Loving Local Plein Air

Last weekend I participated in a local plein air paint out, it was a wonderful experience and we were so lucky with the weather. Early on it was supposed to rain, but it ended up being Sunny 70s and light breeze, gorgeous!

 Scouting the area before the paint out is critical, it is always good to know where you are going to paint so that you can get started right away. My friend and I know the park and area very well and yet we still spent a few hours scouting for painting locations.

Friday morning we got our canvases stamped. I always get too many canvases stamped, about 3 of each size from 5x7 to 9x12. This way once I get outside I can choose my size, it is just hard to know what will appeal on any given day.

Our first spot was on a little pedestrian bridge over a stream surrounded by green trees. It was a lovely location, but we both struggled as it was a lot of information on the eye and a lot of green.

After a lunch break we did a quick walkabout to find another view to paint. I had loved a little fence that was hit with sunlight. My friend had seen some trees that appealed to her. We both set out to paint our second paintings. The sunlight was lovely and our little spot was quiet and nice. I thought my second painting came out much better than my first.

I really wanted to get a sunset painting, and the sun doesn't set on the longest day of summer until 915 PM. So after we finished our second paintings, I went back home, refreshed my palette, and turp and washed my brushes, walked the dogs and rested for a bit. Then at 730, I gathered my things and a water and drove back to the park, I already knew where I wanted to paint my sunset painting. Interestingly, the sunset was over at about 845, because there were trees west facing. I did two sunset painting studies this night, fast! The colors and clouds change and move quickly.

The next morning we met up at my friends backyard, which looks onto a marsh/lake. We had fun painting on her neighbors deck, I painted a little boat that was docked there. I am unfamiliar with boats, but I was happy with my painting--I  had fun with the colors and shapes. We stopped our first painting at about 3 pm, I went home to rest and prep for my next sunset painting. I promised my husband dinner, so we left the house at 630 to have dinner near the park.Then after dinner, I took my paint gear and went back to capture the sunset. I used a lot of paint and was really happy with this quickly captured sunset.

When you do a sunset painting in summer you pretty much don't get home until 10 pm. It was tiring! And, once I got home, I had to pack my next day lunch, refresh my palette, wash brushes --all the next day prep. And, Saturday night I had to choose 2 of my 4 paintings that would be in the show and sign and frame them!

First this was a great experience, second we got so lucky with the weather. Third, I was happy with the paintings that I produced and confident in my creations. And boy a nice frame really does make a difference!

I did not win any awards, but still it was a wonderful fun experience.

Determination: You CAN Do This!

Last week I went up to Petoskey Michigan for an art workshop and the AIS* Small Works Show Opening Reception. It was one of my art goals to get into this show this year. Alas, I was rejected from the show, but I was among hundreds of others. I did not let the rejection deter me from my commitment to the organization. I will work to get accepted into the next SmallWorks show.

One wonderful note about the AIS Smallworks shows is that they typically have an All Member Paint Out  before the show. This means that Members can participate in the Paint Out and then have their wet paint works (framed) hung alongside the show--a nice opportunity as the shows are always in lovely galleries.

My husband and I were going to make this trip a little vacay--an art trip for me, a few days off work for him. I would plein air paint, attend a workshop and we both dine together and attend the show reception. To my chagrin, my husband had to travel to another state for work, meaning that I had to drive up alone. I could have let that depress me, but I tried VERY hard to stay positive. It was tough, I did miss him, especially when I went to eat at restaurants or when I was lugging all of my art supplies up the steep steps into the rental apartment...

First, rejection from the show, then having to attend events alone, lastly the weather! Without determination and perseverance I could not have done this, I could have let any one of those things get me down! Since I had signed up for a landscape workshop (Thurs and Fri), I had to paint for the wet wall on Wednesday. The weather was overcast, cold and threatening rain on Wednesday! Ugh! I would have paid for just a bit of sunshine! I painted from 10 AM until 830 PM, the sun did not come out until 830PM. Seriously!?!

