tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76906657869321937812024-03-07T07:43:01.149-08:00A Visual Painting Journal - By Erik BohnMy hope for this blog is that it will document my progression as an oil painter. While I have not studied art in a formal setting, I do study art on my own time. Each new painting is a study in color and technique, trial and error. Every second is a study in perspective.bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.comBlogger302125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-66973508052991040992024-03-05T11:48:00.000-08:002024-03-05T11:48:02.291-08:00Abstract Tabletop<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39IuF5vYUDTQgPGvVIiCly1S9HiXyUSZqo2NajqHp3wSrST1AmIy1XQQ3T9iazxgSw3WSa88wqjAXsYJXWTmpSR7A5juuWqEoyW8zIUgy6Ki-FWpwKMWlSA_5kiMZMb4wTju-k1RDUmzdE-3WGvkIC_xrY52F5vmhbfjF7JaY1cO31K4Y4tLRqG8uXwg/s2912/IMG_7970.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2912" data-original-width="2912" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39IuF5vYUDTQgPGvVIiCly1S9HiXyUSZqo2NajqHp3wSrST1AmIy1XQQ3T9iazxgSw3WSa88wqjAXsYJXWTmpSR7A5juuWqEoyW8zIUgy6Ki-FWpwKMWlSA_5kiMZMb4wTju-k1RDUmzdE-3WGvkIC_xrY52F5vmhbfjF7JaY1cO31K4Y4tLRqG8uXwg/w400-h400/IMG_7970.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>Abstract Tabletop<p></p><p>12" x 12" oil on board</p><p><a href="mailto:bohnec@gmail.com">Inquire by email</a></p><p>I almost called this one, "The Struggle." This is what I'm up against if I decide to do a little painting on the sun porch after a grueling virtual school planning day. All manner of games and cards and buzzers, pencils and papers must be cleared before I can start. Luckily, I didn't know what I wanted to paint anyway, so I painted the tabletop. </p><p>I'm weird and maybe this is what makes me an artist but I'm drawn to random arrangements and trying to find balance in them (maybe that makes them not truly random?) Whether or not true randomness exists and whether or not I captured it in this painting is debatable. But, I actually had fun painting, despite the clutter. </p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-49993739423675783662024-03-05T11:14:00.000-08:002024-03-05T11:14:31.488-08:00Orchid<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluloCal4oQF694fB6RVgpzOkAqMAQBGKX0t3fQQTNSKb_2lfxh4vxDZP3DVoLlxIhzIEvKK9if9TguXPmVslWwKOSDG9PuKHSMLIRqwnlfN7ZSPYdlJfnLhT3zTwrVgaUQ84Hkg-le0gOdnKAsM1wm_VuPGQ_91ekv-5QejOO_xUQ3XT_PRITSwoea4s/s3693/IMG_7869.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3693" data-original-width="2921" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluloCal4oQF694fB6RVgpzOkAqMAQBGKX0t3fQQTNSKb_2lfxh4vxDZP3DVoLlxIhzIEvKK9if9TguXPmVslWwKOSDG9PuKHSMLIRqwnlfN7ZSPYdlJfnLhT3zTwrVgaUQ84Hkg-le0gOdnKAsM1wm_VuPGQ_91ekv-5QejOO_xUQ3XT_PRITSwoea4s/w316-h400/IMG_7869.HEIC" width="316" /></a></div>Orchid<p></p><p>8" x 10" oil on board</p><p><a href="mailto:bohnec@gmail.com">Inquire by email</a></p><p>Painted in the dregs of winter - late January. I liked the contrast of the warmth inside with the cool outside and the way the cool, blue light was hitting the leaves and the windowsill. This orchid rarely gets any water but it somehow sprouted some flowers a few weeks after I painted it. </p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-40110426980675238832023-12-27T15:11:00.000-08:002023-12-27T15:11:43.811-08:00Hills of Chiapas<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBei2qYTgazRdZxFHf4B2fyDtBDz9bWs-axxRRBmS5T7v1eep7iE2tQrOTQ0N66ztZGAHPyFbarDVcC5cohA06SpdrSCX8QYjH9aYTVTRwDV0xDxhWW8EvfvTwMNeOm5FSpguTCxCpcvM33k2K-oK2E3VHaByyPEyAOXGT5v0GnEwDA6_yHauazNI0aSw/s3697/IMG_7785.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3697" data-original-width="2951" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBei2qYTgazRdZxFHf4B2fyDtBDz9bWs-axxRRBmS5T7v1eep7iE2tQrOTQ0N66ztZGAHPyFbarDVcC5cohA06SpdrSCX8QYjH9aYTVTRwDV0xDxhWW8EvfvTwMNeOm5FSpguTCxCpcvM33k2K-oK2E3VHaByyPEyAOXGT5v0GnEwDA6_yHauazNI0aSw/w510-h640/IMG_7785.HEIC" width="510" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Hills of Chiapas</p><p>16" x 20" oil on canvas</p><p><a href="mailto:bohnec@gmail.com">Inquire by Email</a></p><p>Most of the paintings I've completed this year have been painted outdoors. But, it was raining today and the kids were away on a playdate so I decided to work from a photo. </p><p>The image is from a 2014 road trip through Mexico that started in Mexico City and ended in Tulum. We explored six different cities and drove well over 1200 miles. The photo that I referenced was taken somewhere between San Cristobal De Las Casas and Palenque in the State of Chiapas. The Sierra Madre reach over 13000 feet in this stretch, and I'd guess that we were close to that altitude. </p><p>I often wonder if I'd have the guts (or stupidity) to complete the trip again. It was the greatest adventure of my life, but that's because it was my first road trip outside of the US and I was naive and awestruck. I didn't even speak Spanish at the time. I made a list during the trip of all the crazy things we saw and experienced, but it's too long to include here. </p><p>One thing is for sure - if I did do the trip again, I'd add a stop between San Cristobal De Las Casas and Merida. That leg is 14 hours WITHOUT the pretty serious earthquake that knocked out power and caused mudslides, rock slides, and road and bridge collapses. Add to those setbacks a non-functioning cigarette lighter that was supposed to be charging our GPS, and a serious case of Montezuma's revenge and...you get the picture. It is a literal miracle that we found our hotel in Merida. The GPS had been dead for 400 miles. The paper map we had did not even show the street that our hotel was located on. Yet, we arrived. We arrived without even searching...I honestly can't explain how it happened. </p><p>I've been thinking about this painting ever since. I just didn't think I had the skill to make it turn out the way I wanted it to. I'm still not sure, but that's the reason I keep painting and documenting in this blog. Year fifteen starts in four days. I do have a lot of paint leftover after this one - maybe I'll squeeze in one more. Pretty sure I'd do the trip again. </p><p><br /></p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-34446996049366054492023-12-19T11:02:00.000-08:002023-12-19T11:02:51.190-08:00Haiku <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlfbHRgMhf1iEDcfJ2UKmVHp1MbmG3U3p5kpWkHWBjEl8W_C1JZz9sn8Y63jMPjIii9oKmJgGWOK-EDrn4fVp261jAhzvXKvZNNbsCMsLmZrAUrR6PbNynTxrCwPJssR_tFyz-V0PDTBx61fQdeOc5d1eBtYQp31ibL97YMmoobo9qRkziLkmABHgV8U/s2845/IMG_7691.