CORNMAN FARM at Dexter Plein Air

Cornman Farm painted at the 2015 Dexter Plein Air Festival

The Dexter Plein Air Festival has become one of the best events of it's kind in Michigan. Each year they just keep improving and making it a serious venue for artists and buyers. This is a 5 day event giving the artists ample time to create the designated number of paintings allowed to be entered as well as enjoying other activities related to art. As usual it starts with getting your canvas or paper stamped verifying those surfaces were blank at the start of the event. It's always a challenge to find that "perfect spot" to paint when you are involved in these competitions. One of the places I chose in 2015 was "Cornman Farm" What draws an artist to a particular place? What speaks to them?  In this painting it was part composition because the path from the parking lot draws the eye to the center of interest which I like. But more important to me was the moody sky and the spell it cast on the whole scene.

BRIGHTON PAINT OUT

Huron Meadows painted during the 2015 Brighton Paint Out.

In the last few years numerous plein air paint outs in communities have become very popular. Some sponsored by art centers, galleries or/and art groups. Whatever the driving force they give the artists an opportunity to create their work (usually) in a welcoming environment and the public an opportunity to observe the artwork being created. Good for the artist and good for the community. A win/win for everyone. I participate in as many as I can. At least the ones in my region and a few such as Glen Arbor or  Traverse City that are farther away. The Brighton Paint Out is one that is more local to me and one I like to enter each year. They have many scenic areas in town and in the surrounding area. The event coincides with their art fair and has it's own display. This is a two day event that starts with the stamping of the canvas/paper to verify that they were blank at the beginning of the event. Two paintings may be entered and are turned in at the end of the second day. 
I plan to attend the 2016 event in July.

PYRAMID POINT - GLEN ARBOR

This is one of the locations where Vivian and I painted 

plein air in the 2015 Glen Arbor Paint Out.

Once again I am in this beautiful area enjoying warm weather,

blue skies and doing what I love.

Today life is good. It is a mad scramble to finish before the 4:30 deadline. This is the first painting and then we move on to the second location and hopefully have two complete oil paintings for the art show this evening. Then we can relax, have a good meal, a glass of wine at the reception and enjoy the company of our artist friends.  Many stories are shared about our plein air experiences of this day. It's all part of the "plein air" experience and  I look so forward to the 2016 Paint Out.

Vivian Painting Pyramid Point

My painting of Pyramid Point

Dune View

DUNE VIEW

As seen from the #4 lookout along Pierce Stocking Drive 

on the National Lake Shore in Sleeping Bear Dunes.

I love coming to this part of Michigan. It is like a little piece of heaven. For a number of years now I have  participated in the Glen Arbor Plein Air Paint Out. It has become so popular that it is limited to 60 participating artists in the main event. Two more events have been added. A Sundowner on Thursday evening and a Quick Draw on Friday Afternoon. I was honored to have this oil painting "Dune View" selected as the 1st. place award winner in 2014. The image appeared on all the posters, flyers, postcards, etc. for the advertising in the 2015 Paint Out.  On the morning of the Paint Out we have our blank canvases stamped and spend the day painting on location in the fabulous landscape of this diverse area. These "wet" paintings are brought back to the Art Center by 4:30 framed and ready to hang for the big art show. Patrons are lined up at the door waiting to get in for a chance to purchase one of the plein air paintings. It is a wonderful event with all the trimmings. I am blessed to be part of it. 

Entry into OPA's Summer Salon Exhibit

Sunlit Avenue

Last January I joined Oil Painter's of America and submitted "Sunlit Avenue" to their inaugural  Summer Salon Exhibit. I'm pleased that it was accepted. Crooked Tree Art Center in Petoskey, Michigan is hosting the three day event from June 20 - 22. The event also includes an OPA Artists Plein Air Paint Out on Thursday, June 20 and a Sunset Paint Out that evening open to all artists and sponsored by Plein Air Magazine. Reception for the juried exhibit is Friday, June 21 and the reception for the paint out is Saturday, June 22. Other events include lectures and demonstrations by the OPA Jurors. This is my first experience with a national exhibit and I'm looking forward to the event weekend. Sunlit Avenue was inspired by the light quality of an evening in Tecumseh following another plein air event that had been hosted by the Black Door Gallery.

Demonstration at Matthaei Botanical Gardens Conservatory

s  Plein Air Oil Painting Demonstration at Matthaei Conservatory, February 11, 2013

On February 11, the Ann Arbor Women Artists and the Great Lakes Plein Air Painter's Association held a joint painting meet at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. A wonderful opportunity to be surrounded by lovely flowers and greenery in the bleak month of February in Michigan. Since I am a member of both art groups and coordinated the event I also volunteered to do a morning plein air demonstration to kick off the 2013 season. We were asked to have our demo on the mezzanine so as not to obstruct the pathways. Quite a challenge for me since the interesting views were through glass. Oh well I did the best I could. I hope everyone came away with some insight into what plein air painting is all about. We had a nice turn out of  about 20 artists. After the demo artists spread out all through the Conservatory to paint or sketch their own artwork. 

Art Harvest

Brighton Art Guild's Art Harvest

Exhibition Dates - November 9 - 17

It's been some time since I've updated my blog. I need to be better at keeping up with events.  A number of wonderful things have happened to me in recent months. My oil painting "Morning Light" was awarded Best of Show in the 7th Annual Juried Brighton Art Guild's Art Harvest. I had no idea. My husband and I walked into the Opening Artist's Reception and Awards Presentations and I was overwhelmed to learn I had won the top award. One of those wonderful moments you wish for. Speechless.