Sunset Haze

10" x 10" oil on panel

What can I say? I enjoy looking up at the skies for inspiration.  Their subtle and not-so-subtle shapes and colors, in their vast endless space, seem to offer a key to simplify life in this complex world. Sometimes I love looking at skies more than I like looking at (this) world.  Gazing up helps me clear my head: there are no intersections, no interruptions, and no clutter.

Empty House

10" x 10" oil on Panel

This is part of a series of paintings about empty buildings.  Recently I went back to this old house in Mystic CT and it was smoldering embers, guess someone burned it down.   The day I took reference photos, the light was casting strong shadows and there was a lot of warmth in the colors of the house.  Of course I took some liberties to push the value contrast and the house color to an intense warm red/orange against warm and cool lights. 

Ocean Ave Sunset

Acrylic Painting 4" x  2" on panel

(magnets on back)

This is the latest in my "magnet series" landscapes, which I finished yesterday afternoon.  Sometimes I enjoy painting these miniature paintings.  They are an ongoing project, and certain days lend themselves to the creation of these little gems.  Depending on the weather conditions, sunsets in CT can be stunning, but I also enjoy capturing the subtle weather changes.  Put these on your fridge, file cabinet or they can be framed for the wall.

To see my previous "magnet series" landscapes:

Bluff Point Sunset and On The Way Home

Bluff Point

More Magnet Paintings

Marina Door/New London

8" x 8"

Doors are very interesting to me; they seem to reappear as focal points in my paintings. Closed they offer interesting possibilities and questions as to what is behind them and where do they lead to? Also, the closed door becomes a canvas for light and cast shadows to create interesting patterns.

MORE MAGNET PAINTINGS

These are recent 4" x 2" oil paintings on board created as magnets. There are two strong magnets epoxied to the back of these painting of seascapes. Fun pieces for the file cabinet, refrigerator etc. , art can be hung anywhere and everywhere.

Titles: Top to Bottom

Tanker at Dusk - SOLD

Sky and Water

On the Way Home - SOLD

Bluff Point Sunset

One Dog Night

6" x 6" oil on board

With painting, I often emphasize the contrast of textures and blocks of color by utilizing a palette knife. I feel the knife becomes a pencil or chisel in my hand and I enjoy the physical pushing and pulling of paint, scraping away and adding. It's a different feeling than when I paint with a brush.

I noticed this regal dog standing guard over the goats and his turf at a local goat farm. The one ear up and one down reminded me of a German Shepherd I once owned and loved.

UPDATED: if you wish to purchase this painting go to my ebay auctions:

http://myworld.ebay.com/jholderartworks/