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

 

 

 

Spring babes

Painted again at Lions Den Gorge in Grafton before mosquitos season gets underway.  The evening was beautiful and I enjoyed watching a duck family nibble their way through the waters, bathe and head off to bed. 

 

 

Driving home on a country road, I noticed a car stopped in the middle of the road.  The driver told me the deer had just given birth to the fawn.  So we patiently waited for the fawn to stand up, nurse and move to the side of the road. 

 

These are the unexpected and wonderful experiences that happen only when you're outside of the studio.  The springtime babes are so beautiful and inspiring.   

 

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"

 

 

Featured artist in Outdoor Painter

This past week, I was very humbled and honored to be the featured artist in Outdoor Painter magazine.  The focus was my winter plein air work and how that translates into winter studio paintings.  You can read all about it on the link below. 

http://www.outdoorpainter.com/artist-profiles/not-idle-in-winter-pamela-ruschman.html

Willoway Farm Charm

A few weeks ago, painters from the Cedarburg Artists Guild were invited to a beautiful farm that operates a CSA near Fredonia, Willoway Farm.  Owners Jacqui and Dan allowed us to explore and create for the entire day -- thank you!  Many of us left with a full supply of veggies, eggs and even flowers for the week.

For me, one of the hardest parts of plein air painting is picking the subject.  And at this farm, that was a hard task. So many OPTIONS!  I probably spent the first hour just walking back and forth to see what would catch my eye.  Beekeeping has always interested me, so I found some boxes along a back path and set up there. 

Work in progress

"What's the buzz at Willoway Farm?"  Oil, 11 x 14

 

All the sights and sounds of the farm stay in my memory as I sift through photo reference to create some studio paintings.  Their little boy Sam was also very interested in the artists and hopefully his curiosity will spark his own creations in art. 

As I packed up, the sandhill cranes were flying overhead.  Couldn't have asked for a better day!  Thankful, grateful. 

 

 

On Wisconsin

I'm excited to be part of this "On Wisconsin" exhibit at Bohemia in Cedarburg, WI.  A life-long Wisconsin resident and lover of all things Wisconsin, you'll find art inspired by our glorious state.  Join us for a fun evening Friday, May 16th from 6-9 p.m. at Bohemia, located in the heart of downtown Cedarburg at W62N587 Washington Ave.  262.375.2700.  Two other amazing landscape artists are also featured including Susan Hale and Lynn Rix! 

A frosty dip

A few weekends ago, we drove up to Plymouth to paint with my dear and talented friend Lori Beringer at a farm near her house.  The setting was perfect, but as usual, finding the perfect spot to set up took some time. 
The property included a beautiful, tiny meandering creek and I noticed my friends were on the other side of the creek.  Naturally, I thought I could just gracefully hop over to the other side.  I completely underestimated how wide the creek was under that ice cover and landed feet first in the icy water.  Being an avid winter plein air painter, this was going to happen sooner or later, right?  Getting out of the creek was a challenge with the big plein air backpack still straped to my body, but it sure made for great belly laughs.  Here I am back at Lori's to pick up some new socks and she had an extra pair of boots.  Then, it was back to the site to paint and explore. 

Water drenched socks and boots after falling in the creek while painting

One of the completed paintings of the day, without the CREEK

 

More Lake Michigan Adventures

The temps have warmed up enough (above zero) for more painting time along the frozen shores of Lake Michigan.  Lots of icecanos and moaning/groaning of the lake under the ice.  Making it a full sensory experience.

Painted on Feb. 12th, earlier in the morning a nice soft peach light flooded the lake, but flurries quickly moved in. 

Here's a shot of my friend Lynn painting and we met a great group of young high schoolers from Rufus King who were at Schlitz Audubon on a field trip.  They asked great questions, were very polite and seemed to be having fun snowshoeing along the frozen shoreline.

Back to the shoreline on Feb. 13th after a fresh snow. 

BRRRR.  It was very cold that day.

Hiking back up the hill and finding a nice note in the snow most likely from one of the awesome nature preschool teachers!

 

 

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. 

Moovelously Lynden

Last night, I enjoyed a wonderful evening of plein air painting at Lynden Sculpture Garden's annual educational fundraiser.  My animal theme continued since I painted the Bremen musicians sculpture last year, I decided on the cows this year. 
This is the first time cows have ever stood still for me!  And they came in an assortment of unique colors.  It was a ton of fun and I met so many wonderful people.  (Stu, I am planning to see you painting the streets of Cedarburg next year!).
While painting, I was visited by a cedar waxwing that would sometime land within inches of my easel.  And, a massive frog also kept a close eye on all the comings and goings.
My photo of the painting is not so great as I was rushing to get this framed and to the auction table.  Thank you to the collector!  Here's a recap of the evening.

