ART-Thankful 2017

The Studio: Artists Taking a Break

As I look back this year, I am so thankful for my art friends, family and community.

The Studio

This is a creative and happy place that I am so lucky to have found. I have a good day each and every time I gather my art gear and meet my art friends at the studio. The studio space is a calm and wonderful environment (and I am more motivated there than at home). No matter the weather or my mood, I go to the studio--my disposition is always improved there! Additionally, I  have met the most wonderful group of dedicated  and talented artists at the studio.

The Artists/Community
I am so lucky and grateful to have an art community that is supportive and encouraging. Community means that I am not an artist alone. I can consult and question and get support from my group of artist friends--this happens often.  I have artists friends whom I paint with at the studio weekly.  Then I have friends in monthly Art Critique. And I have connections via memberships with art associations both local and online. This network of artists is vitally important to me and to my artistic development.

I am thankful for:
My Spouse: he supports me and understands that my art is work

My Family: I think they are starting to understand this strange career path of mine.

My Art Mentors: They support me and paint with me and give me advice and critique my work. I do not have 'A Mentor' per say but I do count on my art studio friends and their advice and companionship, my invaluable art resources.

My Instructors: Mostly via workshops these days, but I appreciate advice and insight and I do love listening and learning, trying to glean as much as I can. I get little bits at a time, someday it will all stick!

My Art Friends: We can talk and information share. We talk mostly about art and mediums and workshops and frustrations. The forum in the studio with artists is incredibly helpful. Plus my friends have directed me to art shows, art instructors, art books and Dvds--all help me grow as an Artist.

Lastly, I am thankful that I can dedicate my time to the pursuit of art. These last few years have been wonderful and I look forward to more art making in 2018.

Looking Back & Looking Forward

It’s Been A Very Good Year -- Looking Back

SOLD! Eyes of Time

I have completed several personal favorite paintings in 2017. 

I know/knew that I like an ‘unfinished’ portrait look—to which I aspire but have not yet mastered. My favorite portrait paintings seem unfinished which some call studies, but personally I know it is too easy to overwork a painting.  Knowing when to stop painting is a talent too! 

Constructing Colin

Constructing Colin and Eyes of Time are two of my favorite paintings from this year. Eyes of Time also sold this year and I knew from the time I finished painting it that it was something special.  My focus the last half of the year has been landscapes but there were some portrait breakthroughs. 

Quick Study 5x7 Ellicott City Shop

Another 2017 item was Quick Studies, small paintings (5x7) typically completed in an hour. I have a nice little stack of these in my studio and they have helped me to learn about fast decisions, compositions and paint application. Not every one is a winner, but often I feel satisfied with my results. 

Bustance Barn

Bustance Barn was painted en plein air-- out on a dirt road (outside and onsite) at my first plein air retreat. It was exhausting and wonderful, painting and visiting with artists for days, an amazing retreat --critiques at night being my favorite part. I was proud that I captured the sunny and shady sides of the barn. I knew that I was going against the composition rules and putting the barn in the center of the canvas, but I really wanted the barn to be big on the canvas. I still am proud of this one as I feel that I captured the the light and shadow.

It’s Been A Very Good Year -- Looking Forward

In 2018, I will continue my portrait work and improve my 'Painting-The-Portrait-From-Life' skills. And once again, I want to focus on Plein Air painting, at least one day a week outside in Summer and Fall. Also, there are several juried shows which I hope to enter. Brushwork is something that I really need to focus my attention on and I plan on spending time studying other artist works and of course painting more!

I am comfortable with my color palette, I am able to get skin tone (portrait) and greens (landscape) and this is very important. In 2018, I am seriously considering doing the Color Charts which involves a lot of mixing, but which would enhance my color knowledge. I am going to read more about painters and painting and thoughts on painting. And, I am going to try to work on my paint 'control'. I paint intuitively but perhaps I need to slow down and be more precise...

