Plein Air - Portrait learning

Good morning all.  I have been in a bit of a funk since last Friday.  I was turned down yet again for membership in Women Artist of the West for like the 6th time.  I don't understand.  I've talked to several members who can't understand it either and keep encouraging me to try again, and again, and again.  My partner, Linda was turned down again too and she has won 3 national awards.  Not sure what they want from us.  Maybe it's for the best as membership might entail actual work that I really don't want to do.  Linda seems to think we are being black-balled but I kind of don't think that, but we have gotten on the wrong side of one person who is a member, soooo... Oh it can't be.  Although another person we know got in and we were a bit baffled by that entry but we know SHE knows some people in the organization...

Oh it can make you CRAZY!  

But, this morning I opened up one of the art show websites that you enter from and yet again found out that my paintings were denied entry into the online show.  Tomorrow I will find out about another one but it doesn't look promising.  Frankly, I'm getting tired of seeing RED-X's.  I'm thinking of changing my style up a bit...just a thought.  

A few weeks ago I decided to participate in a Plein Air national event.  I know Plein Air (painting outside), not really my cup of tea.  I just figured I would never have gone to the convention so it was an opportunity to learn about en plein air without being outside painting.  So today starts the beginner talks online and tomorrow starts the online convention for real.  I'm excited to extend my art education in this field.  I think today I will paint at the studio while listening to the talk.  I was even able to upload one of my paintings for a possible critique.  Yesterday I also received a huge box of the "goodies" you would normally receive if you attended.  It was packed with paints, a brush, two hats, apron, t-shirt, popcorn, candy, and more.  So fun!!!  

Plus this morning I signed up for the Portrait Society of America webinar in August.  Another week of painting learning.  Can't wait!  I've been working on this one again...

One eye sort of done...

My Painting World

The weekend is here...YEAH!  Honestly the week just seemed to creep by and I'm not sure why, probably because of the nasty snow.  I am NOT a snow or winter person at all and that may explain my desire to paint green, lots and lots of green lately.

Red House in the Country

Fishin' Hole

It's funny that I felt stuck with my art stuff but I think it's evolving because look what I've been doing lately.  Of course, lots of green but look closely, it's kind of more impressionism than realism and it's landscapes.  I'm finding myself drawn to create them lately.   

Hay Time

My studio partner, Linda and I have a show coming up this September in Broken Arrow and I felt I needed some collections, sets, a focus.  It's always been flowers before and I know I'll do that but I think I've already got a collection going here!!!  I just realized that this morning when I was looking at what I've created lately, and I am going to continue, if I can find some more pictures to work on.   

Moss Mountain Farm

 Hoping this spring will give me tons of stuff to do and MAYBE I just might get outside and actually plein air paint!!!!

Remembering Charlotte

 I will continue the portrait stuff but I'm struggling on those and need to find a portrait class to take.  Actually, Linda is going to teach one and I told her I am first on her list!!!

Plus this spring we will take a workshop in Tulsa from a guy named Patrick Saunders.  I'm not sure who got him to come to Tulsa but I am VERY happy about that. 

Gotta run and PAINT!

Fall Happenings

Halloween has come and gone and now on to Thanksgiving and CHRISTMAS!  Where in the heck has time gone this year.  It's like the year is on a speeding locomotive.  Please slow down and let me enjoy time please.  

I still feel a bit discombobulated since getting back home from traveling coast to coast in September/October.  And in that time this little pumpkin turned a month old.  Oh my where has the time gone.   

The other little ball-o-fire totally enjoyed Halloween as a martin, yes martin as in weasel.  Goodness, that daughter of mine is a miracle worker with a sewing machine and the imagination of Snicklefritz in wanting to BE A MARTIN!  All I can say is WOW!

October was also filled with a couple of new people in our lives.  Snicklefritz got to experience what it was like to host an exchange student.  

