Tuesday, July 28, 2009

My back yard

I've never painted a scene from my property before, so I waited until I had some clouds to work with, and hhere it is. I produced hundreds of custom-carved signs in the building shown, but now it serves as an art studio when the outdoor one is closed due to inclement weather.

Hotel Lakeside


I stayed at this quaint old hotel in Lakeside, Ohio while attending a Plein Air paint-out a few days ago. It dates from the late 19th century, and features 12 foot ceilings, elaborate wood banisters; charm that is not possible to find in a Ramada Inn.

Dad's schoolhouse


My father, Steven Polewchak, began the first grade at this one-room schoolhouse in 1920. He, along with his sister Katheryne, could not speak a word of English; Ukrainian was used at my grandfather's home. They learned in a hurry- no special treatment in those days.
The school in now part of Lake Metroparks, housing a nature education center.

Tanks for Nothing

This M-48 Tank of Vietnam-era vintage was donated by the government for monument use by the Madison American Legion. The engine and weapons system have been removed, eliminating any chance for future "joyriders", which has happened in other parts of the U.S.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Morning at Radcliffe Road

I painted this at the Girdled Road Reservation -South, off Radcliffe Road in Leroy Twp.

Monday morning at the barn



This is a horse barn on a local estate that dates back to the early 20th century.

Monday, July 20, 2009

July's Mayapple


I went to Indian Point to paint the towering trees there, but found this little Mayapple to be just as majestic in the morning light.

Lakeside Friday Evening


The village shops were closing when I finished this painting.A young lady left on the bike as soon as she locked the door in "Melanies" Boutique

Busy Beach


I painted this scene from the pier at Lakeside, Ohio. Kids were busy playing against a backdrop of the Pavilion, rental boats, and The Lakeside Hotel.

Morning at Lakeside


Lakeside is the Chautaqua of Ohio, and draws OPAS members to paint there anually. This view includes the bell monument and the ferryboat running back from Kelly's Island.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Cade's Cove vista

I stopped to paint this view in Cade's Cove, in The Smoky Mountain N.P.
It is a piece of Heaven on Earth there.

Hacker Martin's Mill

Hacker Martin, a legendary gunsmith and miller of eastern Tennessee, kept the art of building Pennsylvania longrifles alive well into the 20th century at his gunshop and mill. It was moved to The Museum of Appalachia a few years ago for preservation and safekeeping: an incredible collection of original log buildings and artifacts located just north of Knoxville.

Tired- not Re-tired


I found these old tractors just down the road at an old barn I'd wanted to paint for some time. When I asked the elderly lady that lived there if I could paint her barn, I got the reply- "I got someone to do it last fall and they charged me way too much". When I explained that I wanted to paint it on canvas, she was relieved that I wasn't there to cheat her .

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Mather's Lake

This lake is on a private estate near where I grew up. When I hiked in to paint it on Father's day, I was treated to a view I had not seen since 1965. It had changed very little, remaining just as beautiful as I'd remembered it.