"Crex Meadows In March"

8x10 oil on linen

We've had some unbelievably warm weather for March and as every painter that enjoys working from life out in the field knows, we all jump at the chance to get out whenever the winter breaks and we don't have to bundle in bibs, boots and carharts! Saturday was not quite as comfortable as Sunday (In fact we had a record high of 62 degrees on Sunday)
but still warmer than usual despite the high winds. The wind kept us in the truck 'car painting' but we were still out working from life and it felt great!

This is Saturday's attempt at capturing March's subtleties. Living and painting my entire life in the Midwest, we deal with our fair amount of subtle effects but I have to say that this was about as subtle as I've seen it get! Tough stuff, but really beautiful if you can just absorb it's quietness. Besides the swans and some Canadian geese, we were the only ones out enjoying Crex Meadows, an amazing place of really complete solitude.