Moon over an Island

Imagine standing on a frozen lake under the full moon, painting! I had the chance this winter at art camp, and finished this painting. The island is so small it's called "Mouse Island". The moon lit the snow beautifully! And the silence was amazing, with the clear sky, deep snow, and no wind.

The painting is pastel, 8x10.

Winter Paint Out and Camp!

I was excited to go on this "camping" trip. It turned out to be a wonderful experience! Sponsored by the Grand Marais Art Colony and held at beautiful Camp Menogyn on West Bearskin Lake, the weather cooperated beautifully, the surroundings were stunning, and the company of fellow artists in the lodge was inspiring. Meals were provided, so I was able to go out after my post-breakfast tea, and paint until noon, head in when the meal bell rang, then back out until the dinner bell. The weather was lovely enough to go out after dinner one night and paint under the full moon.

Thank you to Jay Steinke for sharing his beautiful photographs of the adventure.

Lake Country Pastel Society Spring Juried Show

The show title is "A Touch of Red". No problem for me to put a touch in most of my paintings. In these two, the red is a little subtler in one than the other. The whole show is beautiful, and I was glad to have the opportunity to see it. It is at the Burnsville Performing Art Center through the end of February.

Pet Portrait-Cutest Kitten

The woman on the phone told me she had the cutest kitten in the world. Aren't they all too cute?When I went to her house to meet her now-grown cat, in preparation for a painting, I saw what she meant. The photo of the kitten showed a perfect handful of fluff, and beautiful eyes! I also really liked the little paw.

This portrait was completed in conte with pastel accents on a colored paper. The owners of this lovely cat are very happy with their newest piece of feline art.

Midwest Seasons Art Exhibit

Wausau, WI is four hours from where I live, and turns out to be an enjoyable place to visit. I was there for the opening reception of the Midwest Seasons Gallery Gala. I was able to visit galleries, an art museum, parks, attend the gala, and have dinner with a friend. There was a nice attendance at the event, and I was pleased to meet gallery owners, artists, and art enthusiasts.The Center for Visual Arts is in a friendly part of town, and the gallery space was airy and bright. The weather did not cooperate for painting outside (freezing drizzle-my least favorite weather!), but I did see plenty of inspiring scenes in town and on my drive home. Hopefully I'll be back to paint!

My painting "Shadow Dance", pastel, was well received by viewers. The show had quite a variety of media and styles and was enjoyable to view. I am honored to have been able to be a part of this fine event.

Quick oil sketch

Oil painting is a different creature than pastel painting. I've been doing pastels for many years, but am new at oils. When I envision a new painting, it's in pastel that I see it. But oils seem so luscious, too! So, I'm playing with my oil paints, doing small and very quick paintings. I have a stack of 6"x8" canvas covered panels. I've toned them with different colored under-paintings. I'm psyching myself up to just paint, not create a masterpiece (yet!). I set a time limit of 20-30 minutes, which means I have time most days to do one, and I hopefully won't get bogged down in details on the painting. The feel of the paint and mixing the colors is of most interest to me right now. I am using painting knives rather than brushes. I am using a subject that I'm familiar with, not altering the composition for this project. So, here is today's result!

Painting Competitions

Entering paintings into competitions and exhibits is a step in developing an art career. I have been entering and accepted for some years now, starting locally and expanding internationally. It is exciting to be accepted and to see your work exhibited with all the other beautiful paintings. And it's even better to win awards! It's always interesting to see which paintings win which awards and what the judge of that show considered worthy. It is not always obvious, but always a learning experience.

The latest competition I've been accepted into is outside of my usual venues: The Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau is sponsoring "Midwest Seasons". One of my favorite paintings will be exhibited there. Please visit if you are able! I plan on being at the reception on January 22, 5-7, then painting in the area on the following day.