plein air painting, short and brief

Got all the way out to the hay field 

only to realize the unimaginable
 

forgot my white

went to ride my bike to fetch it

bungee cord stuck in the spokes
 

 hiked back to get white and knife

 started painting

  everyone and their dogs thought I needed conversion

 dog knocked over easel

 The intention was to bring this out and resume on a 'calmer' evening, but now I quite like it as is..

July, remains of the day

cold wax & oil

 plein air, 16x20in

 copyright Jan Yates, 2014

available

the summer day

I was supposed to be doing yard work this morning, deadheading, trimming etc.

Then the wind brought me yet another Robin’s nest-and I just couldn’t help myself.

New additions to my ‘summer day’ series:

_

a pretty good day so far

When I think of the horror and heartache that is currently happening in other parts of the world, I wonder how survivors cope-or at least get through. The human spirit is strong and tenacious, but  I am a coward-I don’t think I could get through if I couldn’t create.

Thank fate or god or both that I live where I do- and try never to take it for granted.

 July, a pretty good day so far

oil in canvas, plein air

24x36in, copyright Jan Yates 2014

available

a dangerous world

Taking flight

Please

be all right

I can’t help but worry. I’ve watched them gather materials, build the cradle, nurture and fiercely protect their babies. Only to be sent out to a cruel world.

On yesterday’s walk my heart broke yet again-the fields were being plowed. The fields where my Red-wings and Bobolinks build their families.

I am hoping the fledglings were strong enough to take flight.

 July, a summer day

encaustic mixed media on panel

8 1/2x11in, copyright Jan Yates 2014

available

why I like plein air painting

Sky is full

 Blinding when the sun falls

Squint and only see patterns

a circle of brilliant pulsating light-shapes

Illuminating field

Now, the portal

 July, remains of the day

 oil on canvas, plein air 12x24in

copyright Jan Yates 2014 
available

The summer evenings here in Niagara have been comfortably cool. Below, students enjoying the late golden light.

 

If you are interested in coming out for some plein air sessions, just let me know. The lovely thing about painting up here is you can work pretty well undisturbed by passers by-well, if you don't count the odd dog or two...

taking flight

taking flight

is not a given

all though not always right

all is not lost

Thirty-odd nests have made their way to me over the years. They are not ‘stolen’ as I know birds like to return year after year to the same spot and use the existing structure and build on it-the less work for them the better!

No, they are nests that have been blown down by the fierce winds or abandoned, like the cardinals’ nest in this image.

 

July

 a summer day

 8x10in, oil & cold wax on canvas 

words/image copyright Jan Yates 2014

available

The cardinals were nesting in a vine structure on the porch and one day the mother did not come back.

The heartbreak was in the Father. For weeks and weeks he would call for her, over and over through out the day, his frantic whistles painfully pleading for her return.

So I thought it fitting to make this on the porch. I’ve highlighted the nest, on the lower left, in the image below.

taking flight

I watched you

Taking Flight

hoping for

a full circle
and a
safe landing

A Summer Day

cold wax & oil on canvas, 8x16in

copyright Jan Yates 2014 

available