"PAINT VAN BUREN CO" Plein air event

Picture of artist Deb Baughman in VBCAC plein air event.

I am the current President for the Van Buren Co. Arts Council in SE Iowa.  2020 marks the 5th year we've sponsored a plein air competition called,

"PAINT VAN BUREN CO."

I'm inviting artists/patrons to come join us May 22nd, 23rd, and 24th to participate for cash awards/purchase awards or to watch artists work on location through out the county.

On Friday, May 22nd, we'll be in Bonaparte, IA to paint all day.  A "Quick Paint" will happen in this community from 3-5pm.    

Saturday, the 23rd, and Sunday morning, the 24th - artists are free to pick a location in the county to focus working at.  Noon on Sunday.....Registered artists are allowed up to 3 finished/framed paintings in our cash awards ceremony.  All other work created during this event may be for sale in our pop up gallery at Hotel Manning, Keosauqua, IA.

For detailed information about the plein air event and registration form, please contact me ginlammert@yahoo.com .  I can either email you back with a PDF file or with your mailing address, send you a copy of this year's event.

To check out more about Van Buren County, go to Villages of Van Buren

A Blue Ribbon painting!

 

Finished Soft Pastel - 11x14

Pastel used as underpainting. Set on UArt paper with 91%rubbing alcohol.

Showing the area I focused on during morning light.

This pastel won 1st place at the "Paint Washington" plein air competition held this past weekend.  The event was sponsored by Art Domestique gallery in Washington, Iowa.

Artists painted all around the community.  Some of us challenged ourselves with painting during the evening Friday night, followed by finding that spark around town all day Saturday & Sunday morning.  Artwork was turned in at the gallery for judging by noon Sunday.  Then, we participated in a 2 hour "quick paint" located in the park in the middle of the business district. 

The competition was tough and I'm truly filled with gratitude in winning this award.

Keokuk Reception Date Change

UPDATE CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do to a "hick up" in scheduling in the space where my art show is, the Artist Reception for my one person show at the Round Room in Keokuk, IA is 

NOVEMBER 9TH   5-7PM

If you are in the area, I hope you will drop by for goodies, see the body of work and visit me during this event.  Artwork will be hanging the month of November.  

To be in plein air painting show

Above is a painting I did of the train depot (no longer in use) in Middle Amana, IA.  This will be one of the pieces that will be on display and for sale during the November show in Keokuk, IA.  

Show will hang in the round room, on the main floor of the Keokuk Public library.  Feel free to contact me if you have questions about the show.   ginlammert@yahoo.com

One Person show month of November!

Keokuk Art Center , Keokuk, IA is sponsoring a one person show of my artwork created this year.  Most will be of paintings still in my possession from participation in plein air competitions plus a few still life compositions to break things up.

ARTIST RECEPTION NOV. 2nd

5pm to 7pm

at the Round Room - Keokuk Public Library.  

210 N 5th St

Keokuk, IA  52632

Painting at Sundown Mountain Resort

11x14 Oil on board

View of what I was painting

Candid shot of artist Carlene Dingman Atwater painting on the ski resort's lodge deck.

October 8th thru the 14th was the "Bluff Strokes" Plein air competition in Dubuque, IA.  I, along with 59 artists, had the opportunity to paint where ever we wanted in Dubuque County.  Of course, there were suggestions from the sponsors where certain locations would award us with cash winnings.   When Carlene and I happened to stop at this ski resort.....yes, Iowa has a place to snow ski ......our view was too rich in farmland  color on a dreary, rain laced day to pass up.  I'll be posting more from this event soon.

"Paint the Point" last week

"Paint the Point" in Mineral Point, WI was an event I participated in for the first time.  It was held this past week Tues., thru Sat.  An artist gathering was held on Tuesday evening with some wonderful appetizers complimented with local brewed beer.  We mingled and introduced ourselves to new paint buddies and sponsors of the event.

This being the first time being in Mineral Point, I had my friend John Preston, (which has participated  the past 3 years ),  take the wheel and drive my friend Carlene Dingman Atwater and I around Tuesday evening to check out the vistas and town of Mineral Point for potential painting compositions.

After having panels stamped at 7am on Weds., I headed out East of town to park along highway 39 and paint this view looking NW.  Photo's a bit washed out but you get the jest of the 14"x11" panel.  This work, along with the one below, SOLD during the Public viewing and sales on Saturday.  WhooHoo!

