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.