Current Paintings in Progress

I'm coming back on my hiatus from my first year of teaching art, and have several works in progress. Though I am busy as ever, I am trying to get on a regular painting and posting schedule again. Here is a glimpse of what I am working on now:

WIP Update: Metro Map Painting

Here is the painting as it is right now:

I haven't decided if it is done yet or not.  I do think it needs a little something else, but it is very nearly complete.  Again, the color quality is not good, I have not photographed it professionally with color adjustments yet.  The colors in actuality are much more vibrant.  Thoughts?

WIP Update: Metro Map Painting

Here's an update on my current painting project: 

I added more drips of paint in different directions, a sheer layer of a gray-lavender color to what should be the land/water part of the map, and an opaque violet octagonal border to represent the Beltway.  I think I am going to go in to the black metro rail system and make parts of it opaque again and even add some highlights.  This way there will be even more depth and the rails will look "pipe-like."  I should be done in a few days.

New WIP (Work In Progress): Metro Map Painting

I am not sure what I think about it yet, but I wanted to challenge myself and go in a new direction.  I think it's a start.  It has been hard to "let loose" and let the paint drip where it wants to, rather than try to control it too much with my brush.  I think I am going to do lots of layers of light washes of paint to express depth.

If you have not figured it out already, this painting is based off of the Washington DC Metro system, the Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, and Orange lines.  I worked with a lot of ideas, but decided to remove the colors of the lines and use the iconic shapes of the lines on the map as a basis for a painting.  It really is an interesting shape, even without the colors.  It's definitely something to explore and work on.

WIP Update: Newark Landscape Painting

Thank you all for the wonderful comments!  While I think I am pretty positive about my work, as I am an eternal optimist, these comments certainly encourage me to continue producing work and uploading pictures.  For that I thank you!  

Here is an update on one of my WIPs (Works in Progress).  I worked on the upper half today, trying to get the sky done first while the oil paint is still dry.  I definitely want the paint to create a mood of awe.  I am trying to create a smoothness and fluidity throughout the composition, introducing more and more colors, and mirroring the landscape below in the cloud formations.  I wonder where this dreamy landscape will take my brush next.

New WIP (Work In Progress): Newark Landscape Painting

I just started another one today, so now I have several paintings in progress.  It will be an "emotive landscape" of Newark, Delaware.  The Newark reservoir will be a little sliver in the background.  It is an oil painting on 24 x 36" canvas.  I would love any feedback.  Right now I'm just trying to put down main colors and tweaking the composition as I see it in my sketchbook.

WIP (Work in Progress) Update: Metro Landscape Painting

Here's where I am with the painting now:

Not finished yet, but it's nice to get the blocks of color down.  Can you tell that there is a Metro train?  I am still working on making the lines straight.  I think I'm going to make some of the sections more painterly-looking, and doing more with the train cars.  Any comments on the painting so far?

New WIP (Work In Progress): Metro Landscape Painting

I am currently working on an oil painting on an 18 x 24" canvas.  I'm not sure what it will be titled yet, but hopefully I will know soon.  I started it last week, and hopefully will have it done in the next couple of days.  Here's what I have so far:

I know it's hard to see at this early stage, but this painting is actually depicting the Washington DC Metro.  Later I will describe some of my influences, and my whole concept of the painting.  I am really excited about it because it builds on my last painting, "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Prosperity" but goes in a different direction.  I have some really great sketches in preparation for this painting too, so perhaps this is the start of a series...?  I certainly hope so.