“HILL COUNTRY MORNING”

8” x 10” Oil/canvas
About a month ago, I was in Wimberley, Texas attending a plein air oil painting workshop by Jill Carver.  On the 3rd and final day, we set up on a hilltop overlooking a farm and the vineyards of a local winery.   It was a gorgeous view…it seemed we could see forever.  Jill gave us all inspiration with her morning demonstration painting – it was beautiful! Afterward, it was time for us to paint…. I took a little too much time making a sketch on my canvas and brushing in the basic under-painting. Alas! the time got away from me and it was time to pack up the gear and head for home.  I made  value & color notes in my sketchbook and took several photographs, so I could finish it after I got home. So, this weekend, with the aid of my sketchbook notes, photographs and memory I completed the painting. Enjoy!

Merit Award for "Little Devil River"

The year-long paint out "Plein Air Southwest", sponsored by Outdoor Painters Society, culminated last weekend with an exhibition consisting of about 150 paintings submitted by more than 40 artists. The show opened with an artists awards reception on Friday night. My Painting, Little Devil River, was recognized with a merit award by juror, Gaye Faulkenberry, President of Plein Air Painters of America. This is one of 4 paintings I have in the show at Southwest Gallery in Dallas, Texas. The show will continue until January 2010.

"LITTLE DEVIL RIVER" - 11" x 14" - Watercolor.

Plein Air - Downtown Historic Cedar Hill

This was one of the nicest days we've had this Fall in north Texas. Taking full advantage, I went to Cedar Hill to spend the day and paint en plein air with Visual Artists of Cedar Hill.

The subject of my painting is a building on a downtown corner...named "Southwest Corner Gallery". Owner of this cute eclectic gallery and gift shop are Bill & Vicki Watkins. Bill spotted me painting and came over to see and to show me a book with some photos of the building back in it's "heyday". Originally the building was a bank and it's now a local "landmark" famous for being one of the banks Bonnie & Clyde robbed.

"Southwest Corner Gallery" 9x12 Watercolor

Below is a snapshot of my plein air setup with painting almost complete. Right after I took this photo, Bill came back over with his camera and took a photo of me as I finished up the last couple of strokes. Great day on "the Hill"......

FIRST PLACE AWARD!

The weather this week couldn't have been better for the paint out in Waxahachie!  50 artists submitted 223 paintings completed in the 10 day painting period.  Below are 4 more paintings completed since my last posting.  The event was judged yesterday afternoon by Mr. Bruce Peil, and I'm delighted to announce that I was awarded 1st place!

"114 E. University" - 6" x 8"

This little "gem" won 1st Place in the paint out competition! It was late afternoon and I only had about an hour left to paint, so I decided to paint a small one.  The colors in the brick columns contrasting with the planters & greenery caught my eye first....then I noticed the porch steps were ceramic tile of various reds, browns and siennas with glorious sunlight splashed across them.  Everything was there and ready for me; color, sunlight, contrasts, & shadows.  I loved it, painted it "as is" and entered it at the last minute into the exhibition.  Sure glad I did...it's a winner!!  I'm pretty confident this little painting will find a home soon!

*****

"Texas Theater" -  11 x 14 

This landmark building was originally built in the late 1800's and has undergone several "face-lifts", the most recent in the 50's.  It sits on the north side of our courthouse square and provides great entertainment including live musical reviews. I painted it about mid-day so the shadows were more downcast rather than slanted.  It sold the next day.

*******

"Looking down College Street" - 9" x 12"

I see this scene almost every day as I'm returning home from errands.  In my mind, I've been putting this composition together for more than 6 months and finally got it down on paper day before yesterday.  It sold today.

*****

"Waxahachie Depot" - 11 x 14

This is an old railroad depot building that was purchased and restored by Nay Corporation and their offices are now located within.  It was quite a challenge with all the brick detail, windows and various angles; not a long straight wall anywhere! It sold today.

It's been a very good 10 days work!!!!  ............Did I mention before that I love my job?

 

New Gallery in town!

Last weekend myself and 3 other painters (Linda Schindler, Carol Cull, Mary Rabien) opened a little gallery! It's in an antique mall just off the Courthouse Square.....we named it "Downtown Gallery"....with the tag line: "Art by Local Artists". The focus is to offer original work in a small format (no larger than 16 x 20) that is affordable.  The inventory will include plein air paintings- depicting familiar local landmarks.  All 4 of us are participating in "Paint Historic Waxahachie" so our time to hang and arrange the art work was limited to about 3 hours on Sunday afternoon. Even tho' we were rushed, the gallery space really looks nice and is getting some traffic.  After this hectic week of plein air, we're going to finish out the "decor" a little better.  I'll post photos later.

Waxahachie, Texas - Paint Out

Beginning last weekend, more than 50 artists gathered for a 10 day paint out in my home town of Waxahachie! Thus far this talented group of painters have produced 60 paintings, and we're only midway through the event.  Here are two that I completed over the weekend. 

