So you want to paint En Plein Air

Painting from life is better than photographing with a camera, in my opinion. As a plein air painter I get to manipulate the information I see before me. Mother Nature is wonderful but not perfect so a few changes to enhance the visual appeal of a location is fun and challenging.

This is a painting from the Wekiva Paint Out last week. "Forest Path" is a little dirt road in the Wekiva Springs State Park. Each morning you can find the resident flock of wild turkeys ambling down the path, picking their way through the palmettos.

My original intention was to include the turkeys in the painting. I had sketched my composition noting where the birds would be placed. As the painting progressed I decided turkeys would overload the painting and infringe on the feeling of tranquility I was aiming for so I left them out.

The photo on the right shows the actual scene as it looked while I stood and painted. If you look closely you can see a few subtle changes from photo to painting. A couple of obvious changes were to give a greater bend to the path and a gentle leaning curve to the sabal palm on the front right.

Mother Nature is the best teacher for a landscape painter. The majority of time I paint in my studio using photos (I will talk about pros and cons in a future post), color notes and small paintings done on site en plein air and memory. Plein Air Events give me to opportunity to get out in the field with other artists. Other times I just get myself out..yes, usually alone...to "recharge my battery" as Bean Backus used to say. Painting exclusively in the studio can cause my work to become stale.

Wekiva Springs Plein Air Invitational

"Tom Turkey"

I am fortunate to have been invited to participate once again in the Wekiva Paint Out in Apopka, Fl. This was the 6th annual paint out. I have been in all 6 so I feel as though I am an authority and can testify that somehow they keep getting better each year.

The Paint Out was hosted by the Wekiva Wilderness Trust and sponsored by Wekiva Island.

Many thanks go to the Paint Out Team: Marce Wildman, Nina Chatham, Mary Sue Weinaug, Carrie Vanderhoef, Greg Whiteside, Reme Laman, Teri Siciliano, Erin Whiteside and Crystal Muntz.

This team of remarkable people worked tirelessly before, during and after the event to make the paint out an unforgettable experience for the artists and public.

I painted "Tom Turkey" at Wekiva Springs where the flock strutted through the forest each morning. This guy seemed to beg to be painted. So how could I not?

Check back here as I share with you what it is like to actually participate in this paint out...late night bonfires with smores, painting the moon at 2 am, swimming in the icy spring water, etc.

Busy March

March and April are usually filled with art events. And this year is no exception. As a result, I always seem to over book myself. But, when an opportunity presents itself I just can't seem to say no.

Dear friend and extraordinary artist Susie Cassens has coordinated a show to be held in Ft. Pierce at the Plats/Backus House, 122 A.E. Backus Avenue. I lived in Ft. Pierce for almost 20 years, studying with A.E. "Beanie" Backus in this very same house/studio. So, when invited to participate, I jumped at the opportunity to return to the place my career as an artist took roots.

The Opening Reception for "Florida Frontiers by Florida Women" is 5:30 - 8 PM Thursday, March 1. Another Special Open House will be 11 AM - 2PM Sunday, March 4. I will be at both of these receptions so please come by, I would like to personally show you my newest work. The show/sale will hang March 1 - 30.

The painting posted here is titled "Tabebuia at Backus Park". The park is on the Indian River Lagoon behind the Backus Museum and will be in the show. I painted it during a Plein Air Invitational.

This is just the first show in March. Tomorrow I will post about the wonderful Wekiva Plein Air Invitational. So stay tuned.

"Bromiliad" Auction Painting

OOps! I thought I had posted this! Tomorrow is the last day to bid on my painting titled "Bromiliad", 6 pm Tuesday, February 21. The current high bid is $50.00.

This is was painted from photos I took at the Polesak Museum in Winter Park. It is painted in oil on gallery wrapped canvas, 5" x 5" x 1 1/2". No need to frame.

River with Hyacinths

This weeks auction is titled "Lazy River", 4"x6" painted in oil on panel. It is a study I painted at one of our north Florida spring fed rivers.

As always, bidding starts today at just 99 Cents and ends 6 PM Tuesday February 14. Contact me with your bid and watch this blog for updates.

Miniature Painting Auction

"Post Cards in Paradise" is back! This miniature 5"x7" oil painting on canvas, mounted on panel is the first of several paintings you will see in my Miniature Painting Auction. Bids start at just 99 Cents and may be offered until 6 PM. Tuesday February 7. Email me with your bid.

This is one of several lakes in Hopkins Prairie in the heart of the Ocala National Forest. I painted it on a beautiful day recently as I trekked through the woods with Steve Andrews, a super plein air painter. A big storm was brewing to the east so there were no gators or birds to be found.

Upcoming Events

My show schedule usually fills up fast this time of year. January gives me a respite from the hectic pace of the holidays before the hectic pace of shows descends upon me.

Two events were in January, my show at Thornebrook Gallery in Gainesville Jan. 13 - 28, and Marion Cultural Alliance's "Artist Within" banquet last Saturday at the Ocala Country Club, which was all play since the work had been done. A great evening with friends that raised a lot of money for the arts in Marion County.

February continues the hiatus with only a couple of things scheduled for MCA's "Horse Fever" Fund Raiser. Then comes March!

My dear friend Susan Cassens and I are having a joint show at the A.E. Backus House in Ft. Pierce March 1 - 31. After the opening reception I head over to Wekiva State Park in Apopka for the week long paint out March 5 - 11. I get a week off then on to Epcot march 22-25.

April is packed too. Gainesville's Downtown Spring Arts Festival is April 14-15. I get 2 days to unpack the truck and repack for the Ft. Pierce "Souvenirs of Downtown" Paint Out April 18-21.

Oh yes, I do have a few family obligations like cake baking for my grand children's birthdays, cleaning house, cooking and.......painting

If you get by to see any of the shows or paint outs please say Hi.