THE PEAKS OF OTTER WAS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO BE TODAY

Hey Friends,  First thing I would like to know !  Does anyone out there in Cyber Land know what kind of tree this is?  Really want to know.  Took this photo this morning and the leaves are all gone and the bark is gray green.

This was my first work.  A little cove along the edge of Abbot Lake at the parkway road.

Started with an under layer/block in of phalo turq. & raw umber.

Here is a better view of the waters edge.  A very few leaves laying on the water had some crimson but that was about all.

A view looking across Abbot Lake to where Linda and Bonnie were set up to paint.

Here is my last little creation that needs much more work.  When I finish I'll show the before and after. 

Just had a delicious day and hope you did also.

Til next time !

Happy Trails

PLEIN AIR AT A GORGEOUS FARM

Hey Friends,  I was out this morning with my friends in the Smith Mountain Lake area.  Off of Rt.122 to be exact.  At a friends Farm.  An unbelievable mansion with a pond and horse pasture and more, more.

The painting above was done by my friend, don't want you to think I'm taking any credit for her work.  Didn't show you mine because they look so amateurish beside of hers.

So now, don't forget to come and visit at South Peaks 3rd annual plein air paint out !! Sat, day after tomorrow and Sun.  AND  the weather is going to be fabulous.

There will be plenty to see, besides the painters.

See you then

Happy Trails

BOTETOURT PAINTING

Hey Friends,  I thought I was in Buchanan but the proprietor told me I was in Botetourt.   Doesn't matter to me, both are equally gorgeous.  But I DO love this particular estate.

I am happy with the painting above but would still like to put a few horses in.

It is hard making that dry, goldish-brown color of the fields.

This painting is a lot better now.  It looked so simple, that is why I choose to do it with the left over oils on my palette.  But, NO, it was not.

The light was really changing fast so I quit.  Will finish later.

There are 2 rose bushes up there in the darkest area of the photo.

And today I went with my plein air group to Sinkland Farm just outside of Christiansburg, Va.

We had a beautiful day for plein air as you can see from the photos.

I choose this vignette with the truck and cows!  Fun except a hundred vehicles driving over the dry gravel road and kicked up a dust storm every time.  We are so very dry here in SW Va. and it's time to worry about forest fires.

And I do not know what this little structure is for but I LOVE IT.  Susan the owner has put out a lot of cute little things for the kids to interact with.  They have tons of children come on school buses from every where.  And they love to SQUEAL.

Can't wait to go back !

Happy Trails

PLEIN AIR AT SOUTH PEAK - OCTOBER 14 AND 15

Hey Friends,  We are in the final stretch or the final stages of plans for the Third Painting Event at South Peak in Roanoke, Va.

We have about 20 artists competing for 3 prizes and our judge, Trey Finney, from Spartanburg, SC is gonna have a hard time picking out three paintings !

The committee has been hard at work all summer making plans and connections.  We have had some great volunteers making boutique items for the Charity Booth to benefit the Red Cross which is helping with relief, in at least two Hurricane disaster sites, probably more.

There will be some food vendors (see the poster above) some live music and models staged for the artists to add to their plein air work.

No admission charge !  Just come to the top and enjoy the art show inside the Peaks. Sat & Sun.  Come to the awards ceremony Sunday at 3pm.

Purchase early holiday presents too !

I will remind you again soon,

Happy Trails