Twelve Nocturnes

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Moons have appeared in my work over the past 35 years. I feel their energy; they pull me from bed to watch them set. These small pastel paintings began with rough pencil sketches and notes made in the dark, out of doors. I purposely did not use a camera for reference. What I actually see is usually better than I am able to capture with my basic photographic skills.  I wanted to rely on my plein air observations. They were completed during daylight in the studio. 

I chose Algonquin names (in English) for many of the titles...so descriptive, useful and evocative. Shown from top; Sturgeon Moon, Worm Moon, Long Night Full Moon and Wolf Moon (on desk).

Go to the Butternut Gallery, 204 Church ST, Montrose, PA and you will see these small (six inch square) night scenes, framed in shadowboxes (eight inch overall square). You will also see many new works from seasoned and emerging artists and have quite a good time there. Call 570 278 4011 to confirm winter and early spring hours...tentatively Thursday-Sat.11-5.

The moons were mentioned on this blog last year before the dozen were finished and framed. By Thursday, March 6th, the whole dozen will be on the wall at the Butternut Gallery.

Stormy Moon

I was chatting with a friend this morning. She lives about 20 miles away from me, but the moon looked the same to both of us; just past full, surrounded by a rosy red blush. She wondered what makes that red ring? I think it is the earth's atmosphere....moisture, dust, pollution? Anyway, I hope you saw it, too. It was spectacular and brief. I observed and sketched for half an hour just after 9pm. I saw big banks of fast moving dark clouds (north to south - sort of). And I saw flashes of lightning, but no bolts and I heard no thunder. I even saw the moon wearing a fuzzy dark cloud hat...amusing.

Then the show was over. The sky had darkened for the pending storm and I went to bed.

Greenhouse in Moonlight

Today's 6" x 6" studio pastel painting made from last night's sketch (below).

(photographed this morning on the windowsill, but drawn in the dark...using the light of the moon)

Perigee Moon Set

Huge moon setting behind my garden...worth getting up early for! This is another of the 12 x 16 Transitions Series. It is done with soft pastels on a grey Art Spectrum paper.

Sometimes the Moon Just Blows Me Away

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A stormy night just after sunset at my place, is the source of this 9 x 12 pastel painting. It, and a few other small nocturnes will be for sale here at my studio during The 14th Annual Artists Open House Weekend ; studio tour in Susquehanna County PA coming up on Columbus Day Weekend.

I will be doing demonstrations on Monday, October 11th: watercolor at 11 am and pastel at 2pm.

Moonlit Winter Garden

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This small painting was done in the studio yesterday, but the scene is outside my studio window. It is my snow covered garden complete with shadowy creatures and a crescent moon. 9 x12.

Ides of March Moon

SOLD

An early morning sighting from my bedroom window was an auspicious beginning to a fine spring day. I rushed into the studio to capture the feeling of the waning moon and reddening maple buds across the field. I used a minimal number of soft pastel colors (just counted...15!) on Art Spectrum Colourfix paper rose-grey...a small number of colors, but many layers.

March Moon 10 x 10 framed in rustic gold wood frame, off-white matting - $400.

Irresistible Palette

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I love these colors. I use similar strong complimentary colors often to create a painting that has power.

I took Night Begins to the Butternut Gallery where it will hang with Goldenrod Field for the next month or so. The Butternut Gallery and Second Story Books is at 42 Church Street Montrose PA 570-278-4011. They are open Wed-Sun afternoons. Both paintings are framed with mats in rustic gold wood frames about 17 inches square overall. Night Begins is a studio painting and Goldenrod Field is a plein air painting. They are each priced at $400.

Working in Series

all SOLD


The last thing I do at night before retiring is check the sky to see where the moon is...and the first thing I do upon rising. There is something reassuring for me to see the cyclical nature of the moon changing shape and position in a predictable way. Rounding a corner on my way home and catching a glimpse of a full orange just-rising moon can lift my mood immediately.

Today I am finishing up a small series of four winter moonscapes. These simple, four-inch high watercolors are part of a much larger series of moonscapes; sort of a series within a series. I've been putting moons into my paintings for decades.

Working in a tight series, like this one, gives me a chance to explore some options of color and composition. I have confined my subject closely by making the moon the center of attention in each painting and using a similar color scheme.

I rarely show these "little paintings" on my website...and the photos you see here are not the usual professional ones...I took these photos. (I'm sure my usual photographer will appreciate this disclaimer) You can see these four paintings here or framed the next time you visit my studio.