Reacquaintance Drawing

Hoosic River Tree, Williamstown, MA. 9x12 inches, pencil on paper. Since the weather is not cooperating, I will do a studio painting of the river.  I went back this afternoon to reacquaint myself with this location. 

Study of a Tree

Study of a Tree at Field Farm, Williamstown, MA. 12x16 inches, oil on canvas panel.  I've been working on this one for a while. It's a real study in the sense that I am trying to do something different and learn from it. When I first saw the tree three weeks ago, it was like Annie Dillard's tree with the lights in it. Time will tell what I've learned.

A Lively Tree

Tree on North Trail, Field Farm, Williamstown, MA. 8x10 inches, oil on linen panel.  I saw this lively tree the other day and came back to paint it on site this afternoon before the clouds appeared.

Speaking Tree

Tree at Field Farm, Williamstown, MA.  8x10 inches, gouache on mixed media paper.  While walking the North Trail, this tree spoke to me.  It said, "Bob, look here."

On the North Trail

North Trail at Field Farm, Williamstown, MA. 10x8 inches, oil on canvas panel.  A lively dead tree in springtime on the North Trail, inspired by a brief moment when the sun appeared.

Beach Tree

Tree, Orleans, MA. 9x12 inches, gouache on mixed media paper.  A large, impressive dried-up tree on display against the shore bank of Little Pleasant Bay, which I painted when the tide was out.

Spanish Moss

Tree at Charles Towne Landing, Charleston, SC.  11x14 inches, oil on linen canvas.  I read that it's neither Spanish, nor moss.  

Except on the Mountains

Winter Tree on Sloan Road, Williamstown, MA.  8x10 inches, oil on canvas panel.  At the moment, little snow left except on the mountains.  

Luce Road Tree

Tree on Luce Road, Williamstown, MA.  12x9 inches, pencil on paper.  From yesterday's walk up the road.

South Trail Pine

Pine Tree, South Trail, Field Farm, Williamstown, MA. 12x9 inches, pencil on paper.  I went looking for this tree this afternoon.  I painted it years ago when there was snow on the ground.  Today, just mud and leaves.

A Larger Ocean

The Ocean at Ogunquit 8. 12x24 inches, oil on linen panel.  A larger painting with a tree that has withstood many storms.  

Stone Hill Tree

A tree at the top of Stone Hill in Williamstown, MA. 10x10 inches, oil on linen panel.

This Old Tree

This old tree has seen many people pass by where it stands in front of the barn at Haley Farm next to the path leading to multiple trailheads.  It's located at the end of Hopper Road in Williamstown, MA.  The weather forecast calls for days of rain, so I painted outside yesterday while I could despite the waning sun.  9x12 inches, oil on canvas panel.  

A Season Yet To Arrive

On the eve of a snowstorm, I painted a tree, which no longer exists on Stratton Road in Williamstown, MA, in a past season yet to arrive.  18x24 inches, oil on linen canvas.

A Little Rainbow

Windsor Lake, North Adams, MA.  When he was leaving, I asked the young fisherman if he had had any luck.  He replied, "I just caught a little rainbow."  9x12 inches, oil on linen panel.

A Tree In A Backyard

A recently completed commission, a painting of a memorial tree in a backyard.  Earlier this month I posted the preparatory drawing.  12x16 inches, oil on panel.

More To The Left

 

So the next day I set up more to the left to include the tree overhanging the downhill dirt road.  8x10 inches, oil on panel.

Splitting The Sky

Walking on my nearby dirt road, I stopped to draw this tree by the side of the road.  I like the way it splits the sky.  12x9 inches, pencil on paper.

A Second Drawing

A second drawing from my afternoon walk.  10x8 inches, pencil on paper.

A Tolerant Tree

To use my time constructively, I walked up the road with my sketch pad.  I was pleased to find a sign indicating that the dirt portion of the road was closed due to "mud conditions."  This means that I can walk safely and not have to worry about crazy drivers.  There were other walkers and runners, more than usual, all maintaining their distance.  I've drawn this tree many times.  It's an old friend, or at least, it tolerates me.  I say that because it's been brutalized by the electric company, which has cut half of its branches, so that the tree presents a plane aligned with the road.