Elm Grove, plein air and Business cards!

"Elm Grove Rush" 10x20 oil

Flooded Path 12x12 oil

I went twice this week to the beautiful community park in Elm Grove WI to paint. Saturday Morning I painted with Anthony Sell after it had flooded in the area for three days and the forecast was a morning full of the same. However, although the sky looked very threatening, not one drop fell and we painted till noon. The community has planted prairie flowers all around the area which were proliferating... black eyed susan, purple cone, queen Anne's lace and more. Aginst the dark sky it was incredible.

Then in sunny skies I went back again Monday Evening to paint with Judith Reidy....very different light and just as stunning...I can't seem to get enough.

It seems that I will never learn...I forgot my business cards and postcards again...I wonder how many patron opportunity's I have missed as a result of this when painting outdoors! People love to watch you paint and I have learned that they like to purchase from artist's they know...I must get better at this!!!!

Starting August 7th and ending on Aug 14th I will be participating in Mid Summers Brush, Oconomowoc's Plein Air Competition. Come out and watch as Artists paint and then bid on the work generated from Friday evening through Sat. afternoon. Followed by a street dance...it should be a world of fun!!

All the Trees of the Field shall clap their Hands!

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." Isaiah 55:12

Trees Clapping II 12x12 oil

Trees Clapping I oil 12x16

Ok... so at about 5:15 this morning I opened one eye and saw such a beautiful misty morning I couldn't believe it! I rarely bolt out of bed but that is what I did indeed! The field across the street from my house was sure to be incredible as the sun came up and burned through the fog. I dressed quickly against the mosquitoes that I was sure would be breakfast hungry... grabbed my cart and raced across the street. The bottom picture is what it looked like when I first got there. The 3rd from the top what it looked like about 45 minutes later...what an incredible change! It was still so beautiful I decided to try for one more before full out sun. I dashed back to the house for my needed umbrella...set it up and worked on the second one...very different light! I am writing this at about 8:15 after I have made coffee , downloaded the photos and lit up the computer so you get some idea of how fast these went. I am content!

Wauwatosa: 2010

Monarch Trail 12x16 oil

Trailers and Tracks 20x10 oil

Little Red Store 16x12 oil

So I started painting about 9 am today. Beautiful day...not too hot, sunny and breezy. I painted till about 3pm and then had a great lunch with a good artist friend. I was tired but still wanted to paint so I drove out to an area I had spotted a few days before and set up. It was 7:30 before I looked at my watch again....I'm a little tired! (it was worth it!)

Quick paint: Wauwatosa 2010

"Finished" 8x10 oil (quick paint: Wauwatosa Plein Air Competition)

Got out the driveway early to Tosa as I knew it was going to be a steamy day and I wanted to get the morning light. Scouting the morning before I found this view. I loved the way the sunlight fell through the trees and landed on these yellow umbrella's. I may just do a larger version for the regular competition!