New Bedford Rose Garden - acrylic on cradled wood panel - 24" x 24" x 1"
New Bedford Rose Garden - acrylic on cradled wood panel - 24" x 24" x 1"

For a looser and flowing look and feel to my oil paintings, I've been experimenting with mixing cold wax with my oil paint. It seems to increase drying time, which is good in some cases, and to make the paint easier to move around with the odorless turpentine. It's also just a lot of fun to work with! Here are two of my latest paintings using the cold wax - Tangents - the large 36 inch square tree painting and Windfall - the 24 inch by 40 inch painting of a river with fallen trees. Both are on cradled birch wood panels. which is a great support for the wax medium. 


All paintings below are created with acrylic paint in many, many layers. Though I'm spending a lot of time with oils lately, I still use acrylic paint when I want a crisper line to edges and blocker application of paint. 


To me, all trees have distinct personalities, are mysterious and have stories to tell; whether the newly lichen-laden trees in Massachusetts (climate change at work) or light struggling to peek through the forest undergrowth or various species old and new struggling for light and survival.  Sizes vary between acrylic paintings on wood (18" x 18") and canvas - approximately 60"w x 44"h x 1"d.