Plein Air

New Website

2011-03-06T00:45:00.001-07:00

I have a new website www.cordellart.com I hope those of you who visit my blog will make the move with me to the website. Thanks -

New slide show from Wildman Pictures.

2011-01-30T19:10:00.001-07:00

Still Photography Slideshow for en Plein Air from Wildman Pictures on Vimeo.

Scotchman Peaks Odyssey 2010

2011-01-18T22:34:00.007-07:00

A couple of samples from the 5 day Scotchman Peaks Plein-Air odyssey. There is a film by Wildman Pictures and work by myself, David Herbold and Jared Shear. The work is showing at Lewiston Clark State College Museum of Art and History until Feb. 18th. A nice write up about the show in the Lewiston Tribune as well.

Sunlit willows

2010-11-04T22:27:00.004-06:00

Couldn't resist painting this willow as the sun lit the leaves from behind.

A couple of paintings before the return of the rain..

2010-10-24T22:09:00.002-06:00

Autumn day

2010-10-20T23:56:00.000-06:00

just can't resist painting these trees...

Aspens

2010-10-16T15:18:00.001-06:00

I spent the past weekend in Jackson Hole at the Oil Painters of America show... and did a watercolor.

Scotchman Peaks Plein Air

2010-10-05T00:11:00.003-06:00

I've always loved the little glimpses you get of the lake looking through the trees.

Couldn't resist this group of cedars next to the creek

Scotchman Peak Art Auction 5"x7"

2010-09-23T21:32:00.001-06:00

This painting will be auctioned off at a plein air paint out this weekend in Hope Idaho. Proceeds will help benefit the proposed wilderness area

Fall Trees

2010-09-21T23:17:00.002-06:00

I can't resist painting the fall trees

Palouse Clouds

2010-09-03T15:54:00.002-06:00

en Plein Air (official trailer)

2010-08-21T14:52:00.002-06:00

en Plein Air (official trailer) from Wildman Pictures on Vimeo.

Filmed in the proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, the documentary, 'en Plein Air', captures the experiences of artists during a 5 day trek through the mountains.

Plein Air art is known as landscape paintings that are physically created 'in the open air' rather than painted indoors based on a sketch or photo. This film delves into the personal interpretations of the Plein Air concept by water-color painters, an author and us as the creators of this documentary.

Complete film to be released Fall 2010.

Music:
'No Intention'
Dirty Projectors
Bitte Orca
2009

This is a non-profit film and company created to educate.

Heber City/Midway Paint-Out

2010-07-24T01:31:00.004-06:00

Morning light 12"x16"

The mighty river 9"x12"

Fields and Cows 11"x14"

Morning wires 9"x12"

Impossibly Green 8"x16" oil on linen

2010-06-06T21:58:00.002-06:00

This time of year it seems everything is green.

Cottonwood 10"x14" oil on linen

2010-05-29T00:23:00.000-06:00

Spring Green, 10"x14" oil on linen

2010-05-24T20:03:00.002-06:00

I love all the different greens that come out in the spring.

On the Palouse

2010-04-27T00:34:00.001-06:00

I've enjoyed the nice diffused light we have had lately. It spreads a nice soft light over everything.

Palouse Evening, Oil on Canvas, 36"x36"

2010-04-11T00:07:00.004-06:00

Willow Triptych 4'x8'

2010-02-16T00:28:00.002-07:00

My triptych in a recent show. I am still playing around with how to display it.

Cottonwoods 16"x16" oil on linen

2010-01-25T17:26:00.000-07:00

Underside 10"x20" oil on board

2010-01-18T22:10:00.001-07:00

Paintings... part 2

2009-12-05T23:06:00.003-07:00

Evening Clouds

4"x 8"

Fall Poplars

18"x 24"

Gym floor reflections

9"x 12"

Hallway

8"x 10"

Paintings...

2009-11-30T23:30:00.002-07:00

Crusty sandwich 5"x7"

Palouse 9"x12"

Willow 7"x14"

Steam Plant 8"x16"

Autumn Browns 8"x16"

Sandpoint Plein-Air

2009-09-21T10:00:00.000-06:00

Estes Park Plein Air

2009-09-01T21:29:00.002-06:00

37 degrees and rainy

8"x10"

Trailridge Road

8"x16"

Looking thru

11"x14"

Morning Headlines

8"x10"

Aspen Row

7"x14"

A couple pieces from the Estes Park Plein Air show in Estes Park, Colorado.

