ROANOKE COUNCIL OF GARDEN CLUBS FOR DLP'S MEETING TODAY

Hey Friends,  Three of us went painting this morning at the Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs Home on Colonial Ave.  CLICK HERE for their FB Page.

I don't recognize that fat lady in my chair up there, but she looks like she may be having fun!

We got one of the Club ladies to take our photo with our paintings.  I'm not finished with mine.

Here is a shot of my first one almost done.

If you are looking for a place to paint, go here.  If you are looking for a space to rent for receptions or parties or whatever, go here.

Everyone is very kind, and generous.

HAPPY TRAILS

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO MY FRIENDS

Hey Friends,  We had a good time yesterday at the 2nd Helpings Reception.  I painted while people looked at the work and had refreshments.  A pleasant way to spend the time.

Becky Layman and her pretty little girl came by.  It was good to see Becky and meet her daughter.

Hope all have a great Sunday's Mother Day.  Kiss all your loved ones.

HAPPY TRAILS

PAINTING AT VWCC AND 2ND HELPINGS RECEPTION

Hey Dear Friends,  Hope you are enjoying this wonderful weather as much as I am.  I have been outside painting every day.  And yesterday I went with the DLP's to Va Western Comm. College on Colonial Ave. to paint in their fab Arboretum.  They have so many gorgeous trees and perennials, I believe I could stay there for a week and never finish.

I thought I was almost finished with my piece until I looked at it hours later when I got home!

The beautiful yellow azalea just looked out of place( I usually try to put everything in my view in a painting).  It is almost always better to do a lot of simplifying for a stronger composition.

Here is the final version.  I removed the yellow and changed the bench and made the pink Rhodie bigger.  I like it much better.

I will be at 2nd Helping's Gallery tomorrow, the 12th.  The DLP's have a new show hanging and the reception is from 1-3pm.  I will be painting a landscape and you may enjoy watching a piece in progress.  I always love to watch other artists paint.  Hope to see you at the reception tomorrow.

HAPPY TRAILS

PAINTING THE FRONT BED AT SALEM'S TEA HOUSE

Hey Friends,  Saturday was a gray grey day indeed.  I still set up my tripod at the Salem Tea House.

Only once were there a couple drops of rain.

My attraction was the old stump laying on it's side.  It looked burned. charred.  You can see I have started with sky and boxwoods.

Had to get up and stretch several times so took this photo from West Main, across from the Dynasty.

Now you can see I'm moving right along.  The threat of a thunderstorm helps to keep from dilly-dallying.  They call it tickling the painting.

The poppies add a lot of interest.  Once they have had a few years they will be the focal point.

Now if you go around to the back, you are treated to these massive trees.  I would bet at one time that was a koi pond between the benches.  I can see some paintings done here.

This shot was taken from the fence you see up there in previous photo.  And you can see the edge of the patio with iron chairs on the left.  If they seat diners out there in the warm months, that would be an interesting painting.

Love these gnarly old trees.

Hope to get back there soon.

A BIG Thank You to Kim Arney for allowing me to paint.

HAPPY TRAILS

PLEIN AIR PAINTING AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Hey Friends,  I have been outside most of the last couple days. PAINTING!!

Summer is H-E-R-E!  Yay.  So I have not wasted too much time indoors.

The top photo is my annual painting of the Spirea.  It seems last year the Iris were blooming at the same time. Not this year.  But the iris seems to be struggling, they may need to be divided.

This 2nd photo is a home (it used to be a church) down the hill from us.  I love the old gnarly tree and it's shadow.

And this is the row of mailboxes at the bottom.  Looks so mundane, doesn't it?

I am in our little golf cart.  My tripod barely stands up in it.  But it gives me shade.

And it makes hauling my stuff around so much easier.  I love it.

Tomorrow, Sat. May 5th, I will be in Clifton Forge at their Mayfaire.  They are having a plein aire event and a wet paint sale at 4pm.  All kinds of vendors and crafters.

Hope you can join us.

HAPPY TRAILS