Painting - Fall fence post

Today the group met near Delaware Ohio at Stratford Ecological Center and Farm. The Center was having a Harvest Festival and asked the group to paint on the grounds. Several of us also donated a painting for their fund raising auction.

It was a cool morning, in the 50's and me being so used to HOT, didn't bother to take along a jacket. There was a bit of a breeze and mostly cloudy, so it was a bit nippy. I setup beside my car to use it as a shield from the wind. About an hour later, the clouds started to move away and it became very comfortable.

This is a palette knife oil painting of a fence row with grape vines. There was lots of interesting fall colors, but I'm afraid I got too interested in the details. I love the big rock, but it looks kinda out of place.

Visiting the Painters at Whetstone Prairie Garden

I got up early enough, but got sidetracked and then there was Saturday traffic (forgot about the High St farmer's market and the OSU game traffic), so didn't make it to the painting venue until after 10am. I roamed around taking photos and stayed for the critique.

Painting Saturday At Dawes Arboretum

Got up extra early today, to meet the group near Newark Ohio at Dawes Arboretum. Its a lovely place. I hadn't visited there for nearly 15 years.

I setup looking towards the west and painted this one a 5 x 7 canvas panel using a palette knife.

My subject (zoomed in)

First block-in

Midway through

Final Painting

Several of the group decided to stay another couple hours after our critique session so that we could paint more because it was a lovely day. I attempted a pastel but it just wasn't working at all. I chose a very complicated composition, and I just gave up. I seem to be only able to paint one painting on a Saturday.

Sunflowers

Stopped in Whole Foods at lunch today and thought these might brighten up my office nicely!

Painting Saturday

I didn't paint with the group on Saturday, for several reasons, but I did paint! I painted my kitchen - so not quite as interesting as plein air....

There is a definite change in the season here. We have finally broke out of the 'heat wave of the summer of 2010'. Last night the temperatures got down in the high forties. Love it!! I kept the bedroom window open. Just love snuggling under a quilt with the cool air coming in the room. I got up fairly early and decided to get a taste of nature today. I stopped off for breakfast (love to eat breakfast out!) and then made my way to Galena to the boardwalk over the mudflats. There was a smell of fall in the air with that scent of drying leaves. I walked out on the boardwalk to the end where it's over the shallow water. The air was still crisp but bright and clear The leaves are just starting to hint at a change in color. I spent some time alone looking over the scene while drinking my coffee. It made me a bit sad actually. I always love the change in seasons especially fall, and being single its difficult not to be able to share the experience with someone close.