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2845" data-original-width="2825" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlfbHRgMhf1iEDcfJ2UKmVHp1MbmG3U3p5kpWkHWBjEl8W_C1JZz9sn8Y63jMPjIii9oKmJgGWOK-EDrn4fVp261jAhzvXKvZNNbsCMsLmZrAUrR6PbNynTxrCwPJssR_tFyz-V0PDTBx61fQdeOc5d1eBtYQp31ibL97YMmoobo9qRkziLkmABHgV8U/w398-h400/IMG_7691.HEIC" width="398" /></a></div>Haiku<p></p><p>6" x 6" oil on board</p><p><a href="mailto:bohnec@gmail.com">Inquire by email</a></p><p><br /></p><p>November light fades</p><p>Above, crow flecked clouds scurry </p><p>On winter's approach</p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-73729566323140566972023-11-04T13:23:00.005-07:002023-11-04T17:17:01.275-07:00The Big Rock(s)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjih9DJMhxQKuDWWmHXZQ7tz4P52vedBkJDQSa9aWcHCPAqJtsE0GRQIE29q3GyUFcNgtBmAtkuuGwSn9Mqciuzfc_z_g1FnMb8Xe_wN757EsMBVGCpj0l9XlV9Y3uYkio9GK6cJqO-JhnSzVw0WRm4t94Lt0KU6VVMjyj4RJBViw13vGpjjHb7FyATHMw/s3884/IMG_7663.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2733" data-original-width="3884" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjih9DJMhxQKuDWWmHXZQ7tz4P52vedBkJDQSa9aWcHCPAqJtsE0GRQIE29q3GyUFcNgtBmAtkuuGwSn9Mqciuzfc_z_g1FnMb8Xe_wN757EsMBVGCpj0l9XlV9Y3uYkio9GK6cJqO-JhnSzVw0WRm4t94Lt0KU6VVMjyj4RJBViw13vGpjjHb7FyATHMw/w640-h450/IMG_7663.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The Big Rock(s)</p><p>9" x 12" oil on board</p><p><a href="mailto:bohnec@gmail.com">Inquire by email </a></p><p>"The Big Rock" is what my kids call this section of Daniel's Run Park. So called because there is a fairly large boulder that they climbed back when the boulder probably seemed a lot larger than it does now. The path here follows a ten foot fence lined with barbed wire with signs pointing out that the area is under video surveillance. It's a strange area that reminds me of the Hawkins National Laboratory from Stranger Things. I'm not sure how the giant boulders got there - there are no other boulders in the park that I've seen, and they seem to be purposely placed in ascending size. </p><p>My plan was to paint the largest boulder which is farther up the hill, but it was mostly in shade and didn't look as appealing as these three smaller boulders that line the path. I did three paintings, but this is the only one that was worth keeping. </p><p>Painting slivers of light in the forest is extremely difficult. The light seems to change twice as quickly as it does in an open space such as a field and within 5 minutes, the light and shadows were completely different from my initial sketch. My first painting was a failure because I tried to adjust to match the changes, which made everything muddy because I was painting over the original drawing. This painting was more successful because I sketched everything out and made notes or little dots of paint to show what the light looked like and then basically quit looking at the scene because it was no longer anything like the original sketch. In fact, it was completely in shade. See photo below. </p><p>The 3rd painting was also a failure and then I got a text from Sarah that she and the kids were heading my way. When they got there both kids remarked that the boulders were not as big as they remembered them to be. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5U194mo0ZLn44abFQtuo_1NIR_EkiXdMkqxhzPrDJykckwquvcJAURw-sxcQP2uYWE7kbkKoSnpaxC16yYTHukbF5DKGjHAeDUxtAPUTEwm5FeWop1dDEszOJYz4V8W0xaXt2keGpU012CZcdNATY8GeyNdSjpcoad2Rf7-XB5V7LKEwx2KCJj0RAkA/s4032/IMG_7660.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5U194mo0ZLn44abFQtuo_1NIR_EkiXdMkqxhzPrDJykckwquvcJAURw-sxcQP2uYWE7kbkKoSnpaxC16yYTHukbF5DKGjHAeDUxtAPUTEwm5FeWop1dDEszOJYz4V8W0xaXt2keGpU012CZcdNATY8GeyNdSjpcoad2Rf7-XB5V7LKEwx2KCJj0RAkA/w300-h400/IMG_7660.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-65611625236816176052023-08-06T11:52:00.002-07:002023-12-23T18:24:12.225-08:00Even More Blue Chairs<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfliRgCzP74Y2nwsPdUWQa5InLZWytPwA2Lsbb5jQlrPE08JOhEK12ZeOWYGOXn9UBOlj-o-2zaXDmGFAPo4D0V_FOD8mRk33Olf907d6D9P35b7cWY5L2ntYkKrZIHY_HYQokM-RA1ycWadmiw_ek9T5qHdPxkjU-1zoGeA2I_Fg1Zzx7gJE9A-k6pY/s3714/IMG_7135.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2887" data-original-width="3714" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfliRgCzP74Y2nwsPdUWQa5InLZWytPwA2Lsbb5jQlrPE08JOhEK12ZeOWYGOXn9UBOlj-o-2zaXDmGFAPo4D0V_FOD8mRk33Olf907d6D9P35b7cWY5L2ntYkKrZIHY_HYQokM-RA1ycWadmiw_ek9T5qHdPxkjU-1zoGeA2I_Fg1Zzx7gJE9A-k6pY/w400-h311/IMG_7135.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>8 x 10" oil on board<p></p><p>Even More Blue Chairs</p><p>I painted the first version of this painting in the backyard with my daughter, Camlin. I didn't like it so I scraped it off with a palette knife. But then I liked the way it looked after I had scraped it. Did I like it enough to post it? That, I also tossed around in my head. Ultimately, I decided that it's part of the progression, so here it is. Plus, my aunt Enice, who may be the only person who reads this blog, said she liked it :) Thanks, Enice! This is also the first painting I've done of the chairs since we had to cut down the ninety year old Japanese Maple that used to sit directly behind them - I put the chairs in their current spot to hide the massive stump. The tree was killed by an infestation of ambrosia beetles that target trees that are already in a weakened state. The arborist who examined the tree said he thought it was weakened by the cicada outbreak in 2021 and then the beetles moved in, bored into the bark, and turned it to sawdust. Heartbreaking. I didn't achieve the colorful, happy tone that I set out to achieve on this perfect summer day in the backyard with my daughter. Maybe the ghost of this beautiful tree had something to do that that. </p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-25229093524991535642023-07-10T13:29:00.001-07:002023-07-10T13:29:08.813-07:00Yoda's Barn<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYf2VelYvxMJMM1F2M-U9o9DG1PfghHVdpWwMsIIYTihu1jHOSZSxz88g_8X35g7LB4nUQJ5kLeYq7Tvplg4Ax_dhs7ZpGbjkOpEMsQWWf-5Y-4AE5XxWTBEns3FvW7eZ6pcnZHncZbw9Zu0l3Ux114uQXQYpK3J1ZvZDJHc_kjfbe8PkQyPoGVYyk0Go/s2889/IMG_7025.