Arizona Plein Air Painters- 3rd Place

At the Arizona Plein Air Painters "Painters View " show this piece took 3rd Place. This was painted in Tubac last winter. I had made a trip down there to drop off some paintings and was determined to paint while there. It was so cold- I was able to finish up just as the started to sleet on me. My car temp. said 28 degrees, to you guys who live in cold country that's nothing but to a desert girl that is just plain COLD. Phil Starke was the judge so it really menas a lot to me to have his OK. Check out his work and his newsletter that is very helpful to artists at www.philstarke.com He is one artist who happily gives to other artists rather than try to keep his "secrets of painting" to himself like so many others do. This is an oil, "Arizona Winter Wonderland" .

American Impressionist Society-Saks Gallery

"Early Frost" 24"x24" oil- "Award of Merit" American Impressionist Society show at the Saks Gallery in Denver


While I was home recovering and moping that I could not attend the reception for the AIS show at the Saks Gallery in Denver-(friends were all there having fun)- I got the word that my painting "Early Frost" won the Award of Merit and the judge of Quang Ho !!! It is a prize that includes paint from Vasari Paints- I am so excited about it. My little painting a snow scene- sold and the proceeds from it go to the Food Bank of Colorado. Funny how when you win an award you just can't wait to go out and paint again. I hope to be up to it this weekend. I am just now feeling like a normal person again- not my usual energy level yet but that will come. I am trying to get caught up now and will have some fun assignments for my students next week. Thanks for your patience-

New Starts- New Beginnings

Back to the real world. Surgery over and now recouping. The down time is forcing me to slow down, to read, see friends and the cancer free state has allowed me to start planning ahead. The Catalina workshop was a blast. Not only did we get to paint on the shoreline, sunshine, cool breezes, all wonderful, but each of the students seemed to connect with each other. They are already making plans to paint together. My goals for that weekend were not just met but went over the top. An art workshop should be more than just skills. It should invigorate you, open up new friendships, move you to see differently and just have fun. For my students: I will be posting suggestions for you or "homework", each is designed to help in one or more the basics of painting. If you do a search on my blog putting in the word "starts" you can begin with that exercise.

Catalina Island beautiful as always

Back from Catalina Island, teaching a workshop, and painting several new pieces. The students could not have been more fun and easy going. Often in a group there is someone who really doesn't want to learn but argue, not in this group. Each one tried to put to use what they were learning, and the views from shoreline of the marina are stunning. The air is clean and clear, sunshine each day, colorful flags & sea kayak, shoppers, frozen bananas- all good. The 51st Art Associations Festival had a nice variety of paintings, jewelry, and ceramics.

Estes Park Paintings /Plein Air in Colorado

Three more paintings done at Estes Park Paint-out at the end of August. The far left is an 6"x8" , the other two are 11"x14" oils on board. Contact the Earthwood Gallery in Estes Park for purchase information.

Colorado Painting-Estes Park Plein Air

Some days you just find the ideal place to set up your easel. Cool air, no bugs, no wind and a wonderful tin roofed old barn. I know this is a cliche motif but I know why artist's love to paint these old barns. They represent lives of hard working people in the past. There are stories and a history with each one that we won't ever know. They are a sign of someones dream and hard work. Each year I come back to the Boulder area I wait to see this barn appear as I come around the bend in the road, always afraid there will be condos instead. I don't care if it's cliche or common place, for me it was full of mystery. That is my new umbrella- it is great. So far it has not blown away.

Estes Park Paintout-Earthwood Gallery

Wow does Colorado do August right! When the daytime temps are around 82 degrees- that makes summer a lot easier to handle. After some serious computer problems now ironed out I will have images of all my paintings that I finished while in the Rocky Mountain National Park to show. They are all at the Earthwood Gallery in Estes Park. At the end of painting period all the artist's came in to turn in their works. A quick draw was held on Saturday morning- with 90 minutes to get down in paint the scene before you. I love and hate these events, very stressful with no time to scrape off and start over. You really have to go with what you know. The pieces are then held up in an auction. What did I learn from this trip? That I need to work on painting figures in the landscape, cars in the landscape and cows. Seems simple enough but each of the subjects are unique and when done wrong they scream off the canvas that you have no idea how to paint them. Painting in a landscape that is so foreign to me was hard, and a struggle to get the greens not muddy and not emerald green, but with subtle value changes. I also identified 4 different types of pine trees- each with branches that hang from the main trunk in a different way- and that silhouette is unique for that type of tree. Not only did I get to paint amazing beauty, I also was able to meet up with other artists and share stories. My next post will have all my newest paintings that you can find at the Earthwood Gallery in Estes Park, Colorado. If you are interested in knowing more about them you can call the gallery and ask for Ron or Ann.