Biplane Beauty -a plein air painting from Cable Airport

 

Biplane Beauty  9x12 oil

Purchase info here.

The second painting from our day at Cable Airport.  This one was soon going back up, so I painted as fast as a could.  I got most of it in before our time to paint was up, and finished it the next day in my studio.  I loved the vibrant color of this plane.  

War Bird -a plein air painting from Cable Airport

 

War Bird  oil 9x12 inches

Purchase info here.

In February my friend Martha invited me to join her for a plein air day at Cable Airport not too far from home.  A real "plane air" day! This war bird is privately owned by a Vietnam War veteran.  He's very proud of her and takes her up every Wednesday.  I had forgotten what type of plane it is, so I asked my good friend, Ken, a USMC Veteran who says it's a Stinsons L5. I regretted not having a very wide panel with me.  The plane is squeezed onto the 9x12 and will need a floater frame for sure.  

War Stories -an oil painting from Planes of Fame Museum, Chino SOLD

oil 11x14 inches magnify/purchase info Here's a painting I did back in March but never posted. I took the photo reference on a visit to the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino. I loved how the light shone on the seated veteran's white hair. Maybe they were telling stories of Vietnam. I have such deep respect for our veterans that for me, it was a poignant scene. For the vets who may be reading this, THANK YOU and God bless you.

P-38 Lightning -a plein air oil painting of aircraft SOLD

oil 9x12 inches magnify/purchase A Special Event at the air museum on Saturday brought "Louise" the P-38 out of the hangar. As soon as I set up a very kind docent who now knows what I'm up to informed me that she would be moved to fly in about two hours. I decided to stay put and paint fast. It worked out. Just as I finished, some clouds came in and they moved her out to take off. She flew right over our heads several times, fast and really pretty quiet considering her power. I can't tell you how exciting that was for me right after I had finished painting! The crowd was interested in what I was doing and so kind and encouraging. A boy about 12 came close and said, "Just to help you out, I think you should put a little more green right there by those guns." So cute!!! These people know their war history and their planes! I hope I did her justice. Here are some more pics just for fun.

Lockheed Lodestar -a plein air oil painting of aircraft

oil 9x12 inches magnify/purchase Up close and personal because the planes are parked so close together in the "boneyard" that it's hard to get back any distance. I got permission though, to plant myself inside the ropes next time, as long as I don't get paint on the planes! (Don't tell anybody.) I really like this view though, and the various colors I saw in the shiny underbelly. A bit more of the cockpit shows in the painting. My photo is a bit lopped off at the top.

Midway Colors

oil 12x9 inches
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100% of sale to benefit Wounded Warrior Project
custom framing available

Here is the fourth and last painting for Wounded Warrior Project. Last November we took an amazing audio tour of the USS Midway docked in San Diego Harbor. (Five hours and every minute fascinating.) Out of all the photos I took, the reference for this painting had all of my favorite aspects: the massiveness of the ship itself, a reference to the Marine Corps, and Old Glory waving in the ocean breeze.

Flight Day Prep -sold

oil 9x12 inches
click here to bid
100% of sale to benefit Wounded Warrior Project
custom framing available

This aircraft is a favorite of mine. Admittedly, I know very little about planes, but the paintjob on this one is cool. And look- the engine is almost half the size of the whole plane. I bet it was really fast back in the day. I painted it once before, but it was inside the hangar. I felt lucky to see it out in the sun getting ready to fly.

Under The Wing

oil 8x10 inches
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100% of sale to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project
custom framing available

Painted in my studio from photo references taken at The Planes of Fame Air Museum. All proceeds from the sale of this painting will go to The Wounded Warrior Project.

War Bird -sold

oil 6x8 inches
click here to bid
100% of sale to benefit The Wounded Warrior Project
custom framing available

I painted this field study out at the Planes Of Fame Air Museum last Saturday. They were having a special event, and so I was surrounded by veterans and war bird lovers, one of whom helped unjam my tripod with his pliers. Each time I go there I look at the planes and think about the brave and honorable men who flew in them, what they had to do, what they accomplished for our country and others, and whether they got home in one piece. We owe so much to our veterans and active duty military.

Next Tuesday marks the two year anniversary of my blog. To celebrate, I'm planning to honor our military by donating 100% of sales of my next few paintings to The Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit dedicated to meeting the needs of severely injured service men and women coming home since 9/11. To learn more, click here Wounded Warrior Project, or here for a BBB non-profit report.