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2889" data-original-width="2889" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYf2VelYvxMJMM1F2M-U9o9DG1PfghHVdpWwMsIIYTihu1jHOSZSxz88g_8X35g7LB4nUQJ5kLeYq7Tvplg4Ax_dhs7ZpGbjkOpEMsQWWf-5Y-4AE5XxWTBEns3FvW7eZ6pcnZHncZbw9Zu0l3Ux114uQXQYpK3J1ZvZDJHc_kjfbe8PkQyPoGVYyk0Go/w400-h400/IMG_7025.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>Yoda's Barn<p></p><p>8" x 8" oil on board</p><p><a href="mailto:bohnec@gmail.com">Inquire by email</a></p><p>This is one of the barn's at Vance's Country Guest House in McDowell, VA, where we've spent the week after the 4th of July for the past five years. It's called Yoda's barn because there's a grey cat named Yoda that lives in the barn that my kids are obsessed with. It's a wonder the cat comes around given how much my kids like to pick it up and mess with it. However, putting food out in the barn is one of the many chores the kids are responsible for while staying at the farm, so I guess that's why. I'm not a huge fan of cats - they make my nostrils close up - so of course it rubs itself all over me and jumps on my lap anytime I'm sitting in the yard. Even so, I wish I was sitting in that yard right now. You can see Yoda creeping toward me in the photo below. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLAlid3WWnurXXMMfk18B-1vdfVLIniu8VHU5LqpLTeX7lcrEX_oeqWb-x3FJGvGM7Ge-21tun4oxsyCpYSDkc9jiLQptiXzv2HS-dMvYCPziXEmxNfDq8Iyo5cAoZSb_5_JyyKs9Lbdi39qZ2QdNnvXHnt-gCNAJQTygSeL991zKVeoeX903T1j7PHk/s4032/IMG_8732.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLAlid3WWnurXXMMfk18B-1vdfVLIniu8VHU5LqpLTeX7lcrEX_oeqWb-x3FJGvGM7Ge-21tun4oxsyCpYSDkc9jiLQptiXzv2HS-dMvYCPziXEmxNfDq8Iyo5cAoZSb_5_JyyKs9Lbdi39qZ2QdNnvXHnt-gCNAJQTygSeL991zKVeoeX903T1j7PHk/w300-h400/IMG_8732.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-24260293700599495562023-06-22T14:03:00.001-07:002023-08-06T11:56:26.094-07:00Low Water Bridge - State Route 612 III<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0T3GaSuIFWA2WI1YNeJCorFTDx7lnXh7FN_qBiCuPh1MCK1Ze8WgQWBAHXY_151rHYLwMBlzL6aPKbtBDWnoRGnvG3jVxO-OKNpOvZRgO48N_DClJx36j7jXz0H1wUDo3rQ5B46Y-1-6JgIxYRH0Oee4GKqdIvY1IU6WcJ1KG-6S4TAsPWvXlYRncEo/s3710/IMG_6935.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3710" data-original-width="2933" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0T3GaSuIFWA2WI1YNeJCorFTDx7lnXh7FN_qBiCuPh1MCK1Ze8WgQWBAHXY_151rHYLwMBlzL6aPKbtBDWnoRGnvG3jVxO-OKNpOvZRgO48N_DClJx36j7jXz0H1wUDo3rQ5B46Y-1-6JgIxYRH0Oee4GKqdIvY1IU6WcJ1KG-6S4TAsPWvXlYRncEo/w316-h400/IMG_6935.HEIC" width="316" /></a></div>Low Water Bridge - State Route 612 III<p></p><p>8" x 10" Oil on board</p><p><a href="mailto:bohnec@gmail.com">Inquire by email</a></p><p>I'll let the photo below make my excuses for me. The guy in the blue chevy truck with the camper top had given up and Rainey went under the car shortly after I took the photo of my easel. I stayed mostly dry because I was under the rear door of my car but rain was blowing in on my easel and board and it was getting cold. I actually like this painting, though. It's a little abstract and I like the colors and the mountain peaking through in the upper right. I hope I haven't complained too much about standing by a river and painting one of my favorite spots on earth. I really think it's what makes life worth living. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0kZ9Qjz6axrGqLo7v3CPKQ2tZagY_dsdhao87f9OH1_GKDWl9wRZd3h-1PRKn5RFlPVaJxTf7FjHBvn_jNFBinQu3FpYps0v-i2mFidpfkPxO5HctiURFoa3fdIHg6zUu03yMnCL-n6kYZT-JYCJ2JsLCyLw7zGbY5GjUKq-ww8_HljPMFbsJxRYhKA/s4032/IMG_6931.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0kZ9Qjz6axrGqLo7v3CPKQ2tZagY_dsdhao87f9OH1_GKDWl9wRZd3h-1PRKn5RFlPVaJxTf7FjHBvn_jNFBinQu3FpYps0v-i2mFidpfkPxO5HctiURFoa3fdIHg6zUu03yMnCL-n6kYZT-JYCJ2JsLCyLw7zGbY5GjUKq-ww8_HljPMFbsJxRYhKA/w400-h300/IMG_6931.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-56977782368862053212023-06-22T13:49:00.003-07:002023-06-22T13:49:44.139-07:00Low Water Bridge - State Route 612 II<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tIcSbTASgA0vhXDqOSyZFDURjzcefKGDXrhYwnyFMDksrWW8soYLBbNGCudYpES82-0NXGdVk4N0321aaGfIk1o0i3g1ryAyaWtHjer07fQvsC75wruhSfvqDgMJjxn5ljpkxd7kT3LJGFClvrs9TKBA3Zaw5rwgmL_B8hoCi-vG5vszaeGx_ClP-Hs/s2881/IMG_6942.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2869" data-original-width="2881" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tIcSbTASgA0vhXDqOSyZFDURjzcefKGDXrhYwnyFMDksrWW8soYLBbNGCudYpES82-0NXGdVk4N0321aaGfIk1o0i3g1ryAyaWtHjer07fQvsC75wruhSfvqDgMJjxn5ljpkxd7kT3LJGFClvrs9TKBA3Zaw5rwgmL_B8hoCi-vG5vszaeGx_ClP-Hs/w400-h399/IMG_6942.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />Low Water Bridge - State Route 612 II<p></p><p>8" x 8" oil on board</p><p><a href="mailto:bohnec@gmail.com">Inquire by email </a></p><p>Sure, I said painting a scene a second time lets you see things you didn't see the first time, color mixtures are realized, values, etc. But...the rain...the old man in his blue chevy truck with the camper top, who could have parked on the other side of the road instead of directly in your line of sight...excuses. It was really enjoyable, actually. And there are things I like more about this painting than the last. But painting ripples in a river is hard and clearly I need more practice at it. </p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-89298205398816678882023-06-22T13:40:00.000-07:002023-12-19T16:46:04.345-08:00Low Water Bridge - State Route 612<p>Low Water Bridge - State Route 612</p><p>8" x 8" oil on board</p><p><a href="mailto:bohnec@gmail.com">Inquire by email</a></p><p>These next three posts may not do well to prove my point about the benefits of painting a scene multiple times...this might be the best of three and it was the first. But, I blame that on the increasingly heavy rain that once again held off until the very moment I broke out the easel. I guess you would call