Gallery Deadline

Mid Summer Thunderhead 15"x30
"

I was inspired by all the rain we have been enjoying lately to paint "Mid Summer Thunderhead". It gets breezy out in the marsh flats with the wind blowing the tall grass and palm frons and whipping up the water just before the rain starts. Birds hunker down and wait for it to pass.

Thank goodness for deadlines. If I do not have a drop-dead, this is it, no more time left, the whole collection must be completed by now deadline I would never be finished. Well, today is the day. I must deliver all the paintings to Thornebrook Gallery today.

My husband also likes deadlines. He has learned that all (and I mean all) I do the last week before a show deadline is paint. I always need just one more painting! So, we order pizza and chinese food to be delivered, scramble a few eggs, and have the tried and true grilled cheese sandwiches with soup. Of course, no house keeping! But, he is a trooper and has learned that "this too will pass, the sun will shine again tomorrow and all will be right with the world", once the paintings are delivered.

There are a couple more paintings to post this week that will be in the show, just to give you a sampling of what to expect. But, please drop by Thornebrook Gallery to see all the paintings and perhaps take one home with you. (I know, I know, shameless promotion)

Thornebrook Gallery
2441-6D NW 43 Street
Gainesville, Fl 32606
352-378-4947
http://www.thornebrookgallery.com/

Labor Day in the Studio

Last Minutes of Splendor (24"x30")

We had our big Labor Day party yesterday afternoon. This is an annual event for us with everyone in the neighborhood invited to the pool party. Luckily the predicted 60% rain did not happen. It was a fun day for all.

So, today I am back at the computer posting this new painting and then into the studio. "Last Minutes of Splendor" captures that wonderful all over mauve color that makes the clouds and sky blaze just before sundown. What makes these colors pop is the contrast between the reddish-like sky colors with the brilliant greens found in Florida.

Up, Up and Away

Up, Up and Away

Giving paintings a title is not always easy. I thought of several different titles for this painting before deciding on Summer Enchantment. Then when I looked at the painting after several days of not seeing it Up, Up and Away struck me as just right.

This format is a bit different for me, measuring 32"x16". I had stretched the canvas, painted on the under wash and stacked it on end to the side of my easel while finishing another painting. After seeing it standing there on end for several days the tall slender lines of the canvas begged for this composition. I tried to portray the huge, billowing clouds that hang over the expanse of sawgrass vanishing in the distance. Simple and Uncluttered. As I look at the painting I think maybe Hope would be an even better title.

Marketing for Visual Artists Seminar

All artists would prefer to be in their studio working full time on their artwork. For most of us, in order to keep creating and selling our work, we must also address the business side of our career.

I have been invited to participate in a seminar, "Marketing for Visual Artists", in Daytona Beach, Saturday Sept. 13. It is shaping up to be an outstanding seminar packed with a tremendous amount information. I am honored to be included in a roster of speakers and panelists who are some of the top professionals in our state:
Kelly Ferguson - Development Director of the News Journal Center
Mike Fincher - Volusia County Cultural Council
Blake Fincher - Director, Owner, Gold Leaf Gallery
Josh Garrick - Writer, Photographer, Fine Art Curator and Consultant
Sarah Higgins-Community Arts Manager at Atlantic Center Harris House Gallery
Tim Ludwig - Award winning full time artist
Jennifer Kerr Marsh-Professional potter, Owner of Mosquito Mud Pottery Fine Craft Gallery
Nancy Moskovitz-Award winning artist holds, BA with Honors in Education and Art History
Jeff Shonkweiler-President, Florida Artists Registry
Laura Stewart-Director, Florida Museum of Women in the Arts, Deland
John Wilton-Sr Professor and former Chair of the Visual Arts Dept, Dayton Beach College

If you would like more information about this seminar please contact Barbara Perroti (bpanartist@earthlink.net) She has done a great job in putting all of this together.

White Egrets

The sun has finally returned to north Florida! Hooray!! I have been out photographing my newest paintings and have the first one posted here.

You can see these paintings in person at the Thornebrook Gallery Exhibition (http://www.thornebrookgallery.com/) Sept. 13 - 27, 2008.

This first painting is appropriately titled "White Egrets". While out scouting painting locations recently I came across this wonderful pond with tons of water birds wading and feeding. For us plein air painters moments like this are magical. I was so enchanted that I have painted a couple versions of this scene and have kept one in my own private collection. Each version is a different size with color variations.

Thornebrook Gallery Solo Exhibit

My season opening exhibit at Thornebrook Gallery is fast approaching. Luckily for us Tropical Storm Fay dropped a lot of rain without too much wind. So, I have been able to paint non-stop without interruptions. I am very happy with the new paintings and will post them as soon as the sun returns so I can photograph them.

David Arrighi, owner of Thornebrook Gallery is planning a wonderful reception September 12. He is sending out over 4,000 invitations, but if you don't happen to get one and want to attend please do. The gallery is located at 2441-6D NW 43 St. Gainesville. You may call the gallery at 352-378-4947 for more information.

August!!

August is here already! Where has the summer gone?
I was going to get so much done. But, alas, I still have so much to do.

I am pleased to announce that my painting "A Moment to Reflect" has found a wonderful new home with Greg and Beth. They had commissioned a painting that happened to be just what I wanted to paint at that time. So all the "creative juices" were flowing and it went together rather quickly. Painting is so much fun when that happens.