An intimate paint party!

Monday night was a fun evening of painting, sharing stories, and testing brush skills for a couple of people who have NEVER painted on a canvas before.

All year, I've played  hostess for several "Wine & Paint" parties at  http://www.tasselridge.com

I so enjoy seeing that spark in someone's eye when they've created something art related for the first time.  

In 2017, the winery plans to host 4  Canvas & Wine events that will be spread out through out the year.   

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.  

Stem Hanging On....

6"x 6"  Oil on panel

Ah.....it's PEAR SEASON!!!!.  This beauty once hung on our backyard neighbor's tree.  And....OH SO DELICIOUS!  Yep, it was eaten soon after my brush was laid down.

Apples and Pears seem close to even as favorite fruit for painting subjects.  I believe I have posed more pears under a single light source, just like this beauty here.  I love the play of shadows in still life settings and often try to include them in a composition. 

Luscious Red #1

8"x 10" Oil on board

The tomatoes are coming on strong in my garden right now.  So, what better subject for a still life right? I found a clear bowl in the house where I have a studio in Bentonsport.  Put that together with adjusting my light source and voila.......a cheerful lush painting!

I'm on a roll doing several food related still life's right now.  So, expect to see several of these posted in a row.  Enjoy!

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.