Blue, white and Ochre

2009-08-14T22:58:00.002-06:00

Scotchman Peaks Show, August 7th 5-8

2009-08-10T16:19:00.002-06:00

Some photos of the show hanging. The paintings are in hand crafted frames with acid free mats and conservators glass. Some of the proceeds from the sale of the paintings goes to the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness' preservation efforts. Link

Mountain Grandeur 48"x 48" oil on canvas

2009-08-08T20:55:00.005-06:00

Mountain Grandeur

48"x48"

Oil on canvas

$3500.

"After returning from the odyssey I couldn't wait to start a big painting while my mind was fresh and the experience close."

Scotchman Peaks Odyssey, Plein-Air. 2

2009-07-25T15:14:00.005-06:00

Evening with the Peaks

4"x 7"

Watercolor on Arches

$250.

"As I attempted to capture a moment of the trip, the realization of the experience was fleeting and soon I would be back in the busy world, I realized that this place wouldn't be busy, it would be like it was right now."

Where the snow meets Sky

5.5"x 7"

Watercolor/ Gouache on Arches

$250.

"As I sat contemplating the immensity of space, the meeting place of the snow and sky begged me to paint it."

Snow, sand, and rocks.

4.5"x 6"

Watercolor/Gouache on Strathmore

$250.

"I attempted to find the complex lines in the rocks compared to the smoothness of the snow, th image and place seem upside down with the dark heavy rocks on top wanting to be at the bottom."

The Basin

9.75"x 6.5"

Watercolor/ Gouache on Arches

$475.

"Everyturn, every corner there was another painting asking to be put on paper, the rocks, trees and a touch of green, the timelessness of the place challenging me."

Holy #@%! Grotto

4.75"x 7.75"

Watercolor on Moleskin paper

N.F.S

Sandy Compton Collection

"This place was our inspiration for the way down the mountain. Sandy from the moment he returned from scouting a way down, continually shook his head and told us we weren't going to believe the surprise he had for us... he was right, simply amazing."

Scotchman Peaks Odyssey, Plein-Air.

2009-07-21T19:57:00.009-06:00

Little Spar lake

48 Hr Pass

6"x 8"

Watercolor/Pastel on Crescent Board

$350.

"I sat looking at this place realizing that Sandy was out there somewhere looking for the best way down"

Yellow Skies & quiet nights

4.25"x4.75"

Watercolor on Crescent Board

$250.

"On our final night, I sat by the fire watching the evening unfold, the sky began to turn yellow just before quietness took over for the night."

Melissa Basin

6.5"x 10"

Watercolor on Strathmore

$475.

"The power of experiencing a place that can move mighty rocks is almost inexpressible."

10:30 in the Peaks

3"x 5"

Watercolor on Crescent Board

$250.

"I am always amazed at the colors that evening produces and the ability it has to turn a complicated form into simplicity."

Sublime

3.75"x 6"

Watercolor on Strathmore

N.F.S

"The only way to understand something so majestically complex is through simplicity."

Snow and Trees

5.75"x 4"

Watercolor on Canson

$250.

"I was amazed at the sturdy little trees, stubbornly pushing their way through rock and snow even though everything is pushing back."

Scotchman Peak #2

8"x 6.75"

Watercolor on Crescent Board

$475.

"I was taken aback at all the different forms of rock in this one place, pink, purple, blue and orange rocks. Some looked as though they were concrete sidewalks smooth and straight."

Looking out

9"x5.25"

Watercolor/Pastel on Canson

$475.

"as I sat looking out, I was amazed at how something as solid and immovable as a mountain, can look as transparent and fluid as water."

Evening Skies

4"x 7"

Watercolor on Arches

"I sat watching, attempting to capture the mountains fading into the sky before night took over."

I was lucky enough to spend the past 4 days in the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, with fellow artist Jared Shear and thank you Sandy Compton for the safe trip through the wilderness. If anybody is in Sandpoint on August 7th, come to the Timberstand Gallery for the show.

Stormy Moran.

2009-07-15T14:51:00.001-06:00

Around sunset there was a terrific storm that really purpled everything up. It gave the whole area a great mood.

Evening with the Tetons

2009-07-09T19:10:00.002-06:00

River Rocks Paint out, Idaho Falls

2009-06-22T15:27:00.002-06:00

Had a good weekend, wish they were all this great.

