Cloud Study 2

Cloud Study 2

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

Another study of clouds.  I struggled to get a true photo of this one--the blues kept photographing with greater contrast against the sky than actually exists in the painting.  But I grew tired of trying retakes, so here it is. :)  I think it's the time of day I chose to take the photo, so I'll try again another time and see what happens.  Anyway....this was one of those "just rained, clouds clearing, days end" evenings.  I enjoyed the scattered complications of the clouds.

-julie davis

Hay There

Hay There

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

Another quick sketch from a recent trip north of Austin.  I love it when the hay is in the fields.  Couldn't resist the title....

-julie davis

Ag Exempt

Ag Exempt

6 x 8 inches, oil on panel

sold

These are the kinds of scenes I fall in love with when I'm looking at art, but that I find frustrating to paint on a 6 x 8 panel--because brushstrokes are so small and restrained--and unforgiving.  The value in each spot has to be right--there is no fudging it.  I'm not saying I did things perfectly here, but I do like this piece a lot.  I'm working on a larger version in the studio.

-julie davis

Cloud Study 1

Cloud Study 1

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

Lately I've wanted to study clouds...this looking-straight-up view was the result of many photos I took last month that have been in my studio waiting for me.  I had fun with this--don't know where it will lead, but I plan to do more.  I want to become as confident about painting clouds as I am about trees.

-julie davis

Barn, Late Evening

Barn, Late Evening

8 x 6 inches, oil on panel

I'm back from my summer posting hiatus, and happily so.  Our family took priority this summer--lots of travel and down time with the girls and Ben. Our eldest is a senior this year, so my tendency to put my kids above my painting has been in full force.  Now that they're back in school and I have blocks of time, though, I'm diving headlong into my work with a healthy mixture of fear and anticipation.  Fear that I've forgotten everything (including how to post) and anticipation of the lofty goals I've set for myself.  Bear with me as I "brush" the rust off and get back in the flow.

This piece is from a scene I came across this summer in a valley in northern California.  I wish I could've stayed there and painted for a month. So many beautiful scenes, and this subtle evening light was delightful.

-julie davis

Summer Road

Summer Road

9 x 12 in., oil on panel

sold

Busy time of year!  I last posted a month ago before the gallery show and time has escaped me since then.  I've been painting, just not posting-I plan to improve on the latter, though! 

Summer is quickly approaching here in Texas; we've had a gorgeous spring with needed rain, but the heat is on the way.  At least things are green!

-julie davis

Home Field

Home Field

16 x 8 in., oil on panel

Davis Gallery "No Place Like Home" Group Show

Saturday, April 20, 7-9 p.m.

837 West 12th Street

Davis Gallery in Austin is having a group show opening reception this weekend--Home Field is one of three pieces I just delivered for the show.  If you're in the Austin area and have a chance to stop by, please do!

-julie davis

Enclosure

Enclosure

11 x 14 in., oil on panel

donation to Elizabeth Ann Seton Board Gala auction

I donated this painting to an event that took place last night in Austin, and when I looked for it on my blog to designate it as a donation, I realized I hadn't posted it on my blog yet, so here it is.  The subject is on some property just on the outskirts of Kerrville, Texas--a property with so many compelling scenes.  

-julie davis

Early April

Early April

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

I've at last had a chance to work on some 6 x 8 studies--something I love to do because of the amount of practice it allows.  When I'm able to do a few in a row it's great practice in composition, and it keeps me interested. :)

I actually started this piece a little over a week ago as a quick sketch after I wiped down a larger plein air piece (of a totally different subject). I had to stop about 10 minutes into it at the time, but picked it up today, and I like where it went.

-julie davis

Single Bale

Single Bale

16 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

"Everybody who has any respect for painting feels scared when he starts a new canvas."

-Robert Henri

I've reminded myself of that little nugget a lot lately, as I've been attempting some "new to me" work.  Though the above piece is not what I'm talking about (it's "small") and I love it, and love the format, lately I've been a bit off the radar because I'm pushing myself to try some larger pieces in my studio.  (Lots of fear involved for me!)  There is a lot I find frustrating about it, but I'm learning, and am confidant I'll crash through on the other side more able and less fearful, and hopefully, with some nice, larger work to show for it!

-julie davis

Rock Bottom Creek

Rock Bottom Creek

16 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

Last Thursday I painted at Bull Creek here in Austin.  It was a gorgeous January day--something like 38 f in the morning when we started painting, but it warmed up quickly.  I had fun with the very vertical composition I decided to do with this one.  I've done another since and I have to say, I'm enjoying the unique perspective.

