Another "little gem"....

"The Edge of Town"

5" x 7" Acrylic on Linen

Occasionally, I play around with acrylics...sometimes with good results...sometimes not. Today's project turned out pretty good.  I'm using the new "Chroma" acrylics that don't dry quite as fast, allowing more time to blend values and colors.  I have several linen panels that I received as a prize in an exhibition last summer, so I decided to test one of them out.  Working with acrylic is somewhat "backward" from the watercolor process: Watercolor dries about three shades (values) lighter...and acrylic dries about 3 shades (values) darker.  When I'm crossing over from one medium to the other, it takes me a little while to adjust.  This little acrylic painting took me 3 times longer than normal to complete because I couldn't get the "lights" light enough.  I had to keep going back and reworking the highlighted areas, and softening (greying) the background to make it recede. I think it turned out alright.  While I've got my brain tuned into the "acrylic mode", I'll get another one going in the next day or so.  

The Porch

 I've been working in the studio for the past several days and here's the result.  I live in a grand, century-old victorian.  This is the corner of the front wrap-around porch.  Beautiful peach-color irises in the front yard.  I have an unlimited amount of subject matter with the house and grounds.  This is the first of several to come.

11 x 14 Watercolor on 300# Arches

Announcement

"Awesome Autumn"

20x24 Watercolor

This painting won top honors in a show last December, and I'm proud to announce "Awesome Autumn" has been accepted into the 24th Annual Texas & Neighbors Regional Exhibition, Irving, Texas.  Out of 300 entries received from a 5-state area, 81 were selected for the exhibition. The opening reception and announcement of award winners is April 26th.  It's an honor to be able to exhibit and compete among some "mighty fine painters".  

March 26th, I'm giving another watercolor demonstration in Graham, Texas; an active art community about 3 hours Northwest of Waxahachie.  This will be my first trip to visit this lively art group and I'm looking forward to it.

The following day, I travel South to Marble Falls, Texas to participate in the Bluebonnet Music & Art Festival, March 27, 28, & 29th.  This is one of my favorite paint out events.  Last year I won 2nd place & I'm looking forward to returning.  Plenty of music & subject matter and a large group of art patrons in that area.   

April 22 - 26 will find me painting the Hill Country of Fredricksburg, Texas again.  I'm one of the participating artists of "Plain Air Southwest 2009" sponsored by Outdoor Painters Society.  For more information about this year-long paint out, visit the event website. 

I've been working more in the studio than outside for the past couple of weeks...it's been warm enough during the day, but the wind has been awful!!!! not very good for painting outdoors.  I'm getting some nice work done at the easel though...I'll share with you soon.