on the top of his tool box in the bed of the truck. It was a very cold day but the view and the sun was so spectacular that no one seemed to mind.

the scene is just outside Las Cruces in southern New Mexico.

This is painted with thin acrylic washes and only a few dabs of thick paint at the bottom. in the sunny air, the washes dried very fast and some even froze a little befor drying. it was a magical day that hooked me on plein air painting forever.

Morro rock and pickup

Morro rock and pickup P1201916
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

Here's a drawing from the sketchcrawl in May 2007. I wasn't in San Francisco to meet with the group, but the great thing about sketchcrawls is that you can do it from anywhere. Artists can post their work to Flickr where we can all see pictures done the same day, from all over the world. Sometimes there is a theme, sometimes not. I was in Morro Bay for this sketchcrawl. I did this ink wash painting/drawing from the parking lot near the prominent Morro Rock. It is always frustrating to me how these picturesque "attractions" always have these ugly parking lots crowding them, but that's life, and in this case the contrast made a better piece I think.

Asparagus bunch

asparagus
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

This is one of a series of 4 oil paintings I did which were inspired by the beautiful summer produce in California. I wanted to keep these simple and focus the color and brush strokes on the inner glow and richness that seemed to come from within the asparagus.

Chorneau: IN THE WEEDS

IN THE WEEDS oilandwaxonpaper 40x30 2003
Originally uploaded by rchorneau.

I found another great artist on Flickr. there are so many that are so inspiring and it is so great to find and connect with them via the internet. Check out Raymond's work. It's magical. He lives in NC. I love his textures and colors. His figures are primal and dreamlike. Click the picture to go to his flickr images.

Backyard Hammock

Backyard afternoon in the Hammock
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

This is decidedly a more impressionistic plein air oil painting than usual for me. sometimes when the mood is so classic I just can't help myself. I dashed this one off quickly as the sun changes so fast through the trees and buildings. if I were to do it over again I might change the composition (with the hammock being so close to the right edge). On the other hand, being off-centered almost makes if feel like it is swaying in the breeze. Overall, I am pleased witht he movement of the light and feeling of the painting. It's so peaceful on the perfect spring afternoon.

Tree Alone

tree alone
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

This is another treatment (done in plein air) of one of my favorite trees near Lake Merritt, Oakland, California. I did this oil painting study originally as one of several showing different stylistic treatments of the trees. This one has a flowing feeling of the wind. The other is more about the textures (especially when the substrate primer absorbs all the oil immediately) Here's a link to my other painting of this same tree http://cazsh.blogspot.com/2006_11_01_archive.html

Lake Travis Mural -full view in progress.

Lake Travis Mural -full
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

This is a mural I did in 3 long days in the VERY HOT August sun of Texas. I need to go back and take some pictures of it now, a few years later, with the vines and flowers and the water fountain matured.

Acrylic painted over primed cement wall. Lake Travis, just outside Austin. I take commissions.

Sleeping Dog

louie asleep
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

I have been playing with "painting" on the computer again for my own fun, rather than for work. This is a quick color sketch of Louie, my dog, using Corel Painter . I plan to do several of these before committing him to oil paint. I love doing these from life rather than photos. I am also working on other "Doggie" pictures in oil. I like it when I can do it for fun, rather than formal portraits.

Tea Tree - Plein air

tea tree 894
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

This is one of a series of plein air paintings of trees I did, one each day for a week. 9x12 oil on board. This will be posted to ebay soon.

Joe's Lemon - oil still life

joe's lemon
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

When I started selling paintings on eBay in 2001, not many artists were doing it. I am so glad to see that the "Painting a Day" effort has become more known. This painting sold to a hotel/spa in Rehoboth Delaware. I have now sold to collectors all over the USA and in Europe as well. (9x12 oil painting)

jane tree on fire

jane tree on fire
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

this little oil painting of the Jane tree in my back yard was a personal breakthrough for me. it doesn't come across nearly as strongly in the photo as it does in person but I remember stepping back from the easel and thinking, "OMG I might be able to do something serious - not just dabbling and playing" In a few posts below you can see three paintings of the tree from inside the kitchen and in full bloom. It's an amazing tree, and the largest Jane magnolia tree I have ever seen (it's more than 25 feet high) Here's a link to a photo of the tree in full bloom about the same time I painted this. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cazsh/106129591/

(9x12 oil painting)

Ladi's Kitchen

kitchen french windows and the tree
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

I originally painted this oil painting as a gift so that Ladi could "take her kitchen to work with her" and, so far, it is the favorite of my "Kitchen Paintings" posted to Flickr.

Click the picture to see full size on Flickr and read the comments. Here are the other 2 paintings of the same scene (both are watercolors and if you click them you will go to the Flickr page and see their comments)
The Green watercolor below is runner-up to the oil painting.

Here's the magenta one