Here are some of my favorite works from this last year…

In My Heart

La Frida Nueva

SOLD! Sunflowers At County Farm

The Pink Scarf

September at Matthaei Bridge

Brighter Than Sunshine

Of Avonlea 

Back to the Quick Studies

Heritage Barn, 5x7  Nov 2017

A Year AGO almost to THE Day, we began Art Quick Studies



I find great value in painting small Quick Studies which is something that I started doing almost exactly a year ago. In 2016 we started with 5 Quick Study Members, today we have 10 Members! I am so proud of the Quick Study painters, artists who post and comment on our Quick Studies each week. I have learned that the term "small works" has a different meaning for each artist. I love a nice little 5x7 canvas panel (Centurion) whereas my friend Janet can whip out a 'small' 8x10 in no time!

Bright Fall 7x5 Nov 2017

I feel that I have become a more decisive plein air painter --in part due to the practice of Quick Studies. Unfortunately, I got so busy in August and September that I went way off track and lost my Quick Study mojo! I did not get any Quick Studies done for several months! Oh no!

I have to get back to the twice a week, one hour each, small quick study. I REALLY do believe there is value in this biweekly painting practice.

What I have learned from painting Quick Studies:

• FAST DECISIONS: They help me to make fast decisions when plein air painting. I did many Quick Studies before my first Paint Out this year, I think they helped me out in the field.
• It is EASY TO START a Quick study, most I complete at home with a one hour timer. Although I did complete a Quick Study during the plein air paint out--I had just enough time to do one! Also, it is a great way to start or finish a plein air day, this is a good painting warm-up exercise.
• COMPOSITIONS seem to come more easily to me when I plein air paint.
• LESS PRESSURE: There is less pressure to make a 'perfect' painting when it is a Quick Study
• SCHEDULE: One hour of painting works into my schedule (most of the time). I NEED to make time for these!
• SMALL WORKS ARE SHOW WORTHY: Many area galleries have annual Small Works shows, I have a Quick Study in a show right now!
• FUN: The Quick Paintings are fun to do! 

Here's to one more successful year of Quick Studies - paint on!

PAINT MORE!

From An Artist and Information Gatherer!

Every year around this time I start working on my art goals. I review what I have accomplished for the year and what I want to accomplish for the next year. Yes, sometimes goals do not get met but it is good to have goals to review and work on. I am always amazed that I am a rare artist, not many artists actually have goals--wait what? It's true!

My number ONE new goal for 2018 is to "PAINT MORE." Now, how will I accomplish this?

First, I think I need to start tracking my art time --a goal that I failed last year. But I know it is important to know how I spent my art time.

Last week I tracked my art time in hours. I met my art hours goa1 (30 hours), but it was 50% Admin and 50% Painting. I need to spend less time on Admin and MORE time painting, I know this in my heart!

My next step was to ask all my friends and artists how they motivate to paint more! I need to think on how to incorporate this into my life... Mantra: Paint More! Paint More!

Artists Answers for how to paint more include:

Set a Schedule (paint at same time each day)-- I do not do this. Sounds good but not sure if exact schedule fits into my current life.

Put on Painting Apron. Once its on, it is painting time. This is mental and I think something like this could work for me. I need something that signals to my brain that it is time to make art/paint!

X Marks Creative Day. One artist puts an X on each day that she does something creative in a pocket Calendar-- most days in the month have an X in them! This is good, I can envision how this becomes a visual need and leads to satisfaction and perhaps more paint time.

Please share your thoughts on how to motivate one to Paint More, comments are welcome!

Neo Impressionists: A Must-See Show

Maximilien Luce- a new favorite

Columbus Museum of Art 
Beyond Impressionism Exhibit 
which features Neo-Impressionists, Nabis and Symbolism
Now through January 21

 If you can, I encourage you to go see this amazing show! I loved it!

We went to Columbus last weekend for a short adventure/getaway. Online I had found that the Columbus Museum of Art was having a special 'Beyond Impressionism' show and I was excited to go to see it. I convinced my husband that it could be a Foodie & Art Weekend.

Us in a Bonnard lithograph

 I did not recognize all of the Neo-Impressionists nor did I remember the term 'Neo Impressionist.' These artists came after The Impressionists and many knew Monet. Most Neo-Impressionists were pointillists painting street scenes and landscapes using brilliant color ala Seurat. I loved all of the bright colorful pointillist paintings and found a new artist whose work I love. Maximilien Luce is featured prominently in this show and I had never heard of him before. Luce's work is luminous and lovely, I left wanting to find out more about him.