It was grey, cool and in the 50s on Wednesday, and the skies were fairly dark. Yet, I went and got my canvases stamped, then went out searching for places to paint. That is another intimidating thing, trying to find a place to paint, alone. I had the list given to me of locations, but I still had to drive all over town looking for the place that would speak to me on this gloomy day. Luckily, I found a nice spot on the rocks near the water, and I painted. I painted trees and water and sand dunes across the way. I tried very hard to put in a focal point and make the painting interesting. I stopped painting before I was done as the sky turned black (this has happened before, I have gotten soaked). So later I was determined to go back in and work on the sky (more paint). Painting all day alone really made me miss my painting friends.

One error that I made was painting all day, it really wore me out. I should have stayed at the first location longer and worked harder to complete that initial painting, but I feared the weather and drove to other locations. The next few locations were not as successful for me. Next time, I will limit myself to half day of painting. As after that long day of painting, I had to go back and pack my lunch and get my gear ready for the next day workshop. I was not able to finish my wet paint painting and I did not frame it. And, I was tired the day of the first workshop.

Due to the Wet Paint deadline, I had to go back to my apartment after the Thursday workshop and paint to finish my painting. I wanted to add more sky--more paint and more color. I added in purples and blues and tons more paint, then 'ished' in some creamy clouds leading to the focal point, that leaning tree.  Then I added my Signature and  I gently placed my wet work into the frame and drilled it in tight, now it is ready for the wet paint wall. The Wet Paint works were due Friday afternoon between 3 and 5PM and my workshop ended at 4 (so my wet paint work had to be ready by the start of my workshop). WHEW! I was tired, but I made the deadline and my wet paint work, Weather Permitting, 8x10 made it to the AIS Wet Paint Wall for the Show! A nice opportunity, not to be missed, as I can still be a part of the show!

AIS = American Impressionist Society

Thinking Ahead

Oil Stick Start for one of my Inspired By paintings

My art group and I have been working toward a September art show in a fabulous gallery. We have been creating and tracking poses as well as tracking the number of completed poses and completed paintings. The gallery is large and we want to have enough completed works to fill the gallery. The great news is that we are on target for completed works!

For this particular show, each artist chose their Inspiration which could be anything: an artist, a pose, a photo, anything. Then the artist created a pose with a live model and costumes. I was Inspired by an artist's work at the Sargent show in Chicago last year. Boldini was a Sargent contemporary, a portrait painter who exaggerated figures and painted expressively, I adore his works.

I have completed 8 out of 14 poses and I am happy with this number. What does completed mean? To me, that means that I have a finished painting - one that I like and will be happy to put in the gallery show; one which is ready for a signature, varnish and a frame. Why don't I have 14 poses? Well, not every painting is a winner, I did attempt each pose but not every thing that I painted is show worthy, we all have good and bad days.

Even though the show will not be hung for several months, I have started signing and varnishing works. Additionally, I have purchased several frames - this is also an important decision. What looks best with the work--gold, silver, black? For four paintings thus far, I have chosen a gold rimmed black frame. Yes, it does seem as though I was early in ordering frames; however some frames that I looked at are on back order, and a frame does complete a work.

I am particularly excited about a bright gold frame that I just ordered for my Degas Inspired By painting. The painting is of a ballerina in a light bright tutu and I thought a black frame may be perhaps too dark. I wanted to try ordering frames from a new company, so fingers crossed it all works out!

Plein Air Events - FAR From Home

Display One

Lessons Learned

I just finished my second plein air event that was far from home, too far for me to drive (1,400 miles). I wanted to share the lessons that I learned in traveling/flying so far for a plein air event.

Logistics and Shipping:

• Organization was critical, there was a lot to do even before I left the house. I had to ship (Fedex) the finished framed works that I wanted to display and sell (in this event I had TWO large 7ft x 3ft panels for work). 
• I also shipped canvases and paint to my sister's house. 
• I weighed all of my art supplies and knew they would fit in my luggage - pochode, tripod and umbrella. 
• I printed all event information and put it in folders in my backpack! I needed to be aware of the schedule!