this river crossing a low-water bridge, although you actually have to drive <i>through</i> the river to get from one side to the other. But there is concrete underneath, so I guess that counts as a bridge? Route 612 cuts across Summers Mountain and connects Bullpasture River Road to Cowpasture Road; a "shortcut" if you're heading back to route 250, headed toward Staunton, VA. It's long and winding and there's really no reason to take the road unless you have property up there or you're adventure riding like we did back when my brother first got his driver's license. One time we popped a tire when we were halfway over the mountain and we didn't have a tire iron to change the tire. We waited a looooong time before finally walking miles back to Cowpasture Road and waiting some more for someone to come by. In addition to the rain making things difficult, a guy pulled up and parked DIRECTLY in front of me on the other side of the river. He had to have seen me...So I had to crop him out of the painting. Imagine his blue chevy truck with a camper top in the middle right, in front of that tuft of grass. Excuses.</p><p>Updated photo with frame: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLs8KSUfpDglisp-6_El1FTzrwr8xkgrFaePZQiKOGGGQD8uWo4k3M22Kr-5EcuGhn-kExBdIqTBP0W5VIVV_ZZeebuul2aBtGxKmuoPphIl7SSig4Nj-itkASDMGrAjwl5EToC9ArQ_PrwqZzOLu-MwAU8z_QYeM-okOpTe5FUplte36sw4TCTt3J-w/s3607/IMG_7744.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3607" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLs8KSUfpDglisp-6_El1FTzrwr8xkgrFaePZQiKOGGGQD8uWo4k3M22Kr-5EcuGhn-kExBdIqTBP0W5VIVV_ZZeebuul2aBtGxKmuoPphIl7SSig4Nj-itkASDMGrAjwl5EToC9ArQ_PrwqZzOLu-MwAU8z_QYeM-okOpTe5FUplte36sw4TCTt3J-w/w335-h400/IMG_7744.HEIC" width="335" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOGJOE6o00qKvY6NmbmpWNOUw__yJmzFgQ2dxKq82kpB3X7t7z6dU64eLbVlWHyMphSZJjleTevfxv8G7Ux8urC8aaImcnfA2Fca0AJi9pcuTwEhzy2QBpyipWOSvdoSF51WtEJJjitpOTgmSud4zDZgpoW-tGdzX760AE859-peDLpMAlPUo98JE6ms/s2913/IMG_6943.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2829" data-original-width="2913" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOGJOE6o00qKvY6NmbmpWNOUw__yJmzFgQ2dxKq82kpB3X7t7z6dU64eLbVlWHyMphSZJjleTevfxv8G7Ux8urC8aaImcnfA2Fca0AJi9pcuTwEhzy2QBpyipWOSvdoSF51WtEJJjitpOTgmSud4zDZgpoW-tGdzX760AE859-peDLpMAlPUo98JE6ms/w640-h622/IMG_6943.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-80320728602086536892023-06-22T12:10:00.004-07:002023-06-22T12:11:42.421-07:00Seldom Seen Hollow II<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwSznMi-lRAH8wdTdJNrzoeqQReSy-75in78QVFafuxsMsEtOR3FHOaVnS_RFxcpgZ5A2SXz03dEPnVc4eTI7uiHKP_ILuiSpLSuX0XkVfb8ldg3enpmAaSlBIKl1xGXhcmxstXvjFdVAYk6RQswocLx4LFRCvFOy7ei3FUa9BFg0YfvMbGboLxVy1F4/s3933/IMG_6924.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2943" data-original-width="3933" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwSznMi-lRAH8wdTdJNrzoeqQReSy-75in78QVFafuxsMsEtOR3FHOaVnS_RFxcpgZ5A2SXz03dEPnVc4eTI7uiHKP_ILuiSpLSuX0XkVfb8ldg3enpmAaSlBIKl1xGXhcmxstXvjFdVAYk6RQswocLx4LFRCvFOy7ei3FUa9BFg0YfvMbGboLxVy1F4/w640-h478/IMG_6924.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br />Seldom Seen Hollow II<p>9" x 12" Oil on Board</p><p><a href="bohnec@gmail.com. ">Inquire by email</a></p><p>I completed this painting almost immediately after the previous posted painting and yes, it was still raining. However, the cabin had a little covered porch on the back, so I stayed dry for this one. Maybe I'm making excuses, but the majority of my paintings are completed within tiny windows of time. When I'm able to find time. And usually, I only have time (and energy) to complete <i>one</i> painting of a subject in a sitting. That means that the posted painting is most often my first attempt at painting a subject. I'm sure this is obvious, but what I've realized on the rare occasions when I have time to complete multiple paintings of the same subject is that only near the end of finishing the 1st painting, sometimes even days or weeks later, do I actually have any idea how to handle the subject; meaning, I notice things that I didn't notice before starting, figure out color mixtures, etc., because I've stared at the subject for hours and hours. This is what leads me to overwork or muddy up those color mixtures, values, etc.; I've worked and worked, but only at the end do I really see what needs to be done and by then it's too late. Trying to rework a painting at the end rarely ever works out. And for some reason, once I've "finished" a painting, I have a tough time making myself go back to it. </p><p>I guess this is why painters paint the same subject over and over again. Once is not enough. Twice is inordinately better. And painting the same subject back to back like I did this day was extremely informative. By the time I finished the first painting, I noticed things or figured things out that I applied to <i>this</i> painting such as the color in the shadows. It's like trying to figure out how to play a guitar chord and not getting it right until the end of the song. Even while painting this second painting of the same view, I continued to see things I hadn't noticed before. If only this property were mine, I'd master that view...</p><p>Alzarin Crimson, yellow ochre, cadmium yellow light, manganese violet, sap green, viridian, chromium oxide green, pthalo blue, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium while. </p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-88709133888567872022023-06-22T11:43:00.005-07:002023-06-22T14:12:49.178-07:00Seldom Seen Hollow I<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWwp5UHs4JFc8lQYZi5RjzgWhIO61t3bkYvp6W3KpNS1fHwDjuNXtSpDCuVXjJkA4y7Uw_7AG7tcAEp6awDqcleAC8xUfMLRYVljWREeB4OMcyqmW020C2pR7f32wcYRX_c45bFjzgK1MSUg6BC2PIEXj6hFX6vHKrjydvjgKWrwZaDktBXQ1oq6RAgM/s3501/IMG_6912.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2807" data-original-width="3501" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWwp5UHs4JFc8lQYZi5RjzgWhIO61t3bkYvp6W3KpNS1fHwDjuNXtSpDCuVXjJkA4y7Uw_7AG7tcAEp6awDqcleAC8xUfMLRYVljWREeB4OMcyqmW020C2pR7f32wcYRX_c45bFjzgK1MSUg6BC2PIEXj6hFX6vHKrjydvjgKWrwZaDktBXQ1oq6RAgM/w400-h321/IMG_6912.