Last Summer's Hay

This is one from the 'vault'. I painted it (shown here in process) early last Summer after the first hay cutting. Allergies have kept me away from the hayfield this year, so I'm reminiscing and hoping to get out there again soon.

Kaleidoscope Morning

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on July 3rd (completed at 8:25am)...$100 including shipping...What a wonderful morning to be a plein air painter! It was perfect, perfect. I chose to include just a few hay bales which were scattered across the meadow. The sun hit the red foliage just as I was adding the final touches.

Hay's In

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on June 24th (completed 8:00am)...$85 including shipping...Getting outside to paint in 95+ degree heat is nuts...so I get out really early to miss the heat. The early sun quickly rose to show its orange light on the recently baled hay. It's hard to believe this was just 3 days into early Summer.

Fort Keys Hay

8" x 10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima on June 24th (completed around 9:45am)...$85 including shipping but NOT including frame...contact me at beejw@charter.net for purchase.
The sweet smell of newly cut hay drew me to this spot on the Tunnel Hill battlefield. Cool shadows played on the little gravel road and the mountain cast its shadow on the hayfield.

It won't be too long until the Civil War reenactors set up their tents under the big oak tree here at Fort Keys. Preparations are already being made for the Battle of Tunnel Hill.

The Small One

10" x 8" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on July 7th - $85 including shipping - contact me for purchase -
This painting was begun at 6:45am as the clouds were streaming overhead making room for the sun. By the time I was finishing, the tree shadows were deepening and there was a glow on all the bales.

Tuesday's Bales

10" x 8" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on July 8th (completed just after 8am) - $85 including shipping - contact me for purchase - see also post dated July 8 -

Maybe the distant hills weren't this particular shade of purple - but in my mind's eye they were. The early mist was clearing from the meadow but still hung on the ridge of hills to the West. The sun was hitting the tops of the waiting hay bales and casting a soft glow as the deep shadows kept their deep mysteries.

Shadows of a Summer Cloud

10" x 8" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on June 26th - completed at 7:30am - $85 including shipping - contact me for purchase -
The hay is resting, waiting for delivery to the barn. Evening showers have left wonderful dawn cloud formations. Early morning painting is like medicine to the artist's soul.

Tuesday's Bales

The lighting wasn't ideal this morning at 7:00 when I set up my easel. I was expecting the sun to pop out around 8:00 but it kept hanging behind the high clouds. I've exaggerated the blues/purples of the distant hills and rearranged some of the bales. At the time of the photo, it was still in process. When completed this 10"x8" oil on RayMar panel will be $85 including shipping. Contact me for purchase.

Conversations

8" x 10" oil on canvas covered hardboard, painted en plein air, alla prima - $85 including shipping -
Looking WSW from Fort Keys on the Clisby Austin property, these trees seemed to be conversing early on September 21st. The hay bales also seemed to be whispering to each other. I was listening to the buzz of insects and smelling the sweet hay drying in the sun as I painted the morning away.
Contact me at beejw@charter.net