Scioto Park

What a perfect day to paint! The group met along the Scioto River near Dublin at Scioto Park. It was a lovely park. I painted at the river's edge. This is an oil painting on a Yes! Canvas panel using a palette knife. I tried 'stand oil' today instead of Liquin. Not sure I like this medium or not.

At the start, I toned the canvas with Napthol Red Light, leaving a bit of it to show through.

Above it is shown in my pochade box at the painting site, and below I have put it in my new easel in the sun room. It's a 8x10 but it looks pretty puny in this big easel!

Excuses, excuses....

No, I haven't painted for a couple weeks. I had intended to paint while at the MAC art fair last weekend, but I was sick with a cold.

The little art fair in the yard at the MAC was nice and casual. There were maybe 25 artists and several did quite well with sales. Lots of people walked through with their dogs or riding their bikes, on their way to the farmer's market uptown. I went to help out for a couple hours, but the cold got the best of me and went home to take decongestant and sleep the afternoon away.... what a waste of a weekend.

I never get colds! Can't remember the last time I had one... I blame this on visiting the doctor for a routine checkup. I must have touched something the snotty nosed kids had touched. I even used hand sanitizer on the way out of the office! Anyway, once again, I was side tracked from doing artwork.

I finally got the new studio organized and I hung some nice 'picture ledge' type wall shelves so that I can display and rearrange my artwork. And this week, I purchased an artist's H-frame floor easel. I'd been wanting one for awhile but waited until I was more organized after the move. I set it up out in the sun room for now, so I have two very nice places to paint with good lighting.

I had started an oil painting a few weeks ago. It's still in the 'ugly' stage and sits there and taunts me... I need to push past that and finish it up.

No more excuses......

Art in the Yard

Workshop Day #2

Today the workshop was held at Whetstone Park of Roses in Clintonville. This is a very busy city park. We first setup near the "Edible Garden" - a very aromatic setting to watch Jim's demo! I also was able to take a couple pictures of a hummingbird and a cicada, although you might have to click on the photos to be able to see them.

It was a bit hotter today - but I was pretty pooped - mentally, creatively and physically. I don't have alot of stamina to paint that many hours in two days. Even though I love to be in nature, its demanding to try to find an interesting subject and make it work, while visitors stroll around you. I pretty much painted two stinkers!!  But I was happy that I was able to purchase one of Jim's demo paintings, so at least I came home with one nicely done painting.

Workshop Day #1

It was a nice day for the plein air workshop. Today we met at Inniswood Garden Metro Park. Jim did a demo then let us loose to paint on our own. He came around and helped us with our paintings.

I was happy with my paintings. The first was a oil painting using a brush, painted on mat board primed with black gesso.

We broke for an hour lunch, then went to a different area of the park. Jim did another demo, then I started another painting. By this time, I was getting pretty hot and the gnats were starting to get to my face. I worked really quickly and used a palette knife for about 85% of this painting. I think this is the better painting of the day. This is oils on a YES! canvas panel. I like working on these panels a lot, and I am really enjoying working with a palette knife.

Tomorrow, we meet at Whetstone Park Of Roses. It's to be a bit hotter, but still a nice day.

Plein Air Class

Inniswood Metro Park

This coming weekend instead of painting with the group, I'll be taking a class with my oil painting teacher, Jim Glover. He is teaching a two-day workshop in Plein Air Painting at two local parks. I took studio classes with Jim last fall to learn about oil painting and I learned a lot from him. But since I'd laid off painting while the house was on the market, etc... I forgot half of the stuff he taught me! I am looking forward to this weekend.

It will be a long two days - we will be outside working from 9am-4pm. But because of the schedule, I might not feel as rushed in my work as I do when I paint with the group on Saturday mornings. The weather promises to be about perfect - we are finally getting a break from the heat and humidity - it's supposed to be sunny with highs in the low 80's.

I will post about the workshop next week. I do plan on taking lots of photos.

Pastel - Downtown Grove City

Today we painted in Grove City Ohio in their downtown area. There was a Farmer's Market going on, but I hung out in the shade behind City Hall away from the hubbub and crowds, with a view of this mural on the building across the street. A few of us who setup with this view painted the little bandstand, but I was more interested in the mural and the way the light was filtering down upon it through the tree.

