Port Washington Plein Air

As part of the Cedarburg Plein Air event, artists from all over descended on Port Washington on a stormy, foggy morning.  Fog, mist, sun and rain rolled in and out over the two day period making painting a challenge.  My first set up was at South Shore beach where I hiked down the shoreline, thinking I would avoid the alewives.  No luck there.  So, I plunked down right in the middle of them and began painting.  Loved the variation of light on these beach paintings.

The alewives were everyone on the beach

"Storm Watch at South Shore Beach" 11 x 14, Oil

 

Then took a break and waited for some sun.  The My Radar app on the phone is such a great tool for Plein Air painters.  Later that afternoon I set up on the sidewalk and painted the marina.  Good thing I finished quickly because the fog enveloped us again. 

"Waiting for Wind" 8 x 10, oil

 

Went back very early the next morning to catch a sunrise, there was a tiny glimmer until the fog rolled in once again.

 

 

 

First winter paint of 2013

I'm a little behind in my blogging.  Will try to play catch up in the weeks ahead.
One of the greatest treasures of plein air painting is the people you meet while out painting.  I've said it before (yes), and I'll say it many times again!  I was fortunate to meet a wonderful family while painting at the Lynden Sculpture Garden fundraiser this summer.  They invited me to paint at their cottage and it's such a charming place. 
This was painted in early December when we "thought" it was cold.  After experiencing the Polar Vortex of early January, a balmy 18 degrees seems like a cakewalk now in retrospect. 
This little building on their property was used in the past for card playing, cigar smoking and boozing.  Oh, if these walls could talk.  At least, that's what I kept thinking as I was painting this. 

Sunset Chaser

You've probably heard of storm chasers and those crazy people who photograph tornados and other violent storms?  I profess to be a sunset chaser, always wondering what magic will happen at sunset and the afterglow and if there's anything worthy to paint.  Some evenings the sun sets in an ordinary way, still beautiful but nothing to write home about.  On other nights, the skies go crazy and I always wonder if some artist in heaven helps God put on a good light show.  Evenings are full of Wonder and Awe, always a good way to end a busy day. 

 

Cedarburg Main Event Entries

Whew!  It's over. More than a week of painting outside and in the elements.  I was able to get out and paint this year more than in the past and learned so much in the process.  While I enjoy painting downtown Cedarburg, I really LOVE the countryside and the wide open spaces.  My feet are best suited in boots and stuck in the mud (or manure).  Thank you to the farmers who allowed me to paint on their properties and trusted me to shut their gates right!  I will post more about my experiences in the days ahead.  These are the two paintings exhibited in the main event and I'm thrilled to say both are SOLD.

 "Cheryl's Chickens"  11 x 14

 Painting in progress

 "Mike's Vista"  12 x 12

Quick Paint

It's been a busy week.  I'm involved in a Plein Air painting event in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.  Last Saturday we held our "quick paint" where you are allowed 2.5 hours to start, paint, finish and frame a painting.  I always enter this part of the competition with some anxiety, as the weather is a big unknown.  I was lucky to find a quiet spot where I found some cows.  Suddenly, the cows were gone...in for morning milking.  But luckily they returned before the time was up.  I chose to include just one cow under the old tree.  It turned out to be a morning of "Solitude" for me in spite of the hurried feeling of the Quick Paint and dodging the raindrops. 

Maple Syrup Time!

Just before all the snow disappeared, I had a wonderful opportunity to go out painting a few times on a friends property where they are collecting sap for maple syrup production. 
Like most things in life, it's a labor of love.  But then the reward is tasty in this case and we can only imagine those pancakes smothered in this 100% homemade maple syrup.

This painting is "Ricky's Passion."  (Plein Air, 9 x 12)

A calming creek

Yet another place that's close to home I've driven past a zillion times and finally painted there.  The snow was captivating.  Draping the trees and the areas along the creek.  Robins came by in droves to signal a true sign of spring.  I even spotted a bluebird and for those of you who know me, they seem to follow me.  All in all, a wonderful and peaceful plein air experience!

"Pigeon Creek 1" - 11 x 14

block in

Pigeon Creek 2 - 11 x 14

 

The Robins were everywhere!

 

 

Cedar Creek

We are fortunate to live nearby the charming town of Cedarburg.  As an artist, I am grateful for the people of the community who had the foresight to save the historic buildings.  It's no wonder Cedarburg has so many artists, it's very inspiring!

On this very cold Saturday, a few friends and I set up along the creek in knee deep snow and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the creek.  Our friend Anne stopped by with some much needed hot chocolate! 

Back on the Ice

It was a great feeling getting my boots back on the ice and my easel in the snow this weekend up in Door County (Wisconsin).  Yes, it was bitterly cold and my oil paints acted up, but once again I resorted to my trusted friend -- the palette knife -- to move paint around. 

