The Final Painting for My Solo Exhibit

Here's the final piece for my solo exhibit, coming up on November 9, 2012 at ArtSquare in Leesburg, VA.
This painting is titled "Pedals to Petals."

I'm really happy with this piece.  I framed it today.  It's a big one, so it took me a long time to cut the mat just right and clean the glass and be sure that everything was correct.

Meanwhile, I'm scheduling classes for 2012.  Since I'm unable to tweak my website at the moment, I can tell you that I will be teaching in Leesburg's ArtSquare on Thursdays; I'll be at the Round Hill Arts Center on Fridays, and I'll be at ArtSpace in Herndon, VA on Saturdays during January and February of 2012.

Check with the arts centers for dates and times.  I'll continue to post updates on my blog.

Life: It's Just Tough

So, I found out that my webmaster, Don Trenary, passed away on Sunday, October 21, 2012.  I'm so sad for his family.  He leaves behind a wife, a son, and his elderly mother.  It was quite a shock to find out about this; Don was in his mid 50's.  I send my deepest sympathy to Don and his family.

Meanwhile, I'm having trouble logging on to my website to make needed changes.  This is bad.  I hope I can figure it all out!  Folks, if you have trouble with my website, or don't see updates, there's a reason!

My exhibit for ArtSquare is complete, and I'm in the midst of framing the paintings now.  This group of paintings is, so far, my very best.  It's the culmination of months of work, and weeks of frustration, when many paintings just were not turning out.  So, I hope that customers, friends and fellow artists will enjoy the show and understand that a lot of work happens before an exhibit like this is hung.

Thanks to Don for his help throughout the years, and thanks to my students for their constant encouragement.

"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!