The Wetlands

I went to the wetlands this morning to take pics - it's gorgeous there; I live very close to a protected area.  I paid close attention this time to how obvious it is that we humans live here too!  I've done several paintings from these wetlands, and have always wanted them to look un-spoiled, wild, and fresh, so I've removed things like houses in the background, fences, sprinkler lines, reflections of telephone poles and electrical lines in the ponds.  I was surprised at how much we impact the area, even though it's protected.  I wonder if we really protect an area by adding sprinkler lines, etc.  Although the area is protected, we have re-routed it to make room for our homes.  And I don't get political!  Just saying....

Anyway, I was looking for a blue heron, and found one.  I took photos; he wasn't in a good position for the painting I want to create, but every photo is a good reference for color, etc.  He flew off, and I tried to get a photo of that, but that didn't turn out well.  I have one of those from a previous photo hunt, tho!  I've came across a squirrel who was nice enough to pose for me.  Lots of smaller birds - scrub jays, red-winged blackbirds, etc.  Most of them are so fast it's hard to get photos!  I was out there from about 6:30 to 8:30 - walked about 5 miles or so - a slow walk so it didn't feel like a trek.  It was very fun, and I'll be going out again tomorrow to a friends ranch which is pretty wild.  The cattle and horses are an added feature out there!  This ranch is where I got my first photos of a blue heron, tho, and I'm hoping to find another one as well as the white egret.  They're so cool, they seem prehistoric to me.

I've taken on a project which will keep me crazy busy for a couple of weeks.  I had planned to try to do another workshop in September, but will have to postpone til October, and even that is tentative.  I hate to disappoint, but can't be helped!

Florals or Not Florals? Hmmm...

I'm kind of re-thinking my plan to do some little florals to have for the Capital Artists Studio Tour in a couple of weeks.  I'm not sure yet.  I had some nice little frames made for the panels I'll be using, and they're really pretty.  Framng is very important; I've decided to put the "Frosting the Cake" painting into a different frame.  It just doesn't show up well in the one it's in.  I'll be waiting for that one to arrive in a few days!

I just don't know for sure what I want to paint on those little panels.  I want to do something different, so tonight I'll be doing some sketching and playing - I'm sure something will come to me!  I say a little prayer, just relax, and let it come to me.

Stay tuned....

Finished both paintings! Whoo-Hoo!

I was able to finish both paintings I had in progress; "Now THAT'S a Cupcake!", an 8 x 10, and the larger one, at 18 x 24, called "Oak From the Window".

Now I get to start new ones!  Like I said on FB, it just doesn't get any better than this!

Capitol Artist's Studio Tour

September is going to be another exciting, fun, art-event-filled month! I'll be part of CAST, which is Capitol Artist's Studio Tour", organized by CCAS (Center for Contemporary Art, Sacramento). It's a studio tour, and I'll be set up in my gallery at Kennedy for the tour which is the 10th from 10-4, along with 2nd Saturday, AND the 11th from 12 - 4! It's a big event, over 140 artists in the tour, and I'm honored to be included!

My Own Gallery!

I've wanted my own gallery for a long time and now I have it!  I love it!  It's small, cozy, friendly, inviting, and mine!  I'll attach a photo!  2nd Saturday was slower than last month, but as always, it's fun to talk with art lovers and other artists!  I really love that!

Next month the building will have AC, thank God!  The Rainbow Chamber of Commerce is having a special event at the gallery Tuesday night, so I'll be there for that - sounds like fun - lots of people will be there.

Nanette Oleson is the guest artist out in the front part of Kennedy Gallery; her work is fabulous!  She obviously loves painting, and uses lots of color and colors bounce all over the place in her work, and you know I love that!  Her brushstrokes are semi-thick impasto and look like they were really fun to do.  She makes me want to do more alla prima and plein air work!  Her work is really worth coming in to see.

My gallery for this month is pretty varied in style.  I wanted to show that variety of subjects and styles that I do!  I know some artists become well-known for a specific style, or specific subject-matter in their work.  I just haven't been able to get that focused on one aspect of art.  I just get bored with that.  I want to paint whatever I'm in the mood to paint, so I guess I'll just keep doing that until I feel like changing.

Bigger Space at the Gallery!

Very excited to have decided to move to a larger space in the gallery!  Come see me there, either Thursday or Saturday, if you can!  I'm having so much fun planning the lay-out!

I had hoped to have the two new pieces ready for Preview Thursday tomorrow, but alas, time has been scarce!  I'm hoping at least one of them by Saturday!  Can't promise, though!

Oak in the Morning Sun 2

I had almost three hours to play today, so I got alot done on Oak in the Morning Sun.  I WANT to finish it for Preview Thursday, but I'm not sure...we'll see how it goes!  So far so good!  I'm liking the feel of it!  Tomorrow is my birthday, so I get to do whatever I want!  I think I'll paint!

Oak in the Morning Sun

I'm once again looking forward to Preview Thursday and 2nd Saturday!  I just love it!  I hope to be able to finish the two paintings I'm working on - the one of the cupcake, and the new one I just started this afternoon of the Oak in the Morning Sun.  Work is taking up lots of my time these days, which in some ways is good, but cuts into my painting time!  That's not good.  However, I'm not yet to the point where my art sales are enough that Bob can retire, then becoming my driver/cabana-boy, which he has been made aware is my plan for his retirement!  LOL!

Anyway, here's the initial sketch of Oak in the Morning Sun:

I had started another painting on this canvas and didn't like it, so I wiped off the paint, which left a nice grey ground.  I usually like to use a brighter ground, but I like this so far!  Against grey, brights look very bright, and there's lots of sunlight colors on the oak that I hope to bring to the fore!  I was tempted to go ahead and start putting paint on, but I knew I would run out of time and light, so it'll have to wait.  I'm planning to have it finished in time for Preview Thursday!