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These six little paintings were begun on location and finished in the studio during late summer and fall of this year.  They are currently on view at the McHenry County Conservation District's educational center, Prairie View through the end of November with two other area artists.  A portion of each sale will be donated to the MCCD.

The goal of this project is to show the beauty of the various sites managed by the McHenry County Conservation District here in Illinois.  My process begins with visiting a site, choosing a spot and beginning the painting on location, taking photos of the location and then finishing the piece in the studio.

The spot I choose to paint is what had caught my eye in that moment in time.  For me it could have been about the dark and light patterns, color, atmosphere, or a combination of any or all three elements.  I like to begin a painting on location because I get a better feel for the colors and shapes at that location.  The photos I take to help me complete the piece are only just a reminder of what I saw and how I felt at the time of beginning the piece.

The project will continue through the late fall, winter and spring of next year to highlight the beauty of these sites in all seasons.  What has been fun about this project, is seeing how each of us (artists) interprets the beauty of the same site and discovering the beauty of a site I have never been to before even thought it has been just right around the corner!