A Summer Stroll in Orwell, Vermont

We are upon the beautiful days of summer in Vermont, the days that seem to make the cold and bleakness of winter all worthwhile! I was out a few weeks ago exploring some areas around Orwell, Vermont and came upon this lovely scene. The light was coming through the heavy clouds in wonderful patterns just hitting the tops and edges of the trees. In the painting, I hoped to create a sense of mystery in the painting a sort of, "I wonder what is beyond the bend in the road" type mystery. The answer will have to come in another painting; there were a few jewels to be found indeed! Back to painting....and picking raspberries!
Andrew Orr
A Summer Stroll in Orwell, Vermont
8 1/2 x 12, oil on mounted canvas
please contact me directly for purchase details
artsteph1@aol.com
www.andreworr.com

Looking to the North, Middletown Springs, Vermont, oil on canvas 18 x 24

It has been a while since I last posted to my blog. Maybe posting more often should be a New Year's resolution. This painting was recently completed, from photos and sketches I made along a road in the hills around Middletown Springs, Vermont. I was trying capture the feeling of mid morning light coming through the trees on a warm summer day. The past few weeks have been somewhat busy. I won an award for a painting (my previous post) from the American Artists Professional League exhibition in New York as well as another painting which won the Arthur T. Hill Memorial Award for a landscape by an artist under the age of 45 from the 127 Annual Member's Exhibition of the Salmagundi Club, also in New York. I am truly honored by the receipt of this award. Finally, I wanted to post some information regarding some upcoming workshops. I will also have another oil painting workshop in the fall, information on that will follow. Have an enjoyable holiday season.

Andrew Orr painting workshops:
painting the still life in oil
Tybee Island, Georgia February 19-24, 2011
www.gaseimnarsbythesea.net

one-day workshop, painting florals
Southern Vermont Arts Center
Manchester, Vermont, April 16, 2011

one-day workshop, painting trees
Southern Vermont Arts Center
Manchester, Vermont, April 30, 2011
contact: Rmadison@svac.org
www.svac.org

Morning on the Poultney River, oil on canvas, 16 x 20

In my last post, I mentioned spending some time working on several plein air painting, after having spent a wonderful week painting on Cape Ann. I have been feverishly working the past several weeks on more outdoor paintings and have thoroughly enjoyed this new direction. This painting was completed over a period of about three days working at the same location, about the same time of day each day and under the same lighting conditions. Truly a beautiful spot along the Poultney River, I plan to return to this area many times over the coming autumn season.
Morning on the Poultney River
oil on mounted canvas
16 x 20
for purchase details, please contact me directly
www.andreworr.com
artsteph1@aol.com

"Study in Complementary Colors" oil on canvas, 8 x 7

As mentioned in a previous post, I have been in Iowa teaching a series of paintings workshops. This is another example of one of the exercises we completed before working with the larger class project. We had been working in black and white with a small still life, with a focus on matching values of objects with tones of pigment. The next step in this process was to use two complementary colors, in this case yellow and violet, to create a small study. In addition to pure color we mixed semi neutral tones and some lighter and darker values with the addition of white and black. It was amazing to see the variation of colors that could be mixed. The concept of this exercise was to try to gain an understanding that value and the combination of values help to create form. In addition, I wanted to help the students experiment with the concept that color in its pure form has a value (light and dark.) They quickly realized that maintaining good contrast was the key to making a successful study using two colors. I encouraged the students to note that the semi neutral mixes had a warm and a cool side which when placed in the painting helped to establish a feeling of depth as the warmer tones advanced in the painting and cooler tones helped areas to recede in the piece. The process was a challenge but it helped to reinforce the idea that color can be anything as long as its reasonable and that a painting can be successful and interesting using a very limited palette.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.
artsteph1@aol.com
www.andreworr.com

"Sunflower Study" oil on canvas, 10 x 8

I have just finished a painting workshop in Iowa and I thought I might share some of our class projects. We spent two days working on smaller studies and excercizes before tackling our larger still life set up. In one of our studies we worked up a small painting using only black and white. It was a great opportunity to study values and and how the combination of values help to create form; it is also a great chance to spend some time focusing on contrast. On another study we worked up a still life set up using only two complimentary colors, semi neutral mixes, black and white. The painting included in this post was simply a warm-up exercise to demonstrate how I would approach a floral subject. I was pretty happy with the end result especially since the study was completed in 15 minutes. My next few postings will include some of the other studies from this class.
artsteph1@aol.com

"Late Fall Afternoon at Ruth's Pond" oil on board, 8 x 10

This piece is another of plein air studies from earlier this fall. I loved the trunk and branches of this old maple located at the edge of a pond on the property of a friend of mine. The leaves were falling as I was painting, only a few really remained. It was late in the afternoon and the sun was quickly setting on that area of the pond with just a few lights hitting the tree here and there. As with all of my outdoor studies, I think there might be some information contained in the piece which might find its way into a larger piece. Above all, now that the days are cooler, I can think of no better way to experience the wonder of the fall season than working outdoors.
"Late Fall Afternoon at Ruth's Pond"
oil on board
350.00 unframed, plus shipping
please contact me directly for payment details
artsteph1@aol.com
www.andreworr.com

