Table For Two - Date Night

Table For Two - Date Night

6x8, soft pastel

This is a rework of an older painting I did a couple years ago.   The nice thing about soft pastels is the ability to make changes to an older painting anytime you’d like.  This is one of several special places to go in Meridian...Grimaldi’s at The Village. 

Summer Bouquet

Summer Bouquet

6x8, soft pastel

Wow!   It’s time to get caught up on this blog.  The reason I’m behind on posting is that my Blogger app on IOS devices stopped working (months ago) and I’m just now finding a solution that seems to work for posting to Blogspot.com.  So, I’m back.  I also didn’t participate in the 30in30 Challenge in September taking that time to travel to see family and enjoy what was left of summertime.  Now that fall is in full swing...It’s time to get back to business.

I participated in the Eagle Plein Air Festival in June and had a great time...even though I was outside my comfort zone.  I was delighted to win a best dry media ribbon for the little plein air piece above.  I also painted the piece below at the Quick Draw competition (which was sold during the auction that followed).  The Plein Air festival was a blast and I met several new friends along the way.  

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Hedgehog Gift Shop

Hedgehog Gift Shop

6x8, soft pastel

Day one of the 2016 Door County Wi. Plein Air Festival.   I came mostly to watch the pros...but I couldn't resist a little practice time. What a gorgeous time of year to be on the peninsula!

The Hedgehog Gift Shop is in Gills Rock near the top of the peninsula.  A very cute shop on the water. If you know me, you know I couldn't resist the colors!

Lily Pad Down Under

Lily Pad Down Under

6x8, Soft Pastel

    

 Today I had a shot of inspiration from an artist buddy who is in Vienna, Austria today at the Albertina Museum.  She shared photos of works by Monet and Degas this morning...two of my favorite artists!  

I've been meaning to take a swing at lily pads for a couple years...and today was the day! I have quite a few pictures from various areas around Idaho and the Midwest...always imaging how awesome they might be...and I have to say, I had a blast painting this little study.   I think I'll paint a larger version!  I hope you enjoy!

The past couple months have been a blur.  Lots of travel, a long bout of influenza (I never get the flu!), a wonderful surprise birthday party, working on refining the Plein Air Painters of Idaho's website and preparing for a couple of art shows. Life is exciting right now...and yes, I have a few paintings to share that I haven't gotten around to posting but I hope to soon.  Thanks for reading!  And, if you're a fellow artist....keep on painting!  

Aloha!

Aloha!

6x8, soft pastel

Day 30 of 30

The final day!  This 30 in 30 challenge has in fact been challenging (as they all are).  It's not easy to commit a full month to produce a painting each day especially when life events and household chores are calling your name.  But, it was well worth it.  The past month has been a blast.  I've painted in my studio, at Ste. Chapelle Winery, Redfish Lake and at Thousand Springs State Park.  It was all good.

For my final 30in30 painting I just had to paint this little RV.  I spotted it while we were driving down the interstate in Montana this summer.  It just says it all!!!   Thanks for reading my blog and taking this journey with me!   Until next time.....Aloha!

Bygone Days

By Gone Days

6x8, soft pastel

Day 29 of 30

Today's painting is a nod to the past.  The vintage RVs we see on the road, in RV parks or parked along the way remind me of simpler times.  Plus...they're just so darn cute!!!

Roughing It

Roughing It

6x8, soft pastel

Day 18 of 30

I love these small sized Airstream RVs.  They look like a huge soap bubble...reflecting absolutely everything around them.  I often snap a photo of them with a painting in mind.  Today was the day to try one out.  If I owned one of these puppies I'd turn it into my art-mobile and travel the country "roughing it" and painting wherever life took me.  Hmm, food for thought! 

Shallow Waters

Shallow Waters

6x8, soft pastel

                                                                 

Day 17 of 30

Today's painting was a bit of a disappointment...I'm always wanting it to be more than it turns out to be.  Oh well...it's a peaceful little scene in any event.  

Redfish Lake Boat Dock 2

Redfish Lake Boat Dock 2

6x8, soft pastel

                                                      

Day 13 of 30

I was asked to paint another boat dock painting...so here it is.   A tidbit of trivia, the boat dock was so severely damaged last winter that it had to be removed and rebuilt this spring.  I'm sure glad it was since it plays an integral role in summertime activities.  There is a gas pump station on the dock and daily shuttles back and forth across the lake carrying daytime and overnight hikers to trailheads on the other side...not to mention the kayak, paddle boat and marina sections of the dock.

Redfish Lake Boat Dock

Redfish Lake Boat Dock

6x8, soft pastel

Day 8 of 30 

We arrived at Redfish Lake a few hours early so my friend and I decided to get a bit of painting in before tonight's meeting. A very quick painting of the boat dock from the beach.   I'm not sure how this picture looks in daylight...we're now in our cabin and it's pretty dark in here! 

