"Vintage"

"Vintage"  11" x 14"   SOLD

This was one of the paintings I did at the Cedarburg Plein Air Painting Event early last week.  I came across this old antique store that had these great bikes and sleds (that I actually remember using as a kid; yikes!  I used things now sold in an antique store!!!) I really liked the composition of how they had them set up in the year, and it was really fun painting them.  I painted 4 paintings for this event; 2 sold and 2 are still available at the Cedarburg Cultural Center until August 4th.

Winter's End

Winter's End  12" x 24"  $650.00    SOLD

This painting was juried into the Oil Painters of America show that was held in Petoskey, Michigan at the   Crooked Tree Art's Center.  It was an amazing show, and I'm pleased that I sold this piece, and a small plein air painting I did while up there.  The photo of this painting is not very good; there is a lot of color in the winter trees and scene; and you can see it better on my website; Gail Franke Fine Art.  I actually painted this one outside, and was drawn to all the subtle colors that exist in the wintertime.

The Sculpture Garden

This is one of my paintings for the Cedarburg Plein Air Contest.  We had an artist's social at a beautiful home in Cedarburg that belonged to a Sculptor and Author.  They have a wonderful yard filled with sculptures, flowers and natural plantings, so of course I had to paint there. The light was just streaming in, creating all these interesting patterns of light and dark. What a beautiful setting to paint in.  

The Sculptor's Garden    9" x 12

Waiting out the Storm

Waiting out the Storm   9" x 12"     SOLD

This is a painting that I just did up in Port Washington, for their Plein Air Painting event.  It was a beautiful foggy morning, with possibilities of big storms coming in.  I was able to get out early and do this painting.  I loved the atmosphere and light.  The high cliffs behind were a wonderful muted color, and I like the contrast of the little dark evergreens up by the boat.  Turned out that the storm didn't hit till that evening, and by then I was in a safe spot under a huge roof.  Always fun to paint by the lake!

Pathway to the Arts

Pathway to the Arts  12" x 16"

This is the second painting I did at the Beloit Plein Air Contest last weekend.  It was a beautiful day up on the Beloit College Campus, and this sculpture and scene just pulled me in to paint it.  I loved the color of the building next to the greens of the trees and lawn, and the deep greens next to the sunlit greens.
This is such a fun event; wonderful people running it; and each year I find more things that I want to paint next year when I go.

Saturday Market

Saturday Market  11" x 14"  SOLD

Spent the weekend in Beloit, Wisconsin for a Plein Air Painting Contest.  Charming little town, with a beautiful river and park along the river, as well as a beautiful  College up on the hill overlooking the town.  I decided to paint the Saturday Farmer's Market, which was so much fun; lots of activity, color and people to paint.  This is not a very good photo of it; a bit of a glare; sorry.

Two of a Kind

Two of a Kind    9" by 12"

Here is another painting that now hangs in River's End Gallery in Waukesha, Wisconsin. I started to paint more still life paintings this winter, although I did continue to paint outside too.  But the more I painted different fruit and still life objects; the more wonderful colors I saw in each object.  Its fun that ordinary objects we see everyday can become beautiful parts of a painting.

Fall in Nashotah Park

Fall in Nashotah Park    12" x 24"  

I'm pleased to announce that this painting, along with some of my still life pieces are now in River's End Gallery, in Waukesha Wisconsin. It's a beautiful gallery, and I'm very happy to have my paintings exhibited there.
I painted this painting "plein air" (outside) on a beautiful fall afternoon.

The Old Farm House

The Old Farm House    9" x 12"

This farmhouse is very old, and hasn't changed over the years, which is so nice to see.  In the spring the lilacs and wild flowers are blooming everywhere.  I feel so fortunate to be able to paint here.