 Thursday I decided to hang out on Mineral Point's High Street which is the heart of some pretty awesome stone built buildings that house artist Studios, Deli's, Boutiques and other fine businesses.  If you're not familiar with the community, it's mainly an artists haven for potters, contemporary painters, and creative souls in general.  Mineral Point is approx. 39 miles SW of Madison, WI.

Below is the shop of a very talented weaver that specializes in high end fine scarves and clothing.  The owners did most the restoration work on the building themselves....including the removal of asbestos tiles on the floor. They hired a local carpenter to recreate the store front to as close to the original look as possible.  The doors alone are a solid 3 inches of beautiful Oak.  Glass in the windows have waves in it to look as authentic to antique glass as possible.  It was fun painting the reflections as wavy curves......like water.

Yep......it was the colorful wind socks that drew me in......they screamed to me..... "You W-A-N-T to paint me"!    I started this 12"x 9" oil one day and came back the next morning to finish it.

I've gotta learn to talk and paint at the same time.  I had a GREAT time visiting with passersby and overall this week, I've learned a lot about the origins and happenings of this historic town.

(P.S.  I took artistic license and added flower pots on the sidewalk.  The owner said she had the exact type of pots on the back porch of the building and offered to move them out front for me.....my my.... I met friendly/helpful people at every turn.

Plein Air painting in Lee Co.

11x14 soft pastel in Wallis paper

Sunday was the Fort Madison Iowa Garden Tour.  I was invited to paint the beautiful Vista from the Rump's home.  In the distance you can see the Bluffs in Illinois.  I can only imagine the gorgeous sunrises viewed from where I stood.

This year's tour focused on homes just North of Fort Madison itself.   Most were near Wever Iowa along the 4 lane highway 61.

I so enjoy anytime I can share with others what soft pastels are & the beauty of this medium.  I had some wonderful conversations throughout the day with people that had know idea what I was painting with.  Most people that aren't art conisours think the medium is chalk that is used on chalkboards. 

I love the expressions when I share I'm working with pure color pigment & how the vibrancy will never change with time if the artwork is properly cared for.

Both Plein air & Studio

This first image shows the first wash of pastels with Mineral spirits  to capture shadows.  My substrate is a primed mat board.  I used Art Spectrum  Colourfix fine tooth multimedia  clear primer.

2nd wash filling in basic colors.

Here's the final painting.  The underpainting wash technique was done on location.  I ran out of time ( had to be somewhere else) to finish the work outdoors.  I snapped a photo  and used it to finish the work in my studio.

8x10 on board

"Rippling Shadows"

Enjoying the warmer Weather!  

We gathered at Indian Lake near Farmington Iowa.

Afternoon Light

8x10 watercolor

1st Plein Air painting this new year.  Went out Eagle watching today with fellow artist Deb Baughman.   While driving along the banks of the Des Moines river in Wapello Co., we got all excited about this barn along the side of the road.   

Since it was really cold out, we decided to sit in Deb'S mini van & break out the watercolors.  It worked out Great sitting in the front seats.  Next time, we're setting up in the back where there’s a ton of room.  I told her I'd bring my small foot stools to sit on & i'll probably work in pastels.      

Will definitely get some photos of us hard at work.

Ah....Looking back.... Summer 2016

While browsing through my photos earlier, I began thinking about what 2017 will hold for me in way of participating in Plein Air events. I came across this photo of being in Corning, Iowa this past summer and had to share with all of you.

Maybe I lingered a bit long studying this shot because it was very hot sitting in the sun while painting and it's now 20 degrees outside.  I suddenly felt warmer sitting by the computer.

  Hmmmmmm, I think I should  get out and work during these cold months so I can "think cool thoughts" when viewing pics come  next heat wave.

I really don't need to look for an excuse to paint outdoors anymore.  I'm hooked to painting "in the moment"!  

Nocturnal Painting!

  8"x 10" Oil on canvas board

 10"x 8" - Soft Pastel on UArt paper

Works here were created over this past Labor Day weekend in Main Amana, IA.  Catiri's Art Oasis  sponsored their 9th year of "Fresh Paint" Plein air competition during the 3 day celebrated weekend.  33 artists attended  - creating around 70 works of art. (wasn't positive on that total number)

Nocturnal painting can be a fun challenge for artists.  I have 2 LED Orchestra pit lights that clip on my easel set up......one on the canvas holder - the other directed on my palette box.  Both run on AAA batteries.  They provide perfect light to work from at night so as not to obscure the view but still be able to see what I'm doing.

