Sky Blue Pink-5"X7"

Available at Framers Edge

I just love clouds. And the beach...What can I say? I could probably be happy painting them everyday. And now that the weather is FINALLY hot...woohoo.

This past weekend I was wearing gloves out plein air painting. And I am not talking about those blue plastic gloves that protect your hands from oil paints, pastels or medium. I am talking about winter gloves. And I had on 3 layers of tops- Shirt, sweater and jacket. And to be totally honest, wished I had worn my long underwear. Yes, IN MAY! Memorial Day Weekend. Gotta love New England weather. Yesterday I think it reached mid 80's and today is supposed to get close to 90. And I am lovin' it. No complaints here.

Spring Stirrings-

Opening reception tonight of The Spring Stirrings Invitational at the Vine Gallery at the South Shore Science Center. “Spring Stirrings” is an art exhibit featuring the work of 17 South Shore artists working primarily in oil. Spring is a time of transition, hope and new life. These themes are explored and captured in landscape, still life and seascapes scenes by this group of artists. Come join the participating artists Susan Ahearn,Christina Eckerson, Joanne Chittick, Cheryl Curran, Erin Donnellan, Margaret Farrell Bruno, Linda Friend, Laura Harvey, Lynne McCauley, Margaret McWethy, Ann Musto, Joy O’Keefe, Linda Osborne, Jody Regan, Sheelah Sinnott, Julie Uhler, Amber Waterhouse at the opening reception on Thursday April 4 from 6:00 to 8:00 for light refreshments and all the light and color that the season of Spring brings. Yea Spring!

Peep Peep

I came home from a meeting on that one warm rainy night a few weeks back and when I pulled into my driveway I noticed something all over both garage doors. Little brownish splotches. So I drove into the garage, but stepped back into the driveway to investigate and my garage doors were covered with peepers! Of course to my dismay a ton of them had hopped into the garage in my short walk from exiting the car to the driveway, so I spent 20 minutes shooing tiny toads out of my garage. Exhausting to say the least. And the little buggers are fast! (Why the effort, you wonder...well, I really didn't want to come down to my garage the next day to dried up peeper corpses, would you? Guh...)

This is the first time in the almost 30 years that we've lived here that has happened and so I read up on "peepers" on the computer when I got upstairs. Its seems they hibernate under the bark of trees during the winter. 

I'm guessing the massive pine that fell across our driveway from the major snow storm that took out trees at just about every property in town was the culprit. A friend cut out a section just big enough for us to fit our car through, but we have been on a waiting list to get the rest of the tree removed. So we are guessing the peepers all came out of hibernation from that downed tree that one warm night and proceeded to hop up the garage doors. Needless to say, the cold snap came back right after that one night and the peepers disappeared. 

Yesterday they were back!  Maybe spring has finally arrived! 

YEA!

Peep, peep! Happy Spring! 

(Image is from a fundraiser that I was part of years ago)

Cozy Destinations tonight!

Available at South Street Gallery

This past fall I painted at the "Farm Day" Event sponsored by the Mass Audubon and held at the Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a busy and fun event every year. Hay rides, music, animals, artisans, food...  (Lots of fun if you want to mark your calendar for next years fall Farm Day.)

Of course my first painting on location was a dud. Whenever I am in a large group setting with lots of hustle and bustle I seem to freeze up and not think and paint as well as normally. So I ended up wiping that one out and here is the 2nd. It is currently in a group show called Open Spaces being held at the South Street Gallery. The opening is tonight 6-9pm if you would like something warm to do on a cold winter night. And an added plus is a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Massachusetts Audubon society. (The show will be on display for the whole month of February, too.)

And another destination you could add since your already out and about would be Expressions for the monthly "First Friday" Event from 5-8pm. And an extra bonus at this destination is a free ticket for a chance to win this Valentines basket of goodies of some of the treasures made by 4 of the artisans from Expressions. Can't beat that. Maybe I will see you at one of these fun events. Stay warm!

Wishing Everyone a Peaceful Holiday Season!