-julie davis

Summer Fields

Summer Fields, Study

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

I experimented with a broader view than I usually take on in this little painting--a type of painting to which I'm always attracted.  I like the result, but have to say I did not enjoy the process - too tedious!  In the future, bigger will be better for me with this type of composition.

-julie davis  

Tree Study

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

I'm finally back into a bit of a painting "routine" post-holidays and now that the kids are back in school and settled.  This tree study was a warm-up before I worked on another piece.  I'm trying to jump back in with plenty of quick studies, but my ultimate goal for the year is to paint larger...I've created one already that's bigger than anything I've ever done, and I'm about to start another.  Kind of exciting, and intimidating!

-julie davis

Weathered Vineyard Barn

Weathered Vineyard Barn

11 x 14 in., oil on panel

nfs

Many of you asked about purchasing Old Vineyard Barn (6 x 8")--and I wouldn't sell it (it has sentimental value, and I wanted to do a larger version)--sorry!  But finally, here is a larger version!  The barn is an iconic structure on my step-father's property in Oregon, and I never tire of painting it when I visit.  It is available right now at Davis Gallery here in Austin.

Also, now through the holidays, you can take $10 off my new 6 x 6 book at blurb.com.  Enter the code GIVE10 at checkout.  (www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3653023).  There is also an e-version for iPad and iPhone for $1.99.

-julie davis

Convergent Paths

Convergent Paths

9 x 12 in., oil on panel

This is one of the pieces included with my current work in the Davis Gallery Holiday show.  I painted it at a local park here in Austin called Mayfield Park--known for its beautiful gardens and peacocks, of all things.  Of course, I chose to head down a trail and paint trees. :)  

-julie davis

Cottonwood Sanctuary

Cottonwood Sanctuary

9 x 12 in., oil on panel

 donation to fundraiser for Helping Hand Home of Austin

This Saturday night from 7-9 p.m., Davis Gallery here in Austin is hosting its opening reception for the Holiday Group Show, in which I am happily participating.  The show will run through January 19th, but do drop by if you're in the Austin area--I'd love to see you, and I know the show will be full of beautiful artwork--you might even find the perfect holiday gift!

Davis Gallery

837 W. 12th

Austin, Texas

512.477.4929

opening reception, Sat., Dec. 8, 7-9 p.m.

-julie davis

The Grass Is Always Greener

The Grass Is Always Greener

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

The weather has been overcast and much cooler over the past few days in Austin--loving it, but as one who is known to light a fire in the summer :), I really have to acclimate before getting outside on these cold mornings!  The afternoons have been gorgeous, and we are thankful for a taste of fall.  

The grasses around here always lighten this time of year.  For the image above, I took my value study from late September and worked it into a more fall look than the "Study 3" I did that was a summer scene.

-julie davis

New Book!

j u l i e d a v i s - landscapes -

I'm happy to announce that my most recent book is in!  It's a 32-page collection of some of my favorite paintings from the last (almost) two years.  Preview and purchase it by clicking the image at the top right of my blog, or visit my book page on my website.  Blurb makes it so easy--you can choose soft or hard cover, image wrap or not, so there are a variety of prices.  They'll ship it directly to you.  Enjoy!

-julie davis

*p.s. - the preview only shows you a few images

Cut-Through

Cut-Through

sold

The Guadalupe River runs through the Kerrville area, and it's north fork runs through nearby Hunt, Texas.  On the last day of KOPE, I painted along the banks of the Guadalupe on our own property in Hunt.  This partially shaded passage through the fence is where the whitetail and axis deer cut through on their way along the banks.

-julie davis

Old Smokehouse

Old Smokehouse

sold

This week I've played around with some of the scenes I came across at the Kerrville event.  I loved this one, and felt like exploring it again, though there is something so special about the energy of painting a scene for the first time, problem-solving and all.  Anyone know what I mean by that?  I could be crazy.....or just very tired.....:)

-julie davis

Quick Draw and Reception photos

And my wrap-up of the Kerrville Outdoor Painters' Event...

