Plein Air Events not to be missed

This view of Mt. Hood is from the WA side. In fact I painted it a couple of weeks ago overlooking Hood River where a plein air show is about to take place at the Columbia Art Gallery, the Pacific NW Plein Air 2010. I participated in the first event but for some reason the family in the Midwest seemed to come first thereafter. I was hoping to be a participant this year again but it wasn't meant to be. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise with all that has happened in my life of late. Funny how things have a way of working out the way they are meant to without us knowing the reasons why. I will start trusting in that more as time goes on. I was blessed to have had the opportunity to paint when and where I did ... and the weather was a bit warmer! Anyone remember the weather a couple of weeks ago? What a difference a day can make for our plein air painting experiences! I've been watching the blogs of a few fellow artists, Celeste and Eric Bowman among others. Each should give you a good indication of the event. I want to commend all my colleagues "in the field" for their talents and of course their fortitude this windy week in the Columbia Gorge. Hopefully many fellow artists and patrons will come out to support these wonderful painters and their testimony to the elements as they captured the essence of outdoor painting in the NW. I for one can't wait to see the results of their efforts!

If anyone should venture to Central OR this weekend and/or through the month of September there is another Plein Air Event at the Clearwater Gallery in Sisters, OR which hosts the Plein Air Painters of OR (PAPO) 3rd Annual Juried Exhibit 2010 called "Impressions of the Seasons" juried by Richard McKinley. An event I did participate in this month. It features over 40 works by artists from all over the state. The opening reception on Sat Sept 4th will surely be worth the journey! Enjoy the bountiful plein air paintings and activities available this season!

Our Daily Gift

I have been traveling this past month and have been reflecting on many things that have happened in such a short period of time. More than I could have imagined in terms of life and death involving both family and friends. The painting at left is entitled "Quiet Solitude" and it is good to go back to that moment now and remember how life seemed to me in that moment. My parents were so proud of my new career as an artist. They looked at it as a wonderful gift to be able to capture the beauty of an ordinary day with paints and brushes. It didn't matter to them if the paintings sold or not. I may not have understood how important that was for them at the time but I think I understand it a little better now. Having lost my dad who was one of my earliest influences, and a good art friend very recently, I realize what a gift each day can be. As an artist, I've been asking myself; Do we always have to look beyond what we have created and feel we have to make it better? Are we led to believe our work has no worth unless it won an award, sold for a great price, or that it has been given approval by others? I look back at this painting and remember this glorious week that I was asked to come along to Puget Sound to paint with a few artists who were in pursuit of kicking back and painting for fun. I had second thoughts knowing I had deadlines coming up but went along on a whim. I am so glad I did. Closer friendships were forged, I learned a lot, some of my best work was achieved on that trip, and I had FUN! There was no competition, no gallery to fill, no awards to achieve. We just painted for the sake of painting. It is a great memory that I will always cherish. Those memories are worth a lot in a lifetime. So, having a recent brush with life's uncertainty, I'd like to say to all my art friends, "yes, as professionals we need to work on our skills, but life's too short, let's not forget to occasionally have fun doing it too." For a recent example see Celeste's blog .

That said, another art friend asked if I could plug an upcoming plein air event in WA this coming week. It takes place on Whidbey Island. Yes there is a competition and yes, awards are involved but hey, think of it as a bonus. It isn't thee reason we paint...it doesn't change how and why we see what we see as artists...it doesn't determine what we want to capture on canvas. So...Go with your gift! OR maybe...go on a whim! Check out: http://www.pleinairopen.com/

With Gratitude

After months of Porltand's cool damp weather and indoor paining, a refreshing opportunity arose for some much needed R&R in the sun. Last week I was able to visit the Columbia Gorge with an art friend. We left our normal daily distractions behind and painted whatever suited us in the moment. Of course it wouldn't have been possible if not for some new friends who generously offered a couple of nights at their own respite. Our lodging was strategically located on the WA side of the Columbia across from Hood River, OR. The views were incredible and the weather was quite warm, 104 degrees as a matter of fact the last day of our visit. With grand vistas of the Gorge and Mt Hood just across from us, I still became captivated with this little vignette of a nearby home along the bluffs as the sun was moving westward along the river. I'm always intrigued by the movement of light as it sweeps across the landscape, kissing the tips of the foliage that reach up to greet the sun while the remainder awaits a more subtle embrace. The distant hills appeared cool yet a warm haze hung in the air mid morning warning of the heat index we would meet head on by noon. What a glorious reminder of what Mother Nature has to offer if we just reach out to greet her. It was a supreme treat to be permitted these moments of solitude: to be present, to observe, to listen, to capture shapes, patterns, and colors with paints and brushes and no other earthly responsibilities. I've come to the conclusion that while I want to think I capture a moment in time on canvas, it is the moment in time that captures me. I will always cherish this random gift from strangers who recognized an artist's longing for such an experience and generously and cheerfully provided it with open arms. With gratitude to J&D.

Things as the are

A wonderful person and fine artist, William (Bill) Reese left this earth recently. Bill was a 'salt of the earth' type of man and will be sorely missed in life and in the art world. You would recognize him if you happened to be in the same room with him. He would be at the center of the group of people having the most fun discussing art and sharing stories and gregarious laughter. What a generous soul and an inspirational painter. The last time I saw him he was at a large table at an OPA event in Kirkland, WA. Even with his oxygen flowing to aid his breathing he would be telling stories that made everyone else laugh until they were out of breath. He and his family welcomed strangers as if family. You may have been one of his many students over the years, shared some stories, or visited his website. In any case he is a memorable painter who lived up to his reputation as a fine artist. An API member, Susan Greaves who attended Bill's funeral shared the poem that he had requested be read at his service. Yesterday a good friend of mine was able to recite this poem from memory when I mentioned the title: "When Earth's Last Picture is Painted." I would like to share it with those of you who haven't yet had the pleasure of hearing it. What a fitting tribute to one sitting in a golden chair....

