You're Invited

 

I'm so pleased to announce this fabulous Art Tour that is just weeks away.  It's the first tour in my new studio location in New Glarus, WI.  The hours are 10-5 pm daily June 4-6 with 29 artists across 19 locations.  It's a rare chance to see working artists with a variety of media including pottery, jewelry, oil painting, sculpture and more.  Go to www.mhaaa.org for a complete map and details about the event.  

Here's what to expect if you visit me on the tour.  Parking is easy at my home.  The garage will be converted into a gallery space with LOTS of paintings.  I'll be doing an ongoing demo so you can see my work in progress.  Then just a few steps inside the side door you can see my studio space - where I will have even more paintings on display!  I've always worked in tiny spaces, so rather than dwell on the limitations of a small space, I'll focus on the positives.  In this new studio I have an amazing view of these horses -- our neighbors.  And yes, you will see more horse paintings in my near future.  

Studio view

My new studio also has a door and nice windows.  Two more positives!  I've always had a studio inside my home, with a 20 foot walk to the kitchen, bathroom, and being a Mom all these years.  This studio is situated so maybe down the road we might be able to bump out a wall for a little extra space.  And for those who know me, I also spend a fair amount of time with my easel outside doing plein air painting.  

If you visit New Glarus, we have a charming downtown with great shops and restaurants.  A beautiful bike trail and a winery just minutes from our doorstep.  It's a view you don't want to miss.  The world-famous brewery is not open until the fall, but you can always pick up beer at the local grocery store.  

I have travelled many of these roads that will lead you to the other studios on the tour.  You will not be disappointed with the artistic treasures and beauty around each and every corner.  Hope to see you June 4-6!  

It's Like Seeing An Old Friend Again

Green County (WI) is where I was born and raised.  After more than 30 years living in the Milwaukee area, our family decided to move back to the Driftless Region of Wisconsin.  Even though I have traveled back and forth countless times over these 30 years, it's as if I'm seeing an old friend again.  Now is my time to explore and rediscover the land that is home.

During this year of COVID, everything was like a giant snowglobe, shaken up weekly, sometimes daily.  Our world has changed forever.  Some businesses thrive, while others struggle.  Families are heartbroken as we are apart from loved ones.  We all hope and pray the snowglobe will be upright and unshaken as we move into 2021!

Like many artists, nothing about the year is normal.  Events are cancelled.  I had one gallery close its doors.  On the bright side, the organizers of the Covered Bridge Art Studio Tour in the Cedarburg area went ahead with a safe, socially distanced tour and it was a huge success for all who participated.  I'm grateful for everyone who stopped in to see me one last time in my garage gallery in Mequon. 

I was able to venture out plein air painting and did a few demos over the summer at the Cedarburg Art Museum.  Now I'm creating a new body of work for the 2021 Gallery and Exhibit season.  Keep watching for details of a studio tour in the Driftless Area scheduled for early June....come see my new studio!

A painting session before the firm lock down in March.  

The farm cat was anxious to help me mix paint.

Demo at Cedarburg Art Museum, summer 2020

Plein air painting near Blanchardville, WI

Painting sunflowers near Lake Country 

Plein Air in New Glarus, WI

"Light as a Feather" Oil 16 x 8"

 

When Seasons Collide

Before the deep freeze of winter sets in, Wisconsinites are accustomed to the variations of weather this time of year.  We had one of those odd "earlier than normal" snowfalls on Halloween.  It was no trick, but instead a treat for avid winter plein air painters.  So while beautiful autumn leaves were still on the trees, we painted them falling on a bed of snow instead of white.  This is a true collision of seasons. 

Our annual "first" outing winter selfie on Nov. 1

Painting the colors of autumn with snow on the ground.

 

Since then, we have only been able to paint one other time as the snow has disappeared close to Lake Michigan.  During one of our adventures, we found a beautiful farm and the owner allowed us to paint there. 

Painting late in the day near Holy Hill.

 

Of course, we had to take a break for a Brandy Old Fashioned to warm up. Here's my painting partner Lynn Rix on the right.  Cheers!

 

It truly feels like yesterday when I was painting in a field of sunflowers.  But I love all the Wisconsin seasons and will now settle into the quiet season.

Aromatherapy Plein Air

 

It's that time of the year when the beloved Lilac is in full bloom and I'm attempting to catch its splendor on canvas.  As most of you know, I spend a lot of my time in pastures and barnyards with beautiful animals, so this opportunity to nestle myself amongst the blossoms is a real aromatherapy treat!  Now if only we could figure out a "lilac" scratch and sniff feature for the paintings to keep that experience alive for a lifetime.

