Days exploring mountains and valleys with friends = painting inspirations!

Everytime we travel, I take way too many photos to save the colors/shapes/natural designs that I see as we hike. Well, we got to stay in a yurt on the highway of Big Sur and hike lots of the beautiful parks, beaches, redwood forests there. We also visited the Sierras ad hiked up to mountain tops with their 2 horses and 2 dogs...more inspiration. Then we came home and skipped off to stay in a yurt in Red River Gorge where again, nature outdoes itself with the beauty of the rock, mountains, waterways and flora. The first painting that I made was of the light filtering through the redwoods, then a quick one of the mists that wrap around the pines and scrup by the ocean at Big Sur. Today, I completed a piece of the sweet pup that we walked daily in the foothils of the Sierras and in the mountains. It was a crisp fall day and she was especially eager to skip prance along the roads and trails. Here is 'A Walk with the Pup'

Pleinair Painting is Delightful!

Painting Outside - challenging yet fresh!

I've helped the Tecumseh Land Trust set up 4 Pleinair Paint Outs at properties that they have preserved. We've painted at Howell Farm (I taught a mini-workshop there too!), at Praires's Edge Studio near Springfield and will be at the Glen Helen property 'Camp Greene' in October. Another paintout at a wetland prairie had to be cancelled due to weather. Today's painting is from the Prairie's Edge property....I painted a beautiful old Oak Tree. It had the remains of an old swing that I decided needed to be put in. It was a challenge to capture the colors of the prairie, the tree and the shadows/sun spots beneath the tree. We hope to put together an exhibit with work from the artists that have participated in the paint-outs. If you'd like to paint with us, sign up with Tecumseh Land Trust to come paint on October 16! Are you a beginner or need a refresher? I'm teaching a mini-workshop "Give it a Try" at 9:30. See you there! ❤

Yellow Springs Arts Council “Isolation Exhibit” is online

 

Walk Together through the Woods

  This is the piece I created when the call came out to create a piece in response to the current isolation caused by Covid restrictions, etc. by the Yellow Springs Arts Council for a virtual show. “Isolation Exhibit”.  Last night was the virtual reception by Zoom and it was a good experience. Holly Underwood hosted (with help from Tim and another Holly with technical aspects and questions).  I created this piece after yet another hike and coming out of the woods to a beautiful sunset.  

  If you look closely, you’ll see the family walking together through a tangled woods.  When I made this, the US was still embroiled in a divisive argument about vote legitimacy that tore families and friends apart and resulted in a riot at the Capitol building that caused even more torment. We are still reeling from dealing with Covid and the loss of friends to it, etc. 

  I spoke of how nature inspires my art-making, that I’m making more art than ever, painting every day. I’m exploring digital watercolor/drawing...mostly as a tool for drawing up designs for potential paintings. However, this piece says all that it needs to say as is, in it’s digital form. I printed it and the colors are accurate. I have it framed and ready to hang. $55.  I will put it at Village Artisans Gallery where I am a member..it is open and is across the street from YS Arts Council!  

Thanks for reading and I hope that you go to the Virtual show. https://www.ysartscouncil.org/gallery/