Saturday, April 26, 2008

Birthdays & Birds


Nothing like a little positive reinforcement to put a smile on your face! For Jack's birthday he got a spoon carving knife...weeks early as that was what he was working on at the time. But Joel and I devised this little surprise several months ago. Back then we suggested Jack enter his loon in the Ward Museum National Carving Show. -No, no, not good enough! I can't think of it!- Well, we could...and did!

Jane and Rick were on their northward visit and happily came along. Rick suggested that looking at the Novice division might be a good way to start to which Jack agreed. His reaction when he first saw the loon, then recognized it was wonderful, one we all enjoyed. That the judges had awarded it a third in its division was also rewarding. We gave him his exhibitor's badge at that point which made viewing the rest of the show from the vantage of an exhibitor a delight for him. He called Joel at once, then my mom and who knows who else! That it was his birthday was just an added bonus and probably one he's enjoyed most.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Sunday Last Day

"Corner of Box Iron & Pruitt's Landing" available

Got an early start on Sunday morning, as the forecast was calling for a good chance of rain. I thought to perhaps do last evenings painting again but when I stopped at the Bayview fields the sky was gray, the water and islands lost in haze. A few miles down, the sun came out as I turned onto Box Iron and saw these huge clouds marching north south above an old chicken house. Stopped, set up and quickly went at getting the clouds and sky down as it was a windy day. Since there is so often a good breeze blowing in these parts, this was really windy! The color of the field, the trees, the sky, cloud colors, even the dilapidated chicken house had good color. Only once the sky was laid in did I work on the rest and then only until the clouds closed in.

"Sentinel Trees" available"

After that the light had changed drastically. Let's face it, after a few hours on the best of days the light changes the scene being painted completely. Time to find a new spot. Saturday evening, Ann Coates put on her feast for the artists which is a really nice thing to do. I stopped by the gallery, Bishop's Stock, for a donut & coffee. I wasn't sure where to go next and Ann graciously offered property in her family. No one had gone there yet this year, would I care to? Yes, indeed! So for the rest of the day I had Cropper's Island, a piece of land jutting out into the bay, to myself. I set up for the Sentinel Trees first. Beyond them lay a corn field still harboring some winter wheat and the marshes surrounding all. The winds whipped up waves and the skies were cloud filled and spectacular. For a few hours my attention was focused totally here.

After I walked the farm field at this end of the island. There is a great long stand of cedars and beyond them crashing waves that I wanted to check out. As only a few months ago, because of thyroid problems, such a walk was impossible, it felt especially good to be striding out quickly! A fair number of deer prints show its a favorite haunt of theirs. Back closer to the causeway, a young eagle glided over the treeline towards the far marshes and I decided to set up near there to sketch the interrupted line of pines midway across the marsh. Once again, some dramatic cloudscape demanded attention first before settling into painting the marshes and water trails.

"Cropper's Island Marsh" SOLD


For all these paintings I used mostly the new Blue Ridge oil paints that I just got and really like. I like the naples & yellow ochre, the prussian blue is useful as are the earth colors also. These paints are easy to use and I don't feel like I'm fighting them or require lots of medium to make them usable. When needed I used a little medium, still the c. balsam, stand & spike mix I like.

Like last year, I had a great time. Like last year, I painted some paintings I liked, some not so and like last year, I met very, very few people. Course, most of the time I was painting out in the middle of no where and totally enjoying the time spent painting. Hopefully a few of these will get juried into the May show!

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Saturday Paint Out

"Knox Marsh" available

Up early Saturday morning to get out and take advantage of the morning light. Drove out through Stockton to the boat landing on George Island Rd and set up to do a small painting of Knox Marsh. This morning, like yesterday, did not produce the most exciting of skies but at least it wasn't raining, just clear blue gray skies.

This weekend I've been using linen covered panels from SourceTek. I am liking them well enough, with the lead oil ground. The New Traditions linen on board remains my favorite for the finer linen and beautifully finished wood panels. If price were no problem, I'd use only those.

"Bayview Fields" available

For the afternoon painting, I headed for this beautiful field stretching down towards the Chincoteague Bay. A year ago, after a glimpse through the hedgerow, I slammed the brakes to back up for a better look. Standing at the head of this field, enjoying the play of light over the grasses and the far waters and islands is about as good as anything gets. I admit to a soft spot for lovely fields, attended by stately trees that wind gracefully down to the bays of the ocean, be they in Wareham, Westport or Worcester County.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Snow Hill Paint Out



For the second year I am doing Paint Snow Hill sponsored by Bishop's Stock Gallery. It is three days of plein air painting in and about Snow Hill, Maryland. There year there are about 70 painters. Ann Coates, the owner, invites a guest to jury paintings from the weekend for her May show.

My first painting in the morning was not much but I was happier with the afternoon's work. This was done along Bayside Rd.