The great pumpkin patch

Fall would not be complete without a trip to the pumpkin patch to paint of course!  There's just something about being surrounded by pumpkins, witnessing the leaves tumble all around, hearing walnuts plop to the ground that gets me ready for the season ahead.  Orange is one of those colors that makes me smile. 
We are thankful to farmers Scott and Tracy of Creekside Valley Farm in Mequon for letting us explore and create on their beautiful property.  They have created a work of art on their land and we are grateful they are sharing their vision. 
These small plein air pieces will be used for larger paintings when I need an infusion of orange, most likely in March! 

I love how the buildings were connected in the distance

Creekside Valley Farm, 6 x 8, oil

The scarecrow captured our attention

"Hildegard's Pumpkin Patch" 8 x 10, oil

 

 

 

Driftless wanderings

Here's a recap of the many plein air stops along the way during the Mineral Point Summer Paint the Point event.  It was just too beautiful NOT to paint almost the entire 3 days of the event.  Thanks to all who worked to hard to organize/showcase the event and throw us the big party on Friday evening.  As always, it's hard saying goodbye to Mineral Point. 

Working on "Rolling"

Sunset at the Gevelingers....followed by a lovely campfire.  A very fun evening.

 

Early sunrise painting

Another early morning painting, The Shortcut

"Gevelinger's Pasture"

 

and here's one I started outside of the map boundaries, will complete later...it was just my subject. 

 

Another sunset

My first ever competition "nocturne" painting and I had to fight off bats the entire time.  It made for a quick painting that I love.

 

Friday morning, I fell in love with dramatic rain clouds that were forming.  Hoping that area of the state gets much needed rain.

 

On exhibit at Longbranch Gallery

Our home away from home for the few days....Brewer's House.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Happy Place

Imagine yourself immersed in a nine acre field surrounded by 500,000+ sunflowers on a bright sunny day.  It was such a treat to stop in at the Pope Farm Conservancy in Middleton on my way to a painting event in Mineral Point.  It was a visually overwhelming experience with so many paintings going through my mind it was hard shutting down the right side of my brain that evening.  I joined painting buddies Wendie and Lynn in the field and enjoyed conversation with many families and people who were interested in painting. 

That's me painting at the Pope Conservancy

My finished painting

 

Wendie Thompson painting

 

Lynn Rix painting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Green Season

Unlike the vast majority of artists out there, I am a bit sad to see the winter landscape fade away.  Must be my Norwegian heritage.  In Wisconsin, it seems to turn green virtually overnight.  All this green presents a painting challenge (for me at least) and I'm continually working on ways to tone down the brightness I see before me. 
Last weekend, the Wisconsin Plein Air Painters group met at Lion's Den Gorge in Grafton.  For an hour, I was all by myself listening to a very vocal oriole and watching a green heron play hide and seek with me.  This is the reason why plein air painting is magical.  You're out in nature seeing, hearing and experiencing things you wouldn't within four walls of a studio.  Here again, I intentionally selected a spot with minimal green -- just a personal preference.

Lions Den Gorge, Grafton

 

I'm back chasing summer sunsets again.  On this particular day, the clouds were full and dramatic.  Naturally I thought the sunset would be spectacular.  At about 7:45, with only 1/2 hour until sunset, the clouds just vanished and I knew the sunset would be less than sensational.  That's when you have to improvise as a plein air painter and change your plan mid-way through the painting.  I noticed these stunning backlit cattails and decided to switch my focus to that subject.  I am happy with the peaceful ending to my painting!

Sunset, May 24

"Cattails at Sunset"

 

 

Fall in Wisconsin!

There is nothing better than spending a day at one of our numerous pumpkin patches/apple orchards in Wisconsin.  The colors are finally muted from the "screaming" greens of summer and the orange provides such a stunning contrast in the Wisconsin landscape. 

Painting the pumpkin harvest

Last week, I spent the morning at Barthels in Mequon, painting in one of their pumpkin patches.  Unlike last year when all the apple blossoms froze, they are expected to have a great year. 
One of the venues where I exhibit my paintings selected a pumpkin piece to grace the poster they created for Wine & Harvest Festival.  There are framed, matted (or unframed) posters still available, so you can contact Bohemia in Cedarburg if interested.  They also have the original painting there for sale.  Now get out into the great pumpkin patch!

Poster available at Bohemia in Cedarburg

Original painting, "The Plump Pumpkin Patch" also available at Bohemia, 11 x 14, oil

Shorewood Plein Air

There's a new plein air event in Wisconsin in the beautiful village of Shorewood.  The event organizers did a great job promoting and running the event....thank you.  My favorite part was meeting the residents of Shorewood who were excited and grateful for the artists painting their city.  The children were especially fun and many said it was their first experience meeting a "real" artist.  But I quickly reminded them, that we are ALL artists.  We each see the same thing in our own unique way and that is what makes art so much fun. 
Sunrise and sunset along Lake Michigan at Atwater Park were great places to be.  I also painted Colectivo Coffee, but need to return to make a few adjustments sometime soon.  Thanks to everyone who stopped by to chat and most importantly, to the new collectors and event organizers!!! 

Touch of the Sun, 11 x 14, sold

She's up all night till the sun, 8 x 10, sold

The early morning hours....two days in a row at the lake before sunrise

Light changed quickly....

Magical Mins, 12 x 12, oil, sold

My quick paint of the competition....what an amazing store in Shorewood.

Atwater 1, 8 x 10, oil, available

Atwater 2, 11 x 14, oil, available