Sunset, St. Peter Cathedral

It's been some time since I've created a post. Now that an extremely busy summer is coming to a close it's time to catch up. I'll start with the finished painting of St. Peter Cathedral. I thoroughly enjoyed working on this painting and bringing it to a successful conclusion. For reasons I don't always understand, I was driven to create this scene. I'm pleased that it has been accepted into two juried exhibits. The Ann Arbor Women Artist's Summer Exhibit at Riverside Art Center in Ypsilanti and the Our Town Exhibit at the Community House in Birmingham, October 13 - 15, 2011.

A painting in progress

I thought it might be fun to post a painting that was in progress and hopefully bring it to a satisfactory conclusion. The inspiration for this piece came very unexpectedly. While on a plein air painting meet we had spent the day with other artists in Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula exploring the painting possibilities, sketching and painting along the Lake Superior shoreline. Very beautiful with lots of crashing waves and dramatic skies. That evening on our way back to the motel we chanced to drive down Baraga Street and there ahead of us was St. Peter's Cathedral silhouetted against the setting sun. The Cathedral was aglow and a string of streetlights seemed to point the way. I was mesmerized and stopped in the middle of the street to take some pictures. Actually I did pull over and park. My minivan is included in one of the photos I used as a reference for this painting. I was caught up in a beautiful moment and whether I chose it or it chose me I knew I would have to paint this scene. I find it's best to go with your inspirations. The memory of them will nag you until you do something about it. I usually have several rattling around in my head before I can act on them. I've always been attracted to Nocturnes and have painted a few successfully so let's hope this one is among them. I started this 20"x24" oil painting on linen that I prepared with gesso and used a thin under painting of terra rosa. Using several photos and my memory of that unforgettable place I sketched out the composition with a charcoal pencil. The painting isn't too far along yet but I hope you can gain some insight into my process.

Gallup Park, Ann Arbor

Gallup Park is absolutely beautiful this time of year. You are welcome to join the Ann Arbor Women Artists for a plein air painting meet at Gallup Park in Arbor, Friday, April 30 at 10:00 AM. It's the perfect time to explore the glorious colors of Spring. We'll meet at the covered pavilion nearest the parking lot at the far end of the Park. For anyone who is interested I'll be on hand to do an informal demonstration using a toned under painting, explain how to mix some of those pesky greens, answer questions or assist artists in any way.

Art That is Local Gallery

I am pleased to announce

that I will have a showing of my oil paintings with the

Ann Arbor Women Artists

Art That is Local Gallery

3165 Washtenaw, Ann Arbor

April 1 - June 15

Opening Reception, April 6, 6-7:30 PM

Spring Thaw at Matthaei

Time passes so quickly. When we had all that snow I couldn't walk around in, finally started to melt I grabbed up my french easel and headed back out to Matthaei Botanical Gardens. We had such a great run of weather and the big snow was melting fast. The frozen pond was breaking up and golden shoots of dried grasses were showing through everywhere. The little foot bridge was more visible too and with the dark evergreens as a backdrop it made a lovely scene. The plein air painting I started was 14" x 18" and a little too big to finish in one sitting so I intended to come back in the next day or two and finish it up. Well that didn't happen as soon as I would have liked and the scene changed dramatically. The snow had completely melted. Instead I did a different painting that day and later finished the snow painting in my studo. When that happens I call them "Hybrids" since they are not all one thing or another.

Observing Mishap

My plein air artist friends would understand. It's about this time of year when cabin fever sets in and I'm itching to get outside and paint. I find myself wondering if maybe it's not too cold, or maybe the snows not too deep or maybe it's not too windy today. The sun is shinning so with these thoughts in mind I take a ride over to the Botanical Gardens to scope out possible painting sites or at least take some photographs of the freshly fallen snow blanketing the bridges and landscape. Lovely. I'm enthralled. I decide to walk a little closer to the pond to get a better shot. The snow is sooooo deep I can't walk in it and I fell over, wallowed around a bit trying to get on my feet. How embarrassing. It cured my itch for the day. Since it's not advisable to paint in the road I guess it's back to the studio or at least back to my car to sketch. I'll come again though because I found a wonderful spot where I literally threw myself into my work. What is it about the lure of plein air painting that makes us do these things? I'll bet every plein air painter out there has stories to tell. More than likely mishaps. Easels collapsing in the water, wind carrying canvases aloft. I have a friend who once had a snake crawl into her art bag. Now that was a fiasco. I coordinate the schedule of painting meets for the AAWA. Friday, April 30 at 10:00 at Gallup Park will be the first one. I plan to do a plein air demo at the start of the day for anyone who may be new to plein air or just want to brush up after being in the studio all winter. Everyone is welcome.

It's all fun and a great way to meet with artists that share our particular brand of creativity.

Market Day

The oil painting,

"Market Day"

was inspired by the

incredible colors of

a late summer

farmer's market in

Traverse City.

My friend Vivian and I were on our way home after spending the last couple of days with artist friends painting "en plein air" on Mission Point. I just love this area. Lake Michigan, Grand Traverse Bay, Leelanau and all the Cherry Orchards and vineyards never fail to inspire me. The farmer's market was our last stop and a fitting finale to a successful weekend. It was a joyous experience selecting fresh produce, beautiful plants and anything else we could fit in our car with all our art supplies, wet paintings and other stuff like clothing.

"Market Day" is a result of that experience. It has won two awards and has been selected to be included in Chris Unwin's "The Artistic Touch 4" soon to be released.