....correction....its now 12:30am and it's actually light in the cabin.   Why?  Because we have a mouse in here that we caught munching on a small bag of almonds earlier. We didn't actually catch him but scared him.  So now I'm a bit freaked out and have left my bedroom light on to deter him.  Last time we saw him he had scurried under the empty bed next to mine.  So of course the light is going to stay on all night.  I would go sleep outside in the car but I'm afraid of bears.

Goin' With The Flow

Goin' With The Flow

6x8, soft pastel

Day 4 of 30

My intention was to stick to landscapes this month...but I needed to repaint this little guy for a good friend.   Long story short, I misplaced the first one I painted months ago (guess I'm not as organized as I thought I was).  I do love the colors on this duck!!

Missing Maui

Missing Maui

6x8, soft pastel

Over the years we've often travelled...ESPECIALLY during this time of year.  Mid-January through mid-February in Idaho always seems to be dark, often cloudy, and dreary.  Otherwise, the weather here is absolutely ideal.   This year, we decided to stay home since we've been busy with projects... and of course the last couple weeks have been cloudy...yikes!  I keep kicking my heels together silently repeating "there's no place like Maui...there's no place like Maui".   I open my eyes and darn it...I'm still here!  I'm really missing Maui.

A Table For Two

A Table For Two

6x8, soft pastel

Well...I've had a nice break from the January challenge and am even caught up on household chores so it's back to the easel for some more fun.  I've wanted to start a "Table for Two" series...so here's the first one.  I don't know why I'm drawn to these tables...we see them everywhere, in every restaurant... all types of tables set up for two.  For me, I think it's because they seem to be so romantic!

Heartbreak

Heartbreak

6x8, soft pastel

How do you paint heartbreak?   I googled this phrase this morning after having to put our sweet little Tubby down unexpectantly.  He wasn't feeling good for several weeks and while he was in for his dental exam the doctor found a large tumor.  I hate cancer.  It was obvious we needed to put his comfort before our own agony and say goodbye.

So, most of today has been a blur.  I was going to blow off painting anything.   It's tough to paint without my little studio buddy.  This evening I decided to try a very quick sketch of him.  While it's far from my best...it's all I can do today.  Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.  Goodbye little guy!  

Blue Pond

Blue Pond

6x8, soft pastel

Painting 26 is a loose interpretation of a pond in Japan that changes colors in various weather conditions.  In wintery weather it's a beautiful blue.

Snowed In

Snowed In

6x8 soft pastel

Ah, remember those hot days of summer?  The days you could lounge around on the patio soaking up the sun?  Perhaps you have in mind a picnic and a barbecue...a walk in the park...a trip to the zoo or an outdoor concert?

About now is when summer seems to be so very far off!  Snow piled high and not a beach ball in site.  But sooner than we think, we'll be dusting off the patio furniture listening to the morning doves cooing and planning our summer gardens.

Field of Poppies

Field of Poppies

6x8 soft pastel

Ok...this painting has nothing to do with my family theme...but I decided it was time to practice a landscape while watching a video demonstration by Colleen Howe Bleinberger. She has such a soothing and calm presentation...it was relaxing and fun. Check it out on Artists Network TV.

Assembly Line

Assembly Line

6x8, soft pastel

Today was a busy day around the house so it was also a play day for art.  Abstract again just for the heck of it. When I looked at the design as I sketched it out all I could think of was a bridge of some sort with a wave underneath...then I imagined an assembly line. Thus, the name. It's a little like my paintings this month, some are big, some are small, and some are simply off the wall.

The Village - Walking The Dog

Walking The Dog

6x8 soft pastel

This is the second in a series of scenes at The Village in Meridian. This painting is of the window display at Charming Charlie's. It's a colorful place...I especially love the black and white awnings and the sign painted on the window "We ❤️ Handbags". You just can't resist stopping by and taking a look at all the goodies within...even when you're supposed to be walking the dog. 

Couch Potato

Couch Potato

6x8, soft pastel

Tubby is my little couch potato. Ever since we lost his buddy Scooter this past April, Tubby has been at my side, day and night..night and day.  Each morning he has his breakfast and follows me into the studio where we sit together sharing a chair and ottoman by the fireplace. I sip my coffee and read the paper or catch up with social media while he snuggles into the blanket for a short nap.  He does little else these days but seems especially content to sleep on the back cushions of the couch while I work at the easel. Here he can keep an eye on what I'm doing and can occasionally gaze out the window in case a squirrel dares to enter his yard....or, he naps.  Most often he naps. I surely love this little guy!