Winter in a Yellow Light

In dry, hot days like these in the Midwest, it’s good to remember that winter will indeed return.  If you live in a climate with four seasons, you know that snow is every color but white.  The yellow light in this painting tells us just what kind of day it is.  The snow is heavy and the air is wet.  Another snow shower is on its way.

Dorothy, Reclining with a Book

copyright 2012, Max Ranft.  All rights reserved.

Dorothy, Reclining with a Book

Here is an early portrait of the artist’s wife Dorothy, painted after the couple was first married in 1962.  Max’s use of the palette knife gives this small portrait a distinctively decorative look.  This painting is a family favorite and hangs in the artist’s home.

Pulling Ashore the Rowboat at Graue Mill

copyright 2012, Max Ranft

Pulling Ashore the Rowboat at Graue Mill

Max Ranft has used the Graue Mill as the setting for a number of paintings.  He adjusted the landscape components to fit his composition.  The painting above includes the addition of a boat and three men.  In the painting below, the river is broad and prominent.  Notice that the mill is three stories high.  Both were painted in the 1990s and are privately owned.

copyright 2012, Max Ranft. Use of this image without permission of the artist is prohibited.

Graue Mill