"It's Always Somethin..."

Yup, somethings always coming up, isn't it?

I'm still struggling to get those paintings completed for my upcoming solo exhibit, at ArtSquare in Leesburg, VA, coming up in four weeks.  I need to finish up and begin measuring for frames and ordering them, so that my framer has time to do his job.  I stayed up late last night working, but today I rewarded myself with some outdoor painting on site with the Sketch Club.  The weather was perfect; the light was lovely.

Next Monday, I'm scheduled to serve on  Jury Duty. 

I guess it will all work out as it's meant to.

Here's another painting that will be in the exhibit.  "Little Yellow Bedroom"

She Spreads Her Wings

Last weekend, I worked at an outdoor art fair in Leesburg, VA.  On Monday, I delivered art work to a large group show, and on Tuesday, I drove 100 miles to deliver to a new little shop that asked for some work.  I'm busy framing prints for a nearby decorator shop that carries my work and I've ordered more prints for that particular shop.  I packaged and shipped an order to a customer.  In between those tasks, I'm trying to foucs on painting for my upcoming solo exhibit, which opens in November.  Not everything is turning out as well as it could.  I'm destroying any sub standard work, and starting over again, just breathing and trying to remember that every minute spent painting will improve my skills and help me to keep moving forward.  I'm also doing paperwork throughout the week, trying to book 2014 workshops and shows, and helping to organize a group exhibit for the Ratner Museum, coming up in February.  I taught three classes this week, and since I'm teaching figures, there's lots of prep work for the classes.  Whenever possible, I close the door to my studio, turn the music up, breathe, and try to focus on my artwork.  I've completed two paintings this week, and started two more.

Here's one of the paintings completed this week:  "She Spreads Her Wings."

Plein Aire Painting

I think that last week's plein aire event in Herndon, VA will probably be my last for 2012.  Next year, I hope to clear my calendar during the spring and summer so that I can participate in more plein aire competitions across the country.  I love participating in competitions, and I usually meet lots of interesting  people and learn so much about the history of the different areas I travel to. 

This has been my second year of participation in plein aire competitions.  My goal this year was to:  paint faster and (perhaps) win an award.  I've won two Honorable Mention awards this year, and I've gotten my painting time down to a little over two hours.  Who knows, perhaps next year I'll consider myself ready to paint in some "Quick Draw" competitions.  I've been practicing for speed and accuracy all summer,  and I  feel I've met my personal goals.  I am (for once, I admit it) satisfied with my growth.

I completed two paintings on Friday and I finished a town scene on Saturday.  I felt very satisfied to have produced three pieces in two days.

"Lil' Caboose," won an Honorable Mention in the Herndon, VA Labor Day contest.  I like this little piece.  It's loose and I was able to put in just enough to depict this well loved scene in Herndon.  I completed this painting in 2 hours and 15 minutes.

The painting of the little white store is a scene from Frying Pan Park, Herndon, VA, which was a new location for me. It took 2 hours and 30 minutes to paint it.  I was tired by the afternoon.  I want to thank Shirley for suggesting this location.  It's a wonderful place, with lots of broad, red barns, old houses,  a lovely Quaker church, outbuildings, all sorts of animals and loads and loads of history.  Frying Pan Park Farm is a depression era homestead and it's an interesting look at society during the 30's.

I hope you enjoy these paintings from my last 2012 Plein Aire competition. And, hopefully, there's more to come next year!

This Saturday, I'm planning to paint in the  Paint Herndon! plein aire competition.  Where, oh, where, will you find me?  I could be downtown on Friday night, painting jazz musicians....I could be in Frying Pan Park on Saturday, painting old barns and  historic architecture, or I could be painting the bike paths and the historic Herndon caboose. 

Meanwhile, I've just delivered my painting, "Minor Adjustments," to the Black Rock Arts Center in Germantown, MD, for the Baltimore Watercolor Society's annual Mid Atlantic Regional Exhibit.  This is always a grand exhibit, showcasing marvelous watercolor  technique.  I'm grateful and excited whenever I have a painting accepted into this show.  For information on the BWS exhibit, see the Baltimore Watercolor Society's website.  Here's the information on Paint Herndon!:


Paint Herndon 2012  -  Celebrate the Arts!

Saturday, September 1, 2012

12noon – 5pm Fun Outdoor Activities and Art on the Lawn

5pm – 6pm Reception and Awards Ceremony


Saturday of Labor Day Weekend at ArtSpace in Herndon, VA www.artspaceherndon.com

What Defines a Professional Artist?

So, what constitutes a professional artist?  I’d like to open up a discussion on this topic.  I’ve been thinking about it a lot.

To me, a professional is someone who is attempting to make a living from what they do, and they file with all government entities to that purpose.  In other words, the artist is working as a “business,” and not as a hobbyist.  Of course, I’m not even considering the “quality” of the professional’s work.  I’m just saying….if you’re filing with the government as a business, then …. are you a professional?

What do you think?

Here’s a painting that I’m working on.  I have a solo exhibit coming up at ArtSquare in Leesburg, VA in November…..I’ll post little “tastes” of what I’m doing, but I’d like to respectfully invite you to come to the exhibit to see how my paintings turn out!

Demonstrations in the Classroom!

I really enjoy demonstrating watercolor painting when I'm teaching. Students wait expectantly, the paint is ready, the drawing is on the easel and there's just a feeling of ... tension.... in the room and it climaxes into happy sighs and those "oohs" and "aahs" that the instructor hears when things go well.  Of course, the demos don't always turn into good paintings.  I, personally, enjoy the pressure of being "in the spotlight."  I guess that's the theatre major in me; I love to be on, and I truly enjoy the drama of watercolor painting:  I like it when the water meets the paper, and then, the paint meets the water, and truly wonderful things can happen.

Here's a nice little painting that began as a demonstration.  Actually, I started it on site and "en plein aire," but I completed it in the classroom and, I think it's a nice little painting.  This piece is:  "Tree and Shadows, High Summer."

This painting is for sale, as are other originals and prints.  Please contact me if you're interested in adding a Catherine Hillis painting to your art collection!  And, thank you, out there, to all the collectors and art afficianados that I run across in my everyday life.

Clouds, Beaches, Ferries and Other Delightful Diversions

Thank you to everyone at the Dare County Arts Council, in Manteo, NC, for helping make my solo exhibit successful.  The show looks really beautiful in your new space! Friday night's reception was busy, and it was great fun to hear the band and meet all our guests.

Since I was at the beach anyway, I took a few days of vacation.  The sky was amazingly beautiful.  I took many photographs of the sky and landscapes with sky and I can hardly wait to paint some clouds AND present some sky and cloud demonstrations in my classes.