 

 

I set up shop surrounded by purple glory!

Still work in progress

Painted earlier in the week wearing mittens to paint as it was overcast and chilly.

Happy Happy to be outside in awe of God's creation. 

Knitting Needles, Mashed Potatoes and Searching for Lost Sheep

A few weeks ago, I participated in my first workshop in over 15 years.  It was no ordinary workshop, but a winter painting "Snow Camp."  Yes, designed for us crazy artists who actually love painting outside in the winter.  Despite the blizzard, it was a dreamy experience.

First Night:  The three Wisconsin painters....a long journey with lots of gear, but we made it!

 

The workshop was held in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, near Franconia.  Led by Stapleton Kearns, a fabulous New England artist full of talent and wit. 

Our fearless leader....artist Stapleton Kearns

Demo

A great environment for learning from a master

 

We met for breakfast as a group, followed by a demo from Stapleton, afternoon painting on site, then evening dinner/lecture.  Three full days of adventure which were slightly interrupted by fierce winds (record setting actually) and blizzard conditions.  Day one painting conditions were picture perfect, but things went downhill from there. 

My first day painting

During the evening hours, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Inn, followed by a lecture about artists including Seago, Gruppe and Hibbard.  The inn was such a perfect location for a small workshop as we were able to store our painting gear in the lower level.  Quaint, friendly and very New England. 

Evening Lectures

 

The resident furry friend

 

Old New England, slanted floors and all

 

Day two demo....notice we are just a little colder

The winds picked up overnight and conditions kept deteriorating throughout day two.  But that didn't stop us.  We ventured outside to another full afternoon of painting.  There were many easels that were swept away by the wind gusts, some cursing and lots of laughter that ended the day.   And maybe just a few cocktails.

Here's a photo of Michel's easel (yes he paints HUGE) and how he has weighted down his set up with a cinder block.  Even that didn't prevent his easel from tumbling.

Day three went from bad to worse - in terms of weather.  Most of us stayed inside to do indoor painting exercises, but a few ventured out in the blizzard conditions including my crazy Wisconsin friends Lynn and Lori. 

The three WI girls, Lynn, Lori & Pam

Our sweet Inn

 

So I was asked by a fellow artist ...what was my take away?  Let me bring you back to Knitting Needles, Mashed Potatoes and Lost Sheep.  Stapleton will hopefully write a book someday, he is full of colorful stories and experience.  The knitting needles refer to those areas of a painting (think winter shadows) that can look like long horizontal daggers, or too many trees all upright (same size).  Mashed potatoes are those areas of paintings that are simply overworked and looking all mushy.  Lost sheep are sweet creatures...but also refer to areas of paintings that don't connect with the overall harmony or are wandering off the painting, you need to find them and bring them back to the canvas.  At least these are my interpretations of his fun filled workshop. 

A windchill of -8 our last morning before we caught our flight, but the sun was out!

Our group that final morning....minus a few who had to leave because of the blizzard.  Our instructor Stapleton has coffee in hand.

At the Manchester NH airport, ready to head home and apply what we have learned. 

 

A parting note:  It was such a pleasure to connect with the other artists in the workshop during these three days.  We all became friends, shared ideas, concerns and dreams.  No matter where we live and work, the goal is common:  to create art that touches the soul.  That's our common language.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter has arrived!

As an enthusiastic winter plein air painter, I'm happy to say we finally have a beautiful blanket of white covering our landscape.  If you are in the Milwaukee area, we have an exhibit at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center (2nd floor) through Jan. 29th where you can see more than 70 paintings, most are plein air works in all seasons. 

 

 

 

 

 

First day of 2019.  A little tired from a festive night on New Year's Eve, but the cold weather was a good wake up!

During this paint out, I kept humming "My Little Red Wagon" by Miranda Lambert.  Even though this appears to be an old manure spreader!

"My Little Red Wagon" sold to a new collector in Alabama, 12 x 10, oil

Milwaukee PBS Great TV Auction

It's has been a great honor to be selected as the Wisconsin Collection Artist for the 2017 PBS Great TV Auction.  The auction begins today, April 28 and continues through May 6 on Channel 36. 

