Moi! On TV painting! This Saturday Morning!!!

Oh my friends...This Saturday I am doing a first! I will be doing a complete painting from start to finish on the morning news from 7-9am on Channel 4 (http://www.todaystmj4.com/)! I am doing this to help promote the Shorewood Plein Air Event! Tune in and then come see me in person as I do my "quick paint" on Saturday! Then come to the Gala Saturday to see what we've been up to for three days!!
(https://www.facebook.com/pleinairshorewood)

Study: Atwater Park Shorewood
8x8 oil

September 11th: 12 Year Anniversary (10th and 11th: 30/30 challenge)

It's September the 11th at this writing. The 12th year anniversary of the terrorist attack on the United States by a well trained group of Islamic Militants. I have thought today about the women in their lives...mothers, sisters daughters...

Untitled
9x12 oil

We are also this month dealing with a situation in Syria where a large group of people...men, women and children...were slaughtered by people using chemical weapons putting the world we know at the brink of a world war. The images of both of these events are seared on my mind. Today I painted my feelings about these things.

Untitled
7x5 oil

7 and 8 and 9 on the 11th...HELP I am way behind!! (30/30 Challenge)

I am behind in the challenge but I am still painting! No need to explain...just normal for my crazy life these days!! 

On Monday I decided to paint from a plein air study I did earlier in the summer in a beautiful garden center near me. There was something about the study I really liked and it is closer to the direction I want my work to take so I got out my 20x16 canvas and began by laying in an under painting using only paper towel. Where was the darkest dark going...the lightest light? What were the dominant contrasting colors and what colors were supporting? Mindfully defining the abstract shapes under the painting. The under painting only took maybe a half hour and as you can see a big chunk of the work was done.

Next I got out my palette knife which has become my best friend these days. Then I began to lay in the design on top of the still very wet under painting. As this can become a muddy mess very quickly I concentrated on keeping the "pieces of color" fresh and separate from each other so the eye does the blending and not the paint! That's how "Daisy Riot" was born!!

"Daisy Riot"
20x16 oil on linen panel

Here's a photo of both the field study and the completed painting...

Then on Tuesday I painted from my mind and memory "Tall Grass Meditation" (12x12) and a small 6x6 cloud study. If I can do two today I will be caught up!!! Whew!!

Paintings 5 and 6: New Berlin Plein Air Competition (30/30 Challenge)

Did I tell you how much I love to paint Plein Air? I got to spend most of the day today painting outdoors in a beautiful apple orchard/vineyard (Auntie Evie's Orchard) in the City of New Berlin WI. I got two paintings done, framed and turned in for the competition! I also got a little sunburned! Wish me luck! I'll let you know how I did tomorrow!

Day 4 Sept 30/30 Challenge

Nothing worthwhile comes without work. This piece got scrapped off 4 times today and I still don't know if it's exactly what I wanted but I got closer with each scrape. That's what I like about this challenge...I am guaranteed to learn something. I have been working on the figure in landscape while staying true to my thick paint aesthetic...not easy. While I have a bunch of Plein Air competitions to do this month...in between I will be working on this. Let me know what you think...OK???

Sept. 3rd: Playing the Silver Strings!

September 3rd brings the taste of fall. The grandson goes back to school today and I have a chunk of sweet freedom with which to paint! Happy, happy, happy!!

September 2nd: Labor Day day 2 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge

Love in the Third Ward. Day two is a plein air study done while caring for my booth in the Third Ward (arts district) of Milwaukee. These two came and went pretty fast but not before they were imprinted on my mind! Happy Holiday everyone!

September 30/30 Challenge Day One and a Booth in the Third Ward!

OK...what do you do when you've made a commitment to paint a painting each day for 30 days and the first day your also have a commitment to show your work in a booth at an art show??? Why Plein Air of course!! So glad having people around me when I paint doesn't make me nervous anymore. The big challenge was finishing before the light changed too much while handling the crowds at the Third Ward Art Festival and Harley-Davidson's 110th Anniversary! Fun!!

Third Ward Art Festival Aug 31-Sept 1 11-6

Ho Boy!!

What have I got myself into??? For the very first time I am showing my work in a booth at an art fair...can you believe it? I purchased a tent to do just that just before the economy tanked and made a (I think) wise decision not to jump in till things got better. I confess I feel a bit intimidated! 

Ashippun Willows
20x10 oil on panel
$395

I have been going through my available art and editing, editing, editing! There will be a lot of new, never seen work...some larger pieces...some bargains and even a few pieces honoring Harley-Davidson! My living room looks like an art bomb went off! I'm panicked that I will forget something important. Moreover, my work speaks to quiet and peace and I am somewhat concerned how it will draw compared to some of the more "shouting" art that could be there! 

Please come and see me! I will be in booth 133!

