Butternut Gallery Exhibits My Paintings

from Louisiana

Hello, Susquehanna County! You are invited to the opening celebration on September 24th from 3 to 6pm at The Butternut Gallery in Montrose, PA. I will be there along with a selection of paintings from my recently completed Fifty States Plein Air Painting Project.

to California

All 50 original pastel paintings were done on location during the recent years as I traveled throughout the USA. They depict light and atmosphere of real places and certain days.

to Rhode Island

to Oregon

to Utah and way beyond.

I hope you will come to see the work and chat with me on Saturday afternoon the 24th of September.
I will be bringing a few garden pieces, too...including some small watercolors.

Season's Greetings

We are getting our first real snow tonight...6"-12" they say. This will make fellow Vermonters happy. I will try to appreciate the beauty of having my world transformed overnight. It is always a magical event and made even better by a little sunshine! If your December is a dark gray gloomy one, here are some rays for you. 4pm Winter Garden.

This large pastel is finally in the frame after a particularly long gestation period in which it just hung around and hung around my studio...sort of like the snowdrops...wishing won't do it...one must just wait until the time is right. Not sure where it's next stop is, but I think I will enjoy it for awhile in it's finished state.

Vermont Pastel Society Exhibit November

This month the Vermont Pastel Society is exhibiting some of their members work at Hooker Dunham Theater in Brattleboro. A blog post gives you a nice glimpse of the show including my painting, Dahlia Season (above) as well as details and links.

My HALLOWEEN week mis-adventure

A lovely crisp fall day brought all 5 of the Tuesday Painters out of their warm studios to paint some sheep and cows at the farm of The Putney School. Two of us were just finishing up our paintings. As I started to carry mine to my car a short way down the farm road, a goblin snagged my toe causing me to plant my face rather abruptly into the gravel and freshly applied pastel. As I dragged myself to my feet, checking to make sure all body parts appeared to be in working order, my friend turned to see me staggering toward her with blood pouring from my two sand and gravel filled lips and the rest of my face wearing 'grass green', 'sky blue' and 'barn pink'. OWWW that hurt!

So this is what it looked like moments before that happened.

Many Thanks to my level headed fellow artist, Basha Freudenberg, who was not the least bit fazed by all the blood, for her assistance and kindness! Later my husband encouraged me to let him drive me to the ER for a professional exam. Spooky.Hours later the understated Dr Terwilliger looked at my lip and inquired, "bleed much?" A right hand X-ray showed that to be wounded but not broken. Tetanus shot...always a good idea when you eat dirt next to the manure pile.

As for the painting??? just a little blood on the margin, but my carefully selected and applied colors, have been 'bewitched'. When I get my glasses fixed I'll see what can be done. Beware...evil lurks.

Greenhouse in Moonlight

Today's 6" x 6" studio pastel painting made from last night's sketch (below).

(photographed this morning on the windowsill, but drawn in the dark...using the light of the moon)

64 Miles, The Ashuelot River

Two of my plein air paintings have been accepted into this juried art exhibit highlighting the twisty length of this scenic and lively New Hampshire river. I posted the first painting earlier in the spring when I made it. This one was painted at the Atlantic Paper Mill ruins. (am I right about that location name? tell me.) It is called A Colourful Past. 

I'll be back exploring and painting this river in the months and seasons to come. Regular readers of this blog know that I like to find the unusual views and unsung spots. I'll leave the covered bridges for other artists to love, while I try to avoid poison ivy, searching out my own unique picture and learning a little local history.

This exhibit is on view all summer from July 19 until September 30, at the

Historical Society of Cheshire County, 246 Main St. Keene, New Hampshire.  603.352.1895 ext 5

Water Power!

My friend and I painted along the Ashuelot River in south western New Hampshire yesterday morning. We chose neighboring towns; Westminster and Hinsdale...(our chatter didn't annoy each other...just innocent passers-by). My 14 x 18 pastel Homes Along Ashuelot River was done in about two hours of intense work with another hour of work and looking in the studio today. It is finished, mostly.

