Gainesville Spring Arts Festival

Thank You to Janie and Ronald for adding "Gone Fishing" to their personal collection during the Santa Fe College Spring Arts Festival in Downtown Gainesville, Fl. this past weekend.  It was a wonderful show and the weather could not have been better.  Lots of people turned out to enjoy the spring atmosphere and to add art of all types to their homes.

"Cedar Key Sunset" also found a new home.  Thank You Ann and Tom for adding my work to your personal collection.

Exhibiting at outdoor Art Festivals takes a lot of planning and physical work.   Top shows like this one jury their artists 6 months in advance.  Artists arrive at the "crack of dawn" the first morning of the show to set up the tent and install all the artwork.

Yep, we just sit around during the show, often in the rain, cold, heat, or howling wind.  It IS fun to meet all the folks that come by, and of course, a delight to talk about our art work.  Then it is time to break it all down, pack up the truck, drive home and then....unload it all.

Don't think I am complaining....I am just explaining how it works.  I choose to participate in these festivals because I thoroughly enjoy seeing long time friends and collectors, making new friends, some of whom become collectors, and seeing the smiles my work brings to people.

This is the last show for me until next October at the Fine Arts for Ocala Festival.  The show is moving to downtown Ocala, which will bring a home-town feeling to it. 

All are welcome to email or call me to visit my studio/gallery and see new works as they come off the easel.

My last show until next October is this coming weekend at the Santa Fe College Spring Arts Festival in Gainesville, Florida.  I am fortunate to have been juried into this highly respected show once again.  My Booth #412 is on NE 1st Street between NE 4th and 5th Avenues.  The Festival is April 6, Saturday 10 am - 5:30 pm and April 7, Sunday Noon - 5:30 pm. 

The painting shown here sold to a private collector but I have Fine Art Giclee Hand Embellished Reproductions on Canvas of it as well as over 25 other images to chose from.

As always, a wide variety of sizes and scenes of original oil paintings will be available.  And, I have painted a large collection of miniatures that are great to add to personal collections or use as gifts.

See you at the show!  If you can't make it call or email me for a visit to my studio/gallery in Ocala, Fl.

Skiing In Park City

Many of you may already know that I am a Florida native and love the warm sunshine in my home state.  What you may not know is that I also enjoy snow skiing.

My husband and I lived in Utah for a few years prior to moving to Ocala,Fl. (That is another story for another time) While there we skied most of the western slopes.  So, it was great to join my sons and their families last week during the school Spring Break for a week of skiing at Park City, Utah.

We rented a house in Park City big enough for all of us with ski in-ski out ability.  That means we didn't have to lug our gear to the slopes and back.  We could just walk out the door, put our skis on and go. 

Spring skiing is always a gamble because temperatures are rising  and the snow is beginning to melt.  We got lucky and had snow fall the first two days, creating good skiing conditions. The two older grandchildren (14 and 9) had not skied much but got their "ski legs" by early afternoon the first day and were off to the top of the mountain.  The youngest, 3 years old,  did great also and enjoyed skiing with his dad and grandpa.

We took a day off and went "tubing".  What is that?  you ask.  You get hauled up a slope, jump onto huge inner tubes, slide over the crest and down you go, full speed ahead.  Of course, we all had to go together, making it even more fun.  If you want a good laugh go to my FB page to see a video of us fools sliding down the mountain.

I am happy to report that none of us were injured.  We all returned home with lots of great memories and stories to last a long time....AND we are still talking to one another after living together for a whole week!www.floridalandscapaes.com

Backus Museum Fund Raiser

                                  
 The A. E. Backus Museum invited me along with a few other artists to participate in a unique fund raiser.  Each artist selected an object and painted what ever they wanted to on it.  I chose a lovely solid wood tray.  After sanding, the wood took on a beautiful patina that yelled SANDHILL CRANES to me.

The images are painted in oil, which worked well with the wood grain, giving the "feathers" a more real look.

After the paint was completely dry I applied a wood varnish that is used on salad bowls.  As a result, food can be served safely right on the tray.

The Museum Director Kathleen Frederick called to tell me how the auction went.  I am thrilled my tray was sold for $475.00 with all the proceeds going to the Museum. 

"Everglades Storm" Commissioned Painting Finished

Everglades Storm   36"x48"  Oil on Canvas

Commissions are great because they offer challenges I might not otherwise undertake.  This collector wanted an ominous, threatening sky filled with dark clouds and strong wind blowing the tall saw grass and sabal palms.  I usually choose to paint beautiful skies and balmy weather so developing this painting stretched me in a different direction.

The quickly drifting clouds allow sunlight to shine brightly on the grasses one minute and then into darkness the next.  The cloud shadow on the lower right corner of the painting, as well as in the distance, makes the sunlit grass even more bright by contrast.

The close up of the cluster of palms shows a white egret huddled in the shadow of the saw grass using it as a wind break.  Another egret flies off into the distance in search of a quieter place to hide. 

Years ago, while living in Ft. Pierce, Fl on the east coast I drove around Lake Okeechobee through Immokalee down to Naples to visit my parents lots of times.  As often as not I saw this very scene on many of the those trips so this painting resonated with me.

Wind blown sabal palms are fun to paint.  They are very tall and "gangly" causing them to sway in the wind.  The fronds blow in pretty much the same direction with the wispy ends whipping in all directions. 

I had such fun with the painting!  I think I captured the essence of the moment.  Let me know what you think.

Storm Painting Commission

 

For me, a painted study for large paintings is crucial.  Pencil sketches help me develop the composition after the subject of the painting is decided.  From these sketches one is chosen for the study that satisfies all the compositional criteria and "tells the story" I intend to communicate to the viewer.

After discussing, at length, what type of scene this client wants in his commissioned painting we decided on a dark, brooding sky filled with ominous clouds with stands of Sabal palms and sawgrass blowing in the wind.  He and I both lived in Miami, Fl and are familiar with the storms that blow across the Everglades, so this was a perfect fit for us both.

The study posted here is 9"x12", which is 1/4th the size of the final painting (36"x48").  The client has approved the study, the canvas is on my easel, and I am anxious to get started. 

Artist Reception at the Backus Museum

Fallen Palm on the Silver River

The Artist Reception for the "Tribute to Backus" at the Backus Museum and Gallery last Friday night in Ft. Pierce was a huge success.  The Museum was packed with people arriving before the official opening time and not leaving until well after closing.

It was great fun to see long time friends and reminisce about the past.  I lived in Ft. Pierce for almost 20 years, so there are lots of stories to remember.  However, the night was about Bean and I thoroughly enjoyed sharing my personal memories about him with people new to the area.

The paintings were not only on exhibit but also for sale with a portion of the proceeds going to support the Museum.  These are two of the 6 paintings of mine that found new homes.  The show will hang until March 8 so you still have an opportunity to see it.  While at the Museum be sure to see the permanent collection of Backus paintings, you will understand why he is known as the Dean of Florida Landscapes.