Garden at Windmill Farms
36x24 oil on Gallery Wrapped canvas
$1800

WHAT:	Third Ward Art Festival
HIGH-LIGHTS:	In addition to the incredible artwork, the festival features live music and great food from on-site and neighboring restaurants. Fun art activities for kids make the Third Ward Art Festival a destination for art enthusiasts of all ages. With an array of restaurants, pubs, theaters, galleries and unique shopping experiences surrounding the festival, guests are guaranteed a day full of art, culture and fun at the Third Ward Art Festival.
WHEN:	Saturday, August 31, 2013 11:00 am - 6:00 pm  Sunday, September 1, 2013 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
WHERE:	The Historic Third Ward  219 N Milwaukee Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
COST:	FREE Admission

Cedarburg 2013 From my point of view!

For most of the last  two weeks 170 artists converged on a smaller historical community just north of Milwaukee called Cedarburg. In it's 13th year I believe this is the largest open plein air competition in the country! I may have a somewhat unique view of this event as I have been one of nine people on the planning committee. We meet nearly all year to create this event which is fun but also a whole bunch of work!! This year we needed to limit the number of artists to 170 as we have run out of space to hang all the art!! How crazy is that??

The 2013 Cedarburg Plein Air Event planning Committee

In spite of a deluge of distractions (the usual health issues...water heater going out at home and leaking pipes...of course while the hubby was gone!) I had a great time!!! And I think I produced some of my better work (but you can decide that).

Turbulence
20x16 oil
Sold

What is absolute gold to me at this event is being able to spend time with artists friends who I other wise only find on social media etc. I value the openings...lunch with friends...painting next to other painters and the talk. Talk about art, color, composition, brushwork, excellence, motivation, other events, edges, form, light and so on all sprinkled liberally with laughter! I crave this interaction with my peers and if I missed seeing you I am sorry. So many established artists are open and willing to help those who have just begun it gives me hope for this state. Time will tell but I think a day may be coming when the good people of Wisconsin will buy art instead of beer (...or maybe buy art while drinking beer!) They certainly showed up seeking art at this event as much art was sold!!

A bunch of artists talking shop at the Port Washington opening!

So here is the rest of the work I produced this week...see you next year Cedarburg!!

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Plein Air ROCKS!!!

Well...the Plein Air season is in full force in Wisconsin although summer has yet to show up here!!! Upper 60's and low 70's seem to be all we can muster. Some summers in Wisconsin we have a six week summer and that's it. This summer seems to be on for that. This week the "Edge of the Rock" event in Beloit is rolling. I got to go and paint yesterday and here is what I did!!

Starting Wednesday...Cedarburg!!!!!

 

Antiques and Angels
10x20 oil
Done at the Angel Museum and the fragrance of these roses...amazing!!!

Stairway to Heaven
9x12 oil
These are the stairs to the Wright Art Museum at the Beloit College...what a beautiful place!

We Came, We Saw, We Painted 2013 (Wisconsin Plein Air Painters Association and the Art*Bar)

Here are the 4 Pieces accepted into this juryed show at the Art Bar!

Opening May 10th

Come join us for art, fun and Music

Awards at 8:30 

http://wipapa.blogspot.com/2013/04/join-us-may-10th-at-artbar-we-came-we.html

New Harmony and the start of the Plein Air Season

Every year I look forward to what I call the "start" of the plein air season. For me it begins with a trip about 8 hours south from me in a beautiful little antique town called New Harmony Indiana (http://www.newharmony.org/) where I get an early peek at spring and where the Indiana Plein Air Painters Association holds a competition! There are a number of opportunities to enter starting with what is called the "Field to Finish" competition. Every year you can do a simple sketch during the competition with the thought in mind of using it as a resource for a completed studio painting. Then the next year you submit both pieces to the Hoosier Salon (http://www.hoosiersalon.org/newharmony.html)  . The opening of this body of work is the kick off for the event! They hung mine in the window this year!!!

So Gentle the Harvest
18x18 oil
$700
Available at the Hoosier Salon, New Harmony through May!

My husband grew up in this area and so it is never an art only trip. We stay with his mom and visit with the rest of his family and friends. This year when we arrived we all had some health issues to deal with. I had to go to Urgent Care as I woke with a screaming pain in my jaw and face. I was diagnosed with TMJ...an issue with the jaw joint and nerve. It defiantly put a damper on things and made it difficult to concentrate on painting.

Monday-Wednesday saw some great weather in the 70's and even 80's. Daffodil's and tulips up and forsythia were in bloom when we arrived. By the time we left the dogwood, lilac's and red bud were all out and the place was greening up fast!! I got to warm up the brushes a little on tuesday!

Forsythia
12x12 oil
sold

However all that great weather blew out of there on Thursday which is when the competition began. Had I known I would have brought my snow pants with me!!

March Solo Show: Washington House Inn: Cedarburg!

