Evening Commute

Evening Commute

9 x 12 in., oil on panel

NFS

After a fairly lengthy absence from posting for me, I offer this.  Evening Commute was born of a trip to California last summer--I posted a warm-up for it a few posts back (In the Tall Grass).  I painted this one, a 9 x 12, at the start of this month.  It's been a long absence from posting, but I think over that period I've developed some confidence about my painting style that I attribute to time, practice, and a modicum of success when I needed a shot in the arm.  I feel really good about this one, and I want to keep it to remind me of where I want to be.  I hope you like it.

I hope to post more regularly going forward--many goals for the new year, and much to accomplish!  Thank you for following. :)

-julie davis

Three in A Row - Best of Show

Three in a Row - Best of Show

8 x 16 in., oil on panel

sold

This is my winning piece from KOPE (Kerrville Outdoor Painters' Event) in the hill country (October). (My apologies that it took me a month to post--between high school-age daughters, a new puppy, a cat we had to put down last week, Thanksgiving, the holiday show at Davis Gallery, and many other excuses, I haven't posted it and it's well overdue.

The judge for the event was Joe Anna Arnett- of the PBS series "Passport and Palette".  I was thrilled to win, and still am.  It validated a lot for me, and I'm excited going forward what that means for my confidence in my approach to my work in many ways.  

I've completed several new pieces (now a part of the Holiday Show at Davis Gallery) that I'll post over the next week or so.  The show is up through January 4, so please stop by and see it if you're in the Austin area - 827 W. 12th St.

-julie davis

End of the Line

End of the Line

8 x 16 in., oil on panel

nfs

On the second day of KOPE I painted at a farm that I'd been to last year--lots of goats roam freely on this one.  Unfortunately, goats aren't my subject of choice or I'd have been in heaven.  :)  There was, however, this old garage and shed behind it at the end of a drive with a little bridge leading up to them.  I found shade in a field under the hatchback of my car (is that even the right word anymore?) and painted among the goats.  I kept this format throughout the competition, and love the way it suited the landscape.

-julie davis

KOPE participation 2013

Surrounded by Sunflowers

8 x 16 in., oil on panel

The show for the Kerrville Outdoor Painter's Event in Kerrville, Texas, in which I took part earlier this month, came to a close this weekend.  At the close, I was able to get some better photos of the pieces I entered (the ones I took initially were, frankly, terrible quality, so I haven't posted them), but I'll post the new ones over the next week.  This was the first painting I did during the competition; I kept all of them in this 1:2 format for the remainder of the week.

-julie davis

Best of Show win!

With my winning painting, Three in a Row at KOPE Saturday night

I'm still grinning after my Best of Show finish at Kerrville Outdoor Painter's Event this weekend in Kerrville, Texas.  I'm honored that one of my paintings received first place (!) -- there were so many excellent plein air pieces displayed by the group of participating artists --I was just happy to be there!  Thank you to everyone at KACC for another well-run and fun week, and to everyone in Kerrville who so kindly thanked us for being there.  It's great to paint in such a friendly town!

-julie davis

* above, a photo of (part) of the scene I painted before I began. 

and below, some of the rowdy crowd surrounding me during my Friday effort...

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