To learn more about my paintings and inspiration, take a couple of minutes to view the segment that appeared on the Arts Page.  Here is the link: 
http://www.milwaukeepbs.org/local-programs/programs/the-arts-page/watch-episodes-detail/nmZi6R5Fvv2fJoyRdGpbdA==

My painting of "Buttercup" was inspired by my childhood on the family farm in rural Blanchardville located in Southwest Wisconsin.  The original oil painting and 100 prints, including 10 remarques will be offered for bidding. 

The original oil painting "Buttercup" 14 x 11

An example of one of the 10 remarques that will be available during the auction

Signing prints at Milwaukee Public TV

 

Please support our wonderful PBS programming - watch and bid!  The auction runs April 28-May 6 from 3 pm - 11 pm.  THANKS!

Covered Bridge Art Studio Tour - October 7-9

For many years now, I've participated in a wonderful studio tour in Southeastern Wisconsin.  All the artists on the tour have fascinating stories to tell about their art and process -- this is your chance to meet them and understand their inspiration. 

 

I'm stop #34 on the tour.  Head east on Mequon Road and you'll see flags and signs.  My neighbor Bridget DeLoge is also on the tour and creates stained glass. The tour is self guided, no advance ticket needed.  Just stop in and chat, browse and have a snack, maybe a glass of wine?  My other neighbor Karen is baking some treats!!!  Yum.

Our son Alex and neighbor Greta will be selling lemonade and proceeds will be donated to Children's Hospital. 

 

My brushes have been busy and I've created many new paintings.  All of our treasured Wisconsin landscape and livestock.  Stop in, I'd love to see you next weekend.  Here is more information about the tour!  Friday, 4-8 pm, Saturday 10 - 5, Sunday 11-4

 

 

2016 Cedarburg Plein Air event

It was such an honor to receive an award at this event.  150 artists from across the country come to our beautiful corner of the state to paint and explore.  My painting "Passages" received an Honorable Mention.

"Passages" 14 x 6, oil, 2016 Cedarburg Plein Air Honorable Mention

 

 

When I heard my name called at the awards reception, I suddenly felt a surge of emotion.  Not only happiness, but deep sadness that we lost our mother Ursula a month ago that evening.  To think it had only been exactly a month to the day was overwhelming.  My Mother had been such a huge influence in my creative world, always surrounding the farmhouse with beautiful, simple things and was always my biggest "collector."  Artwork from my middle school and high school years still hangs in the home.  "Passages" was painted for you Mom....that you have passed to be with our beloved God, into the arms of the ONE who loves us beyond our wildest imaginations.  No longer suffering, in complete and heavenly peace.

 

My Mother marked verses in her Bible during her last months and one that she really underlined was from Psalm 16:11.  "You will show me the path that leads to life.  Your presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure forever."  For me, this painting "Passages" captures the new life that God promises. 

 

There were many other paintings created during this week long event that I will share here.  These events are always a week of discovery and affirmation about areas of focus as an artist.  And yes, I finally painted the beloved bluebird in my very own backyard. 

"Bluebird Café" 14 x 6, oil, sold

Painting in my backyard!  That was a treat.

 

"Gideon's Grand Day" 12 x 10, oil

Chickens....and event is not complete without them!

 

"Mequon Marsh" 14 x 6, oil

Painted predawn

Out of bed around 3:30 a.m., off to McDonalds for java.  Parked at the Mequon fire/police station and walked to my location.  I've been scouting this spot for years.  The patterns caught my eye.  The sunrise didn't happen directly over the marsh, but still provided the mood I was going for.  Bullfrogs and curious drivers on busy Port Washington Road kept me company.  This photo was taken around 5:30 a.m., had my lights set up at 4 to begin mixing colors.  Love this time of day!!!!

"Pasture Paradise" 14 x 6, oil

Painting more moving objects in plein air...and let me tell you these cattle really moved around grazing.  A very quick paint!

 

"Predawn Peace" 6 x 14, oil, sold

It wouldn't be an event if I didn't get up to my favorite, favorite spot in Port Washington.  Coal Dock Park.  Another drive through to McDonalds around 3:30 a.m. for coffee, then set up before 4:15 a.m. to begin painting.  The predawn light happens so fast, completed by 5:30.  Had fun watching this young man pull in a beautiful brown trout.  It's a great way to start the day.

Early morning action happening right in front of my easel.  What fun.

Painted at Spirit Lake in Mequon

Fun at Far Field Farm, what an amazing way to spend a Sunday afternoon with this wonderful family. 

 

More Chickens!  Thank you Patti and Randy for the hospitality.

It's a wrap!  Until next year....