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....

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Things Wisconsin

Happy 2015!  One of the highlights of 2014 was having my art purchased for a new restaurant at Bayshore Town Center.  HOM Wood Fired Grill opened last summer offering customers traditional meals made with Wisconsin farm fresh ingredients.  The interior designer, FLUX Design, spotted by miniature paintings displayed at the 2013 Art Bar exhibit and thought they would be a perfect fit for the farm to table restaurant concept.  Since I grew up on a Wisconsin dairy farm, I couldn't have been more thrilled with the results.  I'm very grateful to Jeremy and his team at Flux Design for his vision and stunning creativity with framing these little paintings in rustic reclaimed barnwood and metal.  I'm a cheerleader for ALL THINGS WISCONSIN and encourage you to visit this beautiful restaurant!  To see photos from the opening, go to:  www.homwoodfiredgrill.com/bayshore/gallery

The exterior of HOM

Amazing framing by Flux Design

My Dad's favorite farm cat

 

 

Painting the Point

Mineral Point Wisconsin began as a wild and crazy frontier town attracting all sorts back in 1828 when lead was discovered.  A few weeks ago, wild and crazy plein air artists ventured to Mineral Point from surrounding states to discover rugged beauty, historic buildings and glorious vistas speckled with bountiful bovines.  We spent two days painting in the inaugural "Paint the Point" plein air event and couldn't have asked for better painting conditions.  The weather, the subjects, the parties, the organizers and galleries were wonderful. 

Our little group stayed at the lovely Bluebird Cottage outside of Mineral Point.  The first night, we warmed up our brushes with a little sunset painting. 

Early the next morning after canvases were stamped, we ventured out to get inspired.  My sights were set on finding cows, so that didn't take long.  Triple D Farms and the Dannenberg family were very welcoming, along with the curious cows and fun children!  Thank you.

Painting with Triple D Farms in background, along with many of their beautiful and curious cows taking a peek.

 

"Spotify", 11 x 14, Plein Air, Oil

 

Later that day I wanted to capture some of the beautiful wildflowers along the country roads and here is the result.

"Ferndale Road Vista" 10 x 12, Plein Air, oil

 

The following day I went back to Triple D Farms to paint more cows, but gee, they kept mooooving, what a shock.  I ended up spending the afternoon at the home farm (which was out of our painting area). 

 So this one I couldn't enter in the competition but really loved this little chicken coop and my afternoon painting with one of the children, Laurianna.  I hope she's filling her sketchbook with lots of great drawings.  I cherish the drawing she gave me!

"Andrea's Coop" 8 x 10, Plein Air, Oil

 

After a lovely party Friday evening at The Walker House (thank you Dan and Kathy), we were up bright and early for the final event of the weekend, the Quick Paint.  We had about 3 hours to paint, complete, frame and deliver the painting.  I chose Jail House Alley as my inspiration and enjoyed a visit by another furry friend, Rosie.  Rosie is a legend in Mineral Point, a very popular girl!

Hi Rosie!

 

"Sunpower" Plein Air quick paint, 12 x 10, oil

 

One final note, while checking out of the cottage, I left my car hatch open for just five minutes.  I noticed a cat in my car when I packed up.  Sure enough, I had left a few wet paintings out and the sweet little cat stepped in some nice juicy paint and proceeded to walk around my car and across my painting backpack.  I think I'll keep the cat tracks on my backpack as a permanent reminder of this special trip! 

 

 

 

Field to Studio

"Chicken Dance" Plein Air

 

During the Cedarburg Plein Air Painting event last year, I did several paintings of chickens.  Yes, a moving target for plein air work...even worse than cows, these chickens don't sit still for a moment!  Nothing beats the spontaneous brushwork of a plein air piece, but it's also exciting to think about some larger paintings in the studio.  I like using the winter months for that exploration. 

On this first day of spring with windchills below zero, this green grass is looking quite appealing.  So, here are some examples of studio work that was completed after the plein air studies.

"Struttin' Our Stuff" Studio Painting

"Father Knows Best" Studio Painting