All about Art!!

Things have been busy here for the past three weeks, with more to come.  Along with my class at Big Arts, I did a demo for the San-Cap Art League at their afternoon meeting.  I took all my gear plus both finished and half finished work to show them.  I was nervous, following a master who did the demo last month, but they enjoyed the talk and demo and were a very attentive audience. I'm still getting nice comments about it. 

There was a Golden half day workshop, a Potluck, a card party at the Barry's in Naples, and then I cancelled my slot in the sale that Sunday.   I needed a breather and a chance to get ready for the Spring Show which I chaired.  We had to take down all the paintings from the last show and organize them for pick up and  receive the new art the next day.  My team worked hard and it went pretty well. George was a huge help!!   Judging was on Sunday so I was there again and stayed all day to see the demo and help set up the tables for the workshop the next week. 

Our own Sue Pink was the famous artist for this last workshop of the season.  The experimental artists were excited to learn more from this award winning artist in our midst and had signed up over a year in advance to attend.  The workshop was full with 18 students and stuffed with all our gear.  For doing this type of work we need not only paint and paper but stamps, stencils, scrapers and many types of tools to make marks.  Check it out.....

 our workspaces..that's mine with the toilet paper stacked up..yes we use that too!!

  Sue doing a demo

 We had to wear something outrageous..blue hair for the teacher!!!

  Painting 1

 

  Painting 2

 Painting 3

 

These paintings were done in the workshop so will never be in a show.  I will, however, frame them for sale at some time.  I have one more but I feel it needs a bit more work.

 

On Tuesday our friends Penny and Dirk, from Plymouth, Mass., ventured down to the island and popped in to the gallery to see me and arrange to meet at 4 for drinks. They had lunch and walked the town a bit while I painted.   George joined us at 4  and we all enjoyed catching up at Nervous Nellies. It was so nice to see them and we hope to again next season...thanks for braving the horrid traffic!!

 

Tomorrow is the reception for the Spring Show and end of my duties but I will be busy again with the March class at Big Arts, teaching a two day class at FMBAA and getting things matted up for the Art Bazaar March 22.  in between I'll make a couple trips to Punta Gorda to enter the Winner's Circle show for the first time.  This is the best of the best from all art leagues in SW Florida and I am thrilled to have earned a place with my first place painting Night Lights.

 

Most of my work from now until I leave will be plein air to get warmed up for the Sedona painting trip in April.  How lovely that will be to just paint and talk art with likeminded friends!!!  Life is good!!

A visit with my sister....

My sister came from South Carolina to visit and catch a few rays over a week ago.  Our weather turned cooler for the duration of her stay but she enjoyed walking in the sunshine and finally getting into her swimsuit on the day before leaving.

We drove to Captiva on Tuesday so that I could enter the San-Cap Art League show held in the new community center there.  She helped enter a couple of friends art and got the gist of the procedure.  Because we had to wait a couple of hours to see if any of ours were declined, we spent the time walking around the tiny town, eating at Green Flash and shopping.  Dana was tired of walking and we hadn't reached the center when a nice captain tooling around in a golf cart offered us all a ride.  Nice!!

Arriving at the center again we found the judge finishing up and paintings almost ready for viewing so we took a seat to hear her speak while George walked the beach a bit.  It was interesting to hear why she had chosen certain paintings for awards.  We learned who the winners were and were able to chat with them and add our congratulations too.  And I was lucky enough to take an Honorable Mention with my Sanibel Icon Pastel.  The judge liked the sky treatment especially, where the orange ground peeked through.  Below it the painting in rough stage looking a little tilted by the angle.

Since I had won an award..though a handshake only!!  we returned on Thursday for the reception which was fun and interesting.  The venue is lovely.

We all went to the gallery on Wednesday and while we attended the FMBAA board meeting Dana walked the beach, shopped and caught some rays.  An early supper atop The Beached Whale fortified us for a trip to Michael's to purchase alcohol inks for our project day Thursday.  We found tiles at Home Depot and colorful inks to use.  Dana had fun learning the technique of inks on tiles and is looking forward to showing her friends how to do it as well.

A giant garage sale started early Friday so we had to call it a day pretty early to be ready to shop.  And shop we did, finding bargains and treasures to spruce up and make our own.  Dana has quite a collection by now and is concerned about getting it in her limited suitcase!!  Off to Razzle Dazzle we went where, yes, she bought a bit more, then lunch and a couple more stops, more shopping as both of us found some perfect tops.

So Saturday was beach day finally and we took full advantage of what sun there was by walking to the pier for lunch then back to sit in the sunshine until we couldn't take any more!!