"Empire Apple At Rest," 5 x 7, oil on canvas on board

I went apple picking a couple of weeks ago; the day could not have been better. It was a beautiful fall day with a light crisp breeze and bright sunshine. I have thoroughly enjoyed painting several apple studies this fall this one included. I am not sure why I am so drawn to this subject; they are always a challenge to paint...who knows, maybe that is the draw. I always tell my students that painting fruit is like painting a portrait. Each piece of fruit has slight variations which are unique, they have a character and a life all their own. I always try to have a few leaves in my apple studies as well;they have a character and sense of humor in the way they twist and curl. It may sound strange, but I don't want to paint just a piece of fruit, I want to paint the bright clear day, the crisp air, the fun of picking apples with a loved one. This is a lofty goal in a piece of canvas 5 x 7 inches.
"Empire Apple at Rest"
oil on canvas on board, 5 x 7
100.00 unframed, plus shipping
please contact me directly for payment details
artsteph1@aol.com
www.andreworr.com

"Fall Birch" oil on board, 7 x 5

On a day like today, with the skies dark and dreary, late fall winds howling outside and rain, which will likely turn to snow tonight, pelting the window, it is hard to believe that just a few short weeks ago the sky was a brilliant blue against a carpet of yellows, oranges and reds of fall foliage. I was looking forward to working with these autumnal colors a bit more, however I am wondering if I need to dig out my snow boots and prepare for some winter outdoor painting? No matter the season, painting is always a joy. How could I be so lucky to be able to partake of such daily joy?
"Fall Birch"
oil on board, 7 x 5
100.00 unframed, plus shipping
please contact me directly for payment details
www.andreworr.com

"The Old Pond on Lewis Road" oil on board, 8 x 10

Last week, while out "leaf peeping" with another artist friend, we came upon this old pond on a road outside the village where I live. Painting outside is something I do enjoy but found that being with other artists makes the experience that much more fun. Its great to be able to share ideas, talk about art or even bounce ideas off of one another while working on the same subject; no two people will ever see the same scene in the same way. Now the leaves have almost completely fallen and this area will be soon cloaked in Winter's blanket of snow.
"The Old Pond on Lewis Road"
oil on board, 8 x 10
300.00 unframed, plus shipping
please contact me directly for payment details
www.andreworr.com
artsteph1@aol.com

"Dazzling Fall Colors," oil on board, 8 x 10

It seems to most folks, around this part of Vermont, this year's fall color extravaganza has been one of the best in many years. I would agree. The color is always amazing this time of year, but it seems this year, more so than others. While I paint almost every day, I am not a huge fan of outdoor painting. I try to balance my studio work though with some plein air work as well as photographing and sketching the scenes and places which inspire me. I think the individual has to decide which is the best working method for them and then follow that path with diligence. This painting however, was painted on location, almost in its entirety. The past few days have been exceedingly bright and warm so it made for some wonderful working time outside. Over the next couple posts, I will share some of my outdoor attempts. As with all of my outdoor work, I think these small paintings/sketches will, along with my photos and pencil sketches, become useful aids in larger more involved paintings. I like though, the freshness of these smaller paintings, not to mention the feelings and the memories I have of working on these pieces on one of the most beautiful of fall days.
"Dazzling Fall Colors
oil on board, 8 x 10
300.00 unframed, plus shipping
please contact me directly for payment details

"Road Home" oil on canvas, 12 x 16

I completed this painting of a lane along the Hoosick River on the Vermont, New York border several weeks ago. As I was looking at it the other day I was thinking to myself that many variations of this same scene could be completed. From different lighting effects to seasonal changes, I think it will be a great wintertime project to revisit this same area to see just how many painting could be completed using this basic compositional layout.
"Road Home"
oil on canvas on board
12 x 16
795.00 plus shipping

"Hidden Pond on Bull Frog Hollow Road, Wells, VT" oil on canvas, 12 x 16

After returning from a teaching trip to Phoenix, Arizona I was greeted in Vermont by some of the early fall colors. I was out one day earlier this week and came upon this scene and knew immediately that this could make a great painting. The late afternoon light was filtering through some of the tall pines casting shadows on the pond allowing strong lights to hit some of the distant brilliant yellow-orange trees. The water was perfectly still on this crisp, early autumn day. As with many of these smaller studies, I think this setting will find its way into a larger painting in the not so distant future. Incidentally, this painting will be part of the "Fresh Paint" Auction sponsored by the Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester, VT. Over thirty newly painted pieces will be offered by auction as part of a fund raising event for the center on October 10, 2008. For more information please contact me directly or contact the SVAC at www.svac.org.
"Hidden Pond on Bull Frog Hollow Road, Wells, VT"
oil on canvas
12 x 16

