Maynard Dixon Country was Inspirational!

I decided last minute to head off to Mount Carmel, Utah for the Maynard Dixon Country.  I went as a spectator... but of course brought along paints!

Evening Cliff Study Maynard Dixon Country
Evening Cliff Study Maynard Dixon Country

 

The first couple of days I painted alone exploring the landscape and discovering where was the best place to be for morning and evening light.  It was great to be on my own and searching out options.

Then, the weekend events started up.  There were a number of well organized events including a gallery show, wet paint sale, social media discussion, dinner and campfire - all packed into a day and a half.  The event was held on the grounds of Maynard Dixon's home and studio - both of historic and emotional significance.  I met many incredibly skilled artists and collectors, learning while talking to them and enjoying their paintings.  What an informative, social, relaxing and motivational experience!

I have special thanks in my heart for Susan and Paul Bingham who own the property and make everyone feel as if they were visiting them for the weekend.  Also all of the artists that were so accommodating and fun... I will be back!

...Back at the Grain Bins...

I have spent the summer working on simplification and color relationship... which keeps bringing me back to these grain bins.  The forms are basic, yet their are a number of buildings together, giving me a lot of compositional options.  The warm of the sun on the buildings vs the cool of the shadows is just too inviting for me to pass by!

Morning at the Grain Bins
Morning at the Grain Bins

 

You may be seeing more of these silos yet!

'Morning at the Grain Bins' is done in oil.  It is 11" x 13".

Summer Evenings Are Fading Into Fall

This morning I woke to a dusting of snow all around us.  It made me happy that I had been out painting in the field while the summer heat lasted.

End of Summer
End of Summer

 

I painted 'End of Summer' plein air one evening last week.  Much to my delight, as I was painting, I heard a voice over my should asking me what I was doing.  It was a 4th grade boy, Michael, on his bike cruisin' the neighborhood where I was painting.  He spent an hour visiting with me while I painted.  I was surprised how my focus stayed with me as we visited and I painted.  A lot of our conversation was about painting and what I think about... I did a lot of thinking out loud...

At any rate, I felt that my color relationships worked well on this piece.  It must have been Michael's input - when I explained that I was trying to mix the color of the light on the phone pole, he spoke up quickly...'Why, that is maple syrup, for sure.'  By George... he was right!  ;).

Life is full of unexpected treasures!

'End of Summer' is painted in oil.  It is 12" x 12".

...Some Oils from Driggs Digs Plein Air...

I can hardly believe that the week is already over.  It was a time of a lot of field work, great camaraderie, too much sunshine and wonderful learning opportunities.

I had decided to challenge myself for the week and work only in oils.  This ended up being a great goal for me.  I enjoyed myself immensely and got into the rhythm quickly.  All in all, I am pleased!

Silo Still Life
Silo Still Life
Summer Shower
Summer Shower

 

It was interesting for me to see how much crossover there was in my pastel and oil work.  As you can see from previous blog entries, I stuck to my interest in a primary layer representing the temperature of the colors that I see prior to putting down the local color.  I feel that in both mediums this helps to communicate to the viewer what it truly felt like to be there, which is what I strive for. I am hoping you feel the same.

Until the next post, enjoy this delightful summer weather!

Forth Day of Driggs Digs Plein Air

Today was more difficult as the light kept changing. I did a lot of 'hurry up and waiting' as I had started with a clear sky. There is more I would like to do to complete this, but here it is... straight off the easel.

Once again there are 3 photos: sketch in oil, temperature layer and local color... sticking with the week's mantra of simplify, simplify, simplify!

GM Silo drawing with oil 

GM Silo drawing with oil 

GM Silo Temperature layer 

GM Silo Temperature layer 

GM Silo local color 

GM Silo local color 

Back to Basics for me!

After being gone for the Plein Air Convention, Whitney Museum residency and shows, I was completely overwhelmed with all of that GREEN in the landscape... befuddlement... so, BACK TO BASICS for me.

block study
block study

 

I have spent the last couple of weeks working on color relationship studies with the good old blocks!  They are painted primary colors and are a great way to carefully examine one color in relationship to another... it feels great to refresh my mind of the obvious!

Ah, the challenges of plein air painting!

On My Way to the Buffalo Bill Museum for an Artist Residency

I got one more pastel started before leaving for Cody.  The light became flat, so I think I will take this piece up to the Buffalo Bill Museum and work on it during my residency.  I would much rather work in the field, but the light changes so quickly this time of year that by the time I return, everything will look quite different.

Pastel Start - Milk Creek
Pastel Start - Milk Creek

 

I head off to Cody today and am very excited.  I will be painting in the Buffalo Bill Museum and visiting with Yellowstone Park visitors for 15 days... I should have some great stories soon!  Wish me luck!

Pastel Start is in vine charcoal.  18" x 18"

Plein Air Convention in Monterey was fantastic!

The Plein Air Conference in Monterey was super.  I learned a lot from watching many artist work, met multiple old and new friends, enjoyed the incredible Monterey area and ate well.

Monterey Coastline Study
Monterey Coastline Study

 

I had problems with the humid climate and my pastels... but managed to get this study done before the fog moved in.  The landscape is inspirational, no doubt.

What a fantastic opportunity.  Now I am ready to get to work with a multitude of new ideas!

Getting ready for the Plein Air Convention next week!

As you can see, my husband made some fantastic trays for my pastels – custom fit right into the box – I am jazzed!  I honored the new set up by spending a couple of days sorting through pastels and arranging them how I perceive I will use them most efficiently… it seems to be an endless process… but I am excited to get to work with this palette in Monterey and give it a try!

New Palette Layout
New Palette Layout

 

The pastels are sorted by color as well as by value (that’s the tricky part for me).  I have reserved the bottom right for ‘sages’ and neutrals, as I love to work in the high desert here in Wyoming.

Wish me well at the Convention… I can hardly wait to meet new friends, learn tons and get out in some less than snowy weather to draw!

The last plein air I did before snow fall

One of those last, perfect autumn days I was lucky enough to go out drawing with a friend.  The shadows of this clump of cottonwood trees caught my eye and wouldn't let go.  Snow flurries started shortly after -  which made the memory extra nice.

Soothing Shadows

Soothing Shadows

 

This piece is done with soft pastels on Wallis paper and is 12"x151/2".