The changing landscape.

I found out what changes about rocks and water in a landscape painting.   After about 2 weeks of painting at the park, the amount of water that is flowing over the rocks has been cut by at least a third.  

 It does make you think about natural resources.

 I talked to a park guy and he said by August the water is just a trickle.   hmmmm....  The large waterfall of Minneopa is already almost gone.

Fighting the weather.

William Bukowski

Minneopa II (detail)

oil on linen

30" X 40"

The weather has been challenging to deal with this summer.

The days have been cloudy, rainy, windy and sometimes sunny.  I am way behind on Sibley painting because of the clouds.  When you paint from life this is the greatest problem-not being able to control the weather.  It is hard enough not to be able to control when flowers bloom and when plants grow and die.  I need light.  

I have been working in the shade and on cloudy days with the even light.   The complexity of the image makes it hard to develop light patterns.  It can be very hit and miss. 

The Growth of Art-New Gallery in Mankato

There was an opening of a new gallery in Mankato in late June.  It is in a historic building on North Broad Street-the Wesley Building.  The gallery is now called "School of Art".

They put on a show called, The Growth of Art.  I had a painting featured in the show called Full Sun, Full Garden from last summer.  The show was an interesting mix of sculpture and painting from the area.  The show also featured florists who matched real flowers with artwork.  I hope to add more pictures.   Mankato can always use another art gallery, let's hope this one can survive.

The return of Erik.

Every summer for many years, former painting student Erik S. comes back to Mankato to paint.  This year he joined me at Minneopa State Park.

 His sensibility in painting is decidedly American and especially the Luminist style of painting the unspoiled American landscape.  So he liked the place. 

 Two days isn't enough to really take it all in, but it is a great way to spend a couple of days.

Sibley with the new path.

William Bukowski

oil on linen     30" X 40"

Sibley Park(in progress)

The newest Sibley Park painting is a bit of a throwback.  The view is from a safe distance and I am relying on brushstrokes to carry the "green-ness".   The space is layered and so far the paving stones haven't caused too much trouble.  My next painting here will be closer to where I ended last summer.  

It has been cloudy in the morning so I am a little behind.

Back to Sibley Park in the morning.

For the past 5 years, Sibley Park has been part of my summer mornings.  This summer, the park decided to "improve" it with a large donation from a local company.  The improvements included paving stones on the path and a vintage street light.

Hmmmm....  The flowers beds have really improved but so far the other additions are a little distracting.

My first painting of the summer is more of a warm up.  The path, the fountain, the background trees and the new street light........I am going for lyrical....

The State Park- a popular place.

William Bukowski               Minneopa I                   oil on linen   (in progress)

I have really enjoyed painting at Minneopa State Park.  One of the aspects of painting at a State Park that I didn't anticipate was the amount of people that come by to see what is going on.

I think some people expect me to try to sell them something and some people expect me to give them an art lecture.  Who knows what they really expect.  Some sneak a picture and don't say anything.