Falling Water Falls, Pope County

Falling Water Falls

11X14, Oil on Birch Panel

SOLD

A few weeks ago, I took my son waterfall hunting in the Ozarks.  We've had a phenomenally long waterfall season in this year.  Usually by this time of year, they are starting to trickle.  the downside to the long waterfall season is flooding and severe weather.  I started this one en plein air with a value sketch and then colored it in the studio.  Falling Water Falls is one of the easiest falls in the state to get to and as a result is a favorite target of photographers.  I've never seen a painting of it before though.  It lies at the extreme northern end of Pope County just a bit before crossing into Searcy County on Falling Water Creek in the Ozark National Forest.  On this same day, we saw Six Finger Falls and Keefe Falls.  I packed my 13 lb pochade the .5 mile bushwhack into Keefe Falls and did a value sketch there as well as the rain fell.

Cotter Train Bridge #2, Baxter County

Cotter Train Bridge #2

12X16, Oil on Birch Panel

SOLD

 

Well folks, I promised myself when I started this blog that I would try to post something often enough that I never felt the need to offer an apology for not posting "in forever."  But here I am, sorry for not posting in forever!  I've been working on several pieces simultaneously and waiting until several were done before posting. I must confess, that with gas prices going up, my progress on this project is probably going to take a major hit this summer.  I plan on trying to pick off a few nearby counties in central Arkansas but will probably not be going very far afield.  I'm going to be working on a portfolio for a submission to a very specific gallery this summer.  I don't plan on posting many of those as I go along.  I might change my mind though.  There may be more action over at my other blog The Art of John D. Wooldridge.

You may remember a few weeks ago, I posted a 6X8 version of this painting.  I liked it enough that I wanted to do a larger version.  While there were many good qualities to the smaller one which did not get translated over into this one, I feel the overall drama of the piece is vastly enhanced.

Interestingly, Bill Garrison told me at his workshop I attended last month that he also did a painting of this bridge at one point in time.  He told me this bridge was designed to rotate on the central pier to accommodate river boat traffic.  After the bridge was finished, the rotation function was tested and then rotated back into place .  It hasn't moved since.  He titled his painting, "Old Once Around."  I wonder what it looks like.

Lake Dardanelle Train Bridge, Pope County

Lake Dardanelle Train Bridge

11X14, Oil on Birch Panel

Available

This is another one from the workshop I took with Bill Garrison a few weeks ago.  I did most of this one en plein air but then did a few touch ups in the studio later, mostly incorporating Bill's comments.  One thing he suggested that I'm not sure I really did quite like get right was the vague reflection of the bridge in the water.  I did smudge a little of that color into the water but I don't know if it reads quite as a broken reflection.  I saw this bridge on day one and knew I would have to try to paint it.  It was very windy the day I did this one. This view was somewhat sheltered from the wind by trees and buildings on the point but the water here was still pretty active.

Big Springs Smoked Meats and Restaurant

Yesterday, we went up to Searcy County to hang some paintings at Big Springs Smoked Meats and Restaurant in St. Joe on Hwy 65.    It would be pretty hard to miss the place, it's on one of the few straight stretches of road between Western Grove and Leslie.  I can personally testify that the brisket sandwich is extremely tasty and worth the stop if you happen to be traveling 65 through the heart of the Ozarks.  Of course, I think my paintings are worth a stop too but I'm a bit biased in that.  And if my paintings are no longer there, then you will probably be able to see some by Harrison artist Tara Carey.  Great food, great art,...it's a no lose situation.

I also used this trip to get more reference photos from the Gilbert area.  Gilbert is a small town (population 33) right on the Buffalo River.  It is very typical for Gilbert to record the coldest temperatures in the state during the winter and the sign coming into town proudly claims it to be the "coolest town in Arkansas."  There's one shot I got of a church which I think will be excellent material.  I almost got a face full of barbed wire fence when I slipped in some mud coming back across a small creek from getting the picture.  That actually makes me fairly certain it will turn out to be an exceptional piece, no pain no gain after all.

Bill Garrison Workshop and an Award

Earlier this week, I spent 3 days up the Arkansas River in Russellville for a workshop with one of the best painters in the state, Mr. Bill Garrison.  This was Bill's first workshop in quite a few years so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to participate.  The workshop was held at an Arkansas Tech University facility called Lake Pointe.  It was a beautiful location with nice views of Mt. Nebo across Lake Dardanelle.  The campus had many mature trees for shade and to provide balance for the big but distant views.  The first day was a bit damp and cold so it was spent inside with Bill doing demos.  The second day was very seasonable and after a short morning demo, we hit the easels.  I got a nice underpainting and another "finished" piece on the first day.  The second day was much warmer, with highs probably in the mid 80's, with bright sun.  It was windy on the lake side of the point upon which the facility was located.  However, I had my sights set on a low train bridge on the cove side which was sheltered from the wind.  It was an old rusty thing but still strong and in use.  The dull, rusty red made a wonderful counterpoint against the bright green of the trees busting open.  I "finished" that one by around 2 or so and then went in for the rest of the day.

Here's one of them from the first day.  I'm going to make some tweaks to the other two.

Mt. Nebo #1

8X10, Oil on linen panel

SOLD

Buckstaff Baths won a merit award at the Hot Springs Fine Arts Center Regional Show!

White River Paint Out

As fellow Arkansas artist Bill Garrison reminded me in a comment a few days ago, the White River Artists will be having their 3rd annual plein air paint out on May 19-21.  I will be unable to attend but I'm sure there will be plenty of great painters there and lots of camaraderie for anyone interested in participating.  You can get more information at their facebook page.