"Eggs in a Basket"

12" x 12"

oil on panel

"Sunset Along Honeycut Road"

6" x 12" 

oil on panel

Teacup Garden

"Teacup Garden"

10" x 10" 

oil on panel

Journaling on Main Street - A Hit!

Saturday, July 9th, a group of us painted in downtown 
Salt Lake City a la plein air (French for "painting outdoors"). 

We met at the TRAX station and rode into Exchange Place; 
a historical site in the business district.

I introduced the group to two books about illustrated journaling: 

"An illustrated life" and "Urban Sketching."

We talked about how to make the title page of each 

sketchbook unique and special.

Each student filled a page in their sketchbook with ink line 

drawings of things they saw around them. We then washed 

over the line drawings with loose washes.

Diana

Richard and Judy

Olga

There was even a creepy life-size statue of 

an old woman just a few feet away from us.

Yikes!

The sketches were fresh and fun!

Next, we focused on negative and positive space. When we painted our subject, we were painting positive space.  

When we painted the space around our subject we were painting the negative space. Painting both negative and positive space in your artwork can add variety to your illustrations and make your journal more interesting. 

These are examples that demonstrate painting negative space.

Judy

Richard

Diana

Olga

During our lunch at Maxwell's we found out that Judy (at the age of 16) 

went on a date with Elvis Presley! They went to a Bobby Darin concert 

and to the Congo Room at the Sahara afterward. This is the kind of 

thing that is great fodder for a journal entry!!!

After an enjoyable lunch at Maxwell's East Coast Eatery 

we walked one block over to visit a "Grafitti Wall,"

an excellent example of urban artwork.

It was a perfect day for sketching; good weather, adventurous 

artists and plenty of time for us to paint!

Want Some Fun? Take a Workshop!

This Summer I enjoyed taking a plein air workshop from John Hughes 

in Star Valley, Wyoming. Here's our group of artists:

Back Row from L to R: Grayson, Susie, Donny, John (our instructor),
ConiFront Row from L to R: Ruth, Rachel and Kim.

Often we met at the Anderson Ranch located in Smoot, Wyoming.

Rich and Karen Anderson were gracious hosts.

Grayson at the bunkhouse on the Anderson Ranch.

The Tack Shed.

The "Dirty Shame" Saloon on the ranch was a very cool structure
with a full bar, cash register, table and chairs and even an antique
table where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid played cards
(or was it Billy the Kid...I can't remember).

Here's a painting I did along the road in Smoot, Wyoming:

Each morning we would begin with a demo by John and 

then it would be time for us to paint!

Here's one of the scenes that 

I looked at along with my rendition of it.

We gave one another encouragement. Plein air painting 

can sometimes be challenging but it's always rewarding!

One day we drove near the summit of Salt Creek Pass 

and painted the view there.

Here is my view and my painting of that scene:

Although I didn't finish one single painting while I was there, I 

learned how to see color much more accurately and how to 

put down some thoughtful, painterly brush strokes!

Here is John's painting from Salt Creek Pass:

John gave us a painting demonstration at 

Salt Creek near Thayne, Wyoming.

Our group drove an hour north to Jackson, Wyoming where 

we painted the Tetons! The scenery was breathtaking!

Here's my Mt. Moran painting:

The last evening was spent at a barbecue on the Anderson Ranch. 

Rich cooked the meat in large barrels (yummy) and we enjoyed baked 

beans, baked potatoes, fresh fruit and salad. It doesn't get better than 

that! Karen even made us delicious homemade raspberry ice cream!

John played his guitar (who knew?) and we sang a bit. So fun.

If you ever want to stretch out of your comfort zone and have a 

real adventure, plein air painting is the way to go! 

Happy painting!

My Homeless Painting Found a Family!

I am thrilled to say that my piece "Breaking The Surface" 
found a new home!  It makes me happy when art collectors
send me an image of the place where they hanged my work.
It's a satisfying ending to a long story.

Painting is truly a multi-step process. First an artwork is planned, 
sketched and blocked in. Then the many layers of painting begin; 
a series of adjustments and refinements. 

Next, a completed work is varnished. It's like pouring water over 
chalky river rocks restoring them to their warm vibrant tones. 

Selecting a frame for an artwork is as pleasant as choosing a tie 
to go with a suit or trying on shoes. It's important to get this step 
just right.  

My favorite part of the cycle of painting is when a buyer is moved 
enough to purchase my work! That means someone, perhaps a 
total stranger, connected with the idea behind my piece and my 
passion became their passion. 

I love it when this happens!

It gives completion to my painting. A finish. An end. 
And then the cycle begins again...