New Beginnings

Lately, I have not had an opportunity to really splash into painting. Holidays and various other distractions are keeping me on the hamster wheel.


I have had only a few moments here and there. Moments...fleeting, yet just enough time to push a little paint around. All I have is color and shape...the new pieces are simple, light, full of color, just simple abstractions for the distractions.

Traveling Spirits (C) watercolor

The Color of Rain watercolor (C)

Crocuses watercolor (C)

Gladolias (C) watercolor

At The Birdfeeder watercolor (C)

Photo vs. Watercolor

Here are some of the photos from Green Hill Park from the Art for the Earth Plein Air paint out. I looked at the photos, trying to capture what I could from the natural settings onto the watercolor paper. I have to say, that after several hours...days, I was pleased.

The watercolors...

Typically, I do not use such vibrant color. I need to experiment more with color and watercolor techniques. The whole process is 'backwards' from doing monotypes. It will take some getting used to, that's for sure.

Plein Air Painting Day

Last week was the Art for the Earth Plein Air painting day. I am just now downloading the photos of the art I did on location. There was something spiritual about hiking along the Roanoke River and finding a spot to paint. Uninterrupted. No phone, no people, no cats knocking water or paints over in the studio. Nothing, just quiet except for the river rushing past me. I have to say, I am not typically an outdoor, on location painter, but I think I will be doing a lot more painting outside in the future. Roanoke River Fall (C)

12 O'Clock Knob (C)

Roanoke River (C)

Fall

Today really feels like fall. A cloudy mist surrounds the cabin and I can hear the leaves falling. Color ovewhelms me. Dampness is in my bones. Time to dig out the quilts. Ahhhhhhhhh.

This Sunday will be a great time for Art for the Earth!

Ahhhhhhhhhhh.

Twilight watercolor (C)

What a great weekend! I met quite a few wonderful people at the Lynchburg Art Club's Show this weekend and the weather could not be beat!

Painted Earth watercolor (C) SOLD

My next venture will be Mountain Color at the Jacksonville Center in Floyd, and the Art for the Earth Plein Aire painting event. I am excited about both of these shows as I they will be full of ey candy for one and all. You can read more about them here:
http://www.jacksonvillecenter.org/galleries-1.htm
http://virginia.sierraclub.org/roanoke/

Fog Lifting watercolor (C)

What a Week

Mystic Moon Watercolor (C)

All week I have been framing and getting mats cut. That's the part I don't like about painting or printmaking. Tonight I have five more pieces to frame then I will be ready to pack up for Lynchburg. The weather looks as if it will be fantastic. Clear cool and no wind. Perfect for an outdoor show.

Setting Sun monotype (C)

Flowers on the Hillside watercolor (C)

Getting Ready...

Across A Day monotype (C)

Turbulance monotype (C)

Red Sky At Night monotype (C)

Deep Woods monotype (C) SOLD

I have been busy printing.

Getting ready for the Lynchburg Art Show next weekend!

I have much more to do.

Where does the time go?

Check Out Interactive Workshop

Check out Kim Rae Nugent's new book! I just noticed that Amazon has a search inside the book link!

http://www.amazon.com/Interactive-Art-Workshop-Mixed-Motion/dp/1600610803/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220569905&sr=1-1

Last year, Kim emailed a group of artist to submit samples of various art projects to hopefully, be included as examples of movable art in her new book. I was one of the fortunate and humbled artists asked to participate in the challenge. I noticed my name in the index and see that I had four pieces included! I am very anxious to see the book!
Best of luck to Kim and I truly appreciate being part of this book.

By The Sea

Not too long ago, I accepted an challenge from ArtChix Studios to participate in a chunky book page swap; the theme was By The Sea. Once I received my pages, I was in total awe at all the fantastic work and surprised by all the goodies Helga added to the package.

(Thanks Helga!)

I am even more surprsied now! I was doing a little online shopping at ArtChix and noticed my page was one of the artists selected to be part of a collage sheet! WOW! http://www.artchixstudio.com/mall/cc909_info.asp

Check out ArtChix and do some great shopping while you are there!