Surprisingly, after dark has been much more pleasant to paint outdoors this summer.  For some reason, less bugs that bite, or fly around and get in the paint.  Dawn and Dusk are the most challenging time of day to keep the bugs away.

Green Lamp Post/Trellis

Here's a better picture of the artwork I posted.  I fell in love with the patina on this lamp post.  It was a perfect match for the flowers around it and the home in the background.  

"Fresh Paint" in Amana, IA

I was one of 30 artists that participated this past weekend in Catiri's Art Oasis's "Fresh Paint" competition in the Amana's  Iowa.  This marked the 9th year for the gallery to sponsor the plein air event.

A couple from St. Charles, IL (Chicago area) snapped this photo of me working away in front of this historic home in Main Amana Iowa Saturday morning. 

While I was painting, the couple that live in this home came out to visit and shared the fact this residence has been in the same family since it was constructed (1800"s ?  I'm guessing because I didn't write down the date.)   The current resident has called this home for 50 years.

My focus was on this lamp post / trellis by the front sidewalk.  It tugged at the gardener in my heart....there was an abundance of subject matter to enjoy viewing.

......and the final 10"x 8" Pastel in it's resting place.  A couple that happened to be visiting Amana for the first time was strolling around the community and stopped to watch me paint for a few minutes. I shared my business card and wished them well.  

 Early Sunday morning, they called ...... wanting to purchase the artwork.  They were so excited about the event and what I was creating that when they left the area where I was working , they began a quest to find a perfect frame.  They found one at the Amana Furniture store.  I think that's pretty exciting.......and a perfect match I may add.   

It ALWAYS feels good to be appreciated.  

After morning breakfast

10"x 8" soft pastel on UART paper

Really enjoyed the day painting, visiting, & witnessing the reenactment of the Civil War battle at Athens MO on Saturday. 

3 of my plein air buddies & i met around 11am to  scope out the area.  I had the opportunity to be there earlier & sat up my easel by this camp fire.  The reflections on the kettle drew me in.  

Here'so a few more photos that may become future paintings.

"At Rest"

5x7 soft Pastel

I spent Friday, the 29th, & Sat., 30th, in Corning, IA  participating in their  11th Annual Plein Air event.  I'm thrilled to announce this work won 1st Place.

  I created this little jewel first thing Friday morning at Lake Icaria, just North of the community.  (The competition rules stated we could paint anywhere in Adams County.  )  Artist Carlene Atwater  & I camped out at the lakes Lakeview campgrounds & were very happy with how clean/well maintained the facilities & park area was.  A GREAT place for family fun!!!

It was exciting to see how this small community (1,500) supports the arts.  Corning Art Center is maintained by volunteers  and is a beautiful space.  They even have an  "Artist in Residence " program in place.  

Sign of Summer

8"x 8"  Soft Pastel

I love Cone Flowers.  There are patches of these beauties here and there in my garden.  I painted these from the front porch of the Iron & Lace Store.  (I transplanted a few to from my yard to mingle with Betty Printy's Queen Anne's Lace)

Wind out of SW

Oil 10"x 8" on Canvas board 

Bill Printy made this weather-vane that sits on top of the Iron & Lace store.  I had the perfect opportunity to Plein air paint today.  I still can't decide which medium I want to use in upcoming painting events.  I love working in both oil and pastel outdoors.  Each has its own unique set of issues when framing....the oils are wet and I have to wash brushes. .... pastels need to be framed under glass so it means more prep-work and toting glass around.  Decisions ! Decisions!  

Along Hwy 2

9"x 12" Pastel on UART #800 grit paper

I drive by this property at least 4 times a week on my way to & from  Bentonsport.   I left home early enough this morning so I could do some Plein air painting before opening the Iron & Lace store.

In a short amount of time, I was able to block in my light &  dark values.  It's  been awhile since I've worked outdoors with my pastels.  I'm definitely changing that habit, starting now.

The work you see here was created using UART paper.  I dry mounted it on foamboard so I could do an underpainting wash technique, using mineral spirits with the soft pastels.

I finished the work while at the store today.  Photos are a GREAT tool for me to use since I don’t have a photographic memory.    Still, there truly is no substitute for working on location .....from life.

I also want to thank my artist friend, Jessica Kirby,  for giving me the paper I used today.  I've been hooked on Wallis sanded paper ( no longer available ) and have primed my own boards for painting.  Now I plan to order UART paper....enough so my students in the next VFS workshop can try it out.