The Ashuelot River is beautiful, varied, freshly stocked with fish (I saw state of NH doing that) and of great economic, cultural and historical interest. Grist mills, saw mills, paper mills, fabric mills, electricity generation-today and yesterday. I will check out my presumption, but these homes probably housed workers at the huge brick shabby industrial complex across the river. ??? Sometimes an artistic decision on my part arouses my curiosity and I will have to figure out what was manufactured there and when.

We are both going back tomorrow for another chance to spend a day on the Ashuelot, hopefully with dry feet.

Little Bitty Pretty One

I returned to my stuffy little studio after a few days of travel painting wondering what I would paint next. As I opened my door this is what I saw. One of my homely little prickly cacti had turned into a butterfly and it was begging for all my attention...Right Now! 

I might be working on a new series: Windowsill Bloomers. Stay tuned.

Retreat Waters

These quiet waters are on the property of Brattleboro Retreat, a 620 acre mental health and addictions treatment hospital. It is the shallows just where the West River joins the Connecticut River. The public uses these vast and picturesque waters year-round; canoeing, kayaking, ice fishing, cross country skiing. And it has been the subject of many a painting and photograph, which did not stop me from joining a small group of plein air painters on a recent Wednesday morning. We were invited to set up our easels on the lawn of a private residence high above the water. In good spirits at such a fine day we each made a very different painting of the same place.

I am an intense plein air painter. I spent two hours working on this from 9:30 until 11:30. By that time it was a very different scene than it had been when I began. That is my signal to pack up. After hundreds of paintings done out of doors, I am not leisurely about getting my subject painted as quickly as possible. I have trained myself to work fast and search for the essence of the scene. I work the whole picture at once. No dawdling; just enough detail to convey what I think is essential about the light and place. After two hours you might just as well go home or start another painting. This day I was happy to save my remaining energy for an afternoon of gardening.

This painting is for sale. Contact me if you are interested.

Falk Road, Dummerston, VT

I love to drive around my new neighborhood in Vermont, investigating possible painting sites...just looking at the views. On a previously un-driven-by-me gravel road ten minutes from home I came upon this fabulously tree-infested, nicely cultivated property. The garden was tilled and some stakes were up. No vehicles came by for the 3 hours I was there on the side of the road. Then the clouds even decided to cooperate. A perfect day for plein air painting.

This 16 x 20 was done on the very toothy Richeson pastel board (slate) with a mix of Sennelier and Great American soft pastels.

Garden To Be

On the corner of my deck sit a few pots of pansies and some annuals and French tarragon; a restrained selection, for me, in anticipation of a few small construction projects here this summer. We are having a formerly used small greenhouse attached to our house, the deck enlarged and the front stone walk and steps rebuilt. This 12 x 16 pastel is my first plein air painting of 2012. Well, at least I didn't wait until May...quite. I painted this yesterday afternoon. Happy planting!

Cinco de Mayo

Trying to ignore my chores, I set up my easel in the garden just before 10 am because it was a warm, clear day and we haven't had many of those here in the Northeast this spring. I wanted to capture some of the soft colors and a feeling of the garden bloom beginning it's seasonal progression. I was pretty sure the dandelions would still need weeding later as would the latest closet cleaning in the studio.

In this picture the lead role is taken by the aptly named Star Magnolia, a sweetly fragrant bush we love to sit near. The supporting cast is a diverse lot of conifers, hardwoods and two apple trees with an adorable guest appearance by the little coral species tulips.

About 10:15 the wind kicked up and my board threatened to take the whole easel for a sail across the garden. My trusty stone bag saved the day and I've included a photo of this fold away piece of indispensable gear I carry in the bottom of my backpack. Stones can be found in most places I paint, but in their absence I've scooped up hands full of sand or purchased a gallon of water. Whatever you use for ballast will stabilize your easel in a surprisingly stiff wind. It lowers the center of gravity, there by making painting actually possible.

Later when I did get around to cleaning out some drawers in the studio storeroom I found a brand new spare stone bag! I didn't even know I had two! That one will be included in my upcoming BIG STUDIO MOVING SALE May 27, 28, 29 & 30 along with an array of prints, paintings, art supplies and other unique items useful...or at least interesting...to artists and collectors. There will be deals, trust me.

