Celebrating God's Glory, one brushstroke at a time

Blackhawk Channel (Indian Lake)_8 x 10 inch oil_seascape

The rain was falling this morning, when Dennis and I drove to Indian Lake; he with his fishing rod, and myself with my pleinair easel. By 11:30, the sun came out and the lake mirrored the beautiful blue sky. Just a perfect, perfect day!  Blackhawk channel is a favorite spot both for fishing and for painting.  Dennis caught bluegill this time (last time it was catfish), while I painted the lovely reflections of the sky. I particuarly loved adding the little specks of orangish yellow on the far left top of the painting. That's where the waterlily leaves were turned up and reflecting the sunshine, too!

Bluegill on the chopping block!.........Aren't his colors gorgeous!!

 It was Father's Day. We're home now, Dennis has cleaned the fish (I can't wait! Yum!), and he's resting with a good book, while I'm posting this blog. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ZOOM VIEW.  

West Wind_2.5 x 3.5 inch_oil on canvas_Seascape

West Winds over the lake were fierce (Indian Lake, Ohio), as we each got our "sea legs" back. For Dennis, this meant fishing, and for Donna, my beloved plein air painting (which has been scarce). He and I have had a very, very "long, long" year of 1) health issues: appendicitis (Dennis), then myself (shingles, followed by an intense allergy attack and sinus infection), and 2) previous commitments and daily responsibilities:  Dennis's full time job at the base coupled with full time work at home (keeping up an acre of land, with its weeds and gardening, keeping three cars running, helping Brian with plumbing, and our own plumbing....the list goes on and on); and my two classes at Wittenberg, one of which was highly intense (a semester load in 3 weeks). Yearly, I do home-school assessments and must stay licensed to do that.  Whew! We truly needed this day off. We truly had our own West Wind of a year. Take a look below at a photo of Dennis's grin (tells all). Typically, when fishing, he catches one or none. Wow! Were we blessed. He caught 8 catfish in one hour.  Dinner! Although we technically "skipped church," the entire day felt like Jesus was saying, "Good job, kids. You've had a long, long year." Grace, not law. TOO SEE LARGER VERSION OF West Wind, please click here.

SCENT OF SPRING, 8 x 10 acrylic landscape

The flowering trees in the field across the road were in beautiful bloom last week. Soft, gentle breezes send their sweet scents across to me as I gazed beyond the fence line. Click Here for a larger version.  Click Here for the Auction. 

Singing Waters, 8 x 10 acrylic landscape

The gently rolling waves of The Little Miami River literally sang to us, as Michelle and I painted on the banks. Oh, what a marvelous experience!  Ohio IS so beautiful!

 To read more about this piece and/or to purchase, please click here.  

 To bid on this auction, please click here.

"Nestled in - a gift," an 11x14 acrylic landscape

"Nestled in" is a larger version of "A Bird's Paradise," (below).  "Nestled in" was painted as a gift for Donna and Tom Wyatt who so graciously hosted us as I painted at Lake Waynoka.  "A Bird's Paradise" was painted quickly and on location [Donna and Tom's backyard at Lake Waynoka], while "Nestled in" was painted in the studio, from photo references as well as from the original plein air painting, "A Bird's Paradise."  Pleinair painting captures colors and lighting conditions that many times are difficult to discern in photographs.  Often, pleinair works end up being stand-alone paintings with merits of their own; however, many pleinair paintings are actually preliminary "notes" for the artist.  I like my first attempt, but prefer the studio version in this instance.  What do you think?

"Nestled in,"  although in a private collection, is available as prints.  To order prints, please click here.

Dennis worked on the deck. We are nearing the finish line! Below, you can see some of his hard work and the view I will be painting "from the deck."

Don't forget, .............take a look at the student's work this week!!

Morning Light on Lake Waynoka, 8x10 acrylic landscape

"Morning Light on Lake Waynoka" SOLD at the 2011  Lake Waynoka Art Festival (Auction & Sale).  We thoroughly enjoyed our stay with a dear couple who live at the lake.  What a gorgeous gated community this is!  Thank you, Lake Waynoka, for having the Ohio Plein Air Society for a weekend of painting and fun!  Although this painting is sold, nice prints and/or notecards can be ordered from Fine Art America.  Click Here to see how nice the prints look and/or to order.

