Lifting Fog

Lifting Fog

12"x12" | Oil on panel

Steve Allrich
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In my time on Cape Cod I probably painted the dunes more often than any other subject (marshes would have to be a close second). To get to this spot, I followed (on the advice of a friend) an unmarked, overgrown dirt road for about two miles. I thought I'd taken the wrong road and was about to turn around when this view opened up. There was a simple elegance to these shapes that I found irresistible, and the morning haze over the water softened the light and color just a little. Wonderful spot.

Sand and Sky

Sand and Sky

8"x8" | Oil on panel

Steve Allrich

$500

This is about as minimalist as I get. My idea was to keep it simple and uncluttered. I also wanted to add some activity to the large foreground shape, but without getting too picky - especially on a canvas this small - so I used a palette knife to add some texture. My teacher used to tell us that it was preferable to suggest something - create the appearance or illusion of the thing - rather than try to be too literal about it. 

Morning Light, Dunes

Morning Light, Dunes

12" x 12" | Oil on panel

Steve Allrich
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This painting is really about the contrast between the sky and the glare light on the sand. I painted the grass (silhouetted against the sky) darker than it really was in order to emphasize that contrast, to add drama to the painting and to add additional punch to the light on the sand. The grass in the foreground is an invention. I wanted to break up the big foreground shape and add some interest to it.  

Seen Better Days

Seen Better Days

9" x 12" | Oil on panel

Steve Allrich

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What can I say? I love to paint abandoned, forgotten, broken down stuff. (paging Dr. Freud...). Old trucks, dilapidated buildings, piles of junk. If it's old and decrepit and there's sunlight falling on it, I'm a goner. The trick, I've learned, is to paint it (whatever it is) before it's towed away or torn down or hauled off. The handwriting was on the wall for this old shack: there was a For Sale sign out in front of the property when I painted it.
    

Twilight Path

Twilight Path

9" x 12" | Oil on panel

Steve Allrich 

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This is a view along another favorite walk in Northwest Connecticut, painted from memory, aided by a photo I took with my phone. The light this time of day is magic. Values are close - there's usually not a ton of contrast - so you have to do a lot with changes in color temperature. The warm light and cool shadows are so appealing. There's a reason they call it "magic hour" in the movies...