There was a gob of students from Columbia, and Maria was their guest for the month.  There was another girl, Valeria, that stayed with another family but was around a good part of the time.  What a joy it was for everyone involved to get to know these young ladies and experience them in their lives and for sharing their time with us.  They were a delight and fit right into our lives very quickly.  I must say that Columbian spanish is fast, really fast as they conversed to each other but their English was excellent too.  It was awesome for Snicklefritz to be able to use some of her Spanish that Bri has taught her and opened up a door for foreign language to all involved.  We took them to the cabin for an over-nighter.   They got to experience fall in northeast Oklahoma, a fire in the fire pit, rides on golf carts and then just before leaving Tulsa to head home, Halloween and trick-or-treating.  And top off their visit the weather changed and they got to see a few snowflakes.  Their area of Columbia only gets around 48 degrees at its coldest so they were ecstatic to see "SNOW!"  

I've not been dawdling around because last weekend was the HUGE Plein Air Tulsa event and WHEW, am I glad it's over.  No idea if anyone will take it over next year from Linda because it is a lot of work and she does the brunt of it all.  Oh it's a lot of work for the worker-bees but usually that's only one weekend.  I am her assistant but my part is minimal, except the Sunday of the show and sale, of which I'm in charge of setting up the panels to show the art and getting it all hung.  Needless I was POOPED, but it was an awesome show.  On to next year, maybe.

I've also churned out a bit of art with the finish of the sunflowers, which is already sold and then with the shoulder giving me fits still I decided to try some left-handed painting.  

It was a challenge but I found that I slowed down and was more deliberate with my strokes, plus it was quite fun.  May have to try some more of these.

Until next time my friends...

Weekend in Review

This weekend was just AWESOME at the cabin.  The weather could not have been more perfect.  It was filled with lots of friends, laughter, food, sunshine and rest.  My mind was relaxed and not on the impending surgery tomorrow.  I was also able to get a bit of plein aire painting accomplished and find more subjects to possibly paint.  I think I have several here to keep me occupied while I recuperate at home.  Time to heal in front of my easel.  

These sweet puppies I hope will be on my easel soon.

Lucy

Bella 

I did paint this one.  It was awesome to just sit quietly and create. 

The barn swallows were plenty in the rock crevices here.  Above me the turkey buzzards circled and it occurred to me to move occasionally to let them know I was not "DEAD!"

Finished painting and as I was driving back to the cabin I spotted my friend Jeanne's son-in-law, husband and grand kids fishing on the low water bridge.  Just as I pulled up sweet Dax reeled in this monster sand bass.  He was screaming and jumping up and down, thrilled for his first fish all on his own. 

After I caught this sweet photo of him and plan on painting it.

What do you think?  I think this would be an awesome painting.

Along with water scenes there were flowers aplenty.  My peonies were in full bloom with more to come.   

Then I spied these lovely iris's along my golf cart ride.  More paintings!!! 

En plein air Painting

Since we were going to be at the cabin this Memorial Day weekend I just knew I had to try my hand at en plein air painting.  

Day 1 - I got up about 5:30 and had my car loaded and ready to head to the creek by about 6:15, ready to watch the sunrise and paint.  I'm also trying to be more impressionistic in my style and it is quite freeing.

Day 2 (today) - I didn't up as early as Day 1 mainly because I knew there would not be a real sunrise.  I toyed with the thought of not even trying it again but I had The Hubby bring up my regular French easel and more brushes and paints so I had to.  I'm kind of happy with what happened here although I ended up wearing more of the green paint than went on the canvas.  I flipped a fully loaded brush on my clean shirt.  NOTE:  wear painting shirt when painting, not good clothes!

Workshop - Day 3

Day three of he workshop with Derek Penix and it was plein air painting.  Thankfully the weather cooperated with a bit of wind.  It was a bit chilly when not in the sun but I enjoyed sitting in the sun while he created.

It is amazing how he looks at things, sees the light and dark and starts swiping on color to create.

I know it's blurry but this is the final tree he did in a couple of hours. 

Side note:  I had to boogie out of actually painting plein air to head home and get ready for our evening out the the DVIS Monarch Ball.  The plan was a dress and pumps but my ankles have been bothering me and the knee was just still too wobbly so flats and fancy pants and I was ready.  We danced, yes I danced with The Hubby.  I told him no spinning and twirling but he didn't hear so I spun and twirled to the best of my knee would do.  Unfortunately, a neighboring man with heels on his shoes stopped all the dancing when he CRUSHED the top of my foot.  I know it's hard to see but the top of my foot is now green, orange, red, rust, blue and black.