Monet's Weeping Willow

I also loved seeing a large Monet when first entering the show --a  large lovely Monet-style water lily painting. In the next room was a large dark and moody Monet that was fascinating and wonderful. When I show my art friends the 'moody Monet' photo they all say that it looks like my painting style--I wish! I loved reading about the Weeping Willow Monet painting (large and dark), which without seeing the signature I would not have known as a Monet.  The Weeping Willow was painted more than 30 years later than the water lily painting. Painted during a war (1918), it says much about the mind and time of Monet.

Lautrec color lithograph

I was thrilled to go around the corner to find what must have been 20 lithographs by Pierre Bonnard. I love his paintings but it was good to see his lithographs taking up an entire wall. Also unexpected was the Toulouse Lautrec Ambassadeurs color lithograph - prominently displayed and such a nice surprise.

There are so many more works in the Beyond collection, but you need to go and explore on your own. Also, after leaving the Beyond Impressionism show, you should tour the museum and their collection. I loved the George Bellows room and seeing portraits by Robert Henri (a personal favorite), Sargent, Matisse and more.

Pointillist Style: Signac

Art friends, I encourage you to take an art weekend and head down to Columbus to the Columbus Museum of Art--you won't regret it! Contact me and I will also give you a few restaurant recommendations!

A Touch of Success - A Sale!

SOLD! The Color of The Wind, 9x12

One of the most wonderful art moments is when you get a sale. Sold is so special because it means that someone values and appreciates your original artwork. I was very pleased when someone wanted to go through my inventory of landscapes--yes please do! The review resulted in the sale of 2 paintings--a terrific success for me.

SOLD! Fall's Last Stand 8x10

I have come so far with regards to landscape and there is still so much that I want to do. I am proud of each of these landscapes. Making art is so much more than finding a spot to paint and painting (and it is never that easy). First you have to pack an art bag (a chore in and of itself), then you have to find a location to paint. Once a painting is complete it has to be signed, photographed, and varnished. Then the photos have to be taken and uploaded to the website. It is so much work but it also is incredibly fulfilling as each painting is a part of me and my emotions.

 My art friends call my paintings 'happy paintings' and they are a reflection of how I feel when I paint! I think it is my love of color and my expressive brushwork, but I do get 'Happy Paintings' comments often. It is more about color and brush stroke for me, perhaps a better adjectives include Expressive & Playful (or Sunny or Cheerful)?

Cheers to the sales and cheers to future success and artistic growth. Painting gives me great joy and I love the artist life. Two of my landscapes have sold but I have many more works available on my website.

https://greenhandleart.com/works

Rejection, it will make me stronger

5x7 inches - Lost Along The Way

SMALL WORKS SALE! 

There is a local show that I love entering in Fall, it is a nice show and works tend to sell (yes please). This year they had over 300 entries and yet I still had hopes that a few of my works would be exhibited. I have had several works in the show previously which sold and that is why I had great expectations. I have anxiously been awaiting word on this show and this morning, I got the results--not one work accepted! I will admit, that email was a little bit heartbreaking, I was very much looking forward to the show. So now I have to transition my thoughts and focus on moving forward with my art.

the 7" length is only as long as a hand

Yes, this is a small works show, and one issue that I think hindered my work is that the judges were unable to see (in a large image file)--how small the works really are. A close up picture (no hand) was used in the submission and I also included the frame size. With small works, the frame is large; framed these little 5x7 inch works would be 10 by 12 inches (that's a lot of frame). I feel strongly that the frame size hurt me in my entries. So, here I wanted to give a visual on the smallness of a 5x7 work -- the length of my hand, that is it! Tiny right?



What is next? Well, I have to work through my disappointment and move forward. I will offer my 6 small works at a discount (unframed) on my website. Please review my works below, one could be yours for a discounted price of $75 (unframed).