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>Seldom Seen Hollow I<p></p><p>8 x 8 Oil on Board</p><p><a href="mailto:bohnec@gmail.com">Inquire by email</a></p><p>I went on a three night getaway to a VRBO farm in Doe Hill, Va., Highland County. The property is 172 acres, backing up to the National Forest. I went alone with Rainey, my dog, and the plan was to fish, paint and rest up after the end of a grueling school year. I did all those things, despite the fact that it rained most of the time. This particular painting was completed in the rain. It was not raining when I set up, but began pretty steadily the moment I got started. So steady that it interfered with the paint adhering to the board. It's tough to see in the photo, but there are some interesting textures, I think because of the water's impact on the paint. I also had to try and "finish" this really quickly, but I still like the way it turned out. Rainey is such a good dog - despite the rain and the cows lurking nearby, she never left my side. This is the view from the back of the farm, looking toward the National Forest. I walked until I was too tired to walk anymore and never reached a property boundary that I could tell. It is WILD back there - tons of wildlife and native plants that I just don't see anywhere else. I loved it. Just realized you can see some water droplets if you click on the photo. I tried to blow them all off before I took the photo.</p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-56261109446631279302023-04-29T13:24:00.003-07:002023-04-30T05:53:43.560-07:00Apple Tree Copy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>I'm embarrassed to post this now that I see the paintings side by side, but I copied this painting from a painter named, <a href="http://www.kurtmoyer.com/2019-2020.html">Kurt Moyer</a>, who is my favorite painter these days. The top one is mine. I think it's ok to copy as long as you give the other artist credit. It's a little like playing someone else's song. You have to learn the other's chords and techniques as you go. It is easier than trying to paint the subject in the outdoors, but it's still very difficult. It's amazing how the slightest variation completely changes the tone/feeling/meaning of the painting. Copying it really makes me appreciate what a master Kurt Moyer is, especially to be able to paint this from life. What surprised me most is the importance of the design of the branches and the composition. Even if the color and value were spot on, which they definitely are not, balance of design is the greatest factor separating these paintings, in my opinion. To my credit, the camera DID do a terrible job of capturing my painting... 😃</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesa4JT7OXhpYpwjDhM-NhClkzpqma3FdoC2pLzQfHxUY6YJszE4-T8wjxw9SkZ0rtCF_pw0L36jZU558M7rOgOxmw2zBFyZitay4mdRediD6OCnLtnUYi0znrK0xEC9eaPFiAr5jcAsBoZROqDtZntCL_abib6_sD9BOcMHtvGy35iNcKn6MXv9J9/s2936/IMG_6646.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2936" data-original-width="2909" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesa4JT7OXhpYpwjDhM-NhClkzpqma3FdoC2pLzQfHxUY6YJszE4-T8wjxw9SkZ0rtCF_pw0L36jZU558M7rOgOxmw2zBFyZitay4mdRediD6OCnLtnUYi0znrK0xEC9eaPFiAr5jcAsBoZROqDtZntCL_abib6_sD9BOcMHtvGy35iNcKn6MXv9J9/w396-h400/IMG_6646.HEIC" width="396" /> </a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrP2XVO-T2ezDIrKgk3IlezZnqLveI73fkrkgoWrjh7nueW1qFiZAxuCLMsNXb55WPimUaPGDyYYw_iYZ2Kq6DXbY1k2pfQ-gDDHl4q6lUy2IPhWpTl3ztBM7kpDRF7NzslnXl8CL9uq2WFpDpWElQ4aQJEipIWlTsDRs6SeW1D4dmmvdUk_WmU9I/s2000/Kurt%20Moyer.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrP2XVO-T2ezDIrKgk3IlezZnqLveI73fkrkgoWrjh7nueW1qFiZAxuCLMsNXb55WPimUaPGDyYYw_iYZ2Kq6DXbY1k2pfQ-gDDHl4q6lUy2IPhWpTl3ztBM7kpDRF7NzslnXl8CL9uq2WFpDpWElQ4aQJEipIWlTsDRs6SeW1D4dmmvdUk_WmU9I/w398-h400/Kurt%20Moyer.jpeg" width="398" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-90083671215710412112022-12-31T19:41:00.002-08:002022-12-31T19:41:28.133-08:00Sycamores<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWN3X0fYrQ8bfKECL_UsiWds1n7wLynlg_wGWquit_sQ8YW7TEWcjuQqt6hGW3c7OqQVqHbK1woPP4rDQ1LRVloGik0V0l-lLgMhqGb-ZFMm4lIPKvCwdZoEe2Y1wRWbrZMzqrd03V0XArb1kVeEXowQtE-63Vb0JnFJ-Q0plBQS_i-S8bpG4e-Sz/s2894/IMG_6180.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2876" data-original-width="2894" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWN3X0fYrQ8bfKECL_UsiWds1n7wLynlg_wGWquit_sQ8YW7TEWcjuQqt6hGW3c7OqQVqHbK1woPP4rDQ1LRVloGik0V0l-lLgMhqGb-ZFMm4lIPKvCwdZoEe2Y1wRWbrZMzqrd03V0XArb1kVeEXowQtE-63Vb0JnFJ-Q0plBQS_i-S8bpG4e-Sz/w400-h398/IMG_6180.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>Sycamores<p></p><div>8" x 8" oil on board</div><div><a href="mailto:bohnec@gmail.com">Inquire by email</a></div><div><br /></div><div>One more for 2022. Camera had a hard time with this one. Happy New Year!</div>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-12355358018107974902022-12-21T05:30:00.005-08:002022-12-21T07:49:59.360-08:00Blue Pitcher<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiVX1sL3IjylzbC6StIcnyBA6E4ZveqVbhte-eieP-BHxsux2I47rFqE_Vc9G3yQVQybNHIqNg00ggkv0zw6K18YDh96VJlEnfRkrmAVfIBkX9g5WRmnpVR97Kl425AOKbstqKJ29wNAT3d3i_ey1jAKsCP7ceYg3vJ4zYUxwfmJiVcq-q1_WvPvV/s3638/IMG_6136.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3638" data-original-width="2836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiVX1sL3IjylzbC6StIcnyBA6E4ZveqVbhte-eieP-BHxsux2I47rFqE_Vc9G3yQVQybNHIqNg00ggkv0zw6K18YDh96VJlEnfRkrmAVfIBkX9g5WRmnpVR97Kl425AOKbstqKJ29wNAT3d3i_ey1jAKsCP7ceYg3vJ4zYUxwfmJiVcq-q1_WvPvV/w498-h640/IMG_6136.HEIC" width="498" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Blue Pitcher<p></p><p>16" x 20"</p><p>Oil on canvas</p><p><a href="mailto:bohnec@gmail.com">Inquire by email</a></p><p>My co-teacher gave me some canvases for Christmas and made me promise to use them. I bought the blue pitcher at an antique mall in Charlestown, WV. It's cast iron from the 1930's, I think. I bought it so I could paint it. </p><p>I did this painting in two sittings on separate days out on the sun porch in back of my house. On the first day, I painted with my 7 year old daughter, who was painting her own still life of an apple. The weather started out bright and sunny but became cloudy in the span of about two hours. I started the second day at the same time as the previous day. The forecast said increasing clouds, so I thought conditions would be similar to the previous day but, of course, it stayed bright and sunny. So, the final product is completely different from the way it looked after the first sitting. I say all of this because a lot of painters do still life paintings in controlled conditions: indoors with lighting that is not influenced by the changing light of the sun. I like the challenge of dealing with the sun and passing clouds. I hope I can do more this year. </p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-79042241390240801882022-10-27T12:24:00.000-07:002022-10-27T12:24:34.803-07:00More Blue Chairs<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fLjnQM77lYzYbtilvNbr1TydCY07n0cj3CDQZ3EoU6I_f-RRLZbs100ABCxz9u34gSzOPutuoRKHwpc9fVu4lgOPMWzcFM8eIBOvxdwpWT7oFaq0yqJjoKpMmIku_X_u2qjFWgfqGi1YBBdGqQHseyn2h_uj8d5E1vpw03jh4QBEnDnikvKBjsgz/s2939/IMG_5822.