Tulip Field with Trees

I have resolved to do better at keeping up my "daily painting blog".

My reasons (or excuses) for the evidently sad neglect:

1. Life interrupts while trying to keep up these pages.

2. Autumn light is irresistible and I have been out there just taking it all in.

3. My weekly classes are now at the stage where I have a pretty good idea of the direction I want to take the individuals who attend. That takes a lot of extra thought and preparation.

So I found this photo of a painting I did on location during the tulip festival in Mt Vernon last April. All these colors are off the ground now and in the trees. But not for long.

Gotta go back out there and get another look before it all goes away!

The Bluffs at Ebey's Landing -- SOLD

So here's the final result. This is the painting that was sold the next day at the Plein Air Painters' US Open.

No matter what the weather, this location always has something to offer. I feel grateful for the circumstances that give me such beautiful scenery to view, contemplate and paint.

Sky and Shadows

I left the sky for last.....not the usual procedure in watercolor painting, but I needed to catch the shadows on the bluffs while I could.

Now it's fine tuning while adding texture, directional strokes in the waves and more light and shadow in the foreground.

The Adolescence of the Painting

I got caught up in the painting, trying to keep up with the shadows on the bluffs.
I had to watch for those shadows as the sun kept going in and out of the clouds.

This is typically where the running commentary fades away during my demonstrations, too. The adolescence of the painting. You need all your wits about you during the adolescence of anything!

Starting the foreground and water

Here's the next step, starting the foreground and water.

On location

Here is the beginning of my interpretation of the bluffs at Ebey's Landing.

I painted this in the early afternoon on the last day.

Jamie Wyeth on Watercolor vs Oil

I have to admit that I usually favor watercolor over oil simply because of the clean up situation....so much easier with watercolor.

Imagine my glee when I heard this podcast of an interview with Jamie Wyeth! Seriously, though, what a privilege to be able to "sit down and converse" like this with him, just as you and I would after a day of painting. (Click on the link above and then listen to Episode 1.)

During a recent painting expedition on Whidbey Island, there was one situation where the light created a "ready made" oil painting on the cliffs at Ebey's Landing and I would have given anything to have my oil kit there that afternoon.

I painted a watercolor, framed it, it was accepted in the Plein Air Juried show and sold, all within 18 hours!

I am posting my photo of the location. What do you think?

After I hear your opinions, I may post a photo of my version of the scene in watercolor. Shall I?

River Blossoms

This Spring I have been reminiscing about the great memories created during visits with my parents and grandparents.

This is a typical view from across the river on the way to our loved ones in Eastern Washington.

Winter Nest

This is an appropriate image to start catching up with my sadly neglected blog.

Among other things, I have been "feathering my nest".

That means we have taken on the challenge of completely gutting and remodeling our main floor, including new hardwood floors, lighting, ceilings and remodeling the fireplace in the family room. Some kitchen elements have been changed, too. So it has been time consuming, but rewarding.

Homer Exhibition at AIC

The Art Institute of Chicago is hosting an exhibition of 130 watercolors by Winslow Homer. Attend, by all means, but if you are unable to go, they have a fantastic overview of the exhibit online at http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/exhibitions/homer_exhb/overview

Do you know exactly where his permanent studio at Prout's Neck is located? See the menu on the upper right side of that page and click "Behind the Scene" for photos of his palette and brushes, videos of basic watercolor techniques with related artwork by Homer, his locations and much more!

My two favorite painters are John Singer Sargent and Winslow Homer. Who are yours?