Plein Air Persistence

I love painting on sunny fall days, and since the forecast was for the "last sunny" warm day of the year, I had to get outside! Darn you weather persons, it was warm but it was not sunny and the "breeze" was a wild 30 MPH wind! 

Color of The Wind, 9x12

5 of us bravely showed up at the park ---Wind Paint Challenge Accepted

The wind blew and blew and gusted against us as we set up on the peninsula, exposed to the wind! There is no greater test of your plein air equipment than the wind. One brave plein air artist braced the wind while holding her canvas with her left hand and painting with her right -her hat brim flipping furiously back. Does anyone need us to test plein air equipment? My borrowed 9x12 Guerrilla easel held up, no wobble. My friend's SolTek held up, but she did hold her canvas panel. Challenging and yet, how fun and wonderful was it to be in the park painting the fall colors?

I was very pleased with my Color of The Wind painting, and did not work on it much once I had it home. I loved the orange and yellow island trees against the grey skies. I also loved the shape of the dark island branch on the left as it reached out over the water. The water was much lighter than the usual blue since there was no bright blue sky. Also, I really wanted to include the bright green lily pads in the foreground- their color and patterning was fascinating. It was a good day to paint! I believe that each painter went home with a successful plein air painting and I am very proud of all who showed up despite the wind and grey skies!

It is official, due to our persistence, we ARE plein air painters!

A Little Moment

Finding the Unexpected

There is a lovely working farm near my house. I went there to find a glimpse of fall color, but it seems I was a bit too early. I did not find much color at all, the only color was in the children's garden and there I discovered this little Peter Rabbit Garden. A bunny statue surrounded by colorful bright flowers seemed so vibrant and sweet.

Peter Rabbit's Garden, 8x10

The Secret Garden and Peter Rabbit stories were in my head the entire time I painted in the sunshine. It was breezy and cool and I was fine until the shade crept in then it was a little cold, brr!

The difficulty with this one was there was no horizon, no sky. I had to place the bunny sculpture on the canvas and figure out the composition to get a sense of flowers surrounding him. I really loved the way the flowers and garden enclosed the bunny. The reds were bright, the greens were lush, the purples were few but delightful. My favorites were the large white cabbage-like plants that Peter Cottontail would have gone after in the garden!


I am happy with this sweet little painting and truly enjoyed painting this little gem, I am also pleased that the many brushstrokes help create the sense of flowers circling the rabbit.

Just Say Yes!

Get Thee Outside

I have not felt this busy, this overscheduled in a long time! All of our weekends are full - each and every weekend we have something which we must attend. And, the deadlines have all stacked up as well, everything is due (seemingly) tomorrow! I seriously cannot remember the last time that I had so much going on.

Spicer House, painting light and shadows

Last Sunday, I should have stayed home to clean the house - it needs it and we had a home inspection on Monday, for which it needed to be sparkle. House cleaning should be a priority right? Well, spiritually and artistically I decided to take a few hours for myself! Yep, some "Me Time"; I said Yes to myself.

So, when an art friend wanted to meet to plein air paint on Sunday, despite all of my busy goings ons, I said yes. I went to the park and spent 4 hours in Plein Air Bliss, it was worth it! I was refreshed!

Yes, after painting, I did go home and clean - the bathroom, the kitchen, the living room-- to satisfaction. No, I did not get to cleaning the "scary room"--the storage room that has gotten out of hand (yes it needs a cleaning BAD). Someday I will get to it, I don't like it, but I can live with the scary room a little longer!

My advice, say "Yes" to you every once in awhile.

SHOW PREP - 2 Weeks Until The SHOW

Deadlines & a huge list of things to do - Oh My!

It is an honor to be asked to be a Solo Artist for a venue - if you get the opportunity you should go for it! Next month I will have a Solo Show in a delicious little bistro. I was thrilled to be asked; however, getting a show together means much behind the scenes work! I had quite a bit of work to do to be show ready!

My To Do List:
Visit Venue
Create a Website
Order New Business Cards (with new website URL)
Business Card Holder
PR- Emails to Art Friends and Art Associations & Social Media

A Big Box O'Frames! Too Exciting!

Art for Venue (What works should be in show?)
Inventory  List
Price and Title Cards
Frames for all artworks/ framed art!



Having found the venue to be a little dark (not many windows or natural light), I decided to show lighter works in brighter frames. While I paint many portraits, I felt this venue might be nice for landscapes. This meant that I had to challenge myself to create more landscapes. I will have a few portraits in the show, but it will mostly be rich colorful landscapes.

As of now, I have finished much of my to do list - website, biz cards, artwork, and card holder. Whew! I have also ordered all of my frames.

Now  I need to focus on framing my art and create my inventory list and title cards! Oh wait that seems like a lot! Off to frame I go...

Leave The Stress, Take the Paints

The Rare 4 Day Weekend Getaway

At the very last minute, we decided to leave town for the 4 day weekend (time off is so rare). The weather was nice & we live near beautiful drivable scenery - lucky us! I deliberated taking my paints on this short jaunt, but I am glad that I did.