DISCOUNTED SMALL WORKS $75 each (unframed):

Lost Along The Way, 5x7  $75

Ellicott City Shop, 5x7 $75

Mexican Bakery, 5x7 $75

Gate on Main, 5x7 $75

Sunflower Crop, 7x5 $75

Touch of Pink, 7x5  $75

Here is the link to purchase my small works--I love them and hope that you do too!

https://greenhandleart.com/collections/97815

Art, I need thee!

Missing Art Sessions Hurts Just a Little

Seuss's Yellow Tree 7x5 a Quick Study

Last week I had to miss all of my art sessions as I had a house guest & it would have been hard to leave the house and my guest alone for long periods of time.

I did manage to paint a one hour quick painting (post picnic at the park). The Quick Study painting felt great, but I really missed my longer art sessions. This week I am ready now to get back to my art schedule, I really really missed my art.

It may be hard to understand why I missed my art sessions so much.

I actually enjoy having the art schedule (two days a week). It is MY time, time that I dedicate to art, and yes I do put my phone on vibrate because I consider the art sessions my (very important) time. The Art Session time is sacred to me, and I schedule appointments and phone calls and meetings around the art schedule.

Yes, sometimes, I just have to get out of the house! However, I find that no matter my mood (if sad or tired), once I get to the art studio, my spirits lift and I feel better! Also, I love the social interaction with my fellow artists. The artists are my friends and mentors and they let me ask questions, ask for recommendations on books and workshops and materials, and we talk about art events and workshops. Art is also (as I have written before) a meditative time for the artist---often once I pick up a brush, I focus in on my painting and lose myself in the moment.

All of these reasons are why I need to get back to art, why I am so ready to go back to art tomorrow! Art, I need thee!

Meditation and Harmony with Nature

fulfillment & joy in plein air painting

Recently I found a new and wonderful place to plein air paint. I have painted there twice and plan to paint there again a few more times this fall. When I am set up and painting at this new place I feel a calm peace take over my head and heart. I hear birds singing and often take a few minutes just to look at the beauty in nature that surrounds me in this peaceful setting---inhale exhale. Just stopping for a moment and taking in the visual scenery is comforting and relaxing, very much how I envision meditation.

I am happy with this little 8 x 10 from my meditative spot!

What I know about art is that making art is fulfilling and rewarding. It is also very challenging, I often feel that I am in or need to enroll in a college class to learn color mixing, analogous color, value scale, and anatomy (there are some wonderful community art centers which have helped me greatly). Only in this last year (after 7 years) I finally feel that I understand color to include color mixing, color harmony and value. My next focus will be learning more about landscape. I have been painting one landscape each week this spring and summer and I do quick study (1 hour small) landscapes. I recognize that I want to improve my control and brushwork with the landscapes-- toward this goal I did participate in a Paint Out this past June. The Paint Out forced me to know my plein air painting equipment and to determine painting locations -- focusing in on scenes I want to paint. I also have been reading about landscape painting--even with all of this focus and hard work, I have major landscape improvements that I want to make!

My friend Lynn took this pic of me--way over there under the umbrella!

And so, on Monday, I will return to my wonderful place once again to paint with nature. I have checked the weather, it should be partly sunny and 77 degrees, sounds perfect. I cannot wait to see what new colors are out there and I am looking forward to this harmonious art meditation.

Painting, Often A Solitary Sport

Everybody Gather 'round For Plein Air

A Meditative Happy Painting AM!

Many artists paint at home, alone, often in a room or if lucky in a studio. Artists are solitary creatures and yet with regards to plein air I've noticed that we like to have company. Why does it take another person for us to want to go out plein air painting? Is it more motivating and inspiring?

Without my "Let's go plein air" prompt,  my friend would not have taken her equipment and gone painting. Even though she has been wanting to paint and even though the weather is nice, she wouldn't have gone out. Perhaps because it is hard to justify "You (paint)" time. After all, there will always be dishes and laundry and it is hard to pause the chores to go painting.  Having a friend ask you to come out, makes it just a little easier to gather up your equipment and go!

