"The Painted Lady"

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24"x 20" Oil on stretched canvas

I can't believe it's been over a month since my last post. (I've been spending most my time in the garden when not teaching, demoing, or watching the Iron & Lace store.)   

My, how time fly's.....much like the dream state of this painting.  The building in this work will soon be a Bed & Breakfast in Brooklyn, IA.  The owners were pleased with the composition.  It evolved from the description of what they wanted as an image for note cards, business cards, etc.

Buckskinner Measuring Spoons

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6"x6" Oil on panel

This was a fun exercise in using a limited palette as Burnt Sienna being the dominate color.

These spoons were created by artisan Steve O'Grady of Bloomfield, IA.. He supports and participates in Buckskinner (Mountain men) Rendezvous through out the Midwest.

A small group sets up camp every year in Bentonsport along the Des Moines River during the villages open business season.  I couldn't resist this set of measuring spoons hand forged by Steve. 

Field of Lace

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14"x 11" - Soft Pastel on Board

I had the opportunity to take several pictures of one of my friend's place where they turned 80 acres back to prairie grasses and other plants.  A beautiful place in the NE corner of Van Buren Co. Iowa.

This was a foggy morning that she invited local artists to come paint.  I wasn't able to set up on location that day, but loved all the Queen Anne's Lace in bloom so thank goodness....camera was in hand.

I started this work with a watercolor underpainting over AS Colourfix Multi Media Primer on a masonite board.  There's a few places where you can still see the watercolor wash.

In Van Buren Co.

My plein air painting buddy, Jessica Kirby, gave me permission to use some of the photos she had taken on a painting trip I missed.   Here's the set up...looking on my computer screen at one of the photos she took while in Lacey Keosauqua State Park, Van Buren Co., Iowa.

Quick sketch in to lay out my composition

Starting to block in some color (and I have to say, I rather like the abstract look going on here too. Hmmmmm......this may be a direction I go in the future.)

and the finished work below.

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9"x 12"  Soft Pastel on Wallis paper.

I believe the time of year in the photo was Fall.  I need to visit this spot now (early Spring) and check it out.    

Tony's Medicine Shield

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8ft. x 8ft.  Acrylic

Here's what I've been working on for several months now.  I can finally say the painting part is finished.  Now on to several coats of varnish. 

I've been working on these two 4' x 8' panels in my studio space on the main floor of our home. (I took over the dining room....moved the rectangle table over to the opposite wall that you see here.  It has a shelf unit on it that holds art supplies.)  

The varnish job will happen in the basement where I can lay the panels out flat.   That area is laundry / food storage / art show display storage / furnace / glass kiln area.  Yes.....we tend to "multi task" and use most the house for different projects.

Tony's Medicine Shield is to hang on the outside of the Indian Artifact Museum in Bentonsport, IA.  The business District will be considered "officially" open for the 2015 season on April 18th.   All the B & B's stay open year around.

Plein Air painting....first outing for 2015

Saturday, the 28th, was the first day this year for me  painting outdoors.   First day for trying my new Lammert Paint Box  outdoors as well.  

I had a pastel workshop scheduled for the afternoon at the Fort Madison Art Center and decided to make a full day of painting....starting out by meeting friends that live in the FM area.  We met along the route to Fort Madison from Pulaski.

I followed them to Wilson Lake Park, just off  hwy 2.  We settled on a spot to paint around 9am.   Above is a picture of my friend Carlene Dingman Atwater pastel sketching from her vehicle.

Here is Jessica Kirby in a cozy spot...staying out of the brisk breeze.   Both her and Carlene have been painting outdoors several times already this year.  We thought it would be GREAT to meet up and as I was driving to the park, my car said the temp. was 29 degrees.  I truly had avoided painting outdoors because of the cold air....and here I am....finally excited to be in the sunshine trying out my new paint box and it's below freezing out. (shaking my head here :D  )

....and my set up!  Once I started painting, I didn't notice the cold air.  I had the Sun to my back and the only part of me that became numb was my hand that I was holding pastels with.

The view I decided to focus on.......

......and the beginning.....I'm working on matboard I primed with Colourfix Multi-media fine tooth primer.   

Here shows the "underpainting".  I used Gamsol odorless mineral spirits, brushed on the pastel color you see above.

Here shows where I started applying strokes of pastel over the dried underpainting.  It didn't take very long for the mineral spirits to evaporate.

...and the finished  painting.  "At Wilson Lake Park"  10" x 8"  Pastel on board.

I went on that day to share this technique of applying mineral spirits to pastel with those that attended my workshop.  It was truly fun watching everyone try something they hadn't done before.  One student was so inspired, she's asked if I would come back and give the workshop again.  That was music to my ears.....to be a part of someone discovering a new way to be creative.  She hadn't tried pastels before.   

I was so caught up in the moment, I had forgotten to grab my camera and take pictures of everyone painting.  Next time, I'll do my best to snap a few photos of everyone.

Fun with students

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Here are a few photos that have been taken of students at two of my classes.  This first one is of the oil painting group that's been attending the once-a-week classes this winter at 

Courtyard Gallery & Studio in Bloomfield.

Here's a close up of Jeanne Dixon working away.  She's the owner of the gallery/studio.  Jeanne is best known for her high end fine jewelry which she showcases in the gallery.

Below are a few pictures taken at the most recent pastel workshop held at the Art Center in Kirksville, MO.

Here we're discussing the value range in Meg's work.

Yep...this student was "slightly" aware of the camera, but truly absorbed in his work.

I often hold a students work back for them so they can view it from a distance.  Most are amazed and pleasantly surprised at their handwork.  (it ALWAYS looks different from a distance then when up close and focused on a small area.)

.....and last  is the instructor (me, Me, ME :D ) showing my approach to applying pastel to my primed surface. Yes....this is the Lammert Paint Box & Easel I'm working off of.  

Here are dates for upcoming one day pastel workshops....

March 28th - Fort Madison Art Center, Fort Madison, IA

May 2nd - Courtyard Gallery & Studio, Bloomfield, IA

May 16th - Edina, MO (FULL)

July 11th - Pastel 1 & 2 - Villages Folk School, my studio in Bentonsport, IA

July 25th - Underpainting & Pastel - Villages Folk School, my studio in Bentonsport, IA

I offer a 3 hour - 5 hour - 2 day (12 hour) workshop in either soft pastel or oils.  I also offer tutoring for one or up to three people as private instruction.

Currently there is an on going oil painting class offered at the Courtyard Gallery & Studio in Bloomfield,  This once a week class may be joined at anytime.

For more information about classes or wanting to schedule a workshop, please contact me via email through my website ginlammert.com