You Gotta Have Art

We are so fortunate to have the Cedarburg Cultural Center in our greater Ozaukee Cty. community.  I did a painting demo that day and this rooster painting sold at the live auction that evening for the fundraiser.  Eight more paintings are on display and for sale.  Your support will help keep this vibrant center moving forward for years to come!

My impromptu studio at the CCC.

 

"King of the Coop" 20 x 20, oil, sold

Calendar Cow

Happy to announce one of my cow paintings "Christmas Cow" has become a calendar girl!  This beautiful calendar is filled with art images from many local artists represented by Bohemia in Cedarburg.  They are donating all profits from the sale of this calendar to Meta House, a local womens charity.  The core mission at the Meta House is to help women reclaim their lives from the effects of substance abuse. 
Thanks to Jenny and Julie at Bohemia for a great first year!

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!

 

 

Article in Outdoor Painter newsletter

A nice article about my Lake Michigan painting experiences over the past few years, especially how to dress for the cold conditions. 

http://www.outdoorpainter.com/news/a-final-word-on-painting-warmly-in-the-cold.html

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. 

Gallery Night in Mineral Point

So thankful to Sandra, Judith and Mike for hosting me as the featured artist at Longbranch Gallery in Mineral Point a few weekends ago.  It was a bitterly cold evening, but the hardy art lovers came out with smiles on their faces.  The exhibit is on display through end of February.  Please stop in this lovely town full of amazing galleries if your travels take you that way!

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