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)

Full Moon Setting

As readers of this blog know, I am an early riser.  I sat on the edge of the bed to sketch this morning's full moon, just sinking through the pine trees.

This is the 6 x 6 pastel I later did in the studio. I have always liked following the moon and knowing what phase it is in and where it will appear when. It is a mysterious magical orb that is also completely logical and predictable. I guess I am a fan of science and art. Since my first school science fair project I've known they were good bedfellows. (cotton glued to blue poster board to illustrate the different forms and types of clouds and their significance in weather science)

Sturgeon Moon

The full moon has influenced me to do all kinds of unusual things...like draw....no, not blood...pencil to paper in the dark....complete dark....didn't want to ruin my night vision by lighting anything.

Then, today at the studio I turned my memory and scribble drawing into this little sketchy 5" x 5" pastel.

And I have plans for tonight....yes, it's true I will be lurking in the shrubbery...fumbling with my assortment of tiny lighted objects, sketchbook, pens, etc....please don't come 'round my house and scare me.

The Gardener's House

SOLD

This is an early morning plein air painting of a charming property that the Tuesday Painters were invited to visit and set up our easels. It is 16 x 16 and available for purchase framed.

Imagine having a gardener living in the midst of an extensive garden...or being a gardener living in this cute place. (I think many decades ago I read a banned book about this. My mother smuggled it over the border during one of my father's fishing trips in the 1950's. He was concerned about not exceeding the number of allowed dead fish in the cooler. I wonder if he knew about Lady Chatterley's Lover in my mom's suitcase. Neither of them knew of my secretly reading it a few years later)

Nine days in the Mid West...and Home Sweet Home

I'm home after an intense road trip through the mid west, the purpose of which was adding 7 new states to my Fifty State Plein Air Painting Project. I visited a few museums, too. You can read all about the fun and frustrations of a solo sojourn in scorching heat and see the paintings by clicking the link. I am still adding finishing touches in the studio so all 7 states will be posted by this time next week. Only 8 states left to paint in!

I returned to my Life Drawing class at River Gallery School of Art and a challenging pose and set-up above; willow charcoal on a buff printmaking paper of unknown name. 20 x 16

Then off to Sketch Group the next afternoon. This is the second year in a row we have sketched during afternoon rehearsals of the renown Marlboro Chamber Music Festival. While we are working out the dynamics of hand positions and composition and head tilts the quintet is debating and questioning the composers intent and how best to express the music through their instruments and sensitivities of interpretations. It is without a doubt one of my favorite sketch occasions. Apparently anyone is welcome at rehearsals, even if you just want to take a beautifully accompanied nap. In my graphite pencil sketch below the clarinet player had not yet appeared.

This blog is all about me and my tangents, but I am interested to hear your reactions, responses and what is happening in your life. Have you thought about forming a sketch group in your town? It is free and fun...just need a pencil and paper and maybe money for coffee. Ours started with two sketchers who became two friends and invited others. Now we are four to six regulars and other occasional drop-ins.

I welcome comments and emails.

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

Feeling Hot? Get cool...

Visit the cool art exhibit at The Brooks Library on main street in Brattleboro, Vermont - now through end of August. Three of the Tuesday Painters (Charlotte Fischer, Deedee Jones and I) have put up a show of oils and pastels. The cooling effect is provided by lavender, waterfalls, shady glens, pools and snow. Dive right in and sign our guest book so we know you were there. 

PS: The Brooks Library is air conditioned.