Today my friend could not go painting with me, which was a bummer. And yes, it was harder for me to motivate to go out alone. And yet I knew the weather would be nice for August-cooler with low humidity. I had to get outside and paint, even if just for a little while. I chose a park near my house, I hadn't been there in awhile and I was glad I went! The flowers and shrubs are colorful overgrown delights, it was a good spiritual morning - birds singing, geese honking, bees buzzing. Ah nature!

Meditative Moment: Find the Yellow Bird!

Having a Plein Air Pal is something to think about and a reason why I try to email all of my friends before I go plein air painting--for more company and in the hopes of inspiring someone to join me. Many have said they want to join me, a few have shown up, all ask to be included in the next email when I go again.


My Advice: Share with your friends when you go plein air painting! It is easy to share information via email. Here are the details that I include:
Weather:
Day:
Time:
Location:
Directions:

In conclusion, it is easy to include others -- maybe it will be the motivation that you both need to get out and paint!

Take a Breath

Show Info Board at Studio

Arranging a Group Show

Setting up a group show is quite a bit of work! Two months before the show I set up a show information board for  sharing at the studio. Then I had to manage the calendar (reminders), emails and deadlines! So much work, so much management for the creative mind!

There is so much paperwork for a group show. I had to collect from EACH artist:

• Artist Bio
• Art JPEG (image)
• Art Inventory-Signed
• Art Waiver-Signed

Every Artist should have a Bio, you can find great samples online and on websites of artists you follow. Also every Artist should have business cards, these days there are no excuses. Go to VistaPrint or online--it's easy: insert an art image (yours), type in your name and your email, and your type of art--Oil Painter and there you have it. We have a stand at the venue with our business cards in it, you never know who will call you post show to inquire about your work.

Aside from Artist PR on our Social Media and Facebook pages, we also create postcards for each show. Here I used Vistaprint and I think the postcard looks fantastic-it is not ideal to have 15 images; however, I am a peer and could not choose just one (in fairness I added an image from each artist). Again, I had to solicit for images from artists and solicit for money to pay for the postcard.

You'd think that once all of our artwork was dropped off at the venue that I could rest. No... the work had to be curated (this venue did that for us and I am grateful for it). I also had to ensure that Artists were early to the art reception and that we had money for wine and volunteers to bring refreshments.

Fantastic venue & amazing show-so vibrant!

The Reward/The Reception:

I was still fretting by the time of the reception. The art was framed and hung with care and yet I fret? Well, I knew I still had to make a speech, in front of people at the reception! Oh my! I had outlined my thank yous, a few words about our work and history and a thank you to all attending the reception. Now that the reception and speech are over---now I can relax.

The PRIDE:

The show looks amazing, my favorite thing about the show is how vibrant it is, I love the colors!  I am proud to be among these fourteen talented artists - they are my art community, my art mentors and kindred spirits. The show is in Canton at The Village Theater for all of August. Be sure to check the venue hours, I encourage you to go!

Upcoming Shows & The Pressure to Finish Work

2 shows, much work to do

My Inspired By Day--look at all of the art being made! LOVE IT!

My art group has two upcoming shows and I definitely hear the lyrics "Under Pressure" as a weight upon us all. Our first show in August will consist of 3 completed framed works for each of us. Many are still working to finish these works, and most I would say have still to frame their works.

For the September show, there is even more pressure. We each have chosen an "Inspired By" pose and a model to be our "inspiration". We had to sign up for a date, show up early and set up the model and set the stage for our pose. I strongly feel that it is a good experience for the artist to have to work to set up the model, to choose the background colors, pose the model, select the clothing--it is much more difficult than you would imagine particularly with the addition of pattern and color. Once you set up your Inspired By, the other artists gather around and paint with you--each of us will have our own versions of each other's Inspired By! I've found these Inspired By poses to inspire all artists not just the artist setting up the pose.

This has been a motivating and rewarding experience. I find that artists are more likely to show up on Inspired By days and artists are working hard to finish their Inspired By works. Yes, there is stress to make a good painting and to finish a painting but there is also somehow a motivation to do so.

Many artists had successful lovely paintings of my Inspired By, and yet I struggled! Ack! I repainted my painting 4 times. The first three were terrible, the final fourth painting is good ---painting this over and over is not something I typically would do, but since it was my Inspired By I felt I had to get a good painting for the show.

