Cedarburg....The Whirlwind!

Holy smokes! Today is Tuesday already!

She Dreamed of Roses
24x12 by Wendie Thompson

So I've been painting up a storm but I'm been pushing this old body a bit too hard and I'm right on the edge of getting sick...Listen to your body Wendie!

I have already done 9 paintings and I hope to do 2 more before I need to turn in my two for the main event. This is always the hardest part for me...deciding which two. May you can tell me what you think?

Solstice Stars and Fireflies
16x12 oil
by Wendie Thompson

Rhythm of the Roses
10x20 oil By Wendie Thompson

Sit a Spell
16x12 oil by Wendie Thompson

Constant Lullaby
12x9 oil By Wendie Thompson

Above are the pieces for the Main Event. In addition I did two paintings for the quick paint on Saturday when we had 2 1/2 hours to complete a painting and turned it in framed. They are below.

Getting Coffee
9x12 oil by Wendie Thompson

Lilies and Pansies
9x12 oil by Wendie Thompson

Some of these photos were taken with my phone and are not the best. Sorry. In between paintings I've been napping. Some killer days ahead with parties and stuff. Oh and helping take in over 500 paintings in two hours. What a life huh?

Oh yeah....I even got to be on TV...Check it out!!

http://fox6now.com/2015/06/22/see-fresh-paintings-inspired-by-nature-right-off-the-easel-but-where/

Cedarburg 2015 Plein Air: Day One Port Washington

Don't Bump Me
12x12 oil by Wendie Thompson

Arriving at 7am is no small thing for this painting chick. I live one hour from Port Washington and had been up late checking my preparations for the week and praying over it all. Nevertheless, my eyes popped open and I was off!

It was a full 20 degrees colder (about 55) right along lake Michigan with a damp breeze off of it. I set up in a small overhang to avoid the sun and started painting. Soon my friend Judith Reidy joined me in the shelter...always so good to paint with friends!! I quickly began to add layers of clothing and more layers and more...even so my hands went numb and by the time I finished the above painting I was chilled to the bone!

So I made a decision to make the hour trip back home to warm up, let the dog out and take a nap. That turned out to be a good choice as I was rested for the next adventure.

I met my friend Larry Seiler around 8pm. We both had the same idea...nocturne! So we scouted together for a while as the evening light show in the sky ended and the man made light show began. We both found something to paint within eyesight of each other...something I appreciated greatly. (You know it's a crazy world.) I got home around 1am!!!

Duluth Trading Company
12x12 oil by Wendie Thompson

This part of the competition is hung separately from the larger body of work and I can only submit one of these! Got an opinion on that?

2015 Cedarburg Plein Air Event: TOMORROW it begins!!! JOY!

So what's it like for the artists the day before an event like this? For me, as a mom,  I feel the kind of giddy I felt when my kids were little and it was Christmas eve. You see in a similar way it's all about preparedness. 

Did I do enough, shop enough, rest enough...you know, am I enough for this??? Will people like what I produce? 

So I have made my list and checked it 500 times!

Paint? check.

Brushes? check.

Canvas? Sizes? check...check.

Paper towels? check.

Solvent? check.

Frames...sizes? check check check...I hope!

Night lights? check.

Batteries? check.

Easel? check.

Framing tools? check

Raincoat and hat? check.

Umbrella/s? check.

Sunscreen? Bug Spray? check...check.

Lawn chair? check.

Wet panel carrier? check.

What am I forgetting???

One thing you should really know...well before the artists get to your community to paint...they have made quite a large financial commitment. It can be in the thousands of dollars!) Then they still need to travel, eat and sometimes find housing.

Here's the bottom line...Just like most Christmases in my house...The first time I pick up my brush to paint the JOY comes! Hope to see you there!!!

Plein Air in Wisconsin! Summer 2015!

Oh the Redbuds by Wendie Thompson
12x16 oil
New Harmony Indiana

I am so excited! The Plein Air "season" has begun in earnest for Wisconsin! Although I paint outside all year in any weather not everyone does and so many of my artists friends will be out in the towns, fields and along the shores of this great State. You can follow all the action on the Wisconsin Plein Air Painters Asso site (http://wipapa.blogspot.com/). You can follow me right here and I promise to update you as often as I can!

It's Complicated by Wendie Thompson
12x16 oil
The Angel Museum, Beloit WI

The Poet's Throne by Wendie Thompson
12x16 oil
The Poet's Garden Beloit College

 The two paintings above are my submissions for the "Edge of the Rock" plein air competition in Beloit WI. The opening is this Friday at 5pm at the Hendricks Center on the Beloit College Campus. Come if you can!! (http://www.friendsofriverfront.com/plein-air/)

The largest event and the longest in the state starts next week Wednesday. 150 artists paint! SOOOO fun to connect with old friends and to see the amazing art produced! Plan on coming on Friday the 26th. Come at 10am if your wanting to nab your favorite! Come at 5pm for the party and awards!! (http://pleinaircedarburg.blogspot.com/)

Then at the Art*Bar in Riverwest WIPAPA has there annual Field to Finish show called We Came, We Saw, We Painted. Always interesting to see what we do in the studio with the small things we paint outdoors. (http://wipapa.blogspot.com/2015/05/please-join-us-we-came-we-saw-we.html)

I'll see you there...I'll be the one with a brush in my hand!! 

Wendie