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2939" data-original-width="2909" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fLjnQM77lYzYbtilvNbr1TydCY07n0cj3CDQZ3EoU6I_f-RRLZbs100ABCxz9u34gSzOPutuoRKHwpc9fVu4lgOPMWzcFM8eIBOvxdwpWT7oFaq0yqJjoKpMmIku_X_u2qjFWgfqGi1YBBdGqQHseyn2h_uj8d5E1vpw03jh4QBEnDnikvKBjsgz/w396-h400/IMG_5822.HEIC" width="396" /></a></div>More Blue Chairs<p></p><p>8" x 8" oil on board</p><p>This hasn't been the painting year I'd hoped it would be. The desire has been low, but the fact that I enjoyed doing these is hopeful. Mental and physical clutter is my biggest stressor and roadblock. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32oOE_c79CSNiHq5qjyVAArwcDKFCotDJhY5hNUnt-gufk2nvLBbCcL0sqyzpWG0wsShNo4jpVcgspgHrb65yG5EoGzzaDIYPIQmDJKETUmalon5zJz7UWiXM0BnCmWJLGy_YTORNQuSHHBVzvaGFIFP1q3ZYqkn-6jtMxIgFUkwApw-USIIR__wF/s2950/IMG_5823.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2933" data-original-width="2950" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32oOE_c79CSNiHq5qjyVAArwcDKFCotDJhY5hNUnt-gufk2nvLBbCcL0sqyzpWG0wsShNo4jpVcgspgHrb65yG5EoGzzaDIYPIQmDJKETUmalon5zJz7UWiXM0BnCmWJLGy_YTORNQuSHHBVzvaGFIFP1q3ZYqkn-6jtMxIgFUkwApw-USIIR__wF/w400-h398/IMG_5823.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-60378836119603156132022-06-17T13:48:00.002-07:002022-06-17T13:48:42.190-07:00Fern<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xHELRTLSggEZ5fY6oPnmiaRVtyGE8Y6Vm5HI1gUkHiXD1TJqvG5MJsFAefes9sF9j-Lj-uFmKF2woYSlQvUcj6uUR6QzRQ9zRIeSxhrR3t1L4N1h5yx7dz0AbIhTIMgwCMjD0LA8gm7B3kxrUx7h8pUB2fC7QqarbPkkIdQdlU6Ogw6-MM945YJS/s2888/IMG_4994.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2888" data-original-width="2873" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xHELRTLSggEZ5fY6oPnmiaRVtyGE8Y6Vm5HI1gUkHiXD1TJqvG5MJsFAefes9sF9j-Lj-uFmKF2woYSlQvUcj6uUR6QzRQ9zRIeSxhrR3t1L4N1h5yx7dz0AbIhTIMgwCMjD0LA8gm7B3kxrUx7h8pUB2fC7QqarbPkkIdQdlU6Ogw6-MM945YJS/s320/IMG_4994.HEIC" width="318" /></a></div>Fern<p></p><p>8" x 8" oil on board</p><p>My brain reacts to stress by blocking out everything but what's in front of my face and shutting down any tasks not essential to survival. That includes painting. And for the last 5 months, I've been stressed. The longest I've gone without painting in twelve years. But it's summer vacation, and I found a little space today. These aren't great, but at least I tried. The top one has been wiped...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQal0M_4k-1PvVrRAJpkWqVYuvLXccWbRcyQKFynLzsWhUekYrxFh8sd-rAu7H-zgA_5x_MuTzJsVVxVZsW3u2YMHpla-84AD2y_rjnt8lYl2yyohwgO117EKL3s9qlJdcyjjxR0ZwwMIvv8wTmgC8pK-LLfTYRzjXA2p8CAFR71vSUN0gngkJ2Ah/s2906/IMG_4995.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2872" data-original-width="2906" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQal0M_4k-1PvVrRAJpkWqVYuvLXccWbRcyQKFynLzsWhUekYrxFh8sd-rAu7H-zgA_5x_MuTzJsVVxVZsW3u2YMHpla-84AD2y_rjnt8lYl2yyohwgO117EKL3s9qlJdcyjjxR0ZwwMIvv8wTmgC8pK-LLfTYRzjXA2p8CAFR71vSUN0gngkJ2Ah/s320/IMG_4995.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-4701850941906921482021-12-30T04:56:00.003-08:002021-12-31T06:46:07.854-08:00Crabtree Falls<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaV0lHKXTn3MZwU1qFGQ6qUO7Oy5Z2B2m4gw3xDhjA31iAyDOCaw4Ki6DglZd114YpWUrpV87Muw2mky97dKTotDePYeLlfILNa8eXYy5ndkKQf9pt8DtVVt1P58Uyz8mYvsWSZ-AxPyd68vNPn1SWQixeFUpbh0CIbvUW8-msjTokoH3b1ueWRJUp=s3732" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3732" data-original-width="2993" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaV0lHKXTn3MZwU1qFGQ6qUO7Oy5Z2B2m4gw3xDhjA31iAyDOCaw4Ki6DglZd114YpWUrpV87Muw2mky97dKTotDePYeLlfILNa8eXYy5ndkKQf9pt8DtVVt1P58Uyz8mYvsWSZ-AxPyd68vNPn1SWQixeFUpbh0CIbvUW8-msjTokoH3b1ueWRJUp=w514-h640" width="514" /></a></div>Crabtree Falls<p></p><p>8" x 10" oil on board</p><p><a href="mailto:bohnec@gmail.com">Inquire by email</a></p><p>Every now and then a painting feels like a step forward. Although, sometimes I say that and a month later I can't stand to look at it. </p><p>I don't think that will happen with this one, though. I rarely say this, but I'm happy with almost everything about this painting.</p><p>Composition, light, color...it's what I've been striving for. The warm foreground, cool middle, sun shining through the trees...I can feel it, and passing that feeling along has become my goal when painting. </p><p>A couple of things that might have helped this one out. First, the kids were staying at their grandparent's, so it was quiet, and I wasn't rushed. Second, I painted this in two sittings, which I rarely do. It may have even benefitted from a third sitting because I started rushing to finish in time for a dinner reservation, and I got pretty tired by the end. I love this palette, too. The entire painting is three colors, Venetian Red, yellow, and blue-black. Harmony is created when everything is mixed from the same three colors.