"Dockside"

"Dockside" 8" x 10" oil on panel

This painting is available, for information email: stuart@stuartroper.com

Opening Night at the Crescent

Here is a shot from opening night at the Crescent Art Gallery. It was a beautiful evening, lots of people stopped by and a couple of things sold, good way to kick off the show! Happy Thanksgiving All!

New Book and One-Man Show

~THE BOOK ~

I'm delighted to announce the release of my new book; STUART ROPER - Selected Works, which is now available. This 80 page portfolio style book has 62 full color plates, and is available in both softcover and hardcover editions. You can preview the book and find ordering information by clicking on the link below the picture or by visiting the 'book' page on my website: http://www.stuartroper.com/book.htm

PREVIEW AND ORDER INFORMATION LINK

~ THE EXHIBITION ~

Brown's Barn in Winter oil on panel 20" x 24"

The Crescent Gallery

172 East Main Street

Spartanburg, SC 29306

Opening Reception

Thursday, November 19, 2009

5pm - 9pm

Exhibition continues through December 2009

For more information on the exhibition please visit or call

The Crescent Gallery

864.582.7122

October at Biltmore

On location at Biltmore - photo by Larry Westfall

Last week, on the most splendid October morning, I was painting on location at George Vanderbilt's spectacular Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. Not a bad spot to plop down your easel! This photo was shot by Larry Westfall, visiting from Houston, Texas.

Circa 1910

Circa 1910 oil on panel 11" x 14"

Here is a plein air painting that I did on the first day of October, with autumn just beginning to make its arrival. This little church, built around 1910, had just held its last service the previous Sunday. The parishioners have offered the structure to be moved, but the sentiment is that it will be torn down instead. Sadly, this story is being repeated all too often.

This painting is available, for information email: stuart@stuartroper.com

"Sunset Palms"

"Sunset Palms" oil on panel 9" x 12"

Here is a small painting from a trip to the coast of Georgia in spring. The sun was setting, casting a firey glow on this group of palms... who could resist that!

This painting is available, for information email: stuart@stuartroper.com

PAP-SE Workshop and Forum

PAP-SE members and artist colleagues

The Plein Air Painters of the Southeast just held a workshop and forum near Boone, NC at the beautiful equestrian retreat of Leatherwood Mountains. PAP-SE generously opened the event to include fellow artists from all over the area, and with many attending, we truly had a wonderful time. It was indeed a pleasure and honor to work alongside so many talented colleagues. Pictured above, from left to right are: Gavin Brooks, Carol and Perry Austin, Dee Beard Dean, Larry Moore, Richard Oversmith, Rich Nelson, and just the rear end of Trey Finney!

Banner Elk Paint Out

"Greenway Morning" 8" x 10" oil on panel

The Avery Arts Council in Banner Elk held a one day paint-out on Saturday, August 22, in celebration of their lovely greenway. Painters from across the region participated, and we had a really good time. The event ended with an awards ceremony at The Art Cellar Gallery in Banner Elk. My little plein air painting, "Greenway Morning," won third place! The Arts Council is hoping to make this an annual event.

This painting is available, for information email: stuart@stuartroper.com

"East Fork Falls"

"East Fork Falls" 18" x 18" oil on panel

Just spent a week in Brevard, NC, also known as "The Land of Waterfalls." There are so many obscure waterfalls that are off the beaten path, and here's one that's located on one of the most beautiful rivers in the area.

This painting is available, for information email: stuart@stuartroper.com

"Summer On Rich Mountain"

"Summer on Rich Mountain" 8 x 10 oil on panel

With Looking Glass Rock just visible in the distance, this view from high atop Rich Mountain was exhilirating to do. Though it was a secluded spot, there was an occasional car or truck that passed, throwing up clouds of dust... my painting is a bit gritty, but that's one of the delightful (NOT!) aspects of painting on location!

This painting is available, for information email: stuart@stuartroper.com

"Misty Day At Triple Falls" Demo - from plein-air study to completed studio painting.

Here is a demonstration of how I took a 12" x 12" plein-air painting back into the studio and worked it up into a 36" x 30" studio version.


Above is my plein air study of "Misty Day At Triple Falls" 12" x 12" oil on panel.

For my studio version of the painting, instead of a square format, I wanted to have a more vertical aspect, allowing me to develop more interest and a bit more of a lead-in to the main subject. The canvas chosen was a 36" x 30" with an oil primed surface. At this stage, I mixed a warm neutral from burnt sienna and ultramarine blue to tone the canvas and also to indicate the main shapes in the composition.

Though I often work from a more limited palette, here I've extended it to include burnt sienna, viridian and chromatic black. This stage shows the initial blocking in of the large shapes with general local colors.

Here I continue to develop areas in general terms. I'm still working with relatively thin paint, and scumbling in some areas of the rocks for added interest and textural effects.

At this stage, I start letting the paint really build on the surface. I want to be able to work wet-into-wet and be able to control edges as I approach the final stages and detail.

Here, paint was applied quite generously, and in some areas of the rocks, with a palette knife. I don't often use a palette knife, but in this painting, the areas of broken color and texture in the foreground rocks really came to life when I let the knife's magic go to work. Using a different tool, like a palette knife, can feel awkward at first, but with practice, it can become a vital part of the arsenal to achieve a desired effect. There is always a moment when "the painting" tells me to stop, and here is the final version of "Misty Day At Triple Falls" oil on oil primed canvas 36" x 30".

For more information, feel free to send an email: stuart@stuartroper.com

En Plein Air in Burnsville, NC

Claire Simpson Jones at work

What an incredibly beautiful day for plein air painting alongside my friend Claire. The sky was sparkling and the temps in the upper 70's... if only it could stay like this until about November!

"Contemporary Representation" at 16 Patton Fine Art Gallery

"Whisper Mountain Vista" 18 x 18 oil on panel

"Contemporary Representation" is the title of the current exhibition at 16 Patton Fine Art Gallery in Asheville, NC. The exhibition continues through July 14th 2009

For more information visit: 16 Patton Fine Art Gallery

A FINE DAY FOR PAINTING!

Finally, the rain has moved on and what a day for painting! Today, along with some fellow members of the Western North Carolina Plein Air Painters, we set up easels, primed our brushes and had a grand old time!

Peggy Taylor and Linda Cheek taking a break

Richard Oversmith smiles for the camera

More on WNCPAP: WNC Plein Air Painters Website

"ARTIST'S CHOICE EXHIBITION"

"Waren Wilson Barn in Spring" oil on canvas 9" x 12"

Unfettered by theme or subject matter, this new exhibition at 16 Patton Gallery, in Asheville, NC, displays subjects and mediums of gallery artist's choosing, constrained only by the artist's imagination, creativity, heart and soul.

16 Patton Gallery Fine Art Gallery

16 Patton Avenue

Asheville, NC 28801

Saturday, May 2- Sunday, June 7, 2009

For more information visit: 16 Patton Fine Art Gallery