The Hill Country Camera Club was on hand at the Quick Draw to document our fun:)  They were seriously some of the nicest people!  I don't know which member took this photo, but it ended up on the  Kerr Arts and Cultural Center e - newsletter this week.  I'm painting in front of the beautiful KACC building.

my Quick Draw piece

Me with two of my three paintings....credit to Laurel Daniel for the lovely photo...:)

-julie davis

Evening Shadows

Evening Shadows

12 x 9 in., oil on panel

sold

Some of the most fun I had painting last week at KOPE came while doing this piece.  I realize not everyone gets as excited as I do about trees.....but I really get a little geeked up on painting them. :)

I loved playing up the verticals (diagonals here, really) in the shadows and then up into the tree foliage. The shadows provided more entertainment for me, and I love an excuse to use darks in a painting.  So it was a virtual trifecta of fun.....and it sold during the Saturday night reception!  

-julie davis

Guadalupe Tree Line

Guadalupe Tree Line

9 x 12 in., oil on panel

I was lucky enough to get access to paint on the beautiful grounds of Camp La Junta in Hunt last Friday during the Kerrville Outdoor Painters' Event. The Guadalupe River runs through the property, and provided endless opportunities to compose a painting.  Laurel Daniel and I spent the day there.  Here's my set up as I finished:

In the Shadows

In the Shadows

12 x 9 in., oil on panel

nfs

The beautiful weather of the past week made for a near perfect first experience of a plein air painting competition for me.  I participated in the three-day Kerrville Outdoor Painters' Event (KOPE) in Kerrville, Texas.  The organizers arranged access to exceptionally paintable properties for the artists--I thoroughly enjoyed each minute, and finished with some strong paintings and some new artist friends, and reconnected with others I don't see often enough.  

This painting was my first of the event.  We painted on a ranch a few minutes from Kerrville that had numerous old structures--this was the old smokehouse.  

-julie davis

October, Red Bud Isle

October, Red Bud Isle

9 x 12 in., oil on panel

donation to Trinity Episcopal School auction

Fall is such an exciting time to be outdoors painting.  Not only is the weather completely perfect, but the deviation in color from the usual expanse of green is just plain fun.  I spent several days over the past week outdoors, and this piece is from Monday morning.  

The remainder of this week I'll be in Kerrville, Texas participating in the Kerrville Outdoor Painters' Event.  To say I'm looking forward to it is an understatement; I'll post from there as I can with updates. 

-julie davis

Fall Color at Red Bud Isle

Fall Color at Red Bud Isle

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

Every day for the past two weeks, I've driven over the bridge near Tom Miller Dam in Austin and watched the trees turn from green to gold.  A last-minute appointment cancellation allowed me the chance to paint them this morning.  And as a double bonus, I arrived at my painting spot to find my dear friend, Laurel Daniel, with the same idea.  As Laurel said, "great minds think alike."  

-julie davis

View Across the Valley

View Across the Valley

This summer I visited family in southern Oregon and managed to paint a couple of times.  This is from that trip--looking across the valley from Weisinger's Winery.  It's a beautiful view of homes scattered through the trees and fields, and as the sun sets, the hills are just magnificent.  It's one of my favorite places!

-julie davis

Third of Three

Study 3, Field

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

This is the third and final of the last three posts on the same scene.  The others were different approaches at studying value and composition.  In this one, I relaxed and just painted.  Again, I really shouldn't post with photos that aren't up to par, but it's been a nutty week, and this is the best I'm going to get right now, so my apologies for the overexposure on the left side.  :)

-julie davis

Paper Towels and Value Studies

This is the study I promised from yesterday (same scene--but you see more detail in this one).  I apologize for the poor photograph.  It's the strangest thing, but I really like "blocking in" / doing studies like this. Using my dark mix of alizarin, raw umber, and ultramarine blue, and wrapping my finger inside a Viva paper towel, I basically draw/paint with my finger.  Just another fine way to do a value study, or even to block in for a painting:)  

-julie davis

10 Shapes, 50 Strokes

No, I haven't regressed since my last post in late June....it may appear so from this study, but it's actually a study done (or an attempt at) using no more than 10 shapes and 50 strokes or fewer.  That's it.  Simplifies things, doesn't it?  No fussing, no decorating, just simple shapes and values.  This was my first try at this type of thing, and I am positive I could have done a better job.  I'm planning to do many of these--to retrain myself to see simply and take care with each stroke.  Liz Wiltzen gets the credit for inspiring me to do this--her post on the topic was back on August 16.  

Tomorrow I'll post my own version of the same scene in a value study done in a dark neutral and using a paper towel:)

And last, I've spent the last few weeks reformatting my blog and overhauling my website...the website transition is not quite complete--I'll let you know when it's finalized, but the blog is finished....for now.  Let me know what you think!

-julie davis