"Sundown at the Sign of the Texaco Star"

11" x 14" Watercolor

"Boyce Feeds"

11 x 14" Watercolor

I have 2 others plus a "quick draw" painting that still need to be uploaded from my camera....been too busy painting to do the "techie stuff" online.   Maybe tomorrow or the next day I'll get them all posted. 

Another day at Kocian's Corner

Kocian's Red Tractor

A few weeks ago, I spent the day painting at James & Melinda Kocian's country estate. My subject that day was the red tractor parked in front of their implement barn.  The day was pretty windy and I had one hand on my shade umbrella and my body braced against my easel. All in all, the painting was pretty successful, I think.  Another paint out is planned there in May. 

Update!

I'm thrilled to announce I've been accepted into Plein Air Southwest!  It's a year-long painting event with artist's choice of 4 official locations; Big Bend National Park in February, Texas Hill Country in April, Ouray, Colorado in July, and Canyon De Chelly, Arizona in September.  I'm planning to participate in the Hill Country paint out later this Spring.  

March 26th I'm going to be the guest artist for the Graham Art Guild, Graham, Texas (about 2 hours NW of Ft. Worth).  I really enjoy giving demonstrations and sharing what I do with other artists. 

The next day after the Graham demonstration,  I'll be in Marble Falls, Texas for their annual event: March 27, 28, and 29, Bluebonnet Music & Fine Arts Festival .  It's a 3-day paint out competition with the best jazz & blues music in Texas! I participated in this event last year and won 2nd place.  I'm looking forward to painting the historic downtown area again.

Tomorrow, I'm painting out with the Saturday Painters....I'll post my painting as soon as I can get it uploaded from my camera to my computer.  

Until next time.....Keep those brushes wet!

An Update

Be sure and drop by the website of International Plein Air Painters (see link on the right side of this blog). I'm the Featured Artist for the month of February.  I've received some very nice comments from fellow IPAP members. I really appreciate the exposure by the association.

On February 26, I'll be the guest artist for DeSoto (Texas) Art League and will do a watercolor demonstration. The artists that make up this organization are all fun to paint with (and for).  I'm really looking forward to it. I'll have a friend take some photos and I'll get them posted a few days afterward.

This is a busy week for me; several tasks that must be completed for Ellis County Art Association (I'm the Prez), along with some personal commitments (home & family) plus my weekly class.  Somewhere in all this, I must finish a painting commission by Saturday; I'll post a photo as soon as I complete it.  Away I go, task list in right hand, paint brush in left.

SATURDAY AT KOCIAN'S CORNER

What a glorious day....70 degrees, clear skies. Our Saturday plein air group gathered at James & Melinda Kocian's home in the country....about 3 miles northwest of Waxahachie. Melinda, a fellow watercolorist who's "comfort zone" is in the studio, recently decided to give plein air "a go" and joined our group. Kocian's Corner has 3 or 4 old outbuildings, rolling hills, lots of trees, a creek, and a 30 acre lake. We all "scattered" in different directions; some went toward the creek, the rest headed toward the old outbuildings.

My painting is the back side of James' equipment barn where he keeps his red tractor (another painting, another day). The tree shadows falling across the red/rusty tin roof was a painting waiting to happen. Raw Sienna, New Gamboge, Ultramarine Blue, Brown umber, and Burnt sienna are my "winter palette" colors. Beautiful during the last of January, we can't wait to capture this wonderful country estate in all seasons! Today was the first of many days of painting at Kocian's Corner. "James' Equipment Barn"

Plein Air Watercolor

300# Rough Arches

11" x 14"

Saturday Paint Out

With the temperature getting up to a "balmy" 62 degrees, I painted out today with four other artists. The 5 of us scattered out on about 4 acres of trees, a pond, little paths, & some outbuildings. I chose to paint the neighbor's house across the fence row. This time of year, the North Texas landscape is pretty blah...not much color except for a gorgeous blue sky and some evergreen trees and shrubs. It was great to get back out into the landscape after a too long holiday season and a month of awfully cold weather. One great thing about Texas is that the cold doesn't stay around long; we have a few days of cold, then a few days of warm. So, here's my painting of the day. Enjoy!

"The Dawson Place" 9 x 12 Watercolor on 300# Arches Rough

Reunion

Last week, after returning home from Hawaii, I spent 3 days with two girlfriends from high school.  We've been pals for over 50 years.  Anyway, while the other two were napping, I gathered up my plein air gear (I'm never without it) and walked a few yards away and painted my friend's home.  This is a view of her back porch, looking from across the golf course fairway #17. Outside my family, Ginny is my biggest fan; she has my paintings hanging from floor to ceiling on 2 walls in her home....a "Tina Bohlman Collection" .  

"Doug & Ginny's Hilltop Home"
Good friends are a joy....and when friendships span more than 50 years,it's truly a blessing!

ALOHA from Hawaii.....