</p><p>This was a good year painting-wise. There were times when I was frustrated by having to squeeze in paintings and finish them in hour or even half an hour with no corrections, etc. But I realize now that it was good practice for moments like this when I'm able to take my time. My goal for the new year is to have a bigger painting going that I work on in pieces over time. I also want to find some go-to outdoor locations, preferably where there aren't a lot of people. </p><p>FYI, this location is just below Crab Tree Falls down in Nelson County, VA. </p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-43693720941794437662021-12-26T16:02:00.007-08:002021-12-26T16:05:47.947-08:00Blue Chair Study<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXMskbi2rP0bCPaNwLI84b7ePY6u0CZ7DdcZ_XUKYJWk5riDdkR4rYgRreqFB-QFDh6ZfVaeVouJEdJC4GdnfxS6zO8yrqsh3BtdkzW53g5GElYdRY_x8GNpE7h9g7IpTMN9dG47Hpxcw4ndrAf3cJpD-E--ZExlEm7zjz55pqqBz9btDJXr5F5AxO=s3870" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2769" data-original-width="3870" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXMskbi2rP0bCPaNwLI84b7ePY6u0CZ7DdcZ_XUKYJWk5riDdkR4rYgRreqFB-QFDh6ZfVaeVouJEdJC4GdnfxS6zO8yrqsh3BtdkzW53g5GElYdRY_x8GNpE7h9g7IpTMN9dG47Hpxcw4ndrAf3cJpD-E--ZExlEm7zjz55pqqBz9btDJXr5F5AxO=w400-h286" width="400" /></a></div>Blue Chair Study<p></p><p>5" x 7" oil on board</p><p>The desire to paint is strong, but the time is limited, so I've been sneaking in some quick ones. I've been looking at <span style="color: #ff00fe;"><a href="http://www.kurtmoyer.com/2013-2014.html">this guy's</a> </span>paintings, which have been stoking my desire...Still working with the Venitian Red, cadmium yellow light, blue black, plus a blue (phthalo blue in this case) palette, which is limited but versatile. </p><p>We bought some new, "Pacific Blue," Adirondack chairs. My main focus was getting the blues right, but I didn't achieve my goal. I struggled with the highlights in particular. They are nowhere close to how they look in real life. Note to self, try a tiny dot of lemon yellow mixed with titanium white and pthhalo blue for the highlights next time. </p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-62627293127771138972021-12-21T14:17:00.005-08:002021-12-21T15:02:20.319-08:00Dickie Brother's Orchard III<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjr4tT2Xe_gm_IvxMP4mZdzIelHFD2eHIGQ3fW7jEyrYoTYMcLC0_7QkzgdtvgfSb73BdoJAAnUithKXiJHzqHPCdtTLTY-NHNuobvpTAIVUpnWTDWx-l5ohvASrSM7ZSQvFS05cl723zBRXcLGNyRpPasnW8sCmk-rlmWEceBfDCY_4DasxvmmQAoe=s2967" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2967" data-original-width="2967" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjr4tT2Xe_gm_IvxMP4mZdzIelHFD2eHIGQ3fW7jEyrYoTYMcLC0_7QkzgdtvgfSb73BdoJAAnUithKXiJHzqHPCdtTLTY-NHNuobvpTAIVUpnWTDWx-l5ohvASrSM7ZSQvFS05cl723zBRXcLGNyRpPasnW8sCmk-rlmWEceBfDCY_4DasxvmmQAoe=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div>Dickie Brother's Orchard III<p></p><p>6" x 6" oil on board</p><p><a href="mailto:bohnec@gmail.com">Inquire by email</a></p><p>Just had to satisfy the urge. </p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-37876087185806368692021-11-12T18:14:00.003-08:002021-11-12T18:14:35.722-08:00Last Rose Study<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6JnD93q5MXw/YY8Z33Byj3I/AAAAAAAA_RI/acKqrz_qrqotNur4EBqu8EZFFWB-M0JggCPcBGAsYHg/s3981/IMG_4109.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2872" data-original-width="3981" height="289" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6JnD93q5MXw/YY8Z33Byj3I/AAAAAAAA_RI/acKqrz_qrqotNur4EBqu8EZFFWB-M0JggCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h289/IMG_4109.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />Last Rose Study<p></p><p>4" x 6" oil on board</p><p>Pretty much everything I did with this painting was wrong. I started off trying to do a no correction painting, but I wound up vastly overpainting. I rushed and used the wrong brushes and overworked what was supposed to be the focal point (the flower). My biggest mistake was trying to paint while my kids were still awake. I went in to get things ready, intending to start after I put Carson to bed, but somehow I fell in to painting and couldn't stop. </p><p>But, I did learn from it. I like the color palette, and I added in a blue toward the end that I would use from the beginning if I did it again, which I should. It's tough to tell, but my espresso maker is hiding in the back, and that's my favorite part. Colors were Pthalo red rose, lemon yellow, black, and cerulean blue. Google had a Vermeer theme today. I really like his color palette and wanted to do something similar...not sure Vermeer would approve of this one, though. </p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-36335911509186194392021-10-28T16:29:00.002-07:002021-10-28T16:29:32.675-07:00Espresso Maker Study<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgQ0mstG8KA/YXsu2x-8HMI/AAAAAAAA-kY/BHOmEi0SO2crpVLUCm1fU6ze2S-kTLosgCPcBGAsYHg/s3005/IMG_4057.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3005" data-original-width="2990" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgQ0mstG8KA/YXsu2x-8HMI/AAAAAAAA-kY/BHOmEi0SO2crpVLUCm1fU6ze2S-kTLosgCPcBGAsYHg/w398-h400/IMG_4057.HEIC" width="398" /></a></div>Espresso Maker Study<p></p><p>6" x 6" oil on board</p><p><a href="mailto:bohnec@gmail.com">Inquire by email</a></p><p>A while back, I had an idea to try doing a painting with zero corrections. No matter what the composition; put down a stroke and leave it without wiping, painting over, or correcting in any way. Maybe that sounds easy but trust me, it's not. And it's even harder to post something with zero corrections. </p><p>Coincidentally, although I have a strong desire to paint, I'm also having trouble finding the time and energy to do it. So, this is the perfect time to try some no correction paintings! </p><p>I used three colors: Venetian Red, cadmium yellow light, and blue-black, plus white. It took less than half an hour to paint. I say this a lot, but hopefully that's not obvious in a bad way. I want to do more of these and post them, so if you happen to be looking at this blog for the first time, just know that this is an experiment and please scroll down a little further. I actually kind of like it, though. </p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-73435479690999685802021-10-16T14:45:00.003-07:002021-11-22T16:30:44.310-08:00Old Flowers in a Vase<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8ds2_-_Z2X9ueCXvHVO3B3rbX4_N1qGQSY8hN1111M_dvJDNgftLdPs9C9kxnVJ0poaHZMP1ArfJBQzdyzYL5dVqXk5fp1OA5vAk05jPcDCZ5Gb1ZbWOFEpoinK4p5u0SBe13AOIsbE/s2989/IMG_4014.