Shipping Art:

• A fellow artist and plein air pro did not have a lot of work for display. What she did do was frame and display the wet works she had created during the event. I thought that was smart as I had many works that I had to bring back home. Next time, I will ship less art and will live with having less art on the walls, I shipped too much!
• Some paintings that I shipped (well packed) were in gold frames, and several frames had chipped in shipping meaning that I could not use them!



Display Two

• I will not buy gold frames (plastic ones) from a certain company again. They chip and they are difficult to wire for hanging (putting screws into the plastic molding)--- this was tough as I had to wire a lot of wet paintings in the course of a week. 

Larger Canvas for Quick Draw:

• We started painting on Monday and the last day of the event was Saturday, The Quick Draw. For the Quick Draw, we had a mere 80 minutes! I was so impressed with the works produced, wow the talent here was amazing. 
• Save a larger canvas and frame for this event. I had only a 5x7 left as I had used my 8x10 frames (to replace those that had chipped) earlier in the week when I hung my works. 

Mental Strength: Prepare Yourself for No Sales:

• I loved that all 40 artists had two 7x3 foot panels. That was a lot of generous space! I stood near my art corner and talked to all visitors for hours, without any sales. I knew that salses might not happen, but I struggled with the mental aspect of having no sales, it was tough. Try to prepare yourself to accept not having sales. 

Limited Palette:

5x7 Aglow, nocturne

• My limited palette (weighs 3 pounds, all my tube paints). I took my standard palette and it worked beautifully: Titanium White, Lemon Yellow, Cad Yellow Medium, Permanent Red, Alizarin Crimson, Permanent Rose, Ultramarine Blue, Cerulian Blue, Pthalo Green and Ivory Black. The only additional color that I took and used was Cobalt blue because I knew I was going to be painting bluebonnets!

Small Works:

• I painted 5x7s, 8x10s, 9x12 and 11x14. I painted about 3 works each day (starting with a 5x7 study). My favorite paintings were the 8x10s. My 11x14 painting did not turn out. I have now accepted that I love smaller works and have more fun with those. More 8x10 canvases and frames next time!
• My successes: Personally my most successful paintings were the 8x10s--- I painted a tractor and bike which I thought were good. And, I had a sweet little 5x7 nocturne which I also received complements on--it was one of my best in the show. 

Biggest Lesson Learned:

• Drive if you can, your car can be your mobile studio (and then you can take more canvases and frames).

It Just Makes Sense:

Go to the Artist centered events! Stay as long as you can at the Artist Reception, meet new artists, talk to them! I met many new faces --both hosts and artists at the Artist Reception. It was wonderful to talk to and meet new people--we are all artists, all participating in events together. I met some lovely people with whom I hope to maintain friendships.

Paint The Town, Marble Falls TX

Juried Plein Air Competition Show & Sale

My plein air set up from last summer

I am so thrilled to have been juried into this art event in
Texas April 1st-6th!

Please come out to see me and my 40 new artist friends as we Paint the Town in Marble Falls next week!

Here is my schedule for the TX paint out next week! Come out, enjoy the art, buy a painting! The Art gallery opens Thursday April 4th and will feature 40 artists works for the week! I know the works produced will be AMAZING! I cannot wait to see these wet paint works!

Marble Falls Paint The Town Schedule:

• Sunday March 31 - Canvas Stamp and Artist Check In!
• Monday April 1 - I have to find a place to paint! (You may see me driving around in circles on Sunday searching for a painting location).
• Tuesday April 2 - Artists Paint at SpiceWood Vineyards
• Wednesday April 3 -I have to find a place to paint! In the PM I will hang my art in the gallery!
• Thursday April 4 - Gallery Open 11 AM - 5 PM
• Friday April 5 - Gallery Open 11 AM - 5 PM
  VIP Reception & Awards 530-9 PM* 
• Saturday April 6 - 10 AM QuickDraw and Paint the Town Family Day 10 AM- 5 PM

Currently I am planning and prepping as I will be in Texas this weekend! There is much to do and it is difficult to plan from 1400 miles away. Painted and framed art for the gallery has been shipped. Canvas and paints have been shipped. My tripod and pochode and umbrella are being packed in a suitcase. I am doing laundry and planning outfits for daily paint outs.  Distance logistics abound and there is much to do and think about!

