Another Painting from Maynard Dixon Country

This little house in Mount Carmel screams to be painted in the morning light!  The warmth that is reflected in the porch area is nothing short of striking.  Between that and the shadows on the street in front, I was captured!

Reflected Warmth 

I have spent the summer striving to keep on task with simplicity of subject and color relationships in order to clarify form to it's purest.  This was a great subject matter for me to attempt.

The trees behind the house quickly defined the space and value scale for me - I was pleased.

Of all funny things, I had the most difficulty with the shaded area of the porch, wanting to redefine my drawing repeatedly... it took a fair bit of talking to myself to get it all figured out!

I am thrilled with the reflected light that I got on the porch and find that I am still drawn to that warmth... I think that is a good sign!

'Reflected Warmth' is painted in oil.  It is 12x12".

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

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!

...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

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!

Driggs Digs Plein Air Quick Draw

The day brought our only morning with drizzle so the colors were not what I love... but the crowd was delightful!  Fun, fun, fun!

Driggs Digs Plein Air Quick Draw

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 Temperature layer 

GM Silo local color 

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

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

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

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!

...some days are made for organizing...

Once in awhile, I have a driving need to organize my pastels.

I place them within colors, by value.  It ends up being a big job... but sure makes a difference when I go to draw.

sorting pastels

Who would have thought that a train yard could be so inspiring!

...for the snowy days that plein air work is not so available to me, I often look back to an experience that inspired me.  If you are ever in Green River, Wyoming, the train yard is incredible!  There is a pedestrian 'catwalk' over a dozen or so tracks.  The trains take off right under you, making their power unmistakable!  I was thrilled to see this 'shift change' as conductors left for the day while others came to replace them.  I never thought of myself as a train enthusiast, but I had a wonderful few hours observing the workings of this train yard!

charcoal trains

I start all of my pastels with an under drawing in charcoal.  This allows me to set the values and see the full composition.  This procedure is extremely helpful while working plein air... but after many years in the field, I always do an initial charcoal drawing.  This piece is now ready for color... oh boy!