Cloud Study 1, oil, Lyn O'Neal

"Cloud Study 1"

Lyn O'Neal

oil on canvas board

9 x 12 inches

In March I took a three day workshop with Jason Tako, held at my gallery. It was such a great time of learning and discussing all things painting! Jason is not only a great teacher and an outstanding artist, but is a truly caring individual who took alot of time with every student and helped us with all our questions. I chose to work on this study of clouds. I enjoyed all the nuances and colors within the cloud structure and the essence of the beauty of the heavens.

Exhibit at CALC

"Dickenson College Farm"

by Lyn O'Neal

oil on canvas board

11 x 14 inches

"Morning Light"

by Lyn O'Neal

oil on canvas board

14 x 11 inches

The Susuehanna Valley Plein Air Painters, of which I am a member, will be exhibiting at the Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC), which is located on Hanover Street in downtown Carlisle, PA. Above are the two pieces of work I will be showing at the exhibit.

Harrisburg Skyline I, oil, 6 x 8 inches

Though the politics in the city of Harrisburg are in upheavel, the beauty of a city skyline remains intact. We painted from the West Fairview boat launch over the past two weeks and this is the little piece I finished. I've been wanting to do the skyline for a while. Almost miraculously, we saw a majestic golden eagle riding the wind above us the first day. They are not normally seen in these parts - but it must have been travelling through. What a wingspan! Scripture tells us that, "they who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up on wings as eagles." If only the city would take a lesson from that eagle soaring over it -- to wait on the Lord and allow Him to move among the decision-making. That's what I was thinking while painting.

Where Have I Been?

Amity Hall Boat Launch

Oil on canvas board

9 x 12 inches

I now belong to three blogs and have inadvertantly "forgotten" to post to my own. The Daily Painters of Pennsylvania and The Susquehanna Valley Plein Air Painters both have blogs now and are starting to exhibit as groups around Central Pa. It's been wonderful meeting other artists and posting our work together. So, I did fall behind on posting to this blog. I'm making an effort now to come back and continue this blog because this is also a journal of my art journey and I feel it necessary to express myself in writing as well as on canvas.

Last week we painted in Amity Hall at the boat launch. It was a brisk, windy day - exhillerating compared to the heat of this past summer. We saw a bald eagle flying above and two great blue herons soaring over the waters. I completed this piece on site - maybe a few touch-ups are required but it is mostly finished. The light was changing every minute due to the thick, fast moving clouds. But every now and then the sun would shine and hit the trees and plants - which is what I tried to capture very quickly here. I'm pleased with this piece - it's loose with almost a watercolor feel. It says what I hoped to say.

Wildwood Lake, oil, 9 x 12

Last year I attempted to paint plein air at the wetlands of Wildwood Sanctuary and was overwhelmed by the scene. So last week we went back there to paint and I chose this simple scene and made a goal to finish it within 2 hours. I was pleased to meet that goal - other than a few finishing touches in my studio when I returned home. I also may add the little egret that was standing on the water line. For me, as I am growing and learning, each painting serves as a study and as long as I am able to accomplish the goal of the study I am pleased.