April was extremely busy

I am up early because I have a lot to do today. My granddaughter is having her 5th birthday party at my home tomorrow because we have a large swimming pool with divingboard, slide and waterfall. So, since my husband is away (remember the bowling tournament in Albequerque?) I need to get the grass cut (we have about 1 acre). Then I will help my daughter-in-law clean up the pool deck (from yesterday's swimming) and screened porch, check out the bar-b-q grill, and make sure the bathrooms are presentable. All of this before 2 this afternoon.

I have to be on the road by 3PM heading for Deland. The Museum of Florida Art Bienniel Artists Reception is this evening from 5PM-7PM. My painting Southern Skies was juried into the show!

Having filled you in on all that let me tell you about April:

April was one of my very busiest months starting off with the Sante Fe Community College Spring Arts Festival. This is usually a great show with good weather, but we had rain on and off all weekend with the show closing mid-afternoon on Sunday.

I had a couple of days to recover before the Heart of Florida Plein Air Invitational Event began on the following Friday (April 11-18). Annie Pais and Stewart Thomas once again put on an outstanding event; hundreds of people came out to watch the artists and BUY paintings, enjoyed hay rides to the various locations on private farms and ate great, locally prepared southern cooking in the Evinston Town Park next to the Wood and Swink Post Office and Store. Go to my web site to see a few of my paintings I created during the week. If you can't pick them out email me and I will tell you which ones they are and where they were painted.

I was invited to exhibit at the Elliott Museum in Stuart. Because I was at the paint out another artist in the show - fabulous equine artist Sharon Crute - delivered my paintings to the museum for me along with her own work. As luck would have it, the Museum Artist Reception was Friday night (April 18) in addition to the Heart of Florida Artist Reception the same night and time in Gainesville at the Thomas Center. I could not be in two places at once so, I opted to attend the paint out reception. I had to be in Tallahassee early Saturday morning for the Under the Oaks Art Festival and it was closer to travel from Gainesville than Stuart.

There is lots more to tell, but the lawn mower is calling me. I will continue the saga on Sunday and add in a few photos.

Birthday

Today is my birthday! I won't tell you the exact number but just admit to over 50 and that I qualify for the Senior Discount many places.

I have had a delightful day. Both of my adult sons called and sang Happy Birthday to me (tradition in our family). My husband called from Albuquerque (on a bowling tournament jaunt) and sang, but more importantly told me where to find my gift! My wonderful daughter-in-law came over with the grandchildren and we all swam in the pool. Now I am getting ready for them to pick me up and take me to dinner! Things could not be more perfect.

I will be back here tomorrow to fill you in on last April's shows.

Finally, a new posting

Wow, I can't believe it has been so long since I last published an entry!

If you are wondering what I have been doing here it goes:

March 1-2, I was in Ft. Pierce for the A. E. Backus Fine Art Festival. Because Beanie Backus was my friend and mentor for many years I always participate in everything that honors his memory and outstanding work.

Monday, March 3, I headed to Apopka for the week long Wekiva State Park Invitational Plein Air Event. I had a great time painting and visiting with many artist friends I had not seen in a while. Linda Blondheim, Elizabeth Ferber and I shared a cabin which quickly became the place to be each evening after it became to dark to paint. And of course, Larry Moore suggested s'mores around the roaring campfire, so off went Peter Carolyn to get all the necessary supplies.
We all gained about 10 pounds each that night.

Here are two of the paintings I did that week.



I could not stay the entire week at Wekiva because Thursday March 6, I headed to Vero Beach for the three day Under the Oaks Fine Art Festival, March 7-9.

Then back down to Ft. Pierce March 28 to attend the artists reception at the Backus Gallery. My very good friend Susan Cassens was exhibiting her work for the first time! I HAD to be there!!!

Tomorrow I will fill you in on my April schedule: two more festival shows, two paint outs and a museum exhibit.

Busy Schedule

I have only 10 (ten) more days to paint before my world gets really crazy. I tend to overbook, like airline companies.

I leave home February 28 for the A.E. Backus Fine Art Festival in Ft. Pierce and do not return home until March 10. The Backus show is March 1 & 2. On Monday March 3 I head to Apopka for the Wekiwa Invitational Plein Air Paint Out Event. This is a fabulous week of painting with some of the best plein air painters in a magnificent setting. How could I refuse the invitation? Then I leave Thursday, March 6 for the Vero Beach Fine Art Festival March 7,8,9.

