MUDDY SHOES AND GLOWING SKIES, TOM BROWN PLEIN AIR

"MUDDY SHOES AND GLOWING SKIES"
10x5 INCH ORIGINAL PLEIN AIR
OIL PAINTING BY TOM BROWN
SOLD

Three simple things go into a painting like this.
A LITTLE TALENT.
I’m third generation artist; mom was an artist, so was her dad. That helps.

A LITTLE PRACTICE.
I started as a toddler and never stopped. (That led to my first one-man gallery show, which sold out on opening day. I’ll never forget the glow of that moment.)

THE RIGHT GEAR.
In this case, my trusty pochade box and a palette knife. I love the immediacy of simply opening the paintbox, grabbing a knife and capturing the moment. No solvents to spill, no brushes to clean. Just me and the paint.

Oh, one more thing. You need to be willing to get mud on your shoes. This is a “wetland” after all!

Thanks for looking. Have a wonderful day. And if you’d like this painting for your home let me know: tombrownstudio@cox.net

STORM CLOUDS, TOM BROWN PLEIN AIR

"THE SILVER LINING"
6x8 INCH ORIGINAL PLEIN AIR
OIL PAINTING BY TOM BROWN

Crackling thunder and ominous skies didn’t hold much promise for painting outdoors. Then suddenly, a window in the clouds opened and a slice of clean light sparkled across the road ahead.

There it is, I thought! Today’s painting!

The break in the clouds lasted just long enough for me to capture it in this painting. Bullet sized raindrops began pounding down as I finished. I ducked into my car and safely tucked away this painting. Got it!

It was a perfect day after all. The clean, fresh scent of rain sweetened the air as I made my way happily down the road. I hope this adds a bit of freshness to your day. Thanks for looking.

If you’d like this little treasure for your walls, let me know: tombrownstudio@cox.net

A SUNSET WITH FEELING, TOM BROWN PLEIN AIR

"CATCH IT IN YOUR HANDS"
5x7 INCH ORIGINAL
PLEIN AIR OIL PAINTING
BY TOM BROWN
SOLD

Blazing sunsets are awe-inspiring; nothing new about that.

But did you ever risk trying to catch and hold one in your bare hands? That’s what it feels like when you confront nature with paints and brushes at a time like this. It’s intimidating to say the least.

This particular moment caught me off guard. I was in my garage unpacking the car after a day afield with my paints when I glanced up the street and witnessed this final delight.

Standing in the open garage I grabbed a brush and let the paint fly. It was a final “hurrah” – and then it was gone. It’s scary how briefly this moment lasted.

When I paint something like this I skip the boring details: cars in the driveways, mailboxes and lamp posts, stuff like that. I go right for the treasures: colors in the sky, the streaks of purplish clouds, the reddish glare diffusing the trees where the sun is sinking. That’s what it’s really about anyway.

I shot a photo too, but it isn’t quite the same. The camera’s version lacks the emotion I felt. I guess that’s one reason I do this; to capture what I feel, the “WOW” of the moment. And to share it with others.

Hope I succeeded. If so, enjoy. And have a colorful day.

If you’d like this little treasure for your walls, let me know: tombrownstudio@cox.net