Hello TX, Hello Sunshine!

*Tickets may be purchased online

The Trauma of New Business Cards

The  front of my business card.

Trauma or Drama?

To set the scene, I  have two big art events coming up - one a plein air paint out and one an art conference. At both I will be meeting new and interesting people; therefore, I concluded that I  should order some new business cards. Sounds simple! There is a business card website that I have used before, and it is inexpensive at $10 for 100 business cards. Also, I have images of all of my recent works --- this should be a snap.

Well..I created no less than 10 versions of a draft business card online... it was a struggle. I did not envision spending this much time creating the card. First, I had to chose potential images that I wanted to use on the card, no problem. Next I reviewed all of  my art friends business cards. I really liked a vertical card with one image on the front and the artist info on the back. Simple, nice and great visual impact. I can create something like that right?

I had no issues uploading my art images; however, on the website I could not crop the images or adjust them the way that I wanted to. I could not fit the images to the edges and I could not figure out how to make the overall business card image larger to review/proof the edges. I had to go back and edit the images in PowerPoint. Then there were several attempts at putting the images in a different order.  I persisted and I got frustrated. After what felt like 2 days, I gave up on the vertical business card.

I did not anticipate this much business card drama! I did not anticipate spending this much time on a new business card! I realize that I am tough on myself and the process but I have a vision! Yes #sopicky!

Finally, exhausted, I had to relent and put an image on a horizontal business card. One image on the front of the card-- a lovely landscape. And, I like it! Which leads to the next problem, designing the back of the business card.  The information I want to put on the back includes- name, website, email. What colors should I use and should I add additional images? This takes awhile too! Eventually, I figure out the font and the colors and the images for the back of the card. I print numerous proofs to ensure that everything looks correct and legible.

Finally, the new cards are ordered. Fingers crossed there is no more drama!

Longing for Sunny Days

This morning I realized that I have not plein air painted in months. Today, like much of this winter, is grey and colder than normal (feels like 5 degrees).

Summer Sun 8x10

Sadly, I don't remember the last time that I painted en plein air. November was abnormally cold here and the chill still remains, 4 months of below average weather plus snow and wind... Brr. I miss sunshine and warmth and painting from life.

Last night I worked on a painting from a photo reference that I took last summer. I had painted a similar scene from life last summer; however, it was not a successful painting back then. Last summer I had tried to mass in the sunflowers but somehow I struggled and the result did not work.

 Yesterday I approached this painting more thoughtfully from a different view and with more intentional design. Now, this is a more successful painting to me. I created a high horizon and I like how the lines of the grass and field of sunflowers leads up and over to the horizon. Also, I am pleased with my tree background greens. Plus the barn was more grey but I made it more purple-ish to complement all of the yellow. Cerulean blue near and around the yellow sunflowers was helpful to keep the color bright, and later I went back in and added some complementary purples. I really like how this painting turned out, as is.

I can get caught up in details, and that would be a problem if I tried to paint each and every sunflower, there were a million sunflowers.  First I established the "lines" of fields to the horizon using cerulean and bright greens. Then I massed in the yellows starting with cad yellow up front and ending with radiant lemon towards the top.  Then I went back in over the yellows with brownish red and orange to define the flowers further. For the house, I made it a purple grey as I know purple would complement the yellow wonderfully. And, I paid careful attention to the light on the green trees in the background. Plus, the sky was very very light, I feel that I got that right.

This painting makes me long for sunshine and summer warmth, like the day that I sat and painted this from life, like the day that I took the reference photo for this work. Ah memories!