Thank goodness for my husband, Harry. While I am out having fun painting at Wekiwa he will travel back and forth from our home to each of the shows. Since I must be present I will arrive in time for the opening and leave at the close of the shows. He will do all the setting up of my booth and break down. It would be very tough to do this without him.

Well, I am off to the easel!

Southern Skies

"Southern Skies" 30"x40"

I have discovered how to make the painting images large enough for you to see. So, I posted this again.

ST. Lucie River Demo Oil Painting

"St. Lucie River" 18"x24"

I recently posted images of this painting as it developed from my pencil sketch on paper. The various stages show how I usually work...remember, paintings never progress exactly the same way. Basically, I lay the clouds in first and then the sky color, completing that portion of the painting down to the horizon. Land masses are layed in next in value progression (lighter and greyer at the horizon-richer, bold color in foreground) from the horizon forward. Then the real fun begins with color and brush work to finish the painting.

While living in Ft. Pierce I spent many hours on the St. Lucie River. This was a commission I greatly enjoyed doing, bringing back lots of fond memories. And then the bonus for me was when J. and Marcie Gaines, who commissioned the work, previewed the painting and were thrilled saying, "Wow, it is beautiful! We love it!"

Another painting is underway. I have completed the pencil sketch and am painting a very small (to scale) color sketch for Bruce and Bridgette Abernethy to approve before I begin their large painting.

Check back with me. I hope to have the color sketch posted here in the next day or two.

Mount Dora Fine Art Festival

My husband, Harry, and I headed to Mount Dora Friday afternoon to set up for the weekend show. It was cloudy and a bit windy. We were prepared for rain and cold having learned over the years you never know what will happen with the weather.

When I first participated in this show years ago we drove back home to Ocala each night which is a 1+ hour drive. This made for VERY early rising in order to be set up on time in the mornings. That got old so for the next few years we stayed in a hotel in Mount Dora. This was fine, but we still had to get to the show early each morning in order to get a parking space close to our booth. Last year we treated ourselves and stayed at the historic Lake View Inn, which is pricy for a working weekend, but nice because we were able to park our van close to my booth space and leave it there the whole weekend. Last year we discovered a delightful Bed and Breakfast right on the main street and made a reservation. It turned out to be just around the corner from my booth and we parked the van just a few feet away. This working weekend turned into a mini vacation. We had an adorable room on the second floor with bath, sitting room with a dinning table that overlooked the art show and full kitchen. It was convenient to return to the room during the day to take a break and get a snack out of the refrigerator. Friday and Saturday nights we strolled around town and had dinner with friends. Yes, we already have our reservation for next year!

Saturday dawned bright, clear and sunny! I do not remember such glorious weather for the Mount Dora Show in years. After all the gloomy days we have been experiencing it seemed as if the whole world rejoiced in being outside and turned out in huge numbers. The streets were packed both days.

I had decent sales of smaller items Saturday. Sunday was my biggest sales day with several original paintings finding homes along with several framed giclee prints. There is the possibility of a couple of commissions for people who want a specific size painting and one who wants a particular spot depicted in the painting.

There was a charming young man from Indianapolis in the booth next to me. He is just beginning his art career with all the enthusiasm of youth. Please check out his web site (www.supershwa.com) I believe he is an up and commer and someone whose art you need to add to your collection now, before it gets too expensive! By the way, his name is Josh Rush. Look him up at the Melbourne show coming in a couple of weeks, and tell him I said HI!

I also had the good fortune to have my booth just across the aisle from friend, Out of Hand Artists Salon associate, and super artist Mary Verrandeaux. She went to Ringling School of Art and has been in the field for a while but like Josh, is fairly new to the art show world. Her web site is www.mverrandeaux.com Mary's work is bold and will brighten up any wall. Don't miss the opportunity to include her paintings in your collection before her prices go through the roof.

And guess what! I had a painting selected by two of the three judges for award consideration. I did not receive a final award, but like they say at the Oscars, "It was nice to be nominated".

All in all, this was a really great show and a pleasure to be in Florida.