The week was fun for all of us and busy with activities.  Dana had a taste of our art life and a chance to try some new things.  If only the plane had been a little more on time it would have been perfect!!

At the Green Flash, Captiva

  Sanibel Icon, pastel

A little more sunshine!!

George, Michele, Mary and Nick enjoying lunch in Cozumel....

More beaches George said...so off we went on a western Caribbean cruise with our dear friends Nick and Mary.  Key West was cool and shopping and bar hopping were the day's activities, topped off with key lime pie on a stick..covered in chocolate!!  Yum.

For the next four days it was sitting in the sun, either on deck or at the beach in Cozumel or Grand Cayman.  Very lazy but a great way to celebrate Mary's retirement.  The rest of us have been waiting for about 14 years!!  We look forward to seeing more of them both for travel, cards and just plain fun.  After knowing them for 46 years we  have many laughs and memories to share as well as making more to remember in our dotage...at about 100yrs I think!

Now it's back to painting, planning Paint the Beach, teaching and toting art to shows and back.

New Year....

The new year has begun and the calendar is filling up with lots of things to do and places to be.  Thanks to the art scene here I am kept busy making art for the many shows and sales coming up.  I gave myself a pass last year but have signed up for several this season to try and clear out my stacks of paintings.  Tearing them up and painting over is ok for the mediocre ones but others would be really  nice in someone's home.  I need to find that sweet spot for pricing them well.

This painting below called "Sparks" will be entered into the Winter Juried Show at FMBAA.  I hope it is accepted and will be another success for me.  Right now my main focus is the Experimental work as I haven't been out to plein air much at all.  Hope to get back to it soon.

Color is a bit more warm than this photo shows.

This week is the first Paint the Beach meeting to launch the sponsor campaign and get the process moving.  I have several tasks to do before Friday's meeting.  We will meet after the FMBAA open house with the Golden demo..should be a full house for that!

In between this I will be packing for a quick cruise with our friends Nick & Mary. We always have fun and are looking forward to some cards, sun, laughs and celebrating Mary's retirement...Finally!!

I hope everyone up North is staying warm and safe and I say...come on down..the weather is great!!!

Experimental work in progress.....

This is a painting I am currently working on using acrylic paints and inks.  It is on watercolor 140# paper with many many layers of paint applied, removed, scratched off, stamped on ..and on and on.  I've cropped it to 20x20 and think it is close to being completed.  What do you think?  For now it is called Inspired    as the blocks make me think of the process of bring inspired with thoughts and ideas popping into my head

 

I need to photograph another I have completed for the winter juried show.  It sits on an easel for now waiting for a name to present itself.

 

 

 

Happy Holiday to All!!

Holiday events have kept us busy here..potlucks, boat parades, receptions and visits with friends.  Although there is no snow, and the lights wind around palm trees, it is a festive holiday atmosphere.

We are looking forward to spending time with our children and grandchildren in the north country...even snow would be welcome as long as we are all warm and cozy inside.

Here we are in 2013 at Kris's house.  All of us look about the same in 2014 except Ethan no longer has his facial hair!!

We wish all of you reading this blog a very wonder-filled Christmas, full of family, love and good things all around.  Family, friends, and good  health are blessings we appreciate and cherish.

A busy FMBAA week!! and some art.....

After collapsing on Sunday when PTB closed we slowly got back in motion here.  First to sort my studio which was piled with odds and ends from the week.  Then to dig out some project for Experimental painting for Tuesday morning.   I found three to take that have been in the works for at least two years.  Yes, that's right.  Some things come together quickly and some definitely don't.  At the end of the morning I actually signed one...but when viewed again at home I have changed my mind.  Back to work.

Meeting Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday afternoon and errands and tasks.  Finally today I have been able to frame up 5 paintings for the show receiving tomorrow.  3 are for the Ireland show and two for Fall Judged.  We will have a reception on the 23 and a discussion of that trip and sign ups for the next two.  I plan to go to Sedona with the group in April.

At last beach time on Friday afternoon, after receiving, then I am signed up to gallery sit on Saturday,  but am hoping G will do it.  Sunday I will help with the judging then stay for the demo at 4-6.  See why I call it an FMBAA week!!  Every month one week is like this.  Next week I hope to get out painting and having a bit more time for ourselves. That is after the brunch meeting here on Tuesday!

Below are the paintings I entered:

  Genesis mixed media  17x23" $500.

                              Best of Show Lee Ackert Memorial Award Winner Fall Judged Show 2014

  Dysart O'Dea   pastel/wc  NFS

  To the Beach   pastel  12x16  $300

This won an Honorable Mention in the 2014 Paint the Beach competition

  Burren Perfumery  pastel  NFS

 Liscanoor Harbor   pastel/wc NFS