RJ Stromswold

2007-07-16T12:40:00.000-07:00

"Last Voyage"

16" x 20" oil on board

$5800 SOLD

Available as Giclee' prints in any size

The last voyage of the Mary Louise is a poingnant image of an old vessel's final sail into a purple sunset. The battered and worn hull is carried along by the tattered, time worn sails as the old ship sets sail one last time.

2007-07-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

"Enfolded"

11" x 14" oil on board

$750

Strong, loving arms enfold a soft black cat. The deep black of the cat's fur against the rich red of the shirt makes a strong yet comforting composition. This painting is more about the arms than the cat. It tells the viewer that the animal is loved, even cherished by the owner.

My cat, Isabella, posed for this painting. She is a patient and sweet tempered Bombay. Her inky black fur is difficult to paint but, it is also a wonderful backdrop for those golden, jewel like eyes of hers. I have used her in many of the paintings in the "Feline - Studies In Grace" series.

2007-07-10T12:01:00.000-07:00

"Nesting Hen"

8" x 10" oil on board

SOLD

She rests contentedly aware on a bed of soft straw. This Rhode Island Red hen has been a popular favorite of my collectors. The vibrant red is applied thickly and liberally giving the piece a solid dimensional quality.

2007-07-10T11:53:00.000-07:00

"Evening Shadows"

16" x 20" oil on board

SOLD

The majestic and impressive Sawtooth mountain range in Stanley, Idaho dwarfs this small cabin nestled in a field of sage. While visitiing Stanley, I was struck by the rugged beauty of the landscape.

The large gold frame is one that I often use for my paintings. It is a broken gold leaf with red undertones.

2007-07-10T11:40:00.000-07:00

"Morning In Brittany"

11" x 14" oil on board

SOLD

A sunlit morning in Brittany is graced by the lone figure of a woman walking on a cobbled street. This is another painting in the "Woman Alone" series. The play of light on the old buildings was a gratifying challenge to paint. Cool blues were used to create distance and a washed out atmosphere while rich reds and greens give depth and strength to the shadows in the foreground. This peice took a realtively short time to paint. Sometimes the artist is rewarded by a painting the just comes together without a struggle! The best work takes the least amount of time to execute. The worst pieces require the most effort.

Prints of this piece are available upon request.

2007-07-10T10:54:00.000-07:00

"Twisting Lane"

5" x 7" oil on board

SOLD

A twisting lane is always an inviting element in a composition. The winding road easily draws the viewer into the scene, involving them in the landscape and making them become a part of the painting. This seeminlgy insignifigant little lane is one that I return to often for a subject. It never seems to loose its appeal for my collectors.

2007-07-10T10:44:00.000-07:00

"Summer Grazing"

12" x 24" oil on board

SOLD

I pass this lovely pasture each day on my way to the studio. It never ceases to bring a sense of calm to the soul. The unkempt grove of trees provides rich shadows for the herd as they graze on the alfalfa field. This scene changes daily as the weather and atmosphere dictate, providing me with endless compositional possibilities.

2007-07-10T10:33:00.000-07:00

"Homeward"

12" x 24" oil on board

$1250

The romance and power of the sea is portrayed in this vertical seascape as the wind fills the sails of a homeward bound schooner. Painting the deep tones of the sea is always challenging due to the warm tones that hide in the foreground. A rich mixture of Prussian Blue, Van Dyke Brown, Indian Red and a bit of Yellow Ochre all contribute to make the wave plausible.

2007-07-09T19:26:00.000-07:00

"Backlit Cat"

8" x 8" oil on limestone tile

$325

Caught in a shaft of sunlight, this wary little cat is lit from behind, casting a stong shadow. Black cats are exciting and mysteious to paint. To achieve just the right black tone takes some real thought!

2007-07-09T19:21:00.000-07:00

"Road to La Mancha"

11" x 14" oil on board

SOLD

Another in the windmill series. A winding road past a row of quaint, bleached windmills leads the viewer into the landscape tto discover two travelers along the road.

2007-07-09T19:14:00.000-07:00

"Windmills of La Mancha"

16" x 20" oil on board

SOLD

The windmills of La Mancha are like none other. Their unique design and location make them wonderful subjects. the romance of windmills is always appealing to collectors.

2007-07-09T19:06:00.000-07:00

"Lilacs and Silver"

8" x 8" oil on limestone tile

$325

One of the first paintings on tile, this still life of lilacs in a silver vase is a favorite subect because of the lilacs. Their heady scent is such an intoxicating fragrance each spring. The large conical blossoms are always the showiest part of any composition.

