August Evening

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This is an 11 x 14 studio painting depicting a typical summer evening scene near my home in Susquehanna County, PA. It is heart-breakingly pastoral. I can only hope we will continue to see this kind of beauty, peace and productivity on a daily basis here in the future. Neighborhoods change, but mine is undergoing a radical and brutal transformation. The best I can do is continue to record the beauty of this landscape as I have done for 35 years. Thanks for looking. Leave a comment.

Summerhouse

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I was asked to do a mini-workshop on a lovely Sunday afternoon at my favorite Montrose, PA restaurant, Summerhouse. The brunch people lingered to watch and I set up this still-life in a corner and blocked it in. I brought it back to the studio to finish and I think it a nice way to start spring; with a painting I like. I love the colors. I relied on a few eggs for spring symbolism - fertility. I used one of my own framed paintings for background element and a bit of reflection and depth.

I think some guidelines for setting up a still life should be:
1. Pick some objects you have an affinity for.
2. Make them visually contrasting; size, texture, etc.
3. Unite them with a theme; color, purpose, mood; a cloth or surface can tie elements together.
4. Keep in mind the basics of composition...leading the eye around inside the painting and not off the edge.

I am still working on this painting, but it won't change much. I see no big problems...some small areas may be improved a bit over the next week before it gets framed.

It will be for sale by June 4 & 5 when the Montrose Garden Club sponsors an open garden tour & my studio shows some floral and garden paintings by Betty Bryden and me.

Garrison Road Plein Air

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Yesterday was my first plein air day of the year. As I navigated the rutted, frost heaved gravel (MUD) roads of my rural county I finally found the picture I wanted to paint; this long view of rolling hills, farm and wood land, but...Oh, no, I had no long paper in the car. Luckily I did have two 9 x 12 sheets of UArt #500 so I taped them together (adjacent) and ran my painting across both sheets. I think I will frame it just like that. Why not? 9 x 24.

Good new! My optometrist today pronounced my eyes in excellent health...that is a refreshing diagnosis.

Looking East from My Studio Window

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Returning from a month in sunny, but cold, northern New Mexico this sight was a bit of a shock. It turned out OK though (most of the shovelling and plowing was all ready done); just left me with some easel work to pull this together. It is 9 x12 and will be put in a black rustic wide wood frame with a thin gold bevel to match the snow scene from January. Thanks for having a look and keeping the homefires burning.

Hawley Farm

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Unusually restrained color for me in this typical Susquehanna County Farm scene. The image is 18 x 18 and will be for sale this summer at the Butternut Gallery. I am working on some new Susquehanna County pieces for an August showing by Bob Smith, Betty Bryden & me; part of a year-long celebration of the 200th birthday of our county. My focus for these new paintings will be places and small scenes that interest me; not the county icons. I'm on the look out for little buildings and quirky twists to a typical scene.

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.

Earth Stewards Coalition Art Show

I am feeling very possessive about the beautiful Susquehanna River. A half century of canoe trips gave me an intimate knowledge of her islands and banks. I’ve swum in her waters; cold, rushing, warm, meandering; sometimes murky, sometimes clear. I’ve slept on her gravel banks next to toads and herons. I’ve shared her beauty and adventure with my own daughter and saw her grow strong, as I did when I took some of the river’s power and made it my own.

And I’ve seen the devastation that this river is capable of. Don’t anger her.

More river paintings at www.rodricatilley.com

The Earth Stewards Coalition Art Show is organized by an ad hoc collectiveof activist women artists called "The Gaia Grrrls: from Binghamton NYwho are trying to increase awareness about the potential ramifications of gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation of New York State & Pennsylvania. The purpose of this show is to give artists an opportunity to express their feelings about the situation, and hopefully to alert the public at large to what may happen in our communities.

First Fridays in February & March (2/5 and 3/5) from 6-9pm in City Plaza Gallery, as well as during regular business hours in Binghamton, NY's City Hall. City Plaza Gallery is located in Binghamton's City Hall. My painting is a large pastel of Standing Stone in Bradford County and it will be for sale after the exhibit.