And what do Oatmeal Cookies have to do with painting? Nothing, I think. But yesterday, for the first time in over 20 years, I made oatmeal cookies from scratch and that was a bad thing for my waistline, BUT today, Don, Niki and I are going to go for a hike to wear off those cookies. Now, here is where we get to the ART PART. It was only 34 degrees out when we got up this morning, so while we are waiting for it to warm up a bit… I get to paint! Yippee! Here is what I have worked on this weekend.

The first is an oil pastel sketch of some birch trees at a roadside stop on the way to tahquamenon falls – Don and I have been stopping there for years. In the past we would eat sandwiches by Whitefish Bay and watch life go by. Now we eat whitefish at the Red Flannel in Paradise. But I digress..

Birch Trees at Tahquamenon - Oil Pastel on Sanded Paper 11 x 14

This oil pastel is on heavily textured sand paper. It is great fun to just squiggle away at it.

The next painting is an Oil Stick painting on birch panel. I alsp primed this one with textured primer, though the primer is not as pronounced as the primer on the watercolor paper. This is about 1/4 done.

Birch Trees at Tahquamenon - Oil Sticks on Sanded Board 18 x 24

The Upper Penisula of Michigan has always been a magical place for me. Somehow, someday I would like to be able to convey that magic through my paintings. It is a worthwhile goal. Take a look, let me know what you think.

One more iteration on my birch trees before I close out this weekend. I changed my birches from little sausages, to more “birch like” trees. Let me know if you have any comments.

Birch Trees at Tahquamenon - Oil Sticks on Sanded Board 18 x 24

Have a great week!