"Copper and Gourds" oil on canvas, 9 x 12

After a ten day teaching trip to Phoenix, Arizona, it was nice to return to the early fall season of Vermont. The leaves are turning and autumn is putting on her cloak of brilliant colors. These gourds and mums were casually spread on a table and placed in a favorite copper cup and the pictured still life is the result. This piece will be part of the Fall Auction Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club, NY. For more information, please contact me directly.
"Copper and Gourds"
oil on canvas, 9 x 12

"Majestic Maple" oil on canvas, 12 x 16

This time of year in New England is always bittersweet. The beautiful greens of summer have faded, the garden has finished producing wonderful fruits and vegetables and soon the cold temps of Winter will be here. This painting is of a late summer maple tree not far from my home. It is huge and has an interesting trunk structure. It has stood for years through the changing seasons, quite majestically, I might add. Thus the name, "Majestic Maple."
"Majestic Maple"
oil on canvas, unframed
12 x 16
695.00, plus shipping.
Please contact me directly for payment options

"Apples and Copper" oil on canvas, 18 x 24

Another exploration of wild apples and copper! I am not sure why I am so drawn to this subject, but I never become tired of working with various textures, reflective surfaces and natural objects. Ultimately, I think my love of this subject is due in part to my enthusiasm for the fall season ahead. We are coming into a magical time in New England with the beauty of the foliage, cool days and bright blue skies. No fall day would be complete without a trip to the local apple orchard for an afternoon of picking. What better way to end the day than painting a few apples along with treasured objects. Enjoy!
"Apples and Copper"
oil on canvas, 18 x 24
please contact me directly for payment details

"Old Barns, Poultney, VT" oil on canvas, 9 x 12

Living in rural Vermont has provided me with a wealth of information and material for my paintings. While I tend to work with still life and landscape subjects, working with architectural elements is somewhat new to me. I have thoroughly enjoyed painting covered bridges, barns and old houses and am looking forward to a lifetime of painting and enjoyment of such subjects. This barn and other outbuildings are located near my home. The barn faces west and has had years of exposure to the sun and elements. The paint or stain is almost completely worn giving a great weathered feeling to the building. The sides however, mostly in shadow, retain their typical barn red. I painted this scene using fall colors, but I am sure I will return to this area as I can visualize the setting in all seasons and weather conditions.
“Old Barns, Poultney, VT”
9 x 12, oil on canvas
595.00 unframed, plus shipping

"Summer Apples" oil on canvas, 5 x 7

"Summer Apples" oil on canvas 5 x 7
100.00, unframed, plus shipping
As mentioned in another post, I have been surprised this summer at the abundance of wild apple trees scattered throughout the hills and meadows in the area of Vermont where I live. The beautiful fruit sparkles in the early autumnal sun, attracting birds and dear for a feast of these summer gifts. I love the colors of the apples and in this setting I particularly liked the combination of the colors of the apples with the porcelain cup.

Summer Apples
7" x 5" (17.8cm x 12.7cm)
Oil on canvas on Panel
$100, unframed plus shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.??

"Passing Clouds" oil on canvas, 5 x 7,

"Passing Clouds"
oil on canvas, 5 x 7
100.00, unframed, plus shipping SOLD
As a child I remember lying on my back in our front yard looking at clouds in the late summer afternoon sky. This sky, in Washington County, NY, reminded me of those childhood days.
for more information please see my web site, www.andreworr.com
for purchase information, please contact me directly.

"Summer Sunshine" oil on canvas, 11 x 14

"Summer Sunshine" 11 x 14, oil on canvas on board
575.00 unframed, plus shipping
As this blog progresses, one of my goals is to present paintings from time to time that are a stretch for me; a piece whereby artistically, possibly in color, brushwork, concept, anything that might be a bit out of the norm for me, I pushed a bit. This piece happens to be the case. It was a demonstration at a recent art festival and when I got it home, I liked elements but I was struck by an over abundance of "green." I let the piece dry up a bit and scumbled color over the piece not really trying to get a representative color, but rather cool color in the shadows, warms in the lights. Blue might not have been in the scene, but when I wanted to emphasize "shadow" I pushed the blue and so forth. I wanted to make this as impressionistic as I could muster. Who knows, maybe I will go down this road more often... the journey was pure fun.

"Majestic Maple in Summer" oil on canvas, 5 x 7

The association of the maple tree with New England and Vermont in particular, is a longstanding association. In winter, sap buckets can be seen in many areas of the state hanging off of the dormant, winter trees collecting precious sap to be processed into maple syrup; a sure sign spring is on the way. In the fall, these trees are a blaze with colors from bright yellows to brilliant reds, depending on the variety of the tree. In summer, the maple tree provides unparalleled shade and beauty to the variant fields of the countryside. This tree, not far from my home, begged to be painted. I tried in this small format to convey the feeling of the sheer magnitude of this beautiful tree so vital to our environment.
"Majestic Maple in Summer"
oil on canvas on board, 5 x 7
100.00, unframed, plus shipping
sold