Another Great Day

 Hey Friends,  Showing you a few shots from a wonderful day painting on the Blue Ridge Parkway with the Double Line Painters.  We went to the Buffalo Mtn. Overlook at MP 168, I think.  It's gorgeous country.

 I took my trusty little camera and watercolors with a mixed media sketch book.  So I can tell ya, mixed media paper does not work like watercolor paper.  Still a good experience.

And one ordinary view with my point and shoot.  Photo's can never capture the grandeur of Mother Nature.

Happy Trails
Travel Well

Art on the Parkway

 Hey Friends,  Bonnie Mason and I worked the crowd (Ha) at the Meadows of Dan location for this years "Art on the Parkway".  Above is just one beautiful vista.  Anyone would love it here!

 This is the intersection of the Parkway and Rt. 8 and another one, maybe Rt. 58.  Can you see the 3 antique cars? !  A lot of antique cars and trucks and motorcycles !  This is one hopping spot for the "Peak weekend for leaf peepers".  The amount of people was amazing ..........

 And here is Bonnie and yours truly.  The weather was great and a bit chilly once in a while.  We both sold some artwork and met a lot of nice locals and Parkway Travelers.  We both hate outdoor shows now BUT will be back next year !!

Thankfully our Bouncer/Bodyguard Mr. Wandy kept order in the parking lot !!!  We saw a few shady characters in boots and bibs but felt safe with him there.

Happy Trails Travel Well

Blue Moon Travels

 Hey Friends,  Finally a few minutes to post my disappointment over the "Blue Moon" last Friday night.  I headed for the Blue Ridge Parkway in plenty of time to find an overlook.  My imagination was probably out of line but I could see the moon rising over a vast sweeping view of the valley !  I think it would have been breathtaking !  BUT just as I turned off Rt.460 onto the entrance the "check engine" light comes on.  Dang, what to do.  I chickened out, fearing my car would blow up in the middle of no where.  Then once it was dark, I'd be drug off by coyotes and never seen again.  So I turned around and went back to the closest station and put oil and water in the car  and went home.  Dang, I was madd.  The light hasn't come on since.  Turns out I had filled the gas tank and the cap wasn't screwed down really tight..   Did you know your engine light will come on IF your cap is at all loose?

 So I took a few photos from my secret place.  And it was beautiful, of course.  Just not what I had in mind.  I've already painted this scene.  Not sure I like the painting.

 This photo was from the parking lot of a Holiday Inn close to home and just off I81.  Too many city lights to do the moon justice.

And this one is from Green Hill Park.  Couldn't find any good spots to shoot from.  So I quite after this one.  Went home and pouted.  The good news is we will have another Blue Moon in about 3 years instead of the eleven years I read somewhere.
So I'll work with what photos I have and be ready next time.  Maybe I can talk somebody into going with me to paint from life.  My family thinks that would be as much fun as watching paint dry !!

Happy Trails Travel Well

Osterhaus at Little Gallery

Hey Friends,  Sunday I went to the Little Gallery at Smith Mountain Lake, here in SW Va., which is in Bedford, Va.   I had the timing wrong, I thought I would see Greg Osterhaus demonstrating, but I was there just in time to see everyone walking away!  That's the finished demo above.  He will finish later, I'm told.  He is very loose and expressive and colorful.  If he isn't the top seller at LG then he's second, is my guess.  I love his work.

This was his set up on the boardwalk/deck just outside of the Little Gallery. Look at that huge paint layout !!   Wow - makes my set up look miniature.  I can foresee some changes coming soon.

Here is the Mr. O chatting with some collectors.  He never knew I was there and thats my fault.  I hate to interupt anyone esp. if I think they are talking business.

And here is a couple of his famous cows, hanging outside close to his demo.  See how colorful and energetic!

After this event I went for a little ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Only from Vinton to Floyd.  I 'll crop some of those photos and show them to you tomorrow.  The Double Line Painters will be meeting in the morning at Green Hill Park early so I will post after that.

Happy Trails Travel Well