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2989" data-original-width="2955" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8ds2_-_Z2X9ueCXvHVO3B3rbX4_N1qGQSY8hN1111M_dvJDNgftLdPs9C9kxnVJ0poaHZMP1ArfJBQzdyzYL5dVqXk5fp1OA5vAk05jPcDCZ5Gb1ZbWOFEpoinK4p5u0SBe13AOIsbE/w395-h400/IMG_4014.HEIC" width="395" /></a></div>Old Flowers in a Vase<p></p><p>12" x 12" oil on board</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Sold</span></p><p>I went with a limited palette; four colors plus black, which I usually don't use, and white. It's a little different, but I like the result. </p><p>There are always things I'd change and with this one, I wish I had just cropped it in a little more - there's a little too much empty space in the middle right. </p><p>The flowers are left over from our wedding anniversary, two weeks ago. The leaves are dry, the flowers are wilted, and the kids have pulled off a few of the petals, but I guess you can't tell by looking at the painting. </p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-5393896238125184982021-08-11T14:12:00.009-07:002021-09-03T04:41:03.978-07:00Monocacy Island IV<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K933v0knh6Y/YRQ0i9OdBzI/AAAAAAAA7NY/bVb2IwlBHIw2t1_7seCcc2dFzRdNTXRsQCPcBGAsYHg/s2978/IMG_3784.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2978" data-original-width="2974" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K933v0knh6Y/YRQ0i9OdBzI/AAAAAAAA7NY/bVb2IwlBHIw2t1_7seCcc2dFzRdNTXRsQCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h400/IMG_3784.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>Monocacy Island IV<p></p><p>6" x 6" oil on board</p><p><a href="mailto:bohnec@gmail.com">Inquire by email</a></p><p>My fourth painting of this same spot on the Monocacy River - I'll just call it <i>my spot</i>, completed almost immediately after the third painting of the same spot. Remember how I said there was a heat advisory in effect and it was 95 degrees? Well, I felt like I had to get one from the same vantage point I've painted before, so I took a dip in that exact spot there in the shade before I worked up the energy to do my next painting. It was about 2:30 when I started, and the sun was starting to angle down to the west, which meant it was directly in my face. Hot. </p><p>Just like the last time I painted here, there were thunderstorms approaching, also from the west. And even though I called it <i>my spot</i>, a Gator-load of the property owner's kids drove up while I was painting, along with their dog who gave me a good sniffing before splashing through the pool right in front of me. He was too fast to paint, though. The kids were friendly, and they told me that there is a bald eagle nest in a tree across the river, which I had not noticed. They swam a little while and then drove off. Technically, I think my spot is below the low water mark, so I'm within my legal rights to stand there and paint. </p><p>Just as I got everything packed up, the clouds started to build. I was about a mile upstream from the ramp where I put in, and I thought I had time to make a few casts before paddling back downstream. My "spot" is also right upstream from the best stretch of fishing on this part of the river. There are lots of submerged boulders in deep water, and I've caught some nice smallmouth bass there. Just as I was thinking I'd make my last cast and head back to the car to avoid the storms, a fairly large catfish grabbed my lure, right as I was pulling it out of the water. I use a pretty lightweight setup when I'm fishing for smallmouth, and this was probably a ten pound catfish, so I spent the next ten minutes or more, fighting it. Mainly, I didn't want to lose my lure. Finally, I got him/her in the kayak, took a photo and flew back down the river. I got the kayak on the roof just as the first drops were starting to fall.</p><p>Here's the catfish and below that is my last painting of this spot:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNr0dXPj1WllG_YizNxJRksPyw048ZM9rES4m78mSZWQ-JP0zKTVPKW7i3BEWjctTOjsx96-qnSpvq3_YXiFL8VHoi0tvNrldKhbPeU_Bqcgrb00JS5mjRIzXcMbSxcaNhVdhjJc69wSk/s4032/IMG_3766.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNr0dXPj1WllG_YizNxJRksPyw048ZM9rES4m78mSZWQ-JP0zKTVPKW7i3BEWjctTOjsx96-qnSpvq3_YXiFL8VHoi0tvNrldKhbPeU_Bqcgrb00JS5mjRIzXcMbSxcaNhVdhjJc69wSk/s320/IMG_3766.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDq1MajuD2N0PXJ9mBVFuAMfw3WQIQYksNxy_GfmMHwmODUXg2kTMGE19KVo0dV6QWlqBC5YJDkF58mRx6WQ0Z2G3j3Pb03yRnJPsExRGmNJ3n_6n1jjVXqwY-FRqB7wv3N_6jc6rnz-Y/s1024/e2YsQkOmRGOweQthesC7Cg_thumb_7e05.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1024" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDq1MajuD2N0PXJ9mBVFuAMfw3WQIQYksNxy_GfmMHwmODUXg2kTMGE19KVo0dV6QWlqBC5YJDkF58mRx6WQ0Z2G3j3Pb03yRnJPsExRGmNJ3n_6n1jjVXqwY-FRqB7wv3N_6jc6rnz-Y/w400-h319/e2YsQkOmRGOweQthesC7Cg_thumb_7e05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690665786932193781.post-30674711234740990372021-08-11T13:34:00.002-07:002021-08-11T16:27:55.315-07:00Monocacy Island III<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w2D-WaCv9bg/YRQyA6OZSXI/AAAAAAAA7NM/pMBcARzpQwI6Zzgx2_QWmLudoz9aS6lAACPcBGAsYHg/s2985/IMG_3787.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2955" data-original-width="2985" height="396" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w2D-WaCv9bg/YRQyA6OZSXI/AAAAAAAA7NM/pMBcARzpQwI6Zzgx2_QWmLudoz9aS6lAACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h396/IMG_3787.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>Monocacy Island III<p></p><p>8" x 8" oil on board</p><p><a href="mailto:bohnec@gmail.com">Inquire by email</a></p><p>My third painting of this same spot on the Monocacy River, this one done from a distance in the only shady spot I could find within view. It was 95 degrees with a heat advisory in effect. I'm not sure why, but I did this whole painting with one brush, and it was a brush that I've never used before, basically a watercolor brush. The paint was really moving, I guess because it was so hot, so I just stuck with it. And I really like it...Painting outside is usually tough, but this one just kind of painted itself. </p>bohnfirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491282873605380758noreply@blogger.com0