Fall Studies
New Work / Experiments - Archive
Periodical Cicada
Earlier this summer one morning while the grass was still wet with dew, I stepped out into the backyard and was greeted by the site of 10-20 newly emerged Magicicada, the 17 year cicada climbing around some garden plants. However, these guys were four years off cycle, with the next major emergence set to take place in 2024. This continued for several days around the area and in our backyard. After connecting with some entomologists who were using an app to track sightings, it was determined that there was an early emergence mixed with some 13 year broods. And they were singing, which is unusual for offcycle arrivals, indicating they were trying to mate. This is a water color and colored pencil study to get a feel for rendering the wings and other tissues.
Désolé, c'est ne pas ici.
Watercolor sketch - 4" x 4"
Quick study in the garden. I was struck by the title while working on the piece.
In Process -
Sunken Tree Waterscape
Oil on Panel - 24" x 48"
Inspired by shooting video underwater around a tree that recently fell into a lake due to high water levels. I am also experimenting with a more fluid style (pardon the pun).
Painted Turtle Experiment
4" x 6" paper sculpture, with colored pencil
Maine Tidepool - 14"x 20" Oil on Panel
Daniel's Old 'Hood - Watercolor 4" x 6"
(Private Collection)
Tree and Fence - 8" x 10" Oil on Panel - Plein Aire
Mugwort Sketch
Watercolor - 8" x 10"
Portrait Practice
Watercolor - 5" x 7"
Pond Experiment
8" x 10" paper sculpture
Bruce Kerr Art
Quick Oil Study - 8" x 10" Oil on Panel
Costa Rica
Watercolor - 4" x 6"
Other Watercolor Work
In Process -
Lily Pads at Season's End
Oil on Panel - 24" x 48"
Another painting inspired by donning mask and snorkel and filming dying lily pads in a northern Michigan lake one cloudy October afternoon.
Oil Painting
Orchid Sketch
Watercolor - 10" x 14"
Forest Floor in Fall
Watercolor and Mars Lumograph pencil on Paper. 16 x 20
While taking a walk this past fall and being taken by the color and forms of fallen leaves, I chose to render the experience in watercolor, colored pencil and black Mars Lumograph pencil to provide varying levels of detail throughout the piece. This style is being used to illustrate the book mentioned above.
Paper Sculpture
Magicicada Tredecim
Watercolor and colored pencil - 10" x 14"
Birch Log and Turkey Tail Fungus
Paper Sculpture - 24 x 20
While taking a walk in the woods last fall, I came across a rotting log covered in a very striking fungus, which after a bit of research, I learned was called Turkey Tail Fungus (Trametes Vericolor). Instead of a painting, I decided to create it in paper with a surface that has been painted or drawn using colored pencil to simulate the fungus colors and textures. The eventual piece will represent the forest floor with leaves, in addition to a final rendition of the log and fungus. Below are some earlier experiments with paper.
Benzie County Tableau
Watercolor Triptych
Created for auction in support of the Benzie County Conservation District. From left to Right
Herring Creek - 4" x 6"
Upper Herring Lake - 4" x 6"
Platte River - 4" x 6"
Created from underwater video and photo reference.
Leaf Study
Oil on Panel. 10 x 12
Further meditations on leaves, closely examining them before
their colors faded.
Pond Edge in Winter
12 " x 12" - Paper sculpture with colored pencil