New Harmony: IPAPA First Brush of Spring 2011!!

 6x6 oil

 6x6 oil

 6x6 oil

 6x6 oil

 7x5 oil

 8x6 oil

12x16 oil Greenhouse (New Harmony IN)

What a wild week it has been! Off last Friday to New Harmony Indiana for the Indiana Plein Air Painters Assoc. event titled The First Brush of Spring. Each year a small army of artists from around the country descend on this small ( about 12 square blocks) , quaint, fabulously beautiful, antique historical town just as spring is unfolding. I understand there were over 150 artist there this year! Each year...this was my 6th...I have gone I have felt like a little bitty baby artist because the quality of the work is so stunning. Collectors come from far and wide to purchase works as the word is out about the sheer quality of the pieces! It pushes me hard all year to improve so as to be competitive some day. I determined to paint every day this year and that I think, has made a world of difference.

While I did not win any awards this year I felt much more competitive and I sold 7 pieces of art! The one of the greenhouse is going to hang in the towns bed and breakfast...I am sooooo honored!I will post the rest of the pieces I did soon!

Square 39: New Harmony Waif

                                             6x6 pastel $100

This child played hide and seek with my camera for just a few brief minutes...I fell in love!

Notes "en plein air" on plein air!

Quick Sketch as the sun goes down of this wonderful old gnarled tree. I felt like I was in another world...peaceful, quiet, still. (The Spirit Tree, 14x11 pastel)



So I have had a little time to reflect on my plein air trip to New Harmony, Indiana. Yes I struggled with my new set up and new medium but I was still able to peek into the soul of an old tree...still my heart long enough to admire the simplicity of a single dogwood blossom, wonder at the history of a broken fence line and drink in the spring green in huge gulps. Oh, the joy in it all!!

New Harmony and plein air in Pastel!!

Solomon's Vine 12x16 Pastel

Fence Line 7x5 pastel Sold!!!

What an amazing trip and week...80's and sunny most of it and painting, friends, and competition...even a sale...I am content. I learned that I have a lot to learn! (Shocker!)