My Art - by Sherri Hofland

An Urban Park

2010-06-29T16:27:00.006-06:00

8" x 10" - oil on hardboard

I painted this on location with my plein-air class from the Art Students League of Denver. We set up in Commons Park, located in downtown Denver. The park runs along the east side of the South Platte River and offers city dwellers a wonderful place to connect with nature. This piece was painted from the middle of the park looking southeast. I was intrigued by the contrast created from the brick, steel and glass structures and the open, grassy area of the park. Where normally one would expect car lined streets, parking meters and concrete, the viewer is instead treated to a large green field.

Curious Mode of Transportation

2009-09-01T16:39:00.013-06:00

11" x 14" - oil on canvas

A 'car train'? I had not heard of this type of transportation until I visited Slovenia. On our drive from Bled to Kobarid, we were given the advise that we would save some time if we took the car train from Bohinjska Bistrica to Most na Soci. It sounded strange to me. I am familiar with driving a car onto a floating vessel as I have used the Washington State Ferry system. But driving a car onto a train car? Well, that is exactly what is done.

I wasn't the only one curious about the process. Another family was waiting with us and their children stepped out to more closely view the train. I enjoyed the image of these two small children juxtaposed against the massive engine.

Loaded and on our way, the train took us past rural villages, small farms and lovely scenery. We also passed through a very long tunnel. It took us a full 15 minutes to get through and those 15 minutes were spent in complete darkness. So dark that you couldn't see the tunnel walls or even a hand in front of your face. Obviously, we could have kept the car lights on, but why spoil the fun.

Corn field at Elliott Farm

2009-08-30T07:21:00.007-06:00

8" x 10" - oil on hardboard

sold

One late afternoon I painted this beautiful corn field from my friend's backyard. She was painting next to me and we both spread out over the patio. Preferably when we paint we try to find an interesting view with few interruptions and we thought this was the ideal location. Little did we know that one of the family cats would be interested in artwork. Little Clam couldn't stay away. She wandered around our legs, jumped on the table for a better view and tiptoed over paintings done earlier in the day. Perhaps she was hoping to pick up paint on her paws and create her own work of art using the patio as her canvas.

On the Coast

2009-08-28T07:08:00.004-06:00

8" x 10" - oil on masonite

After a day on the farm we headed for the coast. I spent a wonderful morning painting with a good friend of mine. The weather was perfect and the location was even better.

And while I was painting, my husband...

was off playing in the mud. He had the opportunity to dig for clams. We were fortunate to visit at low-tide and our hosts were so kind to take us digging. And what a feast we had the next day. The clams were fantastic!

Visit to the Pacific Northwest

2009-08-27T12:14:00.015-06:00

6" x 10" - oil on hardboard

On a recent trip to visit friends in Washington state, I had the opportunity to paint in the Skagit Valley. The area is full of small, picturesque farms and each one has its own charming barn. Some of the farms grow fruit such as strawberries, blueberries, apples and plums and some grow vegetables, hay or any combination of the three.

And some raise cattle. Throughout the day we were serenaded by this large herd of wonderful cows. They would come and go like the tide. Sometimes sneaking up quite close.

As long as we were painting they couldn't care less about us. But if I approached too closely with my camera, they would move off in another direction. I guess they needed their space. I did learn that grazing cows do not stay in one place and that taking their picture is a must if I ever want to paint them.

8" x 10" - oil on hardboard

sold

Another beautiful day in the Skagit Valley. The two barns that I painted were just east of the town of Sedro-Woolley.

Reflections on the Krka River

2009-08-04T14:28:00.007-06:00

Near Novo Mesto, Slovenia is the village of Otocec. It is situated along the Krka river and sitting on an island in the middle of that river is the Otocec Castle. Today the castle is a hotel, but non-guests can still walk the grounds. On the day that I visited, the river was flowing very slowly, so slowly that near perfect reflections were created on the surface.

I took the opportunity to sketch the castle while my companions observed a swan building a nest along the bank.

11" x 14" - oil on canvas

When I returned home, I created this painting. It reminds me of the gentle water and those beautiful reflections.

Looking for Trout

2009-07-29T13:36:00.005-06:00

11" x 14" - oil on canvas

Searching for trout in even the smallest creek is my husband's favorite pastime, so it is amusing that he is the only one not looking in the river. While vacationing in Slovenia with some friends, we stopped for a few hours in a town named Ribnica. The town and surrounding area is well-known for producing wonderful woodenware and pottery.

After strolling through town we wandered over the Ribnica river. We weren't the only ones looking for fish. A young schoolboy was taking his lunch on the bridge. Actually, I think the fish were getting most of his lunch. He seemed content to throw large pieces of bread into the slow moving river.

St Louis Creek

2009-07-14T13:14:00.005-06:00

9" x 12" oil on canvas panel

sold

Another study of St. Louis Creek near Winter Park.

