Paint Out at the Covered Bridge

Zumbrota, Minnesota is home of the last remaining covered bridge in the state. A yearly festival is held in the park and at the bridge. This year the wonderful and amazing Crossings Gallery (http://www.crossingsatcarnegie.com) sponsored a "Quick Draw" at the bridge on Saturday. 

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to join the paint out. It was my first plein air competition. Painters had from 5-7PM to start and complete a painting!  And then frame it to display and to be viewed by the judge and festival attendees! Could I do it? Yes!!!! I did! 

I was pleased with the resulting painting, I was able to meet painters from around the area, and was able to appreciate the variety of media and styles the finished paintings were created with. 

Kiss of Spring

I started this painting on location before the trees leafed out, finished it this morning in my studio. The grass was turning green, and there was the barest hint of new green growth in the cattails. The buds on the trees were noticeably bigger from morning to afternoon. I guess that's why it's called "spring"!