 

 

 

For me, nothing comes close to the amazing stillness of Lake Michigan during the winter.  It's a peaceful painting experience full of breathtaking colors. 

Plein Air in the Pumpkin Patch

I'm in an orange phase.....these pumpkins just seem to radiate happiness.  There are plenty of pumpkin farms in the neighborhood, this one happens to be at Barthels.  The early spring frost was devastating to these apple growers, the fields are usually filled with families picking apples.

On this morning, the slate blue clouds were forming which I felt created a nice contrast to the orange pumpkins.  I will do a larger painting from this study.

The Pumpkin Patch

Fall is in the air and this is my favorite time of year.  Great sleeping weather and calmer colors to paint.  The greens aren't "screaming" anymore and the fields are filled with fun shapes.  Since I'm in the orange mode -- next up is bittersweet. 

Gallery Night in Mineral Point

This Saturday evening I am honored to be exhibiting my work alongside fellow artist Randy Larson.  We grew up in rural Blanchardville and our land shared a fencerow.  We rode the same bus to school but probably never envisioned a day when we would show work together in a gallery.  I love how life unfolds!  I will have 12 new paintings in this exhibit.  Please stop in for a visit Saturday night at the Walker House from 4 - 9 p.m.  And yes, we have free root beer floats!

Cedarburg Plein Air Event Awards

A few weeks ago 167 artists participated in the 12th annual Cedarburg Plein Air Event.  Artists leave the comfort of their studios and paint directly from life, in all kinds of weather.  This year brought us high, gusty winds and extreme heat. 
Often, the best part of these events are the people you meet.  I enjoyed getting to know a young farm couple who are such hard workers and great parents.  Meeting a delightful woman at the strawberry patch who has been picking berries there for 35 years.  And, while painting ducks, I learned that male ducks have a curled feather on their tail....who knew??? 

To top it off, I was honored to receive two awards this year.  An honorable mention for "Chicken Dance" and 1st Place for the Port Washington Paint Out "Whitecaps at Southshore Beach."

Cedar Creek Meadow

This was just one of those magical nights.....only a few bugs, great light and the company of wonderful friends (including some cows).  We had intended to paint cows, but then we walked around a corner and WOW, this wheat field screamed out to us with dramatic color.  The cows continued to peek around the corner to watch us and perhaps provided a few painting tips.  Thanks to Susan and Pammie for making the evening super special!

Last One In!

This painting was inspired by the ducks at the wonderful Family Farm, just outside of Grafton, WI.  We have been "frequent farmer" members there for years now, as our 5-year old son adores feeding and seeing the animals.  You can also jump around amongst bales of hay...just simple, fun play for adults and children!  I was especially drawn the the streak of light highlighting the last duck as he found his way to the watering hole.

A Spring Sunset

I love those moments in life when you stumble upon something special.  That happened a few months ago on our drive home from a pizza restaurant in Mequon and I noticed a sign for a city Park.  We happened to arrive when the sun was setting and it was beautiful.  No matter where you live, there are always special places close to home.  The Mequon park is Villa Grove.

Has anyone here seen Gertrude?

Ahhhh, the life of chickens and other feathered friends.  Out enjoying the sunshine and running around with a sense of urgency.  Who or what are they looking for??  A grub, the perfect corn kernel, leftover cabbage and greens?  The white chicken told me they are trying to find their wild-n-crazy chicken friend, Gertrude, who often wanders in the countryside and looks for greener pastures.  Naughty chicken!

The Chorus Line

When I saw these cows coming towards me, I felt like they were about to start dancing and singing in a chorus line.  But instead they are chomping the grass like a giant lawnmower.  As I continue painting cows, my goal is to focus on simplifying shapes to become more painterly.  All these legs of the Chorus Line can make my head spin!

Lynden Sculpture Garden Plein Air

Had a blast plein air painting at this amazing sculpture garden on a beautiful fall day.  And yes, I painted an orange/red tree!  This beautiful sculpture within the natural landscape is part of the "Inverse" temporary exhibit by artists Amy Cropper and Stuart Morris.  I was drawn to the bright red color in the landscape and couldn't resist.  At the very end of my painting time, a beautiful male bluebird landed right on one of the branches.  In a way, he seemed to want to say...."but hey, don't you like my beautiful color too?"  Actually, he looked quite stunning on the red branch!

The Homestead

My family has been farming this land for more than a century. The white buildings on the left and the farm fields in front is the land my brother farms....over 100 milking cows and lots of cropland. I'm very proud that my brother was able to buy this farm over 30 years ago from my grandparents, the land where my Dad grew up! I was drawn to this early morning scene this spring with the corn emerging through the furrows, everything seems so full of possibilities for the upcoming season.