Crabbin'

It has been at least 30 days since I dropped my middle child off to college. There is a definite missing piece around the house without him here. While watching the late night news if I hear a sound, I absentmindedly think it is Jarrod coming through the door, only to be disappointed that it is the house settling in for the night. I miss those hilarious, animated midnight stories of his adventures or misadventures of the day.

I made my first fall dinner of home made beef stew the other night. One of his favorites. And felt guilty eating it without him present. My husband and youngest child did not have the same concern.

Time really does fly by too fast. Wasn’t it just yesterday that I captured he and his friends “crabbin” in the pool tides. I know he must now yearn for those lazy summer days when his only concern was making sure his fingers weren’t pinched by the wary crustaceans. Now his responsibilities are studying, grade point average, professors and girls. Of course, he is also having the time of his life taking in incredible Penn State football games, clubs and just hanging out with a slew of brand new friends.

So while I do have my extreme moments of melancholy, I only have to imagine Jarrod now in a group of Penn State friends laughing infectiously as they walk the narrow paths of the campus and I feel much better.

Beginning of Summer

Available at

I had done a small 8"X8" plein aire piece for a fundraising event at the North River Arts Society, Out of the Box (or OTB). In that event, everyone is given a small square formatted board to work on. When I was out painting it, I thought it would be nice to actually compose the scene in a long horizontal format, so I used the plein aire piece and my reference to complete this larger painting. I couldn't post my larger piece or even the smaller piece until the Out of the Box event was done, because part of the fun and mystery of that event is to keep secret who the artist is who did the painting until bidding has ended. Well, the event ended this past Saturday night with a great party, absolutely fantastic Choclatinis and lots of happy people leaving with their newly won artwork.

So here is my longer 13" X 27" composition piece...

Wellfleet

Recently made a trip to Wellfleet to deliver some news paintings to the Kendall Gallery. I love Wellfleet. It has such a free spirited character about it. Where else can you jump in the car and catch a movie at the Drive-In Theatre or pick up any floatie you could imagine and head to the beautiful unspoiled sandy beaches?

The Kendall Gallery has a warm charm of it's own with a wonderful assortment of artwork featured in the main gallery and when you venture out to the back, an outside sculpture garden that offers little nooks and crannies and quiet spots to sit and contemplate and which also leads you to a second beautiful gallery area and frame shop.

The owner's, Walter and Myra Dorrell, always make you feel welcome, comfortable and at home. Walter's watercolors always amaze me. He creates striking rich colors in his paintings that defy the medium.

It is a joy to be included in this gallery. Thanks Walter and Myra!

Class

Recently finished teaching a great class to a fantastic group. We had a perfect weather day one day and headed over to Scituate Harbor to the little beach tucked in by the Y.C. I was so thrilled with how great the class progressed. Funny moment of the day was when I, the teacher, was critiquing a painting and stepped backward and didn't realize there was a nice size rock behind me. I never realized you could actually force your body to fall in slow motion. Actually landed pretty softly. The only thing bruised was my ego...haha.

For Pastels Only on Cape Cod

Available at Kendall Art Gallery, Wellfleet, Ma

I went to a lively opening of the For Pastels Only on Cape Cod show sponsored by the Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod. The show is being held at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod in South Yarmouth through the 27th. The space is quite beautiful. It is a renovated bank and has some really interesting architectural elements which made for fun viewing. There are even paintings hung in the old vault room which still has the original vaulted door. I was honored to receive The Landscape Award sponsored by Liz Haywood-Sullivan, especially since Liz is a fellow pastelist and wonderful friend. Richard McKinley and Margaret Dyer were the Jurors of Selection and Awards and I, along with my fellow paparazzi artists, were thrilled to meet Mr. McKinley first hand. (He must have been blind by the end of the night with everyone taking turns to have their picture taken with him.) This is the picture that I was lucky enough to win the award for...

This show has now been extended, so for anyone down near the Cultural Center, it is now running until July 7th!

The Sketchbook Project

My Daughter told me about a great fundraising project put on by the Art House Co-op. You sign up for a sketchbook and pick a theme and when it is done, send it back and it is viewed at the Brooklyn Art Library. And you can have it digitized to be viewed online.

Here is the link to my daughters blog which then links you to the sight...(I know, I am being lazy)

Click here

Can't wait until my sketchbook comes in the mail! Fun, fun. For my theme I chose inside/outside. I can be literal or play on the words. You'll have to wait and see.

Thanks, Rachael

Play

6"X6"

I had bought some flowers and started playing by just doing a vine charcoal value drawing on some extra Canson Mi Teintes paper. I threw a hint of pastel over it, as I felt it needed something more. I like the effect and think I will play with this idea a little more later. Maybe get more in depth. Sometimes I get so serious about work that I forget to just play.

Spring Saltmarsh

Expressions, Scituate, MA

I taught a wonderful class a few days ago and the weather was no less than perfect. I started the session with a very quick pastel painting to demo underpainting in watercolor when you are plein aire painting. Although the weather has been incredibly warm with plants blooming way before their usual time, the salt marsh is still a nice subdued green.

downtime

Seems like for the last two weeks, I have been going at 90 miles an hour. Too much to do, too little time, yada yada yada... So today I just took a much needed relaxing long walk with my pup and brought along my camera. Felt so good to take things down a notch and just experience this fantastic warm spring day. I could actually feel the tension melting away. Need to remind myself to do this way more often.

Taste of the Town and Silent Auction

Click here for more info on event

6"X 8" Wind Ensemble

My son has been on the Wind Ensemble at his High School and he is coming up to his last concerts before he graduates. I cannot say enough about the enjoyment we, and he, has garnered from Wind Ensemble and Band. And also what a fantastic job the music program and all their support team does, starting right at grade school, in our public school system. A big Thanks to all. Our biggest fear is losing this phenomenal educational and inspiring program to all the budget cuts.

I just finished a piece for the Marshfield Friends of Music biggest fundraiser, A Taste of the Town & Silent Auction. I have donated this piece to be auctioned off. There are also other great items available, too. Takes place this April 10th! Proceeds benefit Marshfield's Public Schools' Music Program...Check it out by clicking the link below the image. Lots of fun!