ROAD TRIP!! (Bucket List)

Plein Air Painters Bucket List

Do you have a bucket list of things or places you want to paint? I do and have! Most of my list includes painting fields of flowers or anything blooming! So tomorrow morning I'm getting in my car and driving south from the Milwaukee area. You can follow me here! Time to get my artist groove back!

The Ebb and Flow of an Artist

It may surprise you to know that artists can get sidetracked! It once happened to me for a whole year. Not one lick of paint to canvas in that whole time. But don't be fooled, I never stopped painting in my head. I never stopped what has become a constant companion for me...SEEING!

This thing is precious to me and I feed it! I feed it with my soul and it feeds me...like breathing.

This season has been chockfull of distractions. From family to illness to the constant unending barrage of political madness. Not much actual painting has been accomplished. Nevertheless, as spring approaches, I feel the tide rising. I have faith in future works my inner eyes have seen. I'm diving in!

September 1st :Painting Challenge! 30 PLEIN AIR Paintings in 30 Days!

Sept 1st
12x12 oil by Wendie Thompson

It is a big day at my house! My grandson's first day of middle school. Grandma day with my 3 year old and the first day of the 30 day Plein air Challenge!

My Grandson's bus comes at the ungodly hour of 6:15. That means we need to be up around 5 to make things work. This will be quite an adjustment for us all. 

So right after he left I got my stuff out and began painting our sheep. What a lovely cool fall like morning around 65 degrees! I only had around 2 hours before the little one came. Had to be a "quick paint". 

September Painting Challenge! 30 PLEIN AIR Paintings in 30 Days!

Tiger's and Corn 20x16 oil by Wendie Thompson

Autumn is a time for change and time for challenges! Children go back to school...colors change in the landscape right before our eyes, and weather can be downright bipolar!

In the past I have made commitments to paint everyday in September. That has always been a great goal for me for a number of reasons. About this time of year I am tempted to stop painting for some reason...rest...review goals...recharge. But I have found that pushing forward in paint is the only way to work through the sludge of change. doing this has never let me down!

And so I am making a commitment to myself and others to paint everyday in September. But this year there is a caveat to this...this year I will be painting PLEIN AIR everyday! Yup...outdoors...bugs, wind, rain, sun or frost....come what may I'm planning to be out there!

Please follow my adventure here and on Facebook! Throw me a note of encouragement...I hear you...it helps!

There are also a number of plein air competitions I will be involved in during this time: New Berlin (Sept 7-11), Evansville WI (Sept 23-Oct1) , Plymouth (Sept 22-28) and Carmel IN (Sept 16-18) ...come watch me!!!

Paint the Point Winter 2016: Mineral Point from my Perspective...The Benefits of Pushing Through

Light Unto my Path
1st Place Award Winner 

Soooooooo...I got there. (If you read the last post you know how hard it was) I had zero expectations. My only goal was to put some paint on some canvases and to somehow recharge my empty batteries. Met my housemates at the Brewer House Inn around 4:30...unloaded my car and we started chatting and munching. Lori Beringer actually made us a pork roast...YUM!

Happy Popsicle! (Photo Credit Pamela Ruschman)

First paint laid down..Shake Rag St

Why did it have to have it be so cold? Wednesday morning required many layers! I was still whinny. Pam Ruschman and I went to breakfast at the local breakfast place extraordinaire: The Red Rooster. And then it was out to paint. I ended up spotting a lawnchair between two buildings on ShakeRag St and commenced. I came back for a second pass at this painting the next day. This is something I hardly ever do but the light was the same. I'm glad I did as this turned out to be my second entry. Icicles had turned up on the roof and I added them as well as changing the shadow shape and color in the foreground.

So Happy...1st Place WHHHHAAAAATTTT?

Brewer House Inn...I'm painting on the porch at 8 degrees...done at 11:30.

On Thursday night we were invited to a beautifully restored victorian home belonging to one of the event committee members for dessert. What an amazing treat! Beautiful art everywhere and desserts for royalty...WHAT?? When we returned my Housemates all turned in but I was "called" out to paint again. I stood on the porch of the house and painted till after 11. It was cold but there was zero wind so it turns out I was actually warmer than I was earlier in the day! It was totally worth it: This painting was awarded 1st place!

Back for a second pass...ICICLES on Shake Rag!

Ferndale Road

Later on both Wednesday and Thursday Lynn Rix, Pam and I went out to this stream on Ferndale Rd. I painted two paintings there. And I was really beginning to settle in...feeling more like an artist again. 

Ferndale Road Again.

Sooooooooo...some good friends, good food, lots of giggles and painting painting painting and I am out of my mid-winter artist funk. It was pure bonus to me to win an award (so honored and grateful!) and to sell a painting (the ultimate honor!) There is paint running through my veins once again!

First night with my painting buddies....lots of needed giggles!

Who needs Beards?

September 30/30 Challenge #19 Plein Air!

White Pumpkins and Wind Chimes
12x16 oil by Wendie Thompson

30 by 30...Will she make it??? Who knows! What I do know is I am many hours ahead in "Brush Time"! This one was panted at one of my favorite places to paint...Monches Perennial Farm! http://www.monchesfarm.com/

Day 9 30/30 Challenge: New Berlin Plein Air Competition!

Grassy Ramp
16x12 oil by Wendie Thompson

Soooooo I live in Wisconsin Don'tchaknow! September is a particularly beautiful month here and it's loaded with a very active Plein Air Competition roster! Today was the start of the New Berlin Competition and I painted this old barn. This is one of two paintings I can submit for consideration...WAY too much fun!!!

Blocked In

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/

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

A Little Piece of my Mind: Day 30...30/30 Challenge

30 Days Hath September...

I have a secret to tell you...

I started this challenge a week ahead of time. I had to looking at my crazy plein air schedule. I had two plein air competitions and lots of autumn I wanted to paint. But I really enjoyed painting all the pieces I did out of my mind...no photo...no still life set up. They instructed me and challenged me and I am sure I will be doing more of these.

I ended up painting closer to 40 paintings in September. Below are some of the plein air paintings I did...some are still available so if you are interested please message me!!

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A Little Piece of my Mind: Day 28...30/30 Challenge

Day 28
7x5 oil by Wendie Thompson

Good Morning!!!

A Little Piece of my Mind: Day 25...30/30 Challenge

What if the whole world was pastel??

A Little Piece of my Mind: Day 24...30/30 Challenge

Day 24
5x7 oil by Wendie Thompson

She arrived in the candlelit room full of wishes and dreams...

A Little Piece of my Mind: Day 23...30/30 Challenge

Day 23
7x5 oil by Wendie Thompson

I have walked this valley in my dreams...I can smell the fragrance and see the clouds dancing...

A Little Piece of my Mind: Day 22...30/30 Challenge

Day 22
7x5 oil by Wendie Thompson

It's coming!!! I choose to see the beauty in it!!!

A Little Piece of my Mind: Day 21...30/30 Challenge

Day 21
7x5 oil by Wendie Thompson

The only mountains in Wisconsin reside in my mind!!!