St. Martin's Parish Church

2009-07-13T11:04:00.007-06:00

16" x 20" - oil on canvas

On Saturday, this painting was accepted in the 'Annual Kaleidoscope Juried Exhibition'. The show runs from 17 July - 8 August at the Colorado Gallery of the Arts at Arapahoe Community College.

I saw this neo-Gothic church last April while vacationing and visiting family in Slovenia. It is located in the beautiful town of Bled. The church was build in 1905 on the location of the previous 15th century church.

Green Onions

2009-07-10T13:36:00.004-06:00

5" x 7" - oil on canvas panel

sold

Continuing with yesterday's salad theme, I pulled these two lovely green onion out of the vegetable bin.

For Today's Lunch

2009-07-09T08:52:00.003-06:00

6" x 8" - oil on canvas panel

I'm already thinking of lunch. July's warm weather pushes me towards another salad and garlic is the perfect ingredient for today's dressing. Mixed with a little olive oil and vinegar, salt and pepper...it is just the right touch for a fresh garden tomato.

4th of July near St. Louis Creek

2009-07-04T17:05:00.008-06:00

North-East view near St. Louis Creek

My set-up.

8" x 10" - oil on masonite

Happy 4th of July! We are staying in Winter Park for the holiday. This morning we went to St. Louis Creek just west of Fraser, CO. The water was really flowing; most likely due to heavy afternoon thunderstorms. Quite a few people were out enjoying the day. Hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders all passed by on their way up the trail. I painted this looking North-East. Clouds were already building for the impending thunderstorm.

Blue Bottle

2009-06-30T16:50:00.003-06:00

6" x 8" - oil on canvas panel

Just a couple of bottles I keep in my bathroom.

Poudre Valley

2009-06-29T16:28:00.004-06:00

8" x 10" - oil on masonite

I painted this a week ago Sunday while testing out my pochade box. It was a beautiful day; mostly sunny with a few rain showers. The weather was a good test of my box because the rain gave me an opportunity to see how quickly I could pack up my supplies. About halfway through the painting I felt the first few drops and started to break camp. It took roughly 5 minutes to pack everything away. I was moving at a reasonable pace and am happy with the time. After waiting out the storm, I was able to finish the study an hour later.

Pochade Test Drive

2009-06-22T11:52:00.006-06:00

After working on the box for two Saturdays, we finally have a functional box. Yesterday, we headed out to give it a test. My husband chose a spot along the Poudre River, west of Ft. Collins, CO. Here is a picture of my set-up. Pictured with the box is my husband (fishing in the upper left corner) and one of my dogs (Finley). The test went well. I will make a few minor modifications, but overall I like our design. I was able to pack all my gear into one backpack, leaving my arms free. The total weight of the full backpack, including water for myself and my dogs, 6 Masonite panels, and camera, was 27 pounds. It was definitely manageable and I know I can reduce the weight further (no need to bring 6 panels).

Montana Meadow

2009-06-19T10:21:00.003-06:00

9" x 12" - oil on canvas panel

Another study that I painted in Montana. Black Tail Deer Creek runs along the right side of this meadow and my husband fished that creek for several hours. The grasses were knee-high and were still displaying the fresh color of spring. A large variety of wildflowers were blooming throughout the meadow. I remember that the sky was quite hazy because of smoke drifting up from forest fires to the south.

Yellowstone River

2009-06-17T13:27:00.004-06:00

7" x 9" - oil on canvas panel

My husband likes to fly-fish. More accurately, he loves, loves, loves to fly-fish. Although I don't share his love of fishing, I do appreciate the opportunity to paint outdoors. While my husband spends hours flogging the river, I set up camp and paint. Plein-air painting has allowed each of us to do something that we enjoy and still spend time together.

I painted this study in Montana last July. My husband and his father were fishing just upstream along the bank of the Yellowstone River. I have enlarged this study and today I varnished the finished painting.

Also, if you are at all interested in fly-fishing or breakfast burritos then please visit my husband's blog. He is great story-teller and is going to talk about all things related to fly-fishing. Enjoy!

Grand County

2009-06-15T16:20:00.005-06:00

oil on canvas - sold

Spent a good portion of yesterday and today getting ready for a plein-air painting trip to Winter Park, CO in Grand county. I prepared boards and, with the help of my husband, started making a pochade box. This year I am hoping to fit all my supplies into one backpack; making it easier to travel further down the trail. In the past I could only manage a mile or so before my arms gave out from carrying my french easel.

Getting Started

2009-06-13T21:28:00.002-06:00

Where does time go and how am I spending it? How is my art progressing? These are questions that I am constantly asking myself. So, this is my attempt to document part of my daily life and my artistic journey. I hope to look back at this blog and perhaps, if just a bit, answer these questions.