The very friendly Cedar Waxwing

Frog watched all afternoon

"Moovelously Lynden"  11 x 14, oil

Darla the Donkey and Friends

Today I'll continue writing about my plein air experiences during the Cedarburg event in June.  I met another very kind property owner who allowed me to paint her precious donkey, Darla. 

A donkey was a brand new subject for me.  After Darla and I got acquainted, she settled into a nice pose for me with the geese running all around!  Granted, she probably only rested in that spot for 10 minutes before getting up for stretching and food, but that was enough to capture the moment. 
The geese provided lots of entertainment along with a rooster who kept guard of the whole barnyard situation.  Plus, I left the farm with some amazing asparagus that was a real treat for dinner that night. 

Class Dismissed

Looking out the window it feels as though spring is still just a dream.  The grass is brown and the flowers are still tucked in their winter rest. 
As a family, we have fun planning for our little garden but have also decided to supplement our vegetables with a shared CSA.  A friend asked us to buy a share of a CSA this winter and we thought it was a good decision to know where your food is grown.  Turns out, I had also painted their wonderful chickens after meeting the owner at an art gathering this summer.  Finally, I will be consuming the eggs of the chickens I have painted. 

Art and life are all interconnected indeed!  And Spring HAS to be on the way soon!

Here's "Class Dismissed", oil, 8 x 16

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)

Sojourner

During a recent portrait painting session, I felt an unusually deep connection with the model.  There was just something honest and raw about his gaze.  During the three-hour session, I reflected on seeing Jesus through the eyes of a stranger.

I saw suffering and great hope.  That is what Holy Week represents to me.  I'd like to share an excerpt from a favorite author, Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

"Jesus Christ is with us not only in lonely hours, but may encounter us in every step we take, in every person we meet.  Remember, I am with you....every person may be Jesus Christ, God himself, who is addressing us.  The sojourner along the way, the beggar at the door, the sick person before the church door may represent God's demand on us.  Jesus says, 'just as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.'"

Duck Tales

This was my plein air study (above)

 "The Family That Quacks Together, Stays Together" (above)

"Off to Swimming Lessons"  (above)

Besides the usual subjects of chickens and cows, I added DUCKS to the lineup over the past 6 months.  I spent time at a local farm painting these ducks plein air (which is a BIG challenge, since they never ever sit still).  However, the plein air study was invaluable for appropriate color notes as I worked on some of these larger paintings.
The farmer also talked to me about how to identify the gender of these ducks.  One way is the difference in Quacks....which I didn't catch on to.  The other is the feathers.  If a duck has a curled tailed feather, it is the male! 
Enjoy these two paintings of this entertaining duck family.

About Face

While I consider myself mainly a landscape artist, I have always enjoyed drawing and painting portraits.  I did my first real portrait drawing back in high school.  Then, in college I discovered there is more than just ONE pencil and ONE eraser!!!  I was introduced to a whole range of pencils (10 different leads) that created so many neat effects.  The kneaded eraser was also a new concept for me that enhanced so many drawings. 
During my college years I was asked by a friend to create a portrait of his dear grandfather.  I remembered the family was thrilled at the result (pencil portrait above, 1982) because this gentleman was a devout Catholic who attended Mass daily and the nuns all LOVED the portrait.  That made me smile.
Now on to painting portraits with oils.  That's a whole different ballgame for me and a huge challenge.  I have been blessed to be part of a portrait painting group for about ten years now that is full of learning and fellowship.  Often, I have many "scrapers" but this one posted above was a keeper for me.  I felt the model was in a very reflective state of mind and I am hopeful I captured her emotion. 

Snow Globe

Posting this painting that I completed back in August, as much of Wisconsin has been hit with a blizzard.  Thinking especially this morning of my brother and Dad as they dig out from the storm and get food to all the animals.  My brother and his wife have cows to milk as well.  Hoping all the equipment is in good working condition this morning to get the job done.
In the meantime, enjoy my interpretation of "Snow Globe."

Beans and Barley Exhibit

The walls at Beans and Barley are decked out in bold colors for the Christmas season.  Former Pfister artist in residence Shelby Keefe has more than 10 paintings in the main dining room area that include both her performance paintings and studio/plein air work.  My work runs along the wall where restaurants guests gather before they are seated.  It includes many of my feathered and furry subjects.  Beans and Barley is located at the corner of Farwell and North Avenue in downtown Milwaukee.  Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and a wonderful place to shop for Christmas gifts!