Work in progress; 'last of the litter'

Recently, I was away from home on an artist residency and trying to paint outdoors
, ie plein air. The weather took a major turn for the worst just as I got into painting mode. For those of you who know me, this takes awhile for me to make the transition, so I was really upset about the weather. Luckily, I had brought along some reference photos that I had planned to paint, when time allowed. I decided to pack it up and try to paint in the back of the van. Good thing, for just as I climbed in and shut the door, the sky opened up and the wind joined in!

I find the wind very disturbing, yet even though the van was constantly moving in the storm, I had connected with my muse, so I was able to paint away and joyfully so! This little fella belongs to my dear friend, Ann, who owns/operates a hunting reserve. We were sitting in the pen, playing with the pups and this was the only one that wasn't sold. I so wanted to take it home with me, as those sweet, begging eyes just made me want to hold and cuddle her!

It is a work in progress and I will fine-tune it as soon as I finish up some pressing obligations;

Thanks for viewing...........

Michael Chesley Johnson workshop

Michel started the workshop with a demo of a simple tree in the backyard and then a more complicated view for the next. He chose thebeautiful bridal veil spirea bushes in the shade to contrast against the warmth of the sun dancing along the grass and up the tree. It was a great play of light as cool and warm played it out. I am happy to say this one is now in my personal collection!

After the rain chased us to shelter, Michael had many requests to demo a palette knife technique, then we proceeded to attempt to capture some lilacs , using only a knife. Here is my 45 minute attempt....

My friend asked me to accompany her to visit friends on Muzzy Lake and take advantage of the opportunity to photograph the herons building nests in the treetops of the Sycamores in the Cuyahoga National Park. What great fun!

Then we returned just in time to attend the opening of the Spring Show at Artspace. I was elated to learn my painting, "Illuminations", won the painting award in the iconic show, dedicated to the memory of long-time art supporter, benefactor, and friend, Martha Farmer. Thanks, Martha, for everything.

Illuminations

The journey to learning and growing as an artist, is never-ending. Just when you think you are starting to have a handle on something, it is revealed to you how little you really know, in the scope of the big picture.....and gladly so. That allows us to take a journey as we explore expressions of our creativity. I love to share with fellow artists and it never fails that the sharing gets returned, in one way or another.

My eyes were opened to new possibilities with playing cool light against warm and identifying the figure within. It has now become a journey of exploring how the light explains people, places and things............follow the light!

Benefit for Japan

Sometimes life leads you where you are supposed to go if you go with the flow. I feel that is what happened when I was directed to my first weekly painting challenge. It certainly wasn't in my plans and I have more painting ideas in my head now than I can paint in my lifetime, but there I was.....then came the follow up with a call for art for auction to benefit those devastated in Japan.

So glad I chose a teapot on a bed of cheerful , soft cloth, to paint. I have added it to the auction and all proceeds will go to the Japanese Red Cross.

White Challenge

I found it helpful to come across this challenge! There are so many paintings in my head, it is sometimes difficult to settle down to do one. This was a quick one hour study but I challenged myself to try to only make one stroke with each brushload! Very difficult for an artist such as myself, since I tend to do much more controlled paintings using a lot less paint.

There is no pure white in this entire painting...............but I had to squeeze out Titanium White three times! It was a fun challenge...