Studio on Monday

I usually visit and paint with friends at the palette.
Today I need to finish the Plein Air painting for the conservation show.

Does it then still be Plein Air?

Anyway, Happy that I didn't wipe it out, that a sat with it at the grounds watching people look at it.
The painting has a good start and as one comment was, I don't understand but it feels good .
My clue not to wipe it out.
Here it is the day after and before I attempt to fix it.

Sunday, Coral Woods paint out

Today I painted in my first Plein Air competition.
This photograph is after 45 minutes.
We were on a time limit, for the allotted time my canvas was to large. I also chose a spot deep on the trail.
I arrived early to set up, needed to return to have my canvas stamped .
Return to pick up lunch.
Cut out about 1 hour of painting.
Best part was painting with wonderful surroundings and friends old and new.
Along with the challenge of being out of the studio.

Sunday chatter

Waiting for the bath
11x15 oil on canvas mounted on oak board now.
I wasn't expecting to be juried in to the 4 th Friday at my home Gallery/studio.
Scrambling to frame it.
Just varnished it, letting it dry overnight , framing begins tomorrow after painting at the Palette and Chisel with friends.
How I love the Palette and Chisel ,i am so happy that my friend suggested we go. I use to go for open draw when I was a student when Richard Schmidt was the president . Now I'm buying his DVDs who would of guessed.

I'm excited to be a part of the show this Friday at the Starline Building
I always have my studio open, Waiting for the Bath will be making an appearance in the new gallery downstairs . While I entertain my guest.
I'm a bit nervous , my stock is running a little thin.
That's good.

Paint and more paint.

I use different paint brands as I find each one to add its own personality of color. Cheaper brands have less pigment making them less intense. In my studio I have and use a variety of paints, Gamblin, Old Holland,Dick Blick, Utrecht , Holbein, Lefranc, Sennelier and Rembrandt .

Gerry Conservation, Woodstock , Illinois

I deleted my entry, I will try and recapture of course would have been my best entry ever.
This painting was painted at Gerry Conservation area in Woodstock, Illinois . Spring 2012
My friends Nanette and Julie invited me along for a biweekly Plein Air event with the Illinois group.
Painting outdoors is a challenge for me which I welcome, it keeps me fresh and on my toes .
We set out to paint the stone railroad bridge in Woodstock . When we arrived in the morning we found that the light was not good. Nanette suggested we go to Gerry conservation area , yes, yes, yes we all agreed . After getting the cars parked and our gear out. We started walking down the path , just inside the conservation area we struck by the beauty of it all. Spring! The frogs , redwing black birds, and the cranes all making wonderful happy sounds. We stopped looked at each other not saying a word we all new we found a slice of heaven. To be a part of such an experience was overwhelming for me at times . I had trouble concentrating, listening and watching nature. I just wanted to take it all in. After about two hours my hands became very cold , even with my wool gloves on. I packed it in, I took a few pictures to use to finish my painting that by now had a solid structure, in my studio at The Starline building.
Armed with the pictures and experience of overwhelming excitement of nature coming to life. The new buds of lightly colored greens and almost pinkish, I was able to finish this painting . Which I believe is my best Plein Air to date.

On my easel now

My friend Dawn spent the night , we stayed up talking , she worked on her everyday quilt as I painted her. I prefer working from life. With time constraints and distance I took a picture, thinking I had enough light to grab necessary detail.
When I returned to work found the photograph inadequate.
I work from photos when I find myself needing to paint in the evening. No model. I want to learn to work from them so I can use photos during the non sitting hours when doing a portrait.
Going to have to be inventive .
Looking forward to the challenge.
A reminder to continue to practice from life.

Wall of Fame!

I decided to put all of my portrait paintings up on one wall .
I kept moving them around taking some down putting others up.
Well...,,
My friend and I had an old fashion sleep over, hehe. She quilted while I painted her. And we drank water. Who needs to drink wine when one has a needle or a paint brush in hand.
So...,,.,
We decided I should date each one along with the models name and site it was done. Fill the wall!

New practice portraits