20 Pieces are up and ready for you at the Washington House Inn in Cedarburg! Stop in and see them or better yet stay a night at one of the coolest Bed and Breakfasts in the area!! http://www.washingtonhouseinn.com/

The Gift: Guess what I got for Valentine's Day??Roses

Roses I
5x7 oil on linen panel
$80

Roses II
5x7 oil on linen panel
$80

Been itching to paint these since Thursday!!! Just a couple of small ones!! :)

My First Ever Self Portrait!

Self Portrait
16x20 oil on linen panel

I've never done a self portrait before and (as my grandson's classmate said the other day) I am old. 59 in fact. I have been painting now for over thirteen years and I thought it was time to tackle my own face.  The model kept moving...can you believe it? I did learn a lot and will probably do this again not because I am enamored with myself but because I am determined to learn how to paint people in all their nuances! I did discover a real cool way to make a lovely deep flesh tone by mixing Grumbacher Red and Richeson Shiva Yellow Citron (which is a relatively new color on my palate that I am in love with). My friend Carolyn said I was the kid in school who always had the big box of crayons!! Ha!

Loosy Goosey:

8x10 oil on linen panel

Just how loose can one get and still have have the mind create form?  What does this look like to you?? Today's experiment...

30 Day Challenge: Epilog

I sit today surrounded by the distinct smell of oil paint and 30 fresh new painting. I have most of them in frames which I did as a protective measure. For the most part I did not paint small. Five of them are 8x8 and the rest vary up to one 16x20 so storing wet painting with thick paint applied with palette knife was a bit of a challenge!

Starting next Tuesday you can find these paintings at Gallori in Oconomowoc WI:

And this piece has already found a great home!!

Day 30: Easter Parade (Last day of the Challenge)

Easter Parade
20x10 oil on linen panel
$450

                                                           

Day 30: On the railing between my kitchen and dining room I have some of my collection of 30's and 40's era teapots. Solid pastel colors and heavier pottery bodies, these were everyday ware...not meant for high tea. Last night I had three drooping tulips that hadn't died and I sort of threw them over the top of the teapots...more to get them out of the way as I cooked than anything else. This is how I found them this morning. I painted.

Can I just say...I DID IT!!!?! YEAH... celebration...joy!! !!!! This was the last in the 30 Day 30 painting Challenge that Leslie Byrd Saeta started on January 2nd. (You can see all the art from over 200 artist around the country here: http://www.lesliesaeta.blogspot.com/) I am asking myself some questions today as this concludes: Where do I go from here? Will I continue to paint each day? (Could me hubby stand it?) What will I do with this body of work? What have I learned...about painting and about myself? 

I normally paint a lot but not everyday. I love to paint plein air and founded the Wisconsin Plein Air Painters Association (http://wipapa.blogspot.com/) and continue to administer it. That takes a good chunk of my time. And, family comes first of course. 

One thing I have made a commitment to this year is more marketing of my own work. That includes more blogging and this challenge gave me a good start at that. I will be seeking new gallery representation this year and need to gather materials for that. 

These days grew a sort of rhythm that I enjoyed. Up early...coffee, walk the dog...blog and then paint. I normally am painting by 8:30 or 9. Some days I was done by noon...others like today it was more like 4pm. My painting mantra has always been: "Every canvas a lesson" and that served me well during this challenge. I have been moving toward more "juice" on the canvas...more use of palette knife and optical color. I finish this challenge thinking I have accomplished much with that regard. But more importantly...I want to paint things that move the viewer...I am no longer just content to paint a nice painting. I am in much prayer concerning this.

Thanks for checking in with me and I hope you enjoyed following my journey these past 30 days. I invite you to continue to follow me as I search for the next right thing!!! Just maybe this is my year...??? What do you think?

Day 29: The Greeter

The Greeter
8x10 oil on linen panel
$225

                                                            

Day 29: The Greeter sits on the top of my grandmothers maple hutch that is the first thing you see when you walk in my back door. He sits surrounded by other loved things...a white pitcher full of dried flowers...antique tins of various kinds...small oil paintings and assorted pottery. You might miss him because of it but he will not miss you. He is pouring out his blessing on all who enter or exit my home. All have been prayed for who come. Dear Lord...let each person who enters my home feel your love surrounding them...help me to show them that. When I first began to paint, my hubby who had been painting for years before me said: "Great...angels and flowers... humph!" (This photo is a little darker than the actual painting)

Day 28: Sustenance

Sustenance
12x12 oil on linen panel
$390

                                                           

Day 28: One great thing about this challenge is that I realized today that I have painted my way through a big chunk of winter in Wisconsin. That's no small thing. Today and tomorrow we are having a "January Thaw". Today it's in the 40's and tomorrow ..almost 60. Of course right after that, just so we don't get too attached, it will be in the teens! But tomorrow I will air out the house...maybe hear a rumble of thunder...all the snow will melt in preparation for the next dumping. Today I am thinking about Easter.