I'd say that most artists are on board with the Inspired By show (there are some who are disliking the pressure to create). I would love to see this continue into an Inspired By 2, for us to continue to create Inspired By works from now through 2018. Here's what I am noticing--even artists who struggle to complete works have been pushed into blocking out more time to make art, into committing to have finished works done for the show. While not all artworks are coming out, we are dedicating and allotting more time to make art and I think that is a good thing. We artists should work more at our art, commit more to our art.  While some may not want to continue, I am preemptively voting for an Inspired By 2 and I am already thinking about my next model set up for Inspired By 2...


Here is a link to the Novi News Article about our Sept Show:
http://www.hometownlife.com/story/life/2017/07/19/group-art-exhibit-takes-shape-novi-painters-basement/469986001/

Oh Trees! A Quick Afternoon Tree Workshop

Green Trees & Grey Skies

Artists at work, painting trees! (Impressionistic image).

 I've been plein air painting once a week for most of the spring and summer. And, none of that plein air painting has been instructor led. While it is wonderful and meditative to get out and paint on my own, I do believe that artists should search for new ideas and seek instruction. This particular afternoon workshop was appealing because it was "how to paint trees"--ok I think I need to learn that!

When a friend mentioned that she thought she could get an artist to teach a plein air "how to paint trees" workshop, I said, "Sign me up." As an artist, you have to be open to new opportunities! For example today at the painting tree workshop there were several of us who consider ourselves newer to plein air, some total newbies and some experienced painters. It was an amalgam of painting knowledge and yet I believe that we all enjoyed the workshop. I loved the demo. The demo was painted with a size 12 brush which seemed so large to me, but which worked so well for the Instructor. I love seeing how others approach a painting, what colors they use and how they use their brushes. The Instructor made it look so very easy, I loved his trees but mine were not as successful as his.

The newer artists were really interested in color mixing. I was interested in sky-holes and edges. The more experienced artists were interested in color palette --especially the instructor's use of Portland grey which he used in his sky and to create his dark greens (Portland grey with Ultramarine Blue and Yellow Ocher).

My painting, it looks a little dark here, it was a grey day!

Tree Notes:

• Know the trees you are painting, it helps to know the features (I need to learn the trees here).
• No symmetry, nothing parallel to the frame
• Establish big shapes, then darks and shadows. 
• Think of a jigsaw puzzle, simplified.
• After block in, refine shapes saving details and keyholes for last. 
• Define a few strokes at a time, cutting into the sky . For sky-holes be selective, use a clean brush and paint should be toothpaste thick.
• Painting is a series of corrections.

First Paint Out - Lessons Learned

Paint Out Day Three

On small glimpse of the show, my work in top right gold

On the third morning we had to take in our wet paintings (framed and ready for show). As I drove into downtown Milford I saw plein air painters everywhere! They were all painting for the Quick Paint (3 hours), it was awesome! I turned in my 2 wet paintings, viewed the amazing work on the gallery walls and then walked through town looking at all the painters. I am guessing the secret to a Quick Paint is to paint super close to the venue. I loved seeing all of the Quick Paint Artists painting their works, a town filled with artists!

In the afternoon there was an art sale and artist reception at the SHAC. WOW!
I have to say I was so impressed with the quality of work produced at this event. There is so much talent on the wall, you must go see the show and ask yourself how did one artist accomplish this work in 3 hours, or even how did this artist complete this work in a day? To me there were several gallery worthy artists and paintings at the final art show, I was in awe!

SHAC (Suzanne Haskew Art Center) is located at 125 S. Main Street in Milford. The show runs now through August 22, I encourage all to go view the show!


Lastly, as my first paint out weekend came to an end, I wanted to share my lessons learned...