Honorable mention

Quick Draw, Purchase Award

The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho permanent collection.

Palouse Barn

2009-06-03T00:23:00.000-06:00

Warm night on the Palouse

2009-05-28T23:12:00.001-06:00

Watercolors

2009-05-28T22:52:00.003-06:00

Some watercolors and gouache I have been doing

Sante Fe,

2009-05-12T13:55:00.001-06:00

Looking for the Sublime

2009-05-12T13:45:00.001-06:00

I am interested in finding what it takes to create a sublime experience. It is harder than one would think.

Sage Creek Gallery OPA Show

2009-04-23T10:48:00.002-06:00

Click to see the OPA Show at the Sage Creek Gallery in Santa Fe, NM.

Steam Plant 8"x10"

2009-03-29T22:10:00.002-06:00

Took the painting class to the steam plant to paint. This is my demo for the class. It was an enjoyable place to paint, there are all kinds of pipes and interesting spaces to paint. I will hopefully be going back.

More Eggs

2009-03-18T18:26:00.002-06:00

Eggs are fun to paint.

Eggs, 6"x8" oil on birch

2009-03-11T20:37:00.005-06:00

My students had an egg assignment that looked so fun I had to try. And yes it was fun.

I was sick of brown paintings, oil on linen

2009-03-11T20:33:00.002-06:00

I spilled this gatorade on my computer and thought that I would immortalize it in a painting. I decided that however much it cost to fix my computer would be the value of the painting.

Orange slice

Accepted!!

2009-02-25T21:25:00.005-07:00

This piece was accepted today into the Oil Painters of America show. Here is the link. The show is in May in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Fruit

2009-02-20T22:06:00.002-07:00

It has been really dull in color lately, as I was walking into my studio I pulled out an apple to eat and ended up painting it instead.

I then found an orange and continued the painting.

Snow and patches of dirt, 6"x12" oil on birch

2009-02-17T12:32:00.001-07:00

Dead Plant 9"x12" oil on panel

2009-02-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

Poplar 8"x10" watercolor/gouache

2009-01-15T22:59:00.003-07:00

I can't seem to get enough of the palouse snow and poplar trees. They make for good companions one having simple washes and the other detailed lines makes for lots of fun.

Winter Trees, 5"x7" watercolor/gouache

2009-01-14T01:20:00.001-07:00

Two of my favorite things poplar trees, and snowy mountains.

Mini Mountains, watercolor/gouache 5"x7"

2009-01-13T09:43:00.005-07:00

Mt. West Park

View of Wendy's Glacier

Parking lot Pass

Mt. Winco

These piles of snow from the plows are all that are left from the massive snow we had. My five year old son and I have been imagining ourselves as a tiny lego men exploring these massive glacial mountainscapes.

Snow on the Palouse, watercolor/gouache 5"x7"

2009-01-12T20:06:00.003-07:00

We had tons of snow about a week ago, this is all that remains after warm temps and rain. The good thing is that it makes wonderful patterns on the hills.

Watercolors in the Winter

2009-01-08T23:11:00.002-07:00

I loved the light coming between these bushes and their shadows.

The way white rolling hills of the palouse contrasted with these tree trunks couldn't be passed up.

unposted paintings

2009-01-08T23:07:00.001-07:00

I couldn't resist these wonderful leafless trees and the hazy mountains.

View from Napoleon Dynamites house

Winter Willow, watercolor/gouache 4.5"x6.5"

2008-12-24T16:29:00.004-07:00

Tree Bottom 36"x48" oil on canvas

2008-12-17T13:19:00.001-07:00

A piece I have been working on that I am still working on.

Poplars 18"x36" oil on canvas

2008-12-17T13:16:00.001-07:00

I haven't posted for a bit, this is a piece I have been working on...maybe too much...enough that it needs some more work.

Lake Pend oreille 30"x40" oil on canvas

2008-11-15T09:19:00.002-07:00

This is the commission piece that I just finished up. It is by far the longest I have spent on a single painting, a lot of late nights!

dum dum 5"x7"

2008-11-06T13:55:00.001-07:00

I have been stealing my kids halloween candy lately and decided to paint one.

