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!

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.

Spot light on fruits of the season

I enjoyed a timed painting exercise yesterday using two freshly sliced blood oranges from none other than my neighborhood NEW SEASONS of course. Their produce is so juicy good and weekends often have seasonal fruit tastings prepared for you as you walk into the store.

Frequent flyer/buyers like myself have gotten to know when Brittany is making one of her gorgeous displays of sliced and diced fruits to entice the senses. Even though I didn't need these warm colors to chase away the Portland gray, one slice into this blood orange inspired me to go for it! If I hadn't taste-tested these delectable creatures they may never have come home with me to be immortalized. Instead they inspired their immediate portraits and became a treat to share before dinner. Using a small canvas and my favorite paint colors I set a timer to see what I could accomplish during my "happy hour"! I hope you enjoy this visual display but I must say they were as much fun to eat. Perfectly sweet and juicy even when they had been warmed a bit from my studio spot light! I have to stop getting side tracked by these fruits of the season when it is looking and feeling like plein air painting season is in the air. So many temptations calling to artists armed with wet paints and brushes....Spring is finally here!

Lost art work

Since this is February and "heart month" I perused my inventory of "red"paintings. I didn't realize how many I actually had. This one jumped out at me more because of the story behind it. It was memorable for many reasons but mainly because it disappeared. It vanished along with another similar piece I had painted the same day. They were going to be given to my two children since I managed to paint each of them during a painting trip. I painted each while talking to my children on my cell phone. Imagine that. I was explaining to them what I was doing and that I was thinking of them and hoping this would be a great memory for them one day. I recall placing both paintings in a wet painting carrier to dry. It was a homemade carrier made out of foam board. They and the carrier have never been seen since. I had visions of the carrier flying out of my van into the vast wilderness around Sun River, OR. (I also felt guilty that if that had happened it would be bad for the environment.) Maybe if I had signed them it could be considered a great promo stunt! Is there a lost and found site on the web? Has anyone else had an experience like this?

A first blog post

Hello, this is my first blog post and I wanted to tell you about my solo show at the US Bank at the corner of 16th & Wiedler. My show will be up until February 1, 2010. Additionally, in February, my work can be seen at Starbucks at 37th and Hawthorne.

I hope you come see me if you are in the area.