Dwarf Iris Rules the Earth

In early spring my garden has a riveting swath of intense blue slicing through it. Iris reticulata are small (4-6 inches tall), but they make a big statement. Their display is especially welcome set in the debris of my untended winter garden. They like good drainage, sun and can survive much colder temperatures than we get here in Zone 4/5. 100 of the bulbs will only cost you $30 and once planted you can pretty much sit back and watch your investment grow, doubling annually. They have been pest-proof for me for about a decade...and you don't have to stake them like their larger relatives with beards.

For me they have been an elusive subject for camera or easel, until this year. I finally have a pastel painting of them I like. Dwarf Iris with Lichen is part of the Transitions Series.

Ground Hog Day in Vermont

No woodchuck saw his shadow this year...and many of us in the NE are ready for a hint of spring. So we are reassured that spring will come early. I spent the day looking out on two of my garden trees....sort of an incongruous, artless pairing. They are of a similar size; a black cherry and a paper birch. They appear to be growing away from each other like the north poles of magnets...likes repel. The day was full of heavy snowfall, but we did not get the 30" predicted...around 12", I think, which makes over 36" on the ground in southern Vermont. It was tough shoveling to stock the bird feeders. The snow blower is in Pennsylvania.

Sometimes the Moon Just Blows Me Away

SOLD
A stormy night just after sunset at my place, is the source of this 9 x 12 pastel painting. It, and a few other small nocturnes will be for sale here at my studio during The 14th Annual Artists Open House Weekend ; studio tour in Susquehanna County PA coming up on Columbus Day Weekend.

I will be doing demonstrations on Monday, October 11th: watercolor at 11 am and pastel at 2pm.

Birch Trees Dancing

SOLD
I was invited to a paint out yesterday by members of Hill Country Artists. At Christine Olson's home there were many wonderful trees and flowers to paint but these two caught my eye. In fact, it seemed like they were the only couple on the dance floor, gracefully swaying in the morning light. For such a simple subject they gave me a surprisingly difficult time. I'd love a chance to paint them again; I think I could use fewer strokes, a smaller amount of pastel and considerably less sweat and swearing the second time around. I'm not even sure this painting is finished now. Maybe tomorrow will bring even further clarity.

Moonlit Winter Garden

SOLD
This small painting was done in the studio yesterday, but the scene is outside my studio window. It is my snow covered garden complete with shadowy creatures and a crescent moon. 9 x12.

The Big Gold Tree - Demo

Here is the finished painting (bottom) that I started on October 12th in front of those of you that watched the pastel demo at my studio. It was born of a sketch from my mind rather than a photo or plein air study. I am happy with the gold glow of this pastoral autumn scene. I like the various textures. It has a lot of energy, but still conveys a quiet peace. The composition is a little quirky, which I like, but it works.

I've included the top image which is how I left it that day after about one and a half hours of intense work. The middle image represents another couple of hours work, as does the final one...add an hour for sketch work...and several hours of looking and thinking...plus framing...and selling.

I am often asked how long it takes me to make a painting. My temptation is to say " four hours and 40 years"...meaning it used to take me a long time...now I know what I am doing and it still takes me a long time because I am not so easily satisfied. That said, some paintings paint themselves and some sell themselves, but that is not the norm....most take hard work...and time....and I love it.

It is 14 x 19 and will be for sale soon at $650 framed.

The Red Shirt

SOLD
This painting attracted a good deal of attention at the annual Summer Art Exhibit at my studio in Montrose, PA. It is a fairly large pastel at 30 x 20 inch image size. People respond to the sky and the space and it was great fun hearing people's responses and ideas of a story to go with the painting. I'd love to hear yours.

The Red Shirt is in the 13th EMCA Annual Regional Art Exhibition through September 27. The venues are Wyoming County Courthouse Gallery (business hours) and Endless Mountains Council of the Arts Center (F, S, Su 1-5) both in Tunkhannock 570.836.EMCA.

Day's End

SOLD
This is my first major painting of the year. I've been working on several large pastels in the studio and this one is the first to be framed. It will be for sale at The Butternut Gallery in Montrose, PA 570-278-4011. The show called Recent Landscapes and Wishful Thinking will open Saturday February 23rd. Cheryl Korb and I will be sharing wall space there through April 20.

I love painting for specific exhibitions; and I thrive on deadlines. I will have several brand new paintings for this show. Hope to see you there. This one is 30" x 18" image size.