2007-07-09T10:40:00.000-07:00

"Balmy Evening"

8" x 10" oil on board

SOLD

The Yakima valley affords an artist a wealth of subject matter to paint, especially grazing cattle. This pastoral scene of resting cattle was particularly interesting to paint because of the grayed landscape in the distance. It contributes to the quiet and peaceful atmosphere of the lanscape.

2007-07-09T10:29:00.000-07:00

"Sageland"

18" x 24" oil on board

SOLD

I view this scene from my back yard. Badger Mountain never fails to inspire me. The soft curves of the mountain and the cool blue and green tones of the sage are a wonderful compliment to each other.

2007-07-07T09:52:00.000-07:00

"Evening Grazing"

12" x 12" oil on board

$650

Sheep are a favorite subject of mine. Their soft shapes and quiet dispositions never fail draw viewers in.

This mother and lamb are finding some chioice grasses to munch on in this early evening scene. The lamb is aware of the viewer and regards us with curiosity.

2007-07-07T09:41:00.000-07:00

"Shaded Lane"

8" x 16" oil on limestone tile

$425

A rural country road leads the viewer into this bucolic landscape. The cool green tone of the painting is balanced by the warmth of the earth tones that I used for the road.

2007-07-07T09:34:00.000-07:00

"Hillside Sillhouettes"

24" x 48" oil on canvas

$5300

Backlit cattle on a grassy hillside. This scene is one that I often see in the evenings. Living in a rural area allows me to witness striking compositions of strong light that are perfect for landscape paintings. This painting has received lots of attention because of it's simple yet strong light.

2007-07-06T11:46:00.000-07:00

"Sienna Shadows"

"11 x 14" oil on board

$2100

A quiet street in Sienna on a summer evening. The warm ochres and sienna's that I used in this painting contributed to the general atmosphere of the Italian scene. The light in Italy is a pure, warm and glowing light and it can be wonderfully gratifying to produce this kind of inviting scene. This is yet another in the"Woman Alone" series.

2007-07-06T11:43:00.001-07:00

"Woodland Violets"

24" x 30" oil on canvas

$3550

The first in the Woodland series, this large painting was inspired by the great forests of the Northwest. Walking through these dense and quiet woodlands, observing both the great redwoods and the abundant undergrowth feeds the soul of any artist.

2007-07-06T11:42:00.001-07:00

"Morning Grazing"

12" x 12" oil on canvas

$450

A backlit cow on the ridge of hill caught my attention one summer evening during a drive through the Eastern Washington grasslands. The sun had just dipped behind the hill and the sillhouette of the cow was striking.

2007-07-05T19:56:00.000-07:00

"Scarborough Afternoon'

"12 x 16" oil on board

$1700

A winding street in England on a sunny afternoon. The warm palette was used to emphasize the strong sunlit street. Another in the "Woman Alone" series. Can you find her?

2007-07-05T19:48:00.000-07:00

"Woodland Fawn"

12" x 12" oil on board

$750

Another in the Woodland series. If you look very closely, you can see a wary fawn emerging from the forest background. The large, gnarled tree in the foreground gives the painting a solid and mysterious atmosphere. Viewers hold thier breath so the fawn will not be frightened away.

2007-07-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

"Duet"

12" x 16" oil on board

$750

An elegant pair of regal siamese cats pose quietly as the viewer looks on. This was painted with a thinned mixture of Van Dyke brown and linseed oil. It was originally laid in as the basic drawing with the full intention of adding color in the following layers. I was quite pleased with the "sepia" tone and decided it was just the look that the piece required.

2007-07-05T19:26:00.000-07:00

"Curving Lane"

5" x 7" oil on board

$325

A gently cuving dirt road begged to be painted in the Palouse region of Eastern Washington. This lonely tree gave a small amount of shade to the sunlit landscape. The mountain in the distance was a lovely backdrop for the warm tone of the dirt road.

2007-07-05T13:33:00.000-07:00

Columbia Gorge

2007-07-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

"Summer Downpour"

12" x 12" oil on canvas

$650

I have painted the Columbia Gorge many times. It is always dramatic and inspiring and never ceases to take my breath away each time I view it. The immense river winds among basalt cliffs and pasture land that is truly an artist's dream come true.

This painting was done at a workshop. Perched over the gorge, I sat all day and painted scene after scene of this beautiful river.

My collectors are always drawn to paintings that feature water. It seems to speak to everyone, giving them a sense of calm. This piece is done on a wrapped canvas and requires no frame. It also can stand securely on a shelf without an easel.

2007-07-04T13:21:00.000-07:00

"Cambrian Afternoon"

12" x 16" oil on board

$2300

In the "Woman Alone" series I am focusing on one woman in each composition. The image of the single figure is quiet and contemplative. Many see her and question her purpose. It is entirely up to the viewer to determine who she is and where she is going.

