An Artist's Journal

Lots of news that many already know but I'm excited to say we successfully moved our home and my studio to the Midwest. It is a new job for my husband and new vistas for me to paint! I was thrilled to complete a large commission in my former studio in Happy Valley, OR before having the sad job of dismantling that wonderful studio space.  I look forward to creating my next home studio.  For now I am making due in our rental space and finding lots of subjects of interest to put to canvas.  Travels have also interrupted my usual painting time but this all adds to my repertoire of photos, colors, and inspiration!

I miss my painting pals from Orgeon and am currently looking for any plein air painters in this IL area to paint outdoors (as weather permits). I have found an Art League in the nearby town of Ottawa in order to get to know local artists.  Still much to get used to and hope to keep adding to my blog as a journal of this experience.  My first entry is the painting above that I recently painted during a studio rental in Door County, WI.  The Peninsula School of Art in Fish Creek, WI allows artists to rent space during the break between workshops.  There is also a wonderful art exhibit currently at their Guenzel Salon Gallery.  See details on their website.  

My recent studio paintings were done alongside art colleagues from WI. Many are part of the Cedarburg Artists' Guild in Cedarburg,WI.  It is so great to be reunited again.  The room we rented upstairs is called the "Garret" Room.  These artists have been painting together for years and have a current exhibit called "10x10 Paint, Color, Blend by the Garret Girls" at Plymouth Arts Center in Plymouth Wisconsin. Jan.25- March 29.  Check it out if you are in the area!

Door County is a vacation destination and a haven for art, artists, and galleries.  There is so much to see and do in every season so please check out the many websites you will find about this area.  It's also widely known for it's tasty tart and sweet cherries and cherry orchards thus my alla prima oil painting above entitled "The Door County Ten" 3x12, in honor of my friends.  What a fun time painting it too!  I'll be back...

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.

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.

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!

Milestone Day

Today is a milestone birthday for a friend of mine. I won't give away which birthday but this painting brings back an unforgettable day many years ago as if it were just yesterday. At the time I had just been accepted into the gallery. My FIRST gallery. Most people have heard about the heat and humidity of mid summer in the Midwest. This particular day was a scorcher. I was one of the artists invited to paint en plein air at her home. This was just one of the many beautiful window boxes that she tended. This lady has a green thumb and I wanted to do her proud! Of course in those days we had been out celebrating the night before. (Don't ask me why, it was a while ago.) I was feeling a bit "sluggish" while working in the direct sunlight but I really wanted to nail this one. Ever feel that pressure? It seemed I had no problem remembering to squint that day. With all the finesse I could muster I announced I would take a break in the shade. Things were just not coming together if you know what I mean. When I got back to my easel I found a cool drink, a little note of encouragement and a little packet of life savors which saved mine! That note was the thing that put the day into perspective. What a turn around for me to realize what art, painting, and friendship were all about. Having fun doing what you love to do no matter what the end result. Needless to say I still keep that painting around to remind me of that milestone for me and of of course today's birthday girl...Happy Birthday Blonde!