Dolls, Dolls, Dolls!!

Karen, Karen, and I had such a fun time with our "Little Miss Revlon" dolls (from the 1950's).  Little Miss Revlon dolls were made just before the Barbie craze.  Google it!  Really interesting. Rare dolls!

Pavilion Hollyhocks [Lakeside, Ohio] & The Wedding

Another painting from Lakeside!  In the background is the Pavilion and the boardwalk out over Lake Erie.  To see more about this painting, please click here.

AUCTION !!!

AUCTION of TRICKLES FROM HEAVEN (above) ends in just a few hours!!!  CLICK HERE TO BID.

THE WEDDING!  THE BABPIPES!

Click below to hear the bagpipes! (and to see a video of the wedding)

Brian from Donna M Clark on Vimeo.

Brian and Daisy had the most beautiful wedding and the bagpiper was one of many special touches! Enjoy!

Paintings that sold in the last few weeks:

[Weekly] Treasure Island......& my favorite surface to paint on

"Treasure Island," oil on canvas panel, was painted at Treasure Island Park in Troy, Ohio.  The sun was just beginning it's descent, and the clouds were quickly darkening, so I was painting rather quickly!  A lovely little park on the Great Miami River in Troy, Treasure Island Park offers a gentle view of the bridge and the courthouse tower.  For more information and to see a larger version of this painting, please click here.

THERE ARE MULTIPLE IMAGES APPEARING IN TODAY'S MARIAN PAINTING.........

TO SEE TODAY'S MARIAN PAINTING, PLEASE SCROLL DOWN.........LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW PLEASE.

The surface of TREASURE ISLAND is slightly textured, and is painted in oils on a rigid canvas panel (not stretched canvas).  However, my favorite support (and now Dennis's favorite as well) is made by a company called Ampersand.  These panels are made of masonite and are therefore absolutely rigid.  They are treated with several coats of gesso, then sanded several times to create a very smooth surface.  I enjoy the "bounce" that comes with "stretched" canvas; but having had one of my paintings succumb to a hole being poked through it, I quickly switched to a harder surface:  Ampersand.  For other surfaces, see this video by Justin Clayton discussing painting supports.  

"At the Feet of Jesus"

© Donna Pierce-Clark

Click Here for a larger image of this painting.   Then, return to leave your comments please.

Lakeside Paintout

This was the only painting left after the Pleinair Show and Sale.   Most paintings were still wet.   What a fun weekend!!   CLICK HERE to read the story behind STONE COLLECTION

 This [Washed by the Son] was my favorite.   

This next one is my second favorite and I was so happy to sell this to our beloved B&B owner, Carole Pierce. Below these paintings are a few images of the Eveningsong Cottage Bed and Breakfast where we enjoyed 3 amazingly relaxing days and evenings.   

Carole and Gary are wonderful to us.  And a very special thank you to Mary Dziak for planning another wonderful weekend at Lakeside, Ohio for the OHIO PLEINAIR SOCIETY.  

We enjoyed making new friends and getting re-acquainted with old friends.   On the right, is Martha, and she is 94 and so healthy and joyful.   A dear to talk with.   At the very back, is Blanch, who is speaking in her native tongue:  Czechoslovakian.   She speaks one of the two dialects in this country.   Blanch is 80.   We also crossed paths with a couple from our neck of the woods, Springfield, Ohio.    Three other ladies, we jokingly referred to as "The motley crew," provided us with mirth.   There were many more people we enjoyed as well.   Just too many to name. 

The weather was gorgeous the entire weekend.   As we left, I took numerous photos of the lake.   The skies were amazing every moment, any time of the day.   I can't wait till next year and I hope you will enjoy some of the Weekly Paintings to come (from this wonderful trip).

PierceClark Weekly Painting for 9-24-08

VIEW FROM THE LEVEE, Troy, OH 9x12, acrylic on panel We went to Troy to paint on the levee today.  The weather was gorgeous, but it did help to have the umbrella as a protection against the harsh sunlight.  CLICK ON PAINTING for more details.

Bear's Mill Punkins 14 x 11 Open Acrylics on panel September 19th, was a beautifully warm and sunny day at Bear's Mill, near Greeneville, Ohio.  We painted then went into Covington to have lunch at a church.  What a spread!  Oh, my, I think it's diet time! CLICK ON PAINTING for more details.