2007-07-04T13:10:00.000-07:00

"Towering Poplars"

11" x 14" oil on board

$850

While driving through the Yakima valley on a chilly fall evening, I came across a large stand of Poplar trees with a horse grazing at their shady base. The image was quite striking because of the scale that the trees gave to the horse. The warm yellow of the fall trees against the cool sky was breathtakingly beautiful and I knew that I had to capture it in

2007-07-04T13:00:00.000-07:00

"Choppy Seas"

8" x 8" oil on limestone tile

$325

The sea is a wonderful subject to paint. There are many more dark values in the water than we think. I use a muxture of Prussian blue and Van Dyke Brown to achieve the deepest value of the waves, adding Indian Red and Yellow Ochre when needed.

This painting is done on tile and can be hung on the wall or used with the easel that can be attached to the back.

2007-07-04T12:45:00.000-07:00

"Woodland Toadstools"
12" x 12" oil on board

$850

It is always a delightful surprize to come across a crop of toadstools while walking through the forest. These delightful fungi never cease to amaze me. There are myriad varities, colors and shapes to discover. The little wonders in this composition appear to be quite happy under the shadow of this old redwood tree.

In the woodland series I am striving to emphasize the quiet atmosphere of the forest and the grand solidity of the great trees. In order to get a close up look at much of the undergroth of the forest floor it is neccessary to include just a part, usually the base, of the tree trunks.

I am painting more and more work in this 12" x 12" size. It works very well for many compositions and is a good size for hanging. The frame is a warm silver that also compliments the composition and color.

2007-07-03T18:33:00.000-07:00

"The Good Shepherd"
30" x 40" oil on canvas
$4800

For centuries, shepherds in the Holy Land have used oil as a healing agent for the sheep of their flocks. The oil is used as protection from sunburn of the sheep's head as well as a balm for cuts and scrapes that the sheep acquire. Upon learning of this I was inspired to paint the image because it echoes a familiar verse from the 23rd Psalm. In the fifth verse, the psalmist David writes, "Thou annointest my head with oil." equating the care of the shepherd with the care of God, the Father.

It was a custom that kings were anniointed with oil whenever they began their rule over Israel. Today, many denominations continue to use the oil as a symbol of healing.

In the painting the sheep surround the shepherd as he administers the healing oil. The dry and inhospitable land is a harsh backdrop for the kind and attentive act of the Good Shepherd.

2007-07-03T13:21:00.000-07:00

"Woodland Stream"

11" x 14" oil on board

$750

The shaft of light filtering through this wooded scene was achieved by applying the paint in thin washes and then wiping it away to reveal the undertone beneath. It works particularly well when painting beams of light.

Woodland Violets

2007-07-03T11:39:00.001-07:00

" Woodland Violets"

12" x 24" oil on board

$2300

This is the first in a series of woodland paintings that will be exhibited for sale at the Art on the Green 39th Annual Arts and Crafts Festival in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, August 4-6, 2007.

I was inspired by this series while visiting British Columbia in 2006. Walking through the forests of Canada is a deeply moving and emotional experience and I strive to portray the moist, peaty atmosphere of the woodlands in this new series. The challenge to convey the quietude and mystery of the deep woods is my goal and the response to the work has been quite encouraging. There are many more paintings to come in the series.

This veritcal piece was painted on a completely black background to give it depth and atmosphere. The viloets at the bottom are dwarfed by the large tree while still holding their own as the title suggests. The temptation to stoop down and pick them is almost irresistable.

I hope you can stop by to say hello to me if you visit the Festival!

2007-06-15T13:37:00.000-07:00

"PALOUSE STREAM"

11" x 14" oil on board

SOLD

This small landscape is a very loose and spontaneous painting that I created for an exhibit of the Palouse area of Eastern Washington. I came upon this scene while on a drive through the Edwall area of Washington state. The cool stream was surrounded by pine trees and the reflection on the water was captivating. I usually paint a bit tighter than this but, for this piece, the bold strokes and thick application of the paint worked well to convey the atmosphere of the day and the depth of the water. It was one of the first pieces of the series of landscapes to sell in the exhibit.

2007-06-15T13:09:00.000-07:00

"CELADON AND LILACS 1"

24" x 48" oil on canvas

This large, 24" x 48" floral oil painting has received a great deal of positive response from many of my collectors. It appeals to both masculine and feminine tastes alike. The rich jewel tones are set against a deep, warm background using the cast shadows of the lilac clusters. The celadon vase is from my own collection and I studied the effect of light on it's surface for nearly a year before the painting was created.

Lilacs are perhaps my favorite flower due of a combination of their showy clusters along with their distinctive and intoxicating, heady scent. The wide range of violet tones always works well with greens (my favorite color), producing a mysterious and rich composition. I paint lilacs often because of my love for them as well as their appeal to viewers.