Lessons learned:

1. Scouting locations before the paint out is a must. You don't want to spend time looking for a place to paint, you want to get to a location and set up and paint away.
2. Painting one hour small paintings helped my confidence & decision making (I try to do this twice a week)
3. Plein air painting once a week before the paint out ensured that I knew my equipment and could set up quickly
4. Paint with a friend or friends! Not only do you have someone to watch your equipment when you have to use the restroom, you also can solicit a quick critique.
5. Review the schedule, allot time to get your canvases stamped and note the wet paint turn in deadlines
6. Watch the weather and plan accordingly --rain coat, trash bag for tarp (rain)
7. Don't get too ambitious - Keep it simple (this should really be #1)
8. Don't forget your lunch and your waters - stay hydrated

One last note about a Paint out, and that is Go with Confidence! I have heard several artists state that they do not have the confidence to participate in a Paint Out! That surprises me! Sign up and go for it, make it a goal, find a local event and do it! You can paint alone or with a friend, and since there are two days (or more) there are opportunities to create several paintings. And you should put at least one in the show! You never know until you try! Go for it! PS- My friend who also was a first time paint out person, reluctantly put one of her works into the show. Her jaw hit the floor when she won an award! That is why you have to try and to go with confidence.

First Paint Out - Welcome To Plein Air

Day One

Hello, it's me  8x10, first painting

The first day of the paint out we awoke to stormy weather. My paint out partner and I texted with each other deciding to meet post-rain shower! So we started a little later than usual and with overcast mostly cloudy skies we were in for light change challenges! We did get rained on a little bit, but you know what? I had packed a garbage bag and used that as a "tarp" over my equipment wagon, it worked!

The changing light was the greatest challenge for us as it was dark grey skies  & fully overcast when we started painting, then flitted into pure sunlight, then rain clouds, then on and off clouds the rest of the afternoon -- Welcome to Plein Air.

Landscape Layer Cake 5x7

That first morning, I felt confident getting my composition down on the canvas (I did do a preliminary thumbnail sketch first which helped). However my first painting took me much longer than I expected for an 8x10 sized painting. I struggled to get to a completion point even though I am typically a fast painter. There was an abundance of green and I struggled with the aforementioned light changes. After thinking about it, I suffered from TMI syndrome. Too Much Information (visually) and I did not keep it simple. In hindsight I feel that I should have narrowed in my focus to a smaller or less complex scene.

Since my AM painting took me well into the afternoon, I did a small second painting in the afternoon. And since I labored so hard in the morning, I wanted to keep this one simpler. A smaller canvas helped with that and my afternoon 5x7 painting was completed in a little over an hour. I was happy with it, this little gem would go in the Wet Paint Sale on Sunday.

Day 2

Ah! The light was better, it was mostly sunny and blue skies--yes! This day I had planned to paint in a house  & garden in downtown Milford. I was painting alone as my art companions did not want to paint a house or flowers.

Sunlit Sanctuary, 8x10 AM painting

I had wanted to paint the entire front of the house ---from across the street (in order to get the house onto the canvas I would have to stand that far back). However, I was not able to park across the street (no parking on that side). And, I would have had to stand practically in the front yard of the house across the street! I had made arrangements to paint the one house but did not have permission from house across street occupants to paint on their lawn. Bummer as my initial plan just went awry. So, into the garden I went in search of a subject.

Right away I was drawn to an elaborately decorated pergola structure, it was truly amazing. I loved the light bright sunlight and the dappled shadows falling on this white structure. I decided to setup there and get the light pattern down.  And once again I fell into TMI Syndrome--there was so much information. There were stain glass windows, lattices, topiaries, vines, flowers, flower baskets and statues. Once again, I think I should have tried to keep it simple. I got the initial layout in just fine, but struggled to get this 8x10 completed. I am happy with the results, but I did struggle to achieve them.

Summer's Gate 8x10, my favorite

Again, the afternoon painting session was better, despite me starting late again. I bravely pulled out another 8x10 canvas and decided to paint a simpler subject (note the lesson learned here). Personally, of the four paintings, this is my favorite. The strokes are laid in and left alone. I made decisions and stuck with them. And while the gate isn't perfect, I like that it has that painterly quality--which is what I wanted. Note that I did not even attempt to paint details in the greenery behind the gate--the gate is the focus! I have not painted many works like this--of gate and garden but I definitely want to do more. This painting being an 8x10 took me half the time of the morning painting.

