New Oil Painting Pallet Knife Only

Hello Everyone,

I hope all is well with everyone. I wanted to share my new landscape oil painting.

16” X 20” Original pallet knife oil painting.

Discovering the Freedom of Palette Knife Painting

Recently, I completed a painting from start to finish using only a palette knife. That's right, no brushes involved! As I look back on the process and the relationships I’ve built with both my materials and my subject matter, it's inspiring to reflect on how this technique has transformed my work.

Using a palette knife isn’t completely new to me; I often incorporate it into many of my pieces. However, lately, I find myself gravitating toward it even more. With every stroke, I experience a new chapter in my artistic journey. It amazed me to realize how much movement and spontaneity the knife brings to my canvases. Those qualities are something I struggle to replicate with traditional brushes.

There’s a certain liberation that comes along when you trade in your brush for a palette knife. The knife allows for an instinctual approach—pushing, pulling, and scraping paint with just a flick of the wrist. That's how the magic begins. Each stroke feels more deliberate yet free, creating compositions rich with texture and emotion. It truly feels as though the artwork is created in a dance, which is something I strive to evoke in my landscapes.

As I delve deeper into this, I notice something interesting about my evolution as an artist. The older I get, the bolder I become. With every piece I finish, there’s an exhilarating sense of courage that reaffirm my desire to captivate viewers and encourage them to craft their own narratives based on my landscapes. I want my works to do more than just present a scene; I want each observer to feel as if they’re part of a story that unfolds upon closer inspection.

Even as I endeavor to infuse a sense of peaceful calm into my works, I also yearn for there to be an undercurrent of movement and life. I believe my palette knife helps bridge that gap—infusing dynamic energy while still cultivating an atmosphere of tranquility. There’s a beautiful contrast there, and it’s delightful to explore. Each time I sit in front of a blank canvas with a palette knife in hand, I feel as if the sky is the limit.

Will I solely embrace the palette knife technique? I'm not entirely sure. I certainly adore the variety that comes with both brushes and knives. Yet, as I experiment, I remain open to the idea. Knife painting feels free, allowing me to break away from the typical conventions of oil painting. The rules become less rigid; my creativity flourishes with fewer boundaries. In a world brimming with constraints, the palette knife has provided me with the freedom to think less and create more.

While painting, there’s a certain rhythm that emerges. The palette knife glides across the canvas, leaving behind vivid swathes of color and textures that can’t be matched. Each movement breathes life into the landscape, and in that space of creation, I find peace. It's a thrill to watch the scene come to life, to transform mere oils into a sanctuary of colors.

As nature unfolds itself before me, whether I’m working amidst Illinois’ lush forests or serene state parks, I take in inspiration from every leaf and sky. The knife mirrors that organic fluidity—the way nature is both static and infinitely in motion. Each landscape captures a moment, yet through the palette knife, I express its heartbeat. It allows the viewer to interpret the interplay of light and shadow, to see the forest not just as a physical place, but as a feeling, a memory, or a dream.

I think there’s beauty in that interaction—I am the painter, yes, but the viewers become caretakers of the stories woven into each work. This sense of connection excites me. I relish in the idea that someone may gaze upon my painting and see their own tale unfold, their own emotions evoked. It’s a shared experience when art transcends the canvas.

As you explore my evolving body of work, I invite you to consider how you connect with landscapes. Each painting is an invitation for contemplation, a doorway to serenity, a canvas of possibility. Every palette knife stroke is intentionally created, serving as a bridge inviting you into my world, and it could potentially lead you to your own narrative within it.

So, whether you’re wandering through an Illinois forest preserve or gazing at a painting in your home, remember that art is a conversation. A conversation filled with an array of emotions—peace, movement, spontaneity, and courage. I hope that as you drop by my studio or explore my paintings online, you feel encouraged to find your own stories within the colors on the canvas.

Remember to take a minute to appreciate the artistry that surrounds you. May you find inspiration in the little details and vast landscapes alike.

Have a blessed day, my friends!