Hoboken Stroll Study

I will be giving a demo at the PPSCC Members show Nov. 10, 1pm-Pastel Demo Info

I am hoping this Hoboken spot and the people in the area are fairing alright with the last number of days events. My daughter lived in Hoboken until recently and I enjoyed visiting her often while she was there. Some of her close friends are still in the area. The restaurants and shops all around the area were fantastic and a pleasure to take in. And I had recently finished up this little study in anticipation of creating a larger piece of the scene.

My prayers and well wishes go out to all the people affected by this horrible monster of a storm! Please know you are in our thoughts.

Ways to help are already being established- Here is one link to the Red Cross to help out the victims. Red Cross

color mixer

Golden Color Mixer

Okay, so this link above is kinda neat. Of course, trying it with real paint is going to give you better results, but you could still use it as a tool to help you on your way. I am sure monitor calibration is an issue, too. But still just fun to play with while your taking a break. And if you want to save a little on your paints, it may be a good starting point to test how to get to a certain color. How many of us have proceeded to mix a color and boy did it go wrong along the way.

Speaking of color, love the blue in the water. (Self portrait photo I was goofing around with up in Maine.) According to the color mixer, I may get a good match by going with either Cobalt Blue or Ultramarine Blue mixed with Manganese Blue Hue. Have to head to my studio and test it out.

Catching up on blog-Let's start way back in June

Plein Air Drawing-NewHarbor Maine area-June 2012

OTB Drawing

Raphael-Seated Woman with Child

This summer was so busy I did not get to give my blog the attention I would have wanted to. So let's go back in time a little. I mentioned that I went on a trip to Maine with some fellow painters way back in June. I thought I would post some of the images from that trip in my next few blog entries. I was waiting for OTB to be finished as the image I produced for OTB was based on a plein air drawing that I did on that trip to Maine way back in June and I did not want to give away what my OTB piece was. I drew this plein air drawing after climbing down onto the rocky area that overlooked this scene.

It is employing a technique that I have consistently used throughout my career starting way back in college in Life Class over 30 years ago…(eek) and a technique that many artists have used throughout history. And that is using a colored or toned paper and drawing with pencil, conté or any  medium and then using white highlights. I have included a gorgeous piece here by Raphael where he used this technique. Another one of my past blog posts-"Ivy"- also shows this technique, although when I photographed the piece it did not pick up the light areas very well, but is quite clear in the original piece.

I am also excited about a new paper that just came out on the market produced by Strathmore and can't wait to try it out. It comes in toned tan and toned gray and in both hard and soft cover. Here is a link if your interested-Strathmore Toned Sketch. Definitely will be checking the tooth and feel of this paper.

Outside the Box and Pastels By Invitation

OUTSIDE THE BOX

Just wanted to give a heads up for two shows happening right now. Outside The Box fundraiser is back this year at the North River Arts Society. Artists, photographers, artisans, members and supporters have donated an 8"X8" artwork. The works are 2 or 3 dimensional pieces. The fun part is that each piece is unsigned and a lot of the artists purposefully executed works out of their usual medium or style. So no one knows who's piece they are viewing or bidding on. You are bidding on something solely on your own preferences. You can even bid and view the show if you live far away-click here.
After the last bidding day, there is a closing night event where it is now revealed who the artist is. Lots of surprises. Guess which piece is mine? But, I will not let you know if you are right…until closing night, that is.

And

                                                PASTELS BY INVITATION 2012


There is still time to view a wonderful annual show of pastel artwork right now, Pastels by Invitation, featuring artwork by nationally known pastel artists. I was honored to be invited back this year. It runs until August 28th, so there is plenty of time to catch the show if you didn't make the opening. It is at the Creative Arts Center in Chatham, MA. So if you are vacationing on or near the cape, drop on by and see this colorful and creative show.

Additional Details-Pastels By Invitation

Cloud Study Christmas Cove

This is a small plein air cloud study in oil from my trip to Maine. The cloud formations were amazing when we were there and they were moving at a rapid pace that day. I really had to work quickly... a good lesson as I am trying to improve my pace working plein air in oils.