I decided to paint in pastels today, it's been awhile. I thought since we were probably going to see alot of architecture, it would be easier for me in pastels, since I have problems painting straight lines with oils!

I started out with a piece of 8 x 10 suede mat board which was a bright scarlet red. Suede mat board is my favorite support for pastels, it grabs the pigment so easily. I dislike the feeling of working on sanded supports, as it's like 'fingernails on a chalkboard' feeling to me... I don't get that feeling with suede board. It's like painting with butter - smooth and soft.

I painted it a bit stronger than reality, but liked how it turned out. I feel it might be one of my strongest paintings that I have completed recently.

City Center Mural, 8 x 10, pastel on suede mat board

I also tried out using a 'My Art Cocoon' carrier which one of the guys in the group gave me. He'd received a number of these and wanted the rest of our group to give them a try. You can Google the name if you are interested in learning more. It worked really good for working on my Guerilla Cigar Box pochade, I mounted he Cocoon on the outside the normal frame work of the Guerilla box, which worked much better than inside. I always felt like I was scrunched inside the box before. I use the Cigar Box only for my pastels. I have the Guerilla inserts which cradle and protect my pastels in transport. I have a Guerilla 9 x 12 box that I use for my oils. Both boxes, I found very slightly used on E Bay and got a good deal on them.

Oil Painting - Leatherlips Yacht Club - On Shore

The group met at Leatherlips Yacht Club in Dublin Ohio today. Sounds glamorous but was just a casual sailing club on the river.
It was a miserable day. Oppressive heat, sun and humidity. We had a nice size group surprisingly, but everyone was drenched with sweat and wore out before noon. I struggled with trying to get the architecture of the boats correct and with being uncomfortable with the weather, didn't have much fun.

Oil Painting - After Marine

Hey! I actually painted in my new studio last night! I finally got the lighting installed and I needed to give it a try. I mounted a standard fluorescent light fixture with two 'sunshine bulbs' in the ceiling of my studio at the condo. Much better than at the old house, where there were no overhead fixtures. I used to have to use multiple clamp-on style fixtures. I tried many types of bubs, but always felt that the lighting spot lighted the canvas and I over compensated with too bright or too dark values. With the new fixture, it is much better having a nice wash of light.

I decided I needed quite a bit of practice to get back in the groove of oil painting, so I am using several of my favorite daily painter blogs' paintings as reference. I do not plan on exhibiting my paintings of these subjects in public, nor selling them, or even finishing them, but using them as learning tools as artists have done for centuries. This practice was more about the application process than the end result and to get back into mixing colors/values. I worked on this painting for about an hour and felt I did good. Its not really 'done' - there is much that needs corrected and refined. It does not look too much like the artist's work other than the subject layout, but I figure I got back what I was wanting so I will move on to another example. This was painted on Judson's 'carton' board which I coated with black gesso. The boards are cheap stuff and not precious enough to worry about creating a masterpiece and wasting a more expensive support. It's a thin tan colored cardboard that has been treated with resin, then I added the black gesso to experiment.  I will save the more expensive panels for my own designs.

Here is my 'student work' from last night using a painting from the wonderful painter, Carol Marine, as reference:

"After Marine"  8 x 10, oil on carton board coated with black gesso

Painting at Schnormeier Gardens

We painted near Gambier Ohio today at a wonderful place, Schnormeier Gardens. It was really a great experience. I knew I wanted to spend alot of my time just enjoying the gardens, so I packed light with a small backpack with watercolor supplies and my digital camera. The weather was perfect, mid-80's and bright blue sky. I roamed all over the grounds taking lots of photos, but stopping occasionally to take in the vistas. I took many photos, but way too many to post here, so please follow the above link to their photos.
 
The Schnormeier family has lovingly built this paradise in the rolling hills of Ohio. It's a private garden. They only open it up once a year for an Open House, and occasionally to special appointments. My painting group was lucky to have the opportunity to have the whole place to ourselves.

I finally settled into the Quarry Garden area, which to me looks like a grotto. I was cooled by the limestone and the light spray from the water falling from the upper ledge as it hit the shallow pool below. I decided to take a video with my camera (with sound!)....