Studio Window 8"x10" oil on linen

2008-11-03T23:02:00.002-07:00

As I painted in the studio today I looked up to see this wonderful light shining in. I grabbed the paints and did a quick study. The yellow light coming in surprised me since it was only 4:00 o'clock and the sun was on its way down.

Dinner with Yako, 8"x12" oil on linen

2008-10-30T11:44:00.003-06:00

My neighbor went fishing yesterday and brought my family some nice trout to eat. As I was eating them I decided that I needed to paint them. It was a lot of fun but my studio sure smelled awful.

Fall

2008-10-27T22:32:00.002-06:00

This little guy is behind the Grad studio and I couldn't resist its color.

These trees are across from the studio and have already lost their leaves completely. I find it interesting how some trees loose their leaves so much sooner than others.

Monothon at the Crow shadow Institute of Art

2008-10-26T21:47:00.011-06:00

I went to Pendleton Oregon today for a benefit auction at the Crow Shadow Institute of Art. It is put on by James Lavadour and Frank Janzen. It was a lot of fun to do some printmaking.

Click on the title for a link to their site.

Sorry for the bad photos they took them as fast as we could print them.

Dixie Dog 9"x12" oil on panel

2008-10-13T20:14:00.005-06:00

A fellow artist Greg Caudell had his great dog with him. She was a great little puppy that I had to paint. She didn't hold to still but I think I captured her.

Scotchman peak show

2008-10-12T21:50:00.004-06:00

Tree Bottom 8"x10" Sold

Fall Meadow 8"x10"

Fall Aspens 11"x14"

I had the chance to paint at the Scotchman peaks wilderness plein-air show. It was a lot of fun to paint with the other artists and meet some new people. I'll post the other paintings I did when I get better photos of them.

Willows 8"x10"

2008-09-18T21:53:00.010-06:00

I went out this morning around 7:00 and did some tree paintings. This was the last one and the fastest.

Tractor 8"x10" oil on birch

2008-09-18T21:53:00.009-06:00

Cottonwoods 8"x10" oil on birch

2008-09-18T21:53:00.008-06:00

OPA plein-air event

2008-09-15T19:06:00.003-06:00

I couldn't pass up these shoe thrown up into the powerlines of this alley. I was told it was done by a disgruntled employee and the local shoe store.
I enjoyed painting the parts of a boat that you don't usually see.

Estes Road, oil on canvas, 24"x30"

2008-09-11T14:02:00.004-06:00

I have been working on a large studio piece for school based on a smaller plein-air. So here it is. I have enjoyed painting trees and it was fun to do some bigger work.

Evening Trees oil on panel

2008-08-07T13:55:00.000-06:00

Some more trees.

Dead Poplar, oil on board

2008-08-02T22:57:00.003-06:00

I've been reading a great book by John F. Carlson, it's called Carlson's Guide to landscape painting. His section on trees is amazing as is the rest of the book. So I decided I'd better go and paint some trees. I really like the poplar trees, they have a lot of variation and there is always at least one dead one in the group.

Poplars 8"x10" oil on panel

2008-07-22T00:10:00.001-06:00

A study to see if I could still paint. After being turned down to show I decided instead of feeling bad I would go paint. I liked the distance that this scene provided with the dark trees and distant rolling hills.

Palouse evening

2008-07-14T10:26:00.002-06:00

We had some strange smokey skies last night that put an odd glow onto the landscape.

I went painting with an old college friend that I ran into at the farmers market.

Painting on the Palouse

2008-07-11T19:54:00.003-06:00

8"x10" oil on birch,

I couldn't resist the old barn, with its offset door and little hint of the blue sky out the window.

3"x7" oil on masonite,

This is the view from the barn. Lots of green fields that are just turning yellow.

Early morning, gouache/watercolor in a moleskin

2008-07-11T00:05:00.002-06:00

Another inside painting, there are some great structures around here. I couldn't resist putting in the telephone lines across the top. SOLD

Reeds and Pond scum, watercolor/gouache in a moleskin

2008-07-10T23:20:00.003-06:00

We had a big windstorm today that kept knocking over my easel. So I cheated and painted this inside from my last visit to the Arboretum. I liked all the colors of the scum, from my experience scum is usually pretty colorful. SOLD

Clouds over the Palouse 8"x10 oil on linen

2008-07-03T23:23:00.001-06:00

Clouds are interesting they have the ability to seem completely flat. As if they are pieces of torn construction paper floating through the evening sky.

