SUMMER VACATION IS OVER !!!

 

Hey Friends,  It's true.  It's Over.  I have been silently working in the background.  Been getting ready for the festival type art shows coming up very soon.  In Lynchburg, Pearisburg, and right here in Salem, Va.

I have worked on a couple smaller pieces for my ETSY shop.  Click HERE for the above.

 

I went with my paint buddies, the DLP's, to Buchanan, Va. this morning to enjoy painting in this beautiful weather we have been having.

Enjoyed every minute of it !  Only managed to paint one.  But I have a few decent photos to work from.

 

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Happy Trails

WORKING ON THE LAST PIECE FOR THE ELEMENTS SHOW AT GOOSE CREEK !!

 

Hey Friends,  Thought it might be of interest for you to see the beginning of this last piece for the ELEMENTS show.  This will be a dyptch.  This is the stained Masa Paper drying in the parched grass.

 

And this shot shows you what gelato containers are good for when empty! Gesso is easier to deal with in smaller jars.  The cradled panels had to have gesso barriers before gluing the Masa down.

 

This is the beginning of adding bird shapes.  Very loose and splashy.

 

I have a water soluable graphite pencil that I love and it proved useful on this wet paper.

I had forgotten how much I love to work on Masa.  I must use it more often. 

It should be easier to deal with on hardboard versus stretched canvas, the gluing stage I mean.

 

I will do the gluing in the morning so we shall see.

 

Have a wonderful and peaceful Sunday.

 

Happy Trails

RECEPTION AT THE GLEBE

 

Hey Friends,  the Double Line Painters had a reception this evening at the Glebe in Botetourt.

We all squeezed into one shot, which doesn't happen too often.

In case you don't know-starting on the left, Sue, Bonnie, Judy, Mary Ann, Linda.

 

One little photo of a few small paintings I did for 150 challenge.

We all enjoyed the crowd and the gracious lady that invited us to show, Patricia Huber.

Several of the visitors were artist themselves so  they enjoyed seeing how other artists work.

 

Glad you could stop by.

 

Happy Trails

EXPERIMENTING WITH DISPLAYS

 

Hey Friends,  I have wanted for a long time to show my work in an actual home setting.  I know this can be done virtually but have not found any DIY or tutorials on such.

 

So the only thing left, is do it manually.  And what a job !  And no, I did not feel like painting the wall or doing hours of house keeping.  I'm not much of a house wife, would much rather be painting.

I took photos of most of the larger work on hand.  That took several hours.  Now if anyone out there would please take a moment to let me know if this stinks or is it acceptable?

And while you are visiting, go take a look at the DLP Blog.  Maybe the timing of some of our local shows will fit into your schedule and you can come by to say HI !

                                                             Happy Trails

My Blue Moon Photo

 

Hey Friends,  OK,  the VACATION is over.  YEP, I did exactly what an artist is NOT supposed to do.

 

Not showing up for work is BAD for business.

 

But since I don't have an actual building to go to - I thought I could get away with it.

 

I've had a fabulous summer so far.  And I have painted pretty often.  And I do have most of the work done for some shows coming up.

 

The Double Line Painters has kept me occupied a bit too.

 

I was in the Food Lion parking lot when I took this photo.  I'm never in a pictureessqq place when a beauty like this occurs.  I almost missed it because of the massive amount of traffic in Salem now a days. (Spell check isn't working)

Glad you stopped in.

 

Happy Trails

MY VISIT TO THE LITTLE GALLERY AT SML TO MEET #ROBERT SARSONY

 

Hey Friends,  I thought #Robert Sarsony was going to demo (a bit disappointed) but it's OK.  I enjoyed meeting Robert and his wife.  And he was busy talking with LG customers/collectors anyway.

 

And I got Pam Bryant (new owner of the LG@sml) to stop a minute for a picture with Robert.

Isn't she pretty?

 

So I thought why not just do a blog post on what I saw at the gallery today. 

 

Of course, the place was hopping so I can't show all the photos I took.

 

This is a very sweet lady that bought one of his masterpieces.  She said she was going to buy one of his every year.  Good news for him.  All the paintings on that left wall are his.

The 2 on the far wall, straight back, are #Bonnie Mason's.

 

And of course, I had to have a photo of a customer perusing #Greg Osterhaus's Cows.

 

Hope you enjoyed visiting my blog and all the pretty pictures !

 

Happy Trails

PLEIN AIR PAINTING TODAY

 

Hey Friends,  A few shots to prove to you I'm still alive AND still painting.

#The Double Line Painters went to the little "Rotary Park" on Rt.419 also on the Greenway.

 

We all started one or two that will probably be finished back in the studios.

 

The water level is extremely low right now.  We need a long, steady rain of several days.

Don't think this is going to happen.

 

I suspect most of these little paintings will end up in our "150 Challenge".  Or maybe some of the festivals coming up this fall.

I'm pretty busy painting for our "Elements Show" and the Lynchburg and Pearisburg shows.

AND playing with the Gran Babes right now too.  They will be back in school soon so gotta enjoy summer while we can.

 

Thanks for coming by.

HAPPY TRAILS

New Venue in Salem, Va. - PENNY LANE SHOPTIQUE

 

Hey Friends,  Hope you an help spread the word about this neat little gift shop called "Penny Lane Shoptique" on West Main Street, Salem, Va.  For my friends in Salem, just go past the street to Green Hill Park (Duiquids)(sp) about a block or so and it is on the left.  I'm told the building was a Mexican restaurant at one time.

 

 

And I just wanted to add these last 2 photos 'cuz I thought they were such a HOOT!!

 

Bonnie was photo bombing me !  But I don't think she believed me so I'm proving it.

 

Anyway

 

Happy Trails

PLEIN AIR PAINTING AT EXPLORE PARK

 

Hey Friends,  I've been out painting with my buddies today.  A nice little park just off the Blue Ridge Parkway not far from Mill Mountain (where the STAR is).

 

I only got one done today.  I was trying to follow some of Katheleen Dunphy's tips for plein air.

For a while I couldn't see that it made any difference but by the end I think her advice may have made it a tad easier.

 

It will be dry soon and I can scan it to show you.

And please give me your opinion.

 

HAPPY TRAILS

New Work at Goose Creek Gallery in Bedford, Virginia

 

Hey Friends,  New work was installed in Bedford today.  My plein aire painting group, the Double Line Painters, with Judy and Mary Anne hung this new show. Goose Creek participates in the 2nd Friday Art Walk so this is a great time for you to stretch your legs and view all the gorgeous art they have in their one of a kind gallery.

 

 

I have been trying very hard to mimic Ovannes Berbarian's painting style.  He paints in the Russian Impressionist style like Sergei Bongart.

 

Well, let me tell you . . . It's very difficult.  I doubt if I will ever master it.  I'm sure it would take a long life time and I don't have much of it left.

 

I still enjoy this challenge and hope it will become second nature.  Only time will tell.

In the meantime, please try to get out to Bedford.  It is a short little drive, very scenic, and low stress.

I'm sure you will enjoy the pretty little town of Bedford.

 

Happy Trails