Slow Fade

Slow Fade

Why is it that so many barns (that sit outside in the full sun all day) are painted red?  Don't farmers know that red fades in the sun?!  Actually, I googled it…and there are several theories. One involves farmers sealing the wood with linseed oil, which has an orange/red color.  Another says farmers would put ferrous oxide (aka rust) in the oil because it was poisonous to molds and fungi which would increase the decay of the wood. Red was also the least expensive color of paint, and last, there is an unappealing / yucky theory that I'll keep to myself, or you can google it.

-julie davis

The Add-On

The Add-On

9 x 12 in., oil on panel

donation

So if you haven't noticed the recurring theme over the more recent posts, there is one. :)  I've stuck to this group of barns for a bit in order to allow myself the freedom to experiment and to learn.  I always use my knife to an extent, but it's become a more important tool to me over the last year, and I need and want to get some mileage working with it, trying new things, etc.  Something like my study of trees was a while back.  Now I'm focusing more toward texture, edges, and line.  So if I sound or look like a broken record at times, thank you for your patience…I'm learning "out loud."

-julie davis

Barn and a Windmill

Barn and a Windmill

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

Still studying…..working on edges and texture and applying paint with my knife and a few other things. :)  

-julie davis

Shed Study

Shed Study

12 x 9, oil on panel

sold in Hurricane Harvey fundraiser for the Rockport Center for the Arts

Obviously, I've been painting a number barns lately.  I'm working on technique.  In high school I absolutely loved the two years of drafting I took.  I still love line, structure, balance.  I use my palette knife to start these studies--almost "drawing" (or drafting) with it in a way, leaving some of those lines as a legacy in the finished piece.  This one isn't "finished" per se, but it is. :)

-julie davis

*happy Friday, and happy Valentine's Day!

Frederick's Barn

Frederick's Barn

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

Another little barn study.  I'm playing with the paint again--working on texture and line, among many other things.  This group of structures is near Fredericksburg….my daughter came up with the clever name. :)

-julie davis

*I'm sorry to say I'm having to raise the price I charge for shipping by $5.00.  The new year brought a slight price increase by the carriers, and my average cost to ship a painting has therefore gone up.  

Texas Connection

Texas Connection

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

I love the road trips we make to the Hill Country because I indulge in the landscape's eye candy along the way.  The title references the ranch road intersecting with the highway, as well as the phone lines that run along it. Loved the red pipe section of the fence, too.

-julie davis

Family Farm

Family Farm

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

I played with the paint in this little study.  I really like the "intentional accidents" that occur when I use my palette knife.  I use it almost as much as I use my brushes throughout my paintings lately.  I think that's part of the fun of oils--manipulating them rather than simply "coloring" with them.

-julie davis