View from the backyard

2008-06-26T11:28:00.000-06:00

A couple quick plein airs from the back porch.

Sandpoint Plein Air Paint-Out

2008-06-21T10:02:00.002-06:00

The following paintings were done at the Sandpoint Plein Air paint-out. They are at the Timberstand Gallery in Sandpoint, Idaho.

9"x12" Plein Airs

2008-06-21T09:57:00.002-06:00

"The Chief"

I couldn't resist painting the wonderful lines of these Felt cruisers.

"Alternative Transportation"

The play of the grey ground and shadows to the lime green bike was a lot of fun. Thanks Outdoor Experience for lending me the bikes.

8"x10" Plein Airs

2008-06-21T09:54:00.002-06:00

"Hay Bails"

some fresh cut and rolled hay.

"Iris's"

I loved the nice organic lines of the flowers in contrast to the straight lines of the deck at fellow artist Robert Bissetts home.

4"x4" Plein Airs

2008-06-21T09:51:00.001-06:00

"Fowl Friends"

I couldn't resist painting the different birds that were together on the beach.

5"x 7" Plein Airs

2008-06-21T09:23:00.002-06:00

"Still Standing" this is the last old grainery standing in Sandpoint.

"5:00 AM" when you sleep outside once the sun rises you might as well get up and paint.

"Part of the Show" a cool lantern on the local theater caught my eye.

Thompson River 8"x10" oil on linen

2008-06-01T19:34:00.001-06:00

I think I am going to miss this view out my living room.

Bottoms up 6"x8" oil on masonite

2008-05-31T22:43:00.002-06:00

Finally went painting today and couldn't resist painting the local scenery.

Spring Runoff watercolor on a moleskin

2008-05-28T20:20:00.002-06:00

A fun little watercolor on Memorial day, haven't painted much lately I was a Juror and am getting ready to move.

The winter toll 4"x11" oil on birch

2008-05-03T18:51:00.003-06:00

On the way home from viewing the O.P.A show in Missoula, I felt a little inspired and stopped with Jared to do a little painting. This little collapsed shed and stack of hay seemed like a great subject, the only problem was the nearby bees and their hives. I probably looked a little strange waving my arms around to the passing motorists as I tried to keep the bees away.

Cache Valley Wellsville's, oil on birch 4"x9"

2008-05-01T10:11:00.001-06:00

Distant Wellsville's, oil on birch

2008-04-26T23:12:00.001-06:00

Jenny's Barn, watercolor/gouache

2008-04-24T10:15:00.001-06:00

I've alway's loved the big dark loft of this barn.

Wellsville's, watercolor/gouache

2008-04-24T10:11:00.002-06:00

These mountains are very narrow and one of the steepest mountain ranges in North America, and the are great to paint.

5 o'clock shadow, watercolor/gouache

2008-04-24T10:08:00.001-06:00

There is a "little mountain" in the middle of cache valley that gets a nice 5 o'clock shadow.

Cedar 6.5"x8.5" watercolor/gouache on Illustration board

2008-04-16T07:25:00.003-06:00

I went for a drive up the river and found this great tree. I like how cedars are so tall straight and pointed.

View from the hotel window, Gouache/watercolor on a Moleskin

2008-04-10T10:14:00.000-06:00

Puyallup, Wa Gouache/watercolor on a moleskin

2008-04-10T10:09:00.001-06:00

Orange on Blue 8"x10" watercolor/gouache

2008-04-03T09:49:00.003-06:00

I love the colors of winter, the colors are so intense and primal. There is nothing like a pristine winter scene.

"Montana Spring" watercolor/gouache

2008-04-02T18:46:00.001-06:00

I went for a ride into the mountains today to enjoy the spring sun, and found out spring isn't here yet.

Pack River 3.5"x11" watercolor/gouache

2008-04-01T23:32:00.003-06:00

This scene always begs me to paint it and I'm happy to oblige.

Cold Contrast 3.5"x11" watercolor/gouache

2008-04-01T23:29:00.002-06:00

I always love these orange trees in the winter blues.

Sketch Crawl

2008-03-29T17:52:00.003-06:00

A nice rainy/snowy mountain. I increased the greenness of the grass for wishful thinking.

This little old gas station that is now a uhaul store is always a great subject.

And how could I resist the tractor on rails.

I went out with Jared and a group of other sketchers today, and these are the results.