Rain

The summer has been terribly dry. I had forgotten the smell of the rain, listening to the pattering of the rain drops on the roof as I drifted off to sleep, and how hard it was to wake up on a rainy foggy morning. Ah, how peaceful it was. It also 'perked up' the landscape and it became much more alive. The road to my house was a mix of fog and sunlight.

Fog and Sunlight watercolor (C)

As I took my morning drive to work, I pass several farms with hay fields. This one, in particular, I love. The way the light falls on it and the fog hangs over it in the mornings. In the distance you can see Tinker Mountain as well as several other mountains that surround the valley. Naturally, I had to try to paint it.

Roanoke County Field watercolor (C) SOLD

I hope to paint more this week. The Lynchburg Art Club is having their show on September 20th and I need to have some new works for that.

Painting Again!

Today was wonderful!

I was able to have a little 'free' time to re-arrange a few things in the studio. I looked over my list of shows coming up and I sort of began to sweat. I really need to get creative.

I cleaned off my table and pulled out my thumb box of watercolors! I sat for a few hours painting a few small landscapes. I can not tell you how good it felt to sit quietly in my new studio space and paint. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Along the New River (C) watercolor

Warm Springs (C) watercolor

Rising Fog (C) watercolor

Wonderful Surprises!

What a nice surprise to get a phone call from David Eakin telling me that I had won first place in the printmaking and graphics category! Wow! Then I got a call from the Bath County show chair telling me that I had sold all three pieces of art! I was really surprised considering there were 634 pieces of artin the show!

http://www.therecorderonline.com/news/2008/0717/news/070.html

I am still in the process of getting my studio back in order. I was thinking about a song by Joe Cocker, "A Little Help From My Friends." I received a wonderful surprise in the mail recently from a fellow artist and I am tickled beyond belief! All kinds of goodies to help restock my studio with the most fantastic items! I am amazed at the compassion and goodness that still lives in this world. My faith in mankind is also restored. Thank you so very much for being a blessing and an angel! I hope that tomorrow I can get in some studio time and collage and paint!

Bath County Art Show

The Bath County Art Show Is A Wonder For Artists And Art Lovers

This special event, hosted by the Bath County Arts Association, has been a county favorite for 44 years. Local and out of state artists in oils, watercolors, sculpture, photography, and other media will be represented. The Art Show takes July 13th through July 20 at Valley Elementary from 1 to 5 pm each day. For more information, please contact Kathy Singleton at 540-839-2139. Don't miss it!



Sunday I will make my yearly trek to Bath County. Rolling hills and vast farmland. I also like to stop at the waterfalls along the way. I love Bath County!



I am not sure which pieces I will take as I don't have a lot to choose from. I have only had a small space to make prints in since the studio is being rebuilt. I guess it is a good thing I make small prints...for now. Out of five pieces, here are the three I liked best.

Bath County Storm monotype (C) gls [won 1st place printmaking and graphics, SOLD]

Cloud Shadows monotype (C) gls SOLD

Faux Sunset monotype (C) gls

Paint Something!

Go ahead, paint something!

http://www.printmaker.com/paint/index.html

50th Anniversary Sidewalk Art Show

50th ANNUAL SIDEWALK ART SHOW!!!!

Saturday & Sunday, June 7th & 8th

Every year, since 1958, the Artists have held a sidewalk art show to celebrate and support the creation of original fine art. This year’s 50th art show celebrates the fine art of painting, watercolor, mixed media, sculptural art, drawing/ original printmaking and fine crafts.

Come help support the artists !

Where: Market Street and Salem Avenue

Downtown, Roanoke, VA

Time: 10am – 5pm on Saturday and Noon

5pm on Sunday

Cost: Free and open to the public

This year I will have limited work due to the house fire that claimed a huge body of my work. I typically have my fine art collaged charms and pendants, but the Art Museum said I can not show these...after years of doing so. The art charms and pendants will be available at Gallery 108! So, please check them out there and also check out my work and other fantastic artists work as well.

