Art Walk Saturday...

George thought I was crazy as I walked out the door on Saturday to attend the paint out and sale in Pilgrim Haven near South Haven.  It poured rain, at times torrentially, during the hour long drive to the shore.  But, I love to paint out there, they have gone to a lot of trouble and were counting on the artists being there....so here I was.  And the tent was up with everyone scurrying around to set up grids and get the art hung and tables ready for the demos.  Light rain continued until almost noon and I sat in my hatch sketching for a while just to keep busy.

Finally radar showed the rain moving on and the artists came out to begin the days work.  It is a beautiful piece of property owned now by the SW Michigan Land Conservancy.  The shoreline is picturesque and there is a stream running through the deep woods.  Formerly a camp, it has been preserved over the time.

Able to paint for about three hours, I enjoyed the view from the bluff not far from where I painted last time.  I posted it on Facebook earlier but worked on the painting again yesterday.  It's coming along!

I was happy to find out my calendar painting  sold today.  Yea!!

  A bit crooked in photo, no the horizon is not slanted!!    Ludwig's Landing, Pilgrim Haven, MI

A busy August...

 

 

Of course at the end of July we had the beautiful wedding of Paige and Thomas.  It was a very busy time for me as I was helping with many aspects.  Peaking behind Steve's head below you can see the window Karen and Steve made from my idea. It simulates the windows in the courthouse where the event took place and made a beautiful backdrop for the ceremony. 

 

 

Many details made it all look lovely with dozens of roses to grace tables everywhere.  400 cupcakes flew off the plates both before and after the delicious meal served.  The DJ kept everyone dancing including the bride and groom.  George and I were the couple married the longest at 48 years.

 

 Steve, Paige & Thomas Hankins, Karen

 Allie Buelow and Jillian

  Kris and Jeff Getting

 Me, George and sister Dana

 

 

 

It took me a day to recover from all the work and festivities but I was happy to have been able to make Paige's day so special.  I think I used all my skills, sewing monograms on bridesmaids robes (machine), hand painting roses on the table chart, cooking, designing the centerpieces, decorating the tables for the reception and being a scullery maid in the kitchen. 

 

 

We took on painting the living rm kitchen here which entailed removing all the tchotchkes  and at the same time I edited out a lot.  A trip to  donation  bin and library helped clean that up.  It looks great now but I don't even want to think of doing it again!!!

 

 

And finally I was back painting a bit on Saturday.  It misted rain but I persevered and did a small study of an interesting tree.  Not sure if I will leave it as is or add in a couple more branches and perhaps a swan.  This was the Bird Sanctuary and is home to about 70 trumpeter swans.  What a noise they make!!  I did learn that water soluble oils drip in the rain. Makes sense but not so good when you are painting. 

  8x10 oil