Life Plein Air

Today’s “Quick Paint” was delayed by rain, and ended the same way. I had lots of piles of grays to get rid of before I ship my equipment home tomorrow, and since it was a grey morning anyway, I had piles of paint ready to go!

I am very happy with this, one of my best paintings this week! I also got lots of kind comments from artists and collectors. They moved the auction into the nearby town hall afterward, and it was packed with bidders. I don’t like crowds (and I was exhausted), so I skipped the auction and headed to lunch. Enjoy!

A couple more paintings to share.

Busy couple days, but finally ready for the show tomorrow night! It rained all day today, but I was able to finish a painting of a Venus-like statue at Edgewood Orchard Galleries. Last night, finished two paintings for the “Evening with the Artists” sunset reception. I did both a late afternoon/pre-sunset work and a really fun nocturne, both of which I hope to post tomorrow. My second Cavepoint painting below was painted yesterday, which was really productive!

Driving through the fog and rain in Sister Bay last night, I thought a bug or shiny tangible object had flown through my side window without a sound. I literally searched the cabin with my suspicious eyes, but, shock…are you ready for it?…it was a RAY OF SUNSHINE! I immediately pulled over, believing Ra himself had summoned me to paint! Then, realizing it was 8PM, the God of Pessimism (Dick Cheney?) won out and I wolfed down a pulled pork sandwich instead. Reason proved me wrong, for when I finished eating, an hour later, the sky was blazing with color! Lesson: BE AN OPTOMIST. Remember, everyone is smiling in Wisconsin, so they know something I don’t.

Painted at Woodwalk Gallery today in Egg Harbor, where owner/artist Margaret was the perfect hostess–supplying both bug spray and encouragement with a smile. When she asked how my painting was going, I replied (honestly) that it would either be great, or I’d crash and burn. Artist’s live on the edge. She really like that. I bet she sports a Harley.

The misquotes where vicious, and didn’t seem to realize that my BUG SPRAY was indeed targeted at THEM. Bastards!

Speaking of…”last year’s winner” (and fellow blogger–AND unreasonably tall) Colin Page was there, charming everyone (sans, misquotes). What an act! We joked last night at dinner that he’s the event’s “divo” (diva, masculine) as reigning winner, even insisting on only green M&M’s in his trailer (double-wide, I hear). All kidding aside, he’s a nice unreasonably tall and talented guy, who’s to marry in two weeks. Congrats, Colin!

And, finally, a sweet surprise, collector/artist Carole Abla all the way from Tennessee was there! We’d corresponded often in the “blog-o-sphere”, so it was great to finally meet her in person. She was nice enough to ask about my health, so if you missed it, rest assured I’m cancer free! Nothing like cancer to re-prioritize your life See, it was on my “bucket list” to paint a door in the parking lot of a bug infested sauna, so this trip is all part of my ideal life.

Here are a couple painting’s I’ve yet to post. The painting I did today of an old 1890′s door is still being considered. Yes, the title came first–this is DOOR County. I like to sleep on paintings before posting, so we’ll see.

Enjoy! Comment! What do you like? Hate? Indifferent? Tell me! (always end a blog post with an exclamation point, gets your reader’s pumped!

P.S. Cinnamon Rossman and the legion of volunteers running this show are doing a fantastic job (and they all smile a lot…which I like. Smile San Francisco!)

Made it to Door County. Painting away! Too busy to write more at the moment

I was honored to be asked to join a wonderful group of artists to paint at Timberfield, the Forbes family estate in New Jersey.  Christopher “Kip” Forbes was an unbelievably gracious, open host with a wonderful dry sense of humor, and M. Stephen Doherty (Editor, American Artist) facilitated great discussion among the artists and selected a group that complemented each other well. The artists included: Camie Davis, John Patrick Campbell, Rob Clarke, Bryan Le Boeuf, George Towne, Wendy Walworth, Timothy Jahn, Ed Terpening, Patricia Watwood and John Dowd.

Artist's Dinner at TImberfield

Ed Terpening at Timberfield

Stephen writes about the weekend in American Artist Workshop magazine (Summer edition, on news stands now). That’s Camie Davis on the cover, who’s also featured in the magazine. She did a wonderful job of capturing the four days on her blog (day 1, 2, 3, and 4).

American Artist Workshop Magazine (Summer)

Here’s one of the paintings from the trip.  The artists are to be featured in a show at The Forbes Galleries in Manhattan next year.  This will be my first show in the “Big Apple”!  I’m thrilled (and a bit nervous…this is an incredibly talented group!).

Timberfield, Oil on Linen, 10x12

UPDATE (7/26/2010): Kip was kindly sent some photos of the trip.  Here are a couple:

Rob Clarke, Ed Terpening, Chase, Camie Davis, John Patrick Campbell, , Bryan Le Boeuf, George Towne, Wendy Walworth, Timothy Jahn, , Patricia Watwood and John Dowd.

Timothy Jahn and Ed-Terpening

I’ve cut down on the number of plein air events (one year, I did over 10–way too many!), and instead, are looking for events that will take me to new locales I haven’t painted before.  Just finished Hearst Castle Plein Air, and my next show is in beautiful Door County, Wisconsin (I just mis-spelled Wisconsin, thanks spell check!  I’ve never been to WI). The week-long event is July 19-24.

The list of artists is impressive, most of which I haven’t painted with before, like fellow bloggers Colin Page and Marc Hanson, and old friends like Carole Gray-Wiehman and Al Tofaneli. So, if you’re in the area (which, apparently includes Chicago), visit!  I’ll try and post that week, but can’t guarantee it.  “Job 1″ is to paint   Here are some things to know about the event:

• Free events throughout the week, including places where you  can watch me paint. If you go and want to hang out while I paint, email me and I’ll let you know where I am (AT&T permitting! #FAIL).
• Door County is a beautiful place, with 300 miles of shoreline, quaint towns and rolling farmland
• This is the largest plein air festival in the Midwest, with 42 artists from throughout the US.

Door County Plein Air 2010 Program

Where is Door County, WI?  HERE VVVV

A recent figure study. Playing with color, although the light source was quite cool. Enjoy.

Chase at Timberfield, Oil on Linen

It’s June, so too early to buy your 2011 calendar? Think ahead, 2011 is closer than you think!

Okay, I have an agenda here. American Artist has included my painting below (STILL AVAILABLE, by the way) in their 2011 American Landscapes calendar! It’s the August “pin-up”. The same painting was also featured in the 8-page article on my work in the April, 2010 issue and the 2006 Central Coast National Art Exhibition. I’m surprised it’s still available, but, you never know what people will like.

The calendar is available for sale today (here’s a link to their store).

Beach Town, Oil on Canvas, 9x12

AVAILABLE IN MY STORE

Here’s a snap-shot of the rest of the calendar:

2011 American Artist Landscapes Calendar