In June I hung out at a reenactment in Old Bedford PA and worked with a great bunch of cowboys, horses and old western folks who were happy to model for me......Here are some sample pics.  Thanks to all who participated.  I'm thimking seriously of going back next year and do some period plein air demos....CMD

I had the privilege of painting again in Putney, VT with the Putney Painters - the local group of artists that meet with Richard Schmid and Nancy Guzik.  This particular Saturday Richard was doing a demo of a male model who was playing his guitar (the demo was being filmed) ....  Several of us were painting as well, some the same model;  Nancy was painting a delightful young girl with a doll, and Kathy Anderson was painting a still life.  Daniel Keys was also there, (he had just finished doing a workshop) as well as Kyle Stuckey.  Excuse me if I haven't mentioned the names of several other painters as well - I can't remember them all!  It was an enjoyable time for me saying hi to some old painting friends, and as always, very inspiring to see Richard and Nancy paint......Below is a portrait study that I did....

As promised, below is some more commentary and news from the Lancaster OH Workshop, May 28-30.

I had done a plein air demo for a couple of hours on Saturday, showing some painting techniques and giving some insight into my way of thinking when paitnign outdoors.  Unfortunately, I didn't take a pic of the rough and unfinished study, or a pic of the scene that I was painting!  So I finished the painting from memory, with a few extras added.  I beefed up the blues and purples in the painting (something I will often due in "summer green green green" weather), and added some reds in the shadows as well.  The
boy who is off to the fishin' hole was done out of my imagination, and I added a dead log in the foreground grass.....It gives you an indication of how I will take liberties with a scene, especially when there isn't alot to work with .......

On Sunday we had the lovely young Susanna model for us, and below is the demo I did of her....I did a slight touch-up back at my studio - I adjusted the eyes and hair slightly, as well as the background (added some red here and there, etc.) The pic with Susanna in the background shows my painting on the easel.  The 2nd pic of is the final painting .... Total painting time is about 3 hours.....

Below are a couple of other pics from the workshop......Thanks again for all who attended.  Please send me any other pictures that you have from the weekend, and I'm sure that Chris and the Ryckmans would also appreciate pics for their eventual promotion of the (yet to be offically named!) "farm".  I hope to come back next year, and in the meantime I will be helping Chris to find another painter to come in for a workshop.....hopefully a nationally known name.  Keep your brushes loaded.....

I have just returned from teaching a 3 day Oil Painting Workshop (and an evening Portrait Demo session) in Lancaster, OH.  The workshop was held at a new facility owned by the Ryckman family - a 50 acre "gentlemans" farm, that has a huge barn and large beautiful home.  The workshop was held in the barn, where a floor and lighting has been installed......Other than the unusually warm weather, (and the visit of an occasional skunk!) it went off without a hitch.  The house has available rooms for rent (it feels like a beautiful "Bed 'n' breakfast"), and my wife and I felt right at home.  I want to thank all of the attendees and participants - I hope that you learned alot and enjoyed our time painting together.

I will be posting more info and pics on the workshop over the next few days.......So stay tuned.  CMD

I haven't placed a new post on the site since last Fall, so it's overdue......It's been a busy winter needless to say.  I took a trip out west in Feb which included a trip to the Masters of the American West show at the Autry, a visit to Colorado where I saw Thomas Blackshear in Colorado Springs (a close old friend and fabulous illustrator/painter/sculptor), and where I visited the studio of Dan Beck in Denver (doing wonderful work!).  Then it was onto Phoenix for an art opening at The Legacy Gallery (where I had a wonderful visit with artist Kristii Melaine and her husband Mike), and had a chance to visit at length with artists Michael Malm and Michael Albrechtsen.  Then onto Tucson to the miniature show at Settlers West......Not that this is of interest to many of you, but I want to say that it has become a habit of mine over the years to travel and go to art events....meeting and seeing other artists, and great artwork is a necessary exercise for me - artists labor alone for much of their careers, and I for one need to get out and about.  It's very inspiring and educational.  One thing I notice is that the "artists community" around the country make up a very generous and friendly group of folks.  We are a fraternity of friendly competitors,  yet freely exchanging ideas, thoughts, emotions, successes and failures, learning from each other and inspiring each other!  As Bill O'reilly says "Who's Looking Out For You?".  I think that artists look out for each other (for the most part!), and the support and friendship that I feel is one of those highlights in life that I cherish.......I look forward to hearing from you in the months to come and keeping in touch with all of you......CMD