In conclusion, I am happy that I participated in this paint out so close to home. The advantage of being able to go home at night was wonderful. My fellow artist painters were amazing. Go and see the show at the SHAC in Milford NOW through August 22. I personally believe that 35 of the over 100 works are gallery worthy paintings--and I am serious. There is some amazing local talent! Two of my works for sale in this show include Sunlit Sanctuary and Landscape Layer Cake--you MUST see them in person--photos just cannot tell you the whole story! My other 2 works will be for sale on my website later this week!

Constructing a Portrait

Start at Mouth

AKA  The Post Workshop Recovery

I am still recovering from my portrait and gesture workshop last week. I call it the "Ow! My brain" workshop. I  would go home after the workshop at night, walk the dogs and then settle in for an hour of HGTV, just to decompress!

For Artists the best workshops force you to concentrate & focus, learning new thoughts and ideas and starts. How many people start the portrait with the mouth (not eyes, not nose)? That was such a challenge to start the portrait with the mouth line, oh my! And yet, from mouth to nose to eye, I think I captured a likeness in my drawing--yes this drawing on the right was started at the mouth and then nose then left eye!

Here are some "warm up" drawings. We did eye, mouth and nose each from right side, front , and left side. I know it is hard to see the words written there, but one of my favorite exercises was to write the shape descriptions of the feature that you see. As a Visual artist, writing the words to describe the shape of the mouth instead of drawing is a tremendous brain challenge! I did the written descriptor challenge for each face section (mouth, eye, nose)--hence the "Ow My Brain." And here I challenge you to take a workshop that will challenge you!

Warrior Maiden, painted pre-workshop

As you know, lately I have been flirting with unfinished paintings. I go to live portrait sessions (uninstructed) each week and we always have such limited time, about 2.5 hours. I paint fairly quickly and I am learning when to stop so I do not overwork my subject.

Typically pre-workshop I started a portrait with a vertical-ish line for head tilt and then I add horizontal lines for eyes, bottom of nose, and mouth and top of head. Then I add vertical lines for long and short side of face. While I filled in most of my lines with paint, I did leave a few out in this unfinished work. I can and will overwork a painting.

In person the skin tone and mouth of this portrait have a bright luminosity which I love. This particular portrait does not accurately reflect the model, her eyes are slightly smaller, but I still like how this came out. Although I have to state that after my portrait workshop I will look more closely and concentrate more strongly on features. I named this Warrior Maiden as she has an Athena quality and look to her doesn't she?

The good things I see include the warm coral lip colors, the bright greens in the headpiece and the leaf shadows on her forehead. While she was in a white flowy top, I left the white canvas there to represent the top  strap and I feel that what I left out is really nice, this unfinished one is done!

Scouting Locations for Plein Air

My first Paint Out is just a few weeks away!

My Usual Spot--way across the lake!

"...In Summerrrr"--channeling Olaf of Frozen!  Summer is the busy season here in Michigan and I have a lot going on. I have an art workshop later this week and in a few weeks I have my first paint out! Ack! So much going on, so much to do! I have placed my art order, ensuring that I have enough paint, brushes and canvas for the paint out. My friend and I also decided to 'scout' our favorite park for new painting locations.

Like many, I have a default painting spot. I find that with the changing light or with hazy days or with seasons changing, my spot has endless painting possibilities. My friend wanted to scope out some new locations in our large park -which meant we had some ground to cover! Requirements only included being near a restroom and not having to walk too far (lugging all that painting equipment).

We met up at the usual place and with a park map. Then we proceeded to drive and walk the park from entrance to entrance, this took us a little over 2 hours. We drove from location to location and then walked the paths looking for vistas all around. The picture posted here was taken from a peninsula in the middle of the lake--I was shocked that there was a path that went the whole way out to the tip of the peninsula. While I probably wouldn't chose that spot to paint, it was interesting to see my "usual spot" from the middle lake view--so far away (my usual spot is where the red arrow is pointing).

Now, it is noted, that we went in the evening so painting in the morning these spots the light will be very different. We found about 6 new locations, two we thought would be really special for the plein air paint out. Our hope is that knowing the area in advance and having spots selected will be beneficial to us for the paint out.