Old Mission Point, 9x12

Our first day, we walked through town, had breakfast and then decided to take a drive up to the old lighthouse. We didn't exactly know what to expect, I had hoped to paint the lighthouse but it was surrounded by trees! I took some pictures anyway, but there was no great spot to set up and paint. The sandy shore in front of the lighthouse was low and full of mid-day sun -- not the best circumstances. However, off to the left of the sunny shoreline, was a nice shady spot, close to the water with a lovely peninsula vista against a dreamy blue sky. We followed a path through the woods to the car, gathered our beach chairs and my painting gear. The weather was 70's, sunny and breezy with low humidity - comfortable!

I set up my paints while my husband sat with me in the shade and read. It was quiet and we were able to relax on the shore, not too far from the lighthouse, undisturbed. We had two delicious hours of calm meditative reading and painting. I was very thankful that I had brought my painting gear on the trip.

Betsie Bay, 9x12

The next day was busy! We had breakfast, read the paper on the front porch, walked to the Farmers Market, shopped downtown a bit, visited an art studio and post-lunch decided to find a place to paint! The weather was still lovely 70s breezy but the beach was too sunny, no shade at all. We ended up at the park under shady trees, the trees were close to the street with a view of the bay. We parked very close to where we would set up-- a plus. Again my husband read while I set up and painted for a few hours in the late afternoon.

My "Vaca Takeaway" was that somehow even with a busy schedule, I found time to paint several hours each day. Preparation was key - I had the supplies in the car and it was relatively easy to pick a place and set up! Of course the weather cooperated, but after this adventure, I encourage you to take your paints with you!

Hard Work - Behind the Scenes

Art Show Prep

White Mats!

Recently I completed some sweet little paintings, I call them my Bathing Beauty Series. They would look great in a Master Bedroom or bathroom. They are little 8x6" Acrylic Inks/Watercolor blocks on watercolor paper.

Art affixed to mat with mount strips.

Since I have a show at a gallery in September, I wanted to put these little Bathing Beauties in an art bin for sale. I had no idea how much work it would be to get them ready for the show...

Plastic Seal Bag -to put art in.

First I had to purchase all the materials to put them together:

• 8x10 mats
• 8x10 foam board
• Plastic Seal to hold artwork (Krystal seal)
• Archival Mounting Strips - to tape artwork to mat
• Rectangle labels, Price stickers
• Business Cards

What a Process:
I had to sign my work.
Then I had to put the mat on the work and then use Mounting Strips to tape the work to the mat.
Then I put the foam board and the mounted work into the plastic seal.
Next I had to put the Business Card in the back and figure out labels.
I found some labels at Target and on each label I put the Art Name and Size. And, I put a Price sticker.

Now repeat the above process for each work!

Whew! But I do love how each work looks now - so professional!
The final polished product - wowza!
(teal box added to blog image to cover nude figure)

Please stop by Lawrence Street Gallery this September to see the Bathing Beauty Series in person!

"Pause" To Be Thankful

Gratitude for Good Friends

My current plein air set up - cheap field easel and all...

And the quest for better equipment

In my opinion, the most valuable asset for artists is other artists. Making art is very often an independent and solitary process which can be tough and isolating. Forming art friendships is one of the most important things that an artist can do for herself. Art friends are willing to talk with you about art and about the complexities of making art. Art friends listen when you ask questions and talk about frustrations; willing to offer critiques and advice. Making art without an art community would be most difficult to do.

Initially, for a few group plein air sessions, I bought a cheap french easel - not planning to paint much outdoors. However, I now want to do more plein air which means that I want a better easel. My $50 french easel works fine and has stood up to wind rain and cold. However, it is a HUGE pain to set up. And I have been caught in the rain trying to unscrew it and take it all down--me and my equipment getting drenched.

Recently I have been researching better plein air easels, starting by asking art friends what they use and endorse. The Artists who do the most plein air painting all highly endorse the Soltek -which is pricey but easy to set up. Good plein air easels are costly-much much more expensive than my little cheapo easel. After I save up, the next big question is how do I choose what is best for me? I want equipment that I like in the field and that will endure for years. Having painted outside, in breeze and wind, a sturdy set up is a must. And lighter weight (since I don't Crossfit) would be a big plus. In doing my online research, I created a plein air easel comparison spreadsheet. I narrowed down my options and sent my spreadsheet to my art friend for her review.

Borrowed easel, easy setup

The next day we had an art session together and she brought one of her old plein air easels. Not only did she show me the Guerrilla Painter easel, she also showed me how to set it up and take it down. After her very positive endorsement she also said that I could try it for a month. Wow [insert gratitude here]! What a generous and amazing gesture and what an opportunity for me! Thank you Janet!

I took the Guerrilla out today for a plein air session, and loved the easy setup. The palette space is small, but I had no problem with that. And, I loved that I could put my wet canvas into the lid for portability. This testing an easel is pretty fun! The weather looks cooler next week, my Guerilla painter testing session will continue-stay tuned!

Janet's gesture reinforced my belief in my art friends and led me to pause to contemplate my gratitude for them. Everyday I am thankful for all of my art friends, beautiful wonderful people! Thank you, I appreciate you all!





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