Painting in Tuscany - such fun!

We just returned from a lovely trip to Umbria and Tuscany where we traveled by plane, train, bike and bus from Paris to Umbria to Siena (!) to Trequanda and Florence - what fun.  We first biked UP and down the huge hills with friends, fueled by croissants and lots of cappuccinos.  The food is so good that we were glad we were exerting ourselves with biking daily!

Then we finished up with a week at the Fattoria Del Colle, an agritourismo spot that produces exquisite wines.  The wined tasting was such fun, we learned a lot about the Donatella C. Colombini vineyard and Wine production.  Donatella started her wine business in 1988 on family lands owned since 1592.  When she sought a vintner/wine to oversee and produce her wines from the Wine Schools of Siena, they said they had none available, all the men had been hired already.  Donnatella thought about that, called back and asked if they had any women?  They replied that yes, they did have women available...so she hired a woman and now produces wine with all women in the production areas.  Men do help in other capacities though : )...overseeing the vineyard and olive groves, etc. - a very fun place to stay, dine on wonderful food, sample wines.  I sold a painting to a couple visiting who saw me at work!  First International sale of artwork - happy happy joy joy -

Oh - and I was part of a Art Workshop there : ).  We painted daily with Yuki Hall and Diana Mara along with lots or touring to various towns and cities nearby.  Siena and Florence caputured our hearts.  Dan and I walked daily through the countryside and I made a few paintings, took way too many photos and will make more paintings, hopefully in time for the Open Studio Tour on Oct. 19 and 20!  I will have guest artist Pam Geisel with her Art Quilts. 

Please come visit my studio and the others in Yellow Springs!  It is a fun way to see how artists work and maybe pick up a painting or piece of artwork that captures your heart...

https://ysopenstudios.ysartscouncil.org

we got to bike in Paris and Italy!

Lovely countryside

First Painting in Italy - the Tuscan fields and mountains -

Open Studio and Piqua Arts Council Exhibition

Busy, busy - I have 2 pieces in the new show, ‘Piqua Fine Art Exhibition’.  It is at the Apple Tree Gallery, 405 Main St in Piqua, Sept.6-27.  I’ll see it tonight...can’t wait!  If you are a plein-air painter, they are holding the ‘Arts and Ale Festival’ with a Plein Air Paint-out and Wet Paint Sale Sept 21.

Also coming up is the Open Studios Tour in Yellow Springs on Oct. 19 and 20 from 11-5 Saturday and Sunday.  My studio is on the tour with a plentitude of colorful watercolors.  I try to paint daily so I will have plenty of new work for you to see.  Also featured at my studio will be Pam Geisel who makes beautiful art quilts.  Here’s the link for the full info and map - Yellow Springs Open Studio Tour

And - ohboyohboyohboy!  I’m heading to Italy to paint with Yuki Hall in Tuscany and make new painting friends.  My husband is coming along too so we’ll be sure to check out the olive oil, cheeses, breads, wines, etc.  Here is ‘Vibrant Eggs’ in watercolor and fluid acrylic.  It was on display in the recent Tecumseh Land Trust exhibit.

Paint-Out in Yellow Springs OPAS - June 22!

I've organized a Plein Air Paint-Out here in Yellow Springs for all interested in joining us.  I attended the Ohio Plein-Air Annual meeting in April and they encouraged all of us to host (particularly someone in YS - hint - hint).  I found a friend to co-host it with me, Yuki Hall, a wonderful watercolorist whose work I adore.

All are invited to come on Saturday, June 22 between 9am-1pm.  We'll meet at the big stone church on Main St - First Presbyterian (314 Xenia Ave.) between 9-10 for snacks, reconnoitering, etc. then head out to paint the town.  I'll close up the church (plenty of spots for bathrooms in town) and we'll meet up again at 12:30 to share paintings/talk.  I'll close up the church again...folks are welcome to paint on their own, etc. : ).

Plenty of spots to paint - downtown, Antioch College, Glen Helen, along the Little Miami River, the Riding Center, etc.  Lots of barns in the area if you like farm scenes...come one come all

BTW, the town holds an Art Stroll Friday, June 21 from 6-9pm with gallery receptions, etc.  I'll be at Village Artisans Gallery for our reception of 'Pollinators', corner of Dayton and Corry Streets. please visit us!

Monarch to Be - Giclee print

Painting: A way of connecting with 'the Potency of Life'

I'm reading The Library Book by Susan Orlean...a wonderful book about the huge fire at the Los Angeles Public Library in 1987 that devastated the collection, the back story, reflection of books, etc.

Here's a quote from her chapter of how difficult it is to set about to light a book on fire.  She wanted to see how it would feel to do so since the fire was believed to be arson.  Susan can't throw a book away because 'books have souls ... feels like a thing alive in this moment, alive on a continuum, from the moment the thoughts about it first percolated in the writer's mind to the moment it sprang off the printing press - a lifeline tha continues as someone sits with it and marvels over it...'

Susan continues 'Once words and thoughts are poured into them, books are no longer just paper and ink and glue: They take on a kind of human vitality.  She quotes Milton regarding this quality: books take on the 'the potency of life'.

Actually - sometimes, I feel like that about a painting....sometimes I feel I come close to making a painting that has this quality - the potency of life - that speaks to more than a good likeness or a good rendition of light coming through a woodland.  I hope that I can do this more - impart life into works of art...spark a delight or bring a memory of place or thing or person to life in art.

Painting People in Watercolor class May 20!

Paint Daily - one sure way to improve!

I definitely feel better about the day if I make time to take brush in hand to paint....even if it is only for a half hour or so.  Recently, I drove an hour to join a model drawing group for an afternoon and it was totally worth it!  I sketched in brush pen first to warm up...then switched to pencil sketch on wc paper and painting.  The model held the pose for 20 minutes at a time which gave us a chance to assess our progress, say hi to other artists, etc.  I could have stayed for a day and a night but of course, it was over way too soon.  I liked some of my ink sketches but especially liked the wc sketches...not really a completed painting but the impression of the model.

Here's one that I took into an app to 'cartoonize' it - I like the lines and artifacts, the character it adds to the piece.

 I'm teaching 'Painting People in Watercolor' with an artist friend, Diana Hoke so I'm painting samples : ).

Painting People in WC - Intro class monday, may 20, 3-4:30. $15
all supplies provided@YS Senior Center

Art Group Exhibit MMA = The Joys of Art

Coming up NEXT Week!! March 11.  I will be co-ordinating and helping hang a group

show in Westminster Hall at the First Presbyterian Church of Yellow Springs.  

We will have many mediums represented in this lovely exhibit - pastel, computer

art, watercolor, colored pencil, fabric art quilts, acrylic and mixed media. 

Artists - Toni, Brian, Mary, Sue, Libby, Theresa, Ron, Angie, Mary Beth, Marti, 

Margrit, Ruth, Kathryn and Fran....maybe more? will be in the show.

The show will be in place through April 30.  Many pieces will be for sale and 

patrons can contact the artist directly to purchase.  Some of the artists will give 

the proceeds or a portion to the church from purchases.

Monday Morning Artists meet the first Monday of the month at 9:30 to create, 

critique, talk about art, opportunities, encourage artistic expression, etc.  You

are invited to join us.

                        Please join us for our Artist Reception! 

Sunday, March 17 at 11:45 = St Patricks Day

for Irish Music, Food & Fellowship