When Earth's last picture is painted

And the tubes are twisted and dried,

When the oldest colors have faded

And the youngest critic has died,

We shall rest, and faith, we shall need it

Lie down for an eon or two

'Til the master of all good workmen

Shall put us to work anew.

And those that were good shall be happy.

They'll sit in a golden chair.

They'll splash at a ten league canvas

With brushes of comet's hair.

They'll find real saints to draw from,

Magdalene, Peter, and Paul.

They'll work for an age at a sitting

And never be tired at all.

And only the Master shall praise us.

And only the master shall blame.

And no one will work for money.

And no one will work for fame.

But each one for the joy of working,

And each, in his separate star,

Will draw the thing as he sees it

For the God of things as they are.

--Rudyard Kipling

The Artist Who Lived Twice

For those of you who love art and especially figurative work I hope you have been introduced to this fine artist from the past (ESJ). Elizabeth Sparhawk Jones lived to paint and after reading her story you will find out how she lived twice! Author Barbara Lehman Smith became interested in learning more about ESJ after stumbling upon her scrapbooks that were almost lost forever. You can read the circumstances that drew these two amazing women together across time. Barbara's book will be available this summer. Hopefully she will be visiting our area so please watch for announcements of her tour, book signings, or sign up for notifications on her website.

On a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago many years ago I stood in front of this very painting of "The Shoe Shop" (courtesy of AIC) by ESJ. I was mesmerized and wanted to know more about this artist. The museum gift shop had artist's images on everything from books to T-shirts but nothing with works from ESJ. Disappointed, I began my quest to find as much as I could about this artist who inspired me to pursue my own passion for painting. I did learn she was one of the early plein air artists (1889-1968) and part of a group of Urban Realists sometimes refered to as the "Ashcan School" since they painted outdoors, in streets and alleys of the city. The book covers her story as well as her friendships with other renowned artists of that time such as Marsden Hartley, Morton Schamberg, Charles Sheeler, and of course her reliance on William Merritt Chase during her studies with him. At the time I was searching the web there was very little information available. However, I discovered I was not alone in my search and touched base with many inspired artists looking for the whole story including author Barbara Lehman Smith. I am so grateful for her persistence to tell Elizabeth's story. As an artist I can relate to her struggle to find her own voice but in the strict social mores of the past it must have been significantly more difficult. Part of her story includes those family responsibilities she was expected to put before her own passions. Have any of you heard of this gifted artist who was christened by New York critics as its "find of the year" in 1908? You will be able to learn what transpired to allow her to become " ESJ: The Artist who lived twice". Her story is a wonderful reminder of the importance of listening to our own artist's voice.

Reflections on art and heart

In memory of "Survivor" special friend and art critic 1994-2010


I am back in my studio and have been reflecting on a wonderful painting trip with my API group. We had wild weather in CA but it was worth the challenge of high winds, cool temps, and frequent rain to be together to paint, share art news, and visit the many gorgeous locations both public and those privately arranged by our host. I'm sharing one of our views in nearby San Simeon which was one of my favorite spots. The photo at right is the 9x12 plein air painting I did on site. The photo below is the digital image I took for reference. I may or may not tweak the painting. I like to let it sit for awhile before deciding if it needs further work or if it will be a study for a larger piece later on. Lighting was never the same day to day so we took advantage of finding new locations frequently (there were so many choices!). Painting the crashing waves and rocks were a new challenge and very exciting to do alla prima. Many of those will be used as studies or color notes along with photo references. This was a memorable trip and proved to me how inspiring it is to be part of a talented group that takes their painting seriously but knows how to have fun in the process. You can check individual group members' works and accomplishments on the API link above.

It was a bittersweet return home when I learned my favorite pet had "hung on" for me to return in order to say good-bye after almost 16 years in our family. Appropriately named years ago by a small town newspaper after being rescued, "Survivor" has given and received lots of love from our family and will be sorely missed. My heart goes out to others who have had to deal with such a loss. I have done a lot of reflecting since returning home, obviously not just in regard to painting. After hearing so many similar family, career, and health related stories this past month, I realize how much our life experiences impacts the heart of our art.

California Dream'n

I have been preparing for a painting road trip. It is almost here! It is exciting to be reuniting with members of API a very talented group of plein air painters from across the United States. Our destination is the coastal area near Cambria, CA. The painting to the left was done when we last met in this area. We were painting on the beach near Morro Bay but as I looked upward the sun was hitting the front of this beach house so brilliantly it captured my complete attention. The misty atmosphere was lifting along the tree line and masking the distant hillside. Soft ocean breezes were refreshing us as we painted in that liquid sunshine. Over the years stonger breezes have shaped these rugged trees giving the coastline its unique silhouette. There is as much variety in this landscape as there is in this multitalented API group. One of the events planned is an informal panel discussion by select API members in Paso Robles at Studios on the Park. The topic will be "Finding Your Voice" as artists, Friday April 23rd at 5 PM. It will be an inspiring evening complete with a reception for artists and guests. I am looking forward to the California sunshine and hope it follows me to my doorstep in Oregon. My return will be just in time for the Columbia Art & Agriculture Exhibit in Hood River, OR. I am hoping to be blogging during this trip and sharing some of my plein air adventures as time permits.