I painted this scene during a plein air competiton in the historic Lafayette Square district.  Rick and Mary Lou Ponder graciously allowed me to paint an interior subject inside their home en plein air.  Their home is decorated in classic Victorian style, and a painting awaits in every direction one looks. 

My primary goal for this painting was capture the sunlight's impact on the interior.  The light created many interesting effects on the ornate Victorian centerpiece and the other dining room objects. 

This painting was created during a plein air art competiton in the historic Lafayette Square district.  The subject is a decorative traffic barrier located at Lasalle and 18th Street.  Strong late afternoon sunlight created an interesting shadow pattern on the three large flower containers on the barrier. 

My primary goal for this painting was to capture the light/shadow pattern on the containers.  It was also great sport to depict depth in the painting by reducing the value contrast on each receding container. 

I painted this scene during a plein air competiton in the historic Lafayette Square district.  The fountain is located in the center of the neighborhood's plaza.  I created the painting en plein air over three nights.  The weather on each of the nights was mostly clear and pleasant. 

My primary goal for this painting was to capture the magnificence of the plaza fountain at night.  It's white stone is illuminated, making it appear gold in color.  This warm yellow color backdropped by the cool dark blue night sky made me shake inside with excitement.  I love painting en plein air at night.  The night obscures the mundane and magnifies the brilliant.  The depiction of the black lamp at night is a good example of this.  The form of the housing is largely not detectable to the human eye, while the shape of the light reaches far beyond the lamp glass.