A quiet day, a new pastel and acceptance into the Oil Painters of America!!!

Today I worked at the Griffin Gallery Fine Art in Oconomowoc WI. It is a co-owned Gallery with many fine artists. It was relatively quiet there today with the exception of 3 serious lookers on missions to find the "right piece" for their various projects. So I got to catch up with my computer and paint. Here is my fruit: "Two for the Pond" 12x12 pastel.

Then when checking the mail as I got home I found an acceptance letter to the Oil Painters of America....Man...am I jazzed about that!! All in all a good day!

I won an award!! Brush with the Wind" WIPAPA's first juried show!

"A Place in the Shade" 8x10 oil on panel

available $225

This piece took one of 3 first place awards at the Brush with the Wind show!! I feel so honored!!

I painted this at Old World Wisconsin http://oldworldwisconsin.wisconsinhistory.org/) which is an outdoor museum of sorts. It is a beautiful place where they have moved old barns from all over the state and created small ethnic villages denoting the varies ethnic groups who settled the state. The day I was there was a free day right after the kids got out of school...it was crowded! I had a hard time keeping the kids from putting their hands in my paints!! Just look at these munchkins!!

Check out this video! http://www.youtube.com/user/OldWorldWisconsin

A finished Tonal Portrait and a Memory painting!!

Top photo oil, bottom photo pastel
"Monches Farm, Spring" both 8x10

Last night I did a quick oil from complete memory. I had done a pastel plein air piece about two weeks ago but didn't have it with me so I just closed my eyes and remembered...how'd I do??



Last night I also put the finishing touches on the portrait of my son and Grandson.: "Father and Son" 16x20 oil. It was my first tonal painting so I learned bunches and while I loved the result I struggled some with the necessary patience...What do you think??

Today my grandson and I had a picnic by our stream then laid back and watched the cloud show. Then we went to pet our neighbors lambs...Magic!!!

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!)

She shoots...She Scores!!!

She wins second place in the Raven Juried show called "Renewal"!