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". 

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?

Mineral Point: Here I come! BURRRRRR!

So I'm about to load up the car with all my gear for 5 days of painting competition in beautiful Mineral Point Wisconsin. I can honestly tell you that I have never experienced so much reticence about going out to paint! Until today we have had such a mild winter...until today!

Welcome to the deep freeze! Body mind and soul is screaming NOOOOOO! But I will go anyway and I will paint anyway and I know for a fact that I will end up loving the experience!

Everything is currently cattywampus! "Abandon hope all ye who enter here!" But stay tuned for the "Rest of the story"!

#theonlywinterpleinaircompetitionintheUSA

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/

30/30 September Challenge Number 17 and 18

Dreads
8x8 oil by Wendie Thompson

I've been busy but not busy painting! So I have some catching up to do! Not to worry! By the end of September I'm sure I will have painted 30 paintings. But for now its 2 a day till I catch up!! I'm working o a series of sheep!

Roll in the Hay
8x8 oil by Wendie Thompson