COLLAGES PURCHASED BY A LOVELY NEW YORKER !

Hey Friends,  Today is the fourth so I thought I would shoot one of my own noise makers, or toot my own horn.  These four collages were sent to Youngstown, NY on Monday.

A lovely person up there appreciated my collages.

I had a ton of fun making about 20 of  these guys.

Especially enjoyed making the papers for them.  Newsprint paper was a treat to work on.

 

I can't wait to see how they are framed and displayed.

I love getting photos from collectors of their art in situ.

now I shall get dressed for a trip to Hobby Lobby with my Daughter and GranBabes.

Enjoy your FOURTH safely.

HAPPY TRAILS

HAPPY & SAFE FOURTH OF JULY

Hey Friends,  I need to get ready for a meeting with PAR (Plein Air Roanoke) so this will be short.

Just wishing you a happy Fourth of July.

"May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right".

Laura Lein-Svencner

HAPPY TRAILS

WONDERFUL WORKSHOP AT EVERGREEN LAVENDER FARM TODAY

Hey Dear Friends,  A short note to let you know you missed a grand day painting this view above at our annual workshop at Bonnie Swanson's Evergreen Lavender Farm in Appomattox, Va.

Breath in deep maybe the lavender oils will trick you into smelling them.

And here are all the happy painters.  We had 11 students this morning and they all seemed very happy with their work and we hope they go home and frame and hang their masterpieces.  We, the DLP's had as much fun as they did.  Two of the ladies were staying after wards for a lavender wreath workshop.  How KOOL is that?

Hope you can make it next year. You won't want to leave.

Thanks to all our wonderful artists and to Bonnie Swanson for being our host.

Happy Trails

LONGWOOD PARK FOR PLEIN AIR PAINTING

Hey Friends, We  met this morning at Longwood to stay in practice but mostly to finalize details for the NO BRUSHES LAVENDER WORKSHOP in Appomattox, Va. on June 23rd.

Always a FUN and enjoyable way to spend your Saturday morning.

Outside with the sounds of nature and the heavenly scent of lavender with a gaggle of happy, friendly, helpful artists to guide you through your own painting.

I did set up and paint this morning.  I'm trying to save the once beautiful old evergreen you see behind the crabapple.  It is being choked out by various vines.

Not the best angle, I agree but I wanted the sky in the painting.  Since I am able to move mountains I made it work.  Not quite finished though.

See you on the 23rd!

HAPPY TRAILS

LAVENDER WORKSHOP AT EVERGREEN LAVENDER FARM

Hey Friends,  You have probably seen me post about this workshop every year.  This is the fourth year we will guide this workshop at the Gorgeous EVERGREEN LAVENDER FARM in Appomattox, Va.  When I say WE, I mean the DLP. Double Line Painters.  We are a group of 5 friends that go out once a week to paint in the open.  On site.

The first 3 photos are courtesy of Bonnie Swanson at Evergreen.

She has so many beautiful vista's it is easy for her to make a gorgeous photo.

This is a mini painting made by me, Sue.  I do believe Bonnie sold it at her farm.  Please click HERE to register for the workshop, limited to 15 so don't dilly dally!

We will guide you to create your own unique interpretation of the farm, using your fingers and some household items.

YOU WILL HAVE FUN!!

Plus you get to wander the beautiful farm as long as you want.

Take some photos to create another piece at home!  It will be a grand day.

Hope to see some of my friends there.

HAPPY TRAILS

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