Travels and Art Journals

Since my last blog entry, Steve and I have traveled.  As usual, during trips, I love painting in my little red "vang" travel journal that I can only find in France.

 I started painting in my first journal in 1999.  Now 19 years later I have a collection of six red journals plus several others.  As I look through the pages, I re-live the moments spent in various places, some repeated: France, California, Michigan, Illinois, Massachusetts,  Indiana and the latest - Morocco.

Here are a few photos from my recent entries from Morocco. I had my friend Aicha write titles for each page in arabic caligraphy.  There are still several entries I want to paint when I create some time!

Sweet Puppy Cyrus

My granddaughter took a photo of her beloved French basset hound puppy and asked me to paint him for her.  What could I say?  Who wouldn't fall in love with this adorable little puppy, who is now one year old.

It seemed to me that I could capture him better in pastels over watercolor, so here is the result.  Now my other grandchildren may want a painting of their loved pet!  I can foresee more animals in my future.

Plein Air Program - Wabash Valley Artists Society

Tuesday, June 19th I will be presenting the Program - "Painting Plein Air", for the Wabash Valley Artists Society at the Lafayette Art Museum, Lafayette, Indiana from 7:00 - 8:30pm.

Painting "plein air" or outside, open air, is a passion of mine.

​Jerie Artz, (http://jerieartz-artzart.blogspot.com/) will give instruction on painting "plein air" and you all will have the chance to go outside at the Art Museum and paint in the medium of your choice. Make sure you bring painting supplies that you will need for the hands on part of the evening. Attached is the supply list that Jerie recommends if you use watercolors for a travel journal, but can be used for any watercolor. You can paint either in a journal, or on a sheet of wc paper of your choice, or whatever media you use. You might want to bring a lawn chair.

Neighborhood "Wine and Watercolor"

After a successful evening, "Watercolor, Wine and Wonder," at the Lafayette Country Club with 42 women, the ladies in my neighborhood asked if I would host one with the ladies on our cul de sac.  Of course!

So, Saturday, June 9th, six women joined me for an evening of painting a lesson that I call "The enchanted forest."  My philosophy of teaching art is to encourage each student to create their own original piece, watching the demo, using the same colors and techniques, but creating their own unique painting.

It was an evening of fun, and each woman created her own unique "Enchanted Forest!"

My demo piece

 

My demo painting

Plein Air Sycamore

I have been itching to paint one of the magnificent sycamore trees that grow here in the Wabash valley - many along the banks of the Wabash, Wild Cat and Tippecanoe Rivers.  Yesterday I taught a plein air class at my friend Martha's beautifully landscaped home on the banks of the Tippecanoe River.

This majestic Sycamore has been a part of Martha's children's growing up years.  Her daughter told me she climbed it many times.  The contrast of the white and dappled bark is simply stunning to look at and to paint.

As we enjoyed the chirp of crickets, gentle breeze, spring sunshine, the class experienced the refreshing joy of painting outdoors.  There is something about painting "plein air" that light naturally finds it's way into the painting, almost on it's own.

I began this painting outdoors, took many reference photos, painted a value sketch and quick paint, changed locations several times, to find just the right spot to find the most interesting view of this most magnificent tree.

God gives us all things to richly enjoy and this spot of paradise along the banks of the Tippecanoe River is one of them!

Let's Go Outdoors! Plein Air Painting Class

My friend Martha has an absolutely heavenly spot to paint "plein air."  I could not let spring pass without holding a class on the banks of the Tippecanoe River in front of her home.

We have a busy summer, traveling, so this will be the only class I'll teach until the fall.

Noticing Spring

I can't help it, I just have to paint the beauty of the current season!  Spring has been lovely this year - a bit late, but it was worth the waiting.  The cool weather also extended the time to enjoy the display that God sends our way year after year.

I just finished painting the irises that bloom at the entrance to our home.  I was waiting and waiting for them to blossom and when they did, they were spectacular.  They are established and happy after being transplanted 2 - 3 years ago.  

The redbuds in the Indiana woodlands almost exchanged their rosy blossoms for their green leaves before I got up early one morning to find a spot to paint them plein air.  I found a perfect location, off the beaten path, set up my easel and painted for an hour.  It was kind of a secluded area, and after a bit, I decided to take photos, pack up and finish the painting in studio.   I'm so glad I took the time to catch those blossoms because the next day the trees were changing to a beautiful spring green.

Painting Spring

Spring has been very slow in coming, but our spring watercolor class celebrated anyway by painting the flowers of spring - tulips and daffodils.  

Pastel Inspiration

Three years ago on an art trip visiting Monet's garden, I was struck by the last dahlia blooming behind the flourishing irises.  The vibrant color of the blossom contrasted by the dark green leafy background called out to be painted.  I've had the photo in my studio and finally decided it was time to try to paint it!

It seemed pastels would be an easier medium to catch the vibrancy, so that is what I used.  I loved the finished painting!

I may still try my hand at painting it in watercolor as well!

Garden of Gethsemane

A call to art was sent out by the Tippecanoe Arts Federation on behalf of Trinity Methodist Church, Lafayette, Indiana, to create art work representing the 8 protestant stations of the cross.  I submitted a plan to paint the Garden of Gethsemane and it was chosen.

It will be on exhibit during Lent 2018. 

The Garden of Gethsemane was part of a pilgrimage to Israel I had the privilege to experience in 2009. The trees in the ancient olive grove seen today are offspring of trees that were growing in Jesus day. Some of the large old trees are 900 years old.

Using photos from my trip, I sketched one of the old gnarled trees with younger trees in the distance. Jesus prayed in agony at night so I wanted to create an atmosphere of darkness and heaviness, but at the same time give a glimpse of hope. The same Holy Spirit that descended on Jesus at His baptism was his Comforter and ours as we experience the peace with God that Jesus sacrifice made possible.

Paintings of Clay Pots

During the student exhibit at the Henriott Group we had the privilege to use the corner conference room overlooking the Lafayette County Courthouse from the 6th floor, for a watercolor class.

15 students diligently painted for 2 hours, experimenting with three colors, a red, a blue and a yellow, to paint their version of a clay pot!

This is a lesson I've done before, and each time it is a playful experience for me!

Here are the  results.

Demo Pieces

Student Pieces - Some very nice work!

Artzart Student Art Exhibit

It's been a while in coming, but January and February the public will have the opportunity to see the creative works of my students from the past five years of classes.

The exhibit is being held at the Henriott Group, 250 Main Street, Lafayette, Indiana, 6th floor.  The Artists Reception is Monday, January 15th from 4:30 - 6:30, MLK Day.

It is exciting to see the 57 paintings hanging that represent class lessons from color theory to landscapes to florals and roses to zentangles. 

Several of the students helped to hang the exhibit as well.  Several have never exhibited their work before. This is all part of the art learning experience!

"Baby it's cold outside" - but come and enjoy the warmth of this art exhibit!