 

 

Here is a snapshot of the area and below is my quick watercolor. Its been awhile since I worked in watercolor.

We had our usual critique session and I headed back towards home. I was enjoying the hour drive as my favorite Saturday afternoon radio show was on, This American Life. I stopped for lunch and also at a nice farmer's market where I got some beautiful produce. I got one of the best cantaloupes I've had for several years. All in all, a really nice Saturday. 

One last video of a different area of the garden, for your viewing pleasure:

Oil Painting - Old Pump House

Here's the painting I did on Saturday. I did a little more to it last night so will consider it done. I am so rusty - need to get back in the groove, and back to basics.

Some pics of the condo

Here's a few shots of the condo. Because of the bright sun coming in the windows, everything looks a bit washed out in these pictures. I didn't bother taking a picture of the guest room upstairs or the baths. But its a total of a bit over 1800 sq ft. You can see the sun room through the doorway in the living room. I'd posted pics of the sun room several posts back.

I took a couple extra days off work over the 4th to get the rest of the boxes unpacked and the garage organized. I'm really comfortable and so happy in the new place. I've met lots of the other condo residents and everyone seems very nice. Now if the weather would just cool down a little bit, I could get back out and do some walking and biking in my new neighborhood! I guess I should check out the complex pool instead - I used to live at the pool when I was a kid, but its been years and am feeling a bit shy about heading down there. The "Welcome Committee" ladies did stop by my condo the first week I was here and gave me a tour of the pool and workout room.

Above, is a shot of the master bedroom with my abstract painting hanging on the wall (I had shown this painting on the blog about 6 weeks ago).

Views of Peachblow

Here are some shots of Gail's property:

Painting at Peach Blow Pottery farm

I finally joined the group on Saturday to paint. I think its been about 5-6 weeks since I joined them. We painted at the farm of potter, Gail Russell of Peachblow Pottery.  Gail is a lovely lady who welcomed us to paint on her property. What a restful relaxing place to paint! I can't remember a more enjoyable time painting. I got a painting started, but will need to do some more work to it before I let you see it, but here is a quick hint - here's a picture of my new studio with my painting still in my pochade box on top of my drawing table. Once I get it finished I'll post the painting.

I felt the earth move under my feet.....

I felt the Ontario Canada earthquake today at work. I was working on my computer and thought I was getting dizzy, and then I recognized what it was from feeling an Ohio tremor in the mid-1980's. Most of the people in my office were all excited feeling the tremor, but some didn't feel it at all. Cool, but a bit scary. Of course, it wasn't strong enough to do any damage in Ohio.

Sorry I haven't done anything artistic lately to post. Still feeling out of my element with the move. I am continuing working on getting the place setup to suit me, but haven't even unpacked the studio yet. Haven't had the energy to paint with the group on Saturdays......  I haven't even got my bike out for a ride lately. Its been way too hot - in the 90's. So in honor of my lonely bike, here is one of my older, favorite watercolor paintings: 

Blue Bike

 

Slowly Coming Together

Well, its been a good week at the new condo, but I have been moving pretty slow getting things done. Here are a couple of quick shots of the only room that is completely setup - the sun room. 

Moved!

I'm in my new place. Exhausted and of course, need to put away all the 'stuff'. I've hopped on a neighbor's wireless to check on email, mine won't be hooked up til Tuesday, so won't stay on his bandwidth long.
The new place is WONDERFUL, clean spacious bright and so quiet. Hard to get used to not hearing any traffic noise. I'm taking the whole week off to get settled.

More later in the week!

Down to the Wire

Getting down to the wire for the big move! I think I have packed and organized as much as I can for now. Closing(s) are this coming Friday and I should have the keys to the condo by noon. I'll move what I can on Friday, and the movers will be here on Saturday morning. As of Friday, I'll be away from email for about 5 days til the cable guy comes out to get me setup.