I will be at space F-44 in front of Gone Co-C0.

Tranquil day at the edge of a field

A frog glides across frosty water pooled at the base of a rock statue

tribute to years of cascading dreams

Drifting across the surface breating in the mist lifting off

the icy blue water

unemerged green stalks

promises of flowers

calm the frog hoping for a warm Spring ahead

-Whitfield-

Forest Songs (C) watercolor

The Sounds of Spring

I finally had an evening to sit on the front porch and listen to the creek. The mallard male and female are back! I love watching them year after year as they return to create the sweetest little ducklings! The creek music is singing with a range of sounds and the greens are a feast for the eyes. Bamboo green, Cadmium green , Cobalt Green, Compose green, Permanent green, and Terra Haute. Perhaps a touch of sepia and a hint of Ochre and Umber. Ah, and perhaps a tad of cobalt blue. Ahhhhhhhhhhh.

" Forest Song" watercolor (C)

"Falling Branch Creek" watercolor (C)

Little Bits

Just a few new 'little bits'. All I can manage to squeek out for now are a few little bits of art. These are all smaller than 4 x 4 inches. Now, all I have to do is get things framed. Gee, next weekend is Open Studios. Where does the times go? HA!

Managing Interruptions

Two weeks ago there was a 'small' fire at my house. Fortunately, everyone two-legged and four are all OK! It' s a long story and I will spare you, but two rooms of the house were affected, one being my art studio. I had a lot of art stacked up high and fortunately the fire nor the water the firemen had to use got to them. Unfortunately, I had works hanging on the walls and some on a table that were not so fortunate. But again, I am so thankful the firemen (a total of six trucks came) responded so quickly and that the fire was not worse than it was. I am very lucky! And...Rusty, the cat, will get fresh cooked chicken breast everyday! He alerted me to the noise in the dryer (where it all began). I am just glad I paid attention to him!




Well, Open Studios is coming up on the 26th and 27th of this month. I am afraid I have not been able to create a lot of new work. I have been busy cleaning and hauling stuff away, meeting with insurance guys and contractors. Trust me, I'd rather be painting!



Here are two new little watercolors I managed to do today. I am going to be filling in the cracks of time by painting, managing interruptions! But again, I am so lucky!

Creative Surges

Blue Ridge Fall watercolor (C)

I am tickled to be on Spring Break, finally!

I have had time to create these little pieces,

but hope to get much more accomplished in the next week.

Open Studios will be here before I know it!

Where does the time go?

Sumac in Color watercolor (C)

Love animals?

Come see the Best in Show!

Jazz (C) casien and acrylic

If so, check out the Market Gallery’s upcoming Best in Show. Part contest, part fundraiser, part community art project, Best in Show is a spirited collaboration between the Roanoke Valley SPCA, the gallery, and local animal loving artists. Last year, folks of varying experience and age—as young as 8, as young-at-heart as eighty—purchased 12” x 12” panels upon which they drew, painted, collaged, even sculpted images in honor of a furry friend. The works were then submitted to the gallery and combined into a giant, grid-like wall piece. This year follows suit; the colorful collaboration will be unveiled on Friday, February 15 at a special opening reception with munchies, music, and merriment from 7 to 9 pm. From the hundreds of submissions, one will be chosen to grace the cover of the SPCA’s beloved fundraising calendar. The calendar features photos of Southwest Virginians and their four-legged companions, and proceeds go to the SPCA. The 2008 Best in Show will be on display until the end of February, and works will be for sale with proceeds going to the organization. So trot on down to the Market Gallery during February; it’s located at 23 Salem Avenue in downtown Roanoke, on the corner of Salem and Wall.

http://www.marketgalleryroanoke.com/
540.342.1177

Monotypes

Morning Mist mono (C)

Here are a few monotypes.

I finally had time to photograph them!

Now, I am looking for more time...to print!

Sky Over Rocks mono (C)