First Flowers in the Northwoods

Hidden Hole, plein aire watercolor 5 x 7"

After a long winter, and this one has been particularly long, finding the first wildflowers are always a treat for me. These are the first to bloom here in the Northwoods are Marsh Marigolds. As soon as the swampy areas thaw, this little yellow beauties pop up all over swampy or wet areas. I love to see and paint them each Spring. It heralds Spring, along with the songs of the birds! More in May we are treated to another spectacular presentation of trilliums. More on that later...I'm going out for a walk!

Confessions of a Sunday Painter

Ready to Roll! 9 x 12 oil on masonite panel

I am a Sunday Painter. I am not ashamed...I feel priviledged to have found something that I adore, love, can't live without. I relish my short times to paint....and am sad when I can't--due to whatever reason. Sometimes, though, I do enjoy imagining what my life would have been like if I could do art as a profession...like Rembrandt or Vermeer. What would it be like if I could study a flower for the whole day? How would my art be different if I could concentrate on it...doing countless sketches every single day??

A couple of weeks ago Ovation TV had day long specials on different artists. How Rembrandt went to autopsy's to study the human form. How many of them did he study to be able to make portraits so beautiful? How did Renoir feel when his parents were proud when their son decided to become an artist--not worried that this was "just a hobby"?

Do not get me wrong..I do not regret going to college and becoming an accountant. I was a single mother and raised two children by doing this job. I love the job that I currently have--the people I work for are wonderful and I get to live on a 4,000 acre ranch all year with countless inspiration and the time to endulge in my heart place....and that I have found is art. I don't know if I will ever be "any good" at painting...get into any real shows, hob nob with the "real" artists. etc. But all that doesn't even mean anything to me anymore. I love my process of dreaming and thinking of where I will be painting, organizing my tools, planning when I will be able to go, looking forward to the experience, getting out there and just painting...not thinking about anything else. No dishes, no laundry, no work...just painting...and what I am experiencing in nature. That is enough for me. I then begin again...dreaming of the next time...and it starts all over again.

Summer Past

Summer Past--Oil on board, 9 x 12"

Sometimes the dreariness of winter gets to me. Last week we had a few great days of above 40 degree weather and it made even the birds start singing their spring songs. This week, back to the single digits and teens...time for some summer memories!

I actually painted this boat for an online class that I'm taking in oil painting. I've never really taken a class in the actual dynamics of oils, but got a couple of books and out the door I went. I really love painting in oils, especially for plein air work. They don't succumb to the weather pressures as much as pastels or watercolors. They stay moist, and even if you get rained on, it doesn't matter. Although I do still love the lightness and versatility of watercolors..my first love, the brightness and spontenaety of pastels...oh dear...I guess I love them all!

I can't wait to get out and paint again for the spring. I have my boxes all ready to go...in all mediums. Just give me a good day..and I'll be out there again!

They Say it's Your Birthday....

Well, my little grandsons birthday parties were today. Both were born so close together that it just is easier for one party since I live so far away from them. They live in Green Bay and it's an hour and a half to get here. Luckily, we had a fairly good day for travel. That's not easy this time of year. Last year when my youngest grandson was born, it was on the coldest day of the year...24 below zero...wind chills over 40 below. It was also on Brett Favre's last game with the Green Bay Packers. 1/20/08. (You can't live up here without being a Packer fan BTW)

His older brother, Kenyon is going to be 3 tomorrow. He had a cold today, but loved his presents. His little brother, Keenan, loved his presents too. They ate well, we had cake, and then they went home. Pooped out, I decided to paint a piece of cake while watching the Super Bowl. Here is my entry....oil on carton board. 6" x 8"

Been Too Long

Life sometimes gets in the way of art. This was my case, unfortunately neglecting my creative energy. I also broke my right hand, which left me pitifully typing with one hand! I did this small painting today--broke out my oils. Woke up this morning to a lovely backlit scene right outside my window. Although it's not really plein air, I did paint it through my window, but did so in my comfy pj's and cup of coffee. It felt so right to be back at painting after such a long absence.

Snowy morning, 4 x 6" oils on panel

Last leaf of fall

When walking, looking for something to sketch, I sometimes bring my camera to capture scenes that I don't have time to paint, and I also love to pick up various items to bring home to draw or paint. This was one of those days...it was a warm afternoon as I walked searching for little treasures. I found this little branch, still holding the caps from the acorns. I took it home and painted this little viginette. I really admire botanical painters, and I don't do as well as some that I've seen, but I had a great time that evening painting this picture! I hope you enjoy it as well.

Make Art

Chute Pond, oil 6 x 8", plein aire

Sometimes I wake up in the morning, and all I can think about is doing art. I love it...truly love it. If I didn't have to work, I would be one of those scruffy looking artists...who didn't look as if they changed clothes in a while...full of paint and obsessed with my current project, or dreaming about the next one, or the one after that! I LOVE looking at nature, walking, driving. I see HUNDREDS of paintings in my head as I pass by. In the precious moments when I can stop and create, I feel like I've discovered a treasure, blessed in the fact that I have the time to stop and try and capture my find on paper or canvas.

Last night it was the first frost in the Northwoods. This morning as I awakened under two blankets, I found my backyard covered with shimmery silver frost. I don't think my summer flowers will be around for long. My herbs will need to be harvested tonight!

This weekend is supposed to be glorious---warm, sunny. I will be out there painting more fall colors. Housework? What is that???? It's going to be a painting weekend for me!!!