The island of Maui in Hawaii is absolutely beautiful.  My travel sketchbook is filling up quickly.  Everywhere I look is a painting waiting to happen! This is my first visit to Hawaii..and I hope it's not my last...it's truly like being in paradise.  I have only 2 more days before I return to "the real world".   Here are some watercolor & ink paintings from my sketchbook...enjoy!

LAHAINA HARBOR, MAUI - 5-1/2"x 7" -  9/16/08

POINT BLACK ROCK - KAANAPALI - 3-1/2" x 5" - 9/14/08

KAANAPALI BEACH- BLACK ROCK POINT & MAUI SHERATON - 5-1/2" x 7" -  9/19/08

KAANAPALI BEACH - 3-1/2" x 5" - 9/14/08

HANAKAOO BEACH PARK- LAHAINA HARBOR IN DISTANCE - 5-1/2" x 7" - 9/19/08

A lovely couple from Ohio stopped to talk for a few moments before leaving for the airport. 

KAANAPALI BEACH (from Black Rock Point) -5-1/2" X 14" - 9/18/08

This scene was so vast, I captured it using 2 pages across in my sketchbook.

HANAKAOO BEACH- 5-1/2" x 7" -  9/19/08 - the wind blowing in from the Pacific was about 20 mph...my paint was drying on the brush before I could put it to paper!  Plein air painting has it's "moments"!

Colorado.... Here I come!

My husband had major surgery on August 4th ; he's home now and doing much better. In fact, I'm packing up my "hubby" along with my paint gear and will be on location in Rocky Mountain National Park come Monday, August 18th. I'm participating in the Estes Park Plein Air 2008 - Painting the Parks". I LOVE MY JOB!!!! "Below Olympus Dam - Big Thompson River"

Three years ago, while on location during the 2005 Estes Park Paint Out, my son drove up from Denver and fished the river downstream while I painted looking back upstream. "Below Olympus Dam" is one of 2 paintings I completed that day; my son has the other painting. We talk of that day often; it's one of our favorite "mother & son" memories.

I plan to complete 2 paintings a day. If I have internet access while in Estes Park I'll be posting daily. Otherwise...I'll catch up when I return August 26th.

On another note, I delivered my illustrations for the children's book yesterday. I'm under a confidentiality contract until it's published so I can't post them yet....but the author was pleased with my work and gave me another book to illustrate. It's a Christmas story and I'm on a mid-September deadline. I'll begin work on it as soon as I return from Estes Park.

Hard at work....

Well, it's been several days since my last post, and it's not because I've been 'slackin off'....I'm working on a children's book. This nice little bit of work fell into my lap about 10 days ago and I'm up against an August 12 deadline to finish 18 illustrations. I'm half-way through....9 to go.

I'm also trying to work around a little "glitch" in my schedule..... my husband is scheduled for major surgery, checking into the hospital on Aug 3rd , with surgery on Monday, Aug. 4th.

Anyway, I'm working on a couple of studio pieces and I'll share them with you soon.

This image is the result of a recent plein air adventure at the Dallas Arboretum. What a lovely place to paint!

"Lofty View" - Watercolor - 10" x 7"

This painting was accepted into the Arboreatum's plein air exhibit, "May Flowers" and will be on display through October.

Latest News: August, 17th through August 24th, I'll be in Estes Park Colorado participating in the 7th Annual Paint the Parks. I'll be painting along side more than 50 nationally recognized artists as we capture the grandeur of Rocky Montain National Park and the beautiful town of Estes Park. Life just doesn't get any better than this!!!!

My Birthday!

I'm a "firecracker baby".....that's what my folks always called me. I was born on the 4th of July and I was almost 10 years old before I realized that the parades, fireworks, & Bar-b-Ques were celebrating something other than my birthday :)

Anyway, I haven't posted or painted for a few days....family summer-time activities have creeped into my painting schedule..so here's a recent plein aire painting...titled: "Browsing the Sale Table". A festive painting for a festive holiday.

"only" 85 today...just right for plein aire!

I was attracted to the filtered light on the side of this house and the orange-colored bush. The bare branches of a couple of dead trees were in sharp contrast to other trees completely leafed out. "Moving shadows" aren't easy on location; the light was moving really fast..clouds crossing in front of the sun created another challenge. I "shaped" in the shadows & darkest areas first, then concentrated on the highlights & color. Painting completed in about 2-1/2 hours - 300# Arches cold press - 11"x15"

Farmer's Market

TEXAS FARMER - 9" x 13"











Today, I spent a delightful morning in our historic downtown. Every Saturday, we have a Farmers Market on our courthouse square and I make it a point to complete at least one en plein aire painting. There are usually about 15 to 20 vendors that set up to sell locally grown produce. This vendor's tent with the red, white & blue caught my fancy. I noticed while I was painting that I wasn't the only one drawn to the colorful tent....he had a lot of "browsers". So, did I, actually; it's fun when people sort of "creep" up to peek at my work! I always stop painting and engage them in a little conversation....