I've had a tough few weeks. I rarely get sick, but somehow contracted the flu and was out of commission for 4 days. I'm still working on getting my stamina built back up. On top of that sometime while I was ill, someone must have been casing my house, seeing the 'sale pending' sign, and decided the house must be empty (I keep my car in the garage), and they stole all my outside decor - the wreath on the front door, the clay pot with my flowers, the watering can, all my solar lights and garden sculptures! WOW what gall some people have. Of course, I haven't heard a peep from the police yet - they won't take your report over the phone now, you have to file a police report online now....Sigh..... Of course, it all is valued at less than $200 but it made me a bit frightened and angry. Then a storm with winds came through last week and broke a big limb off the tree out front. Of course, I had sold most of my garden tools at the garage sale, so didn't have tools to clean it up. Luckily one of the neighbors in the cul-de-sac saw me struggling and came to help out. And to top all that off, having to take my cat to be put down was the topper.

Stressful things always seem to all come in a cluster, don't they? Hopefully things are starting to swing the other way now.

My Buddy

Spanky

Sept 1992 - May 2010

My buddy for 18 years. 

Tuesday Night Art - Abstract #2

Monday Night Art - Abstract #1

I'm a big fan of abstract paintings, but never had the confidence to get the look I wanted in my own work. Yesterday, I visited one of the well known high-end decorating stores. I saw an abstract that I really liked, but it was way out of my price range. So, I thought I'd just play around and see what I came up with, because I wanted some new art for the condo.

Tonight after work, I was feeling ambitious - surprising for a Monday evening! So I dug around in the garage to see what supplies I had. I still have a few tubes of acrylic paint, although a very limited palette. I also found a 16 x 20 canvas wrapped board, which luckily fit in one of my many watercolor frames. I decided to use the abstract I saw in the store as a jumping off point, but certainly didn't intend on copying it. I used the colors I had and went at it with a plastic palette knife. I enjoyed using the knife, but when I tried using a brush it just didn't work at all, so went back with the knife and completed this in about 30 minutes. I'm quite pleased with the results.

Now I am feeling like heading to the art supply store and getting a larger board or stretched canvas and a few more tubes of paint.........  Strike while the inspiration hits!

Glacier Ridge Metro Park Iris

The group met at Glacier Ridge Metro park on Saturday to paint. It was a lovely day, lots of sun and a nice temperature, although after 3 hours with no shade, I'd had too much sun. I'm such a delicate flower, hahahaha.....

The area is mostly meadows, so I painted close up of one of the wetland areas. Although its not evident in the photo, there were iris growing along the edge.  I did refine this painting a bit more today, but couldn't get a good photo, so will leave you with the one I took in direct sunlight yesterday.

Nothing much, you?

Nothing much happening on the painting front here....Nope, haven't painted the last two Saturdays. Last week, it was nasty weather and a marathon that kept me from meeting the group. No, I didn't run a marathon - haha fat chance - but the painting venue was in the middle of the race route, and I didn't want to deal with that, let alone the rain..... Today was really nasty here too - high winds, temp in the low 50's and rain. Several of the group soldiered on and painted....but I stayed home.

I'm busy getting ready to move. We finally got all the paperwork from the buyer on the approval of their mortgage. FHA loans sure take a long time..... My condo loan is conventional, and it only took less than 2 weeks. This whole process has taken a long time, but the time frame sure helped both me and the buyers, so I am grateful for that.

I asked to see the condo last week, as I was getting ready for a garage sale yesterday, and wanted to view the condo again to decide on whether to keep some stuff or put it in the sale. Next week, I do the walk-thru with the builder on the condo before they add the finishing touches. I'm really happy with this condo - its just great! Can't wait to get in there and put my touches on it. We're set to close on June 11th - both on the house sale ( 9am) then at 11am for the condo, then I'll have the keys!!! YEAH. That will give me half of Friday to move the stuff I want to carry, and I'll schedule the movers to come on Saturday morning to move the heavy stuff.

Did a garage sale yesterday with my good friend Barbara to get rid of STUFF. We opened up the 'store' at 8:30am and by 10am, most of the stuff was gone! We stayed open until the posted time of 2pm, but there wasn't much traffic in the final hour. We have a nice amount of cash in our pockets. I'd planned on opening again today, but we decided to just donate the stuff that was left since there wasn't much interesting stuff left.

The house is starting to look plain - with a lot of my decorations already taken down. Now that we had the garage sale, I can really start packing. I think I might have half the amount of stuff I had when I moved in here 5 years ago. I have continued to clear out stuff over those years, as I realized a lot of the stuff stored away was not important to me.