Summer Bun

For lack of a better title for now, this little piece is called Summer Bun.  As a former watercolorist,  this piece illustrates the transparent watercolor-like textures I can achieve on Ampersand gessoboard.
It's fun to work on!

Summer Bun

8" x 8" on Ampersand gessoboard

"Summer Symphony"

I'm getting brave!  This is an 18" x 18" oil that I painted plein air this morning and was finished by 11 am!  "Summer Symphony" will be one of my five plein air entries for Wild About Colorado a plein air festival held in Breckenridge.  Tomorrow night is the VIP exhibit and sale followed by a public exhibition on Saturday at the Carter Pavilion on High Street in Breckenridge.

"Summer Symphony"

18" x 18" on Ampersand Cradleboard
SOLD

"Rain Coming"

I was out painting early this morning and had this 12" x 9" oil finished by 11 am.   I painted it in Breckenridge of Peak Ten, which is part of the Ten Mile Range.  Just as I finished it it started to rain so it is titled, 'Rain Coming'.  

"Rain Coming"

12" x 9" oil study on board

Change of Galleries

Sadly, Windrush Gallery in Sedona, Arizona, which has represented me for many years, is closing its doors.  The owners John and Jane, had an eye for good art and asked the best of the best artists to join the gallery including friends Joe Garcia, Marc Hanson, Terry Miller, Bill Cramer, Carol Marine, Virginia Vaughan, Becky Joy and many others. It was a treat to wander around the gallery and check out the work.  Goodbye John and Jane - and thank for you representing me these last few years.

Happily, I've been asked to join Mountain Trails Gallery in Sedona, upstairs in Tlaquepaque.  Mountain Trails also represents some fabulous artists including sculptors (and friends) Sandy Scott and Susan Kliewer, painters Suzanne Baker, Joshua Been, Ed Aldrich, Betty Carr and lots of others!  As I'm in Colorado for a couple more weeks, the gallery won't have any of my work until I'm back in Sedona but my paintings should be hanging there sometime in August.

A Happydoodle

I'm in Breckenridge, Colorado as artist-in-residence for the month of July for the town's art district.  I think there are more dogs per square mile in Breck than anywhere else in the U.S. including lots of labradoodles which is what you get when you cross a standard or miniature poodle with a labrador retriever.  They're handsome dogs and if they're half poodle, probably pretty smart too.

Happydoodle

8" x 8" oil on board

SOLD

Fourth of July in Breckenridge, Colorado

I'm artist-in-residence at the Tin Shop in Breckenridge, Colorado - part of the Breck Arts District.  As I'm just half a block from Main Street, I had a front row seat for this morning's Fourth of July festivities, including the kid's chalk art competition.   I was one of the judges and was very impressed with the 100+ entries.

In spite of the crowds and time out for judging, I spent most of my day painting in the studio with the door open so people could wander in and out.  I started an 18" square Colorado landscape and now I'm wishing I'd photographed it as a step-by-step as I like the way it is progressing.  I'll post a photo of it in the next day or two. 

I'm Teaching a Three-Day Oil Workshop in Colorado Next Week!

I'm now at the Tin Shop - my studio/living quarters in downtown Breckenridge, Colorado where I'm artist in residence for the month of July for the Breckenridge Arts District.  A percentage of my sales benefits the arts program as does the workshop that I'm teaching next week, July 9 - 11.  Titled, Oil Painting Basics from Study to Studio, this 3-day workshop will concentrate on the basics of oil painting; composition, learning to see large shapes and values and seeing and mixing color.  The intimate class size ensures plenty of individual attention.  9 am - 4 pm with an hour off for lunch.  Materials list is provided with option to purchase materials.  For info, call 970 453-3364.  You must register at least three days in advance.

And while you're in Breckenridge, you have to visit the foxes on Main Street!  Last year when I was artist in residence here, a mom fox had two kits. This year she has four!  They're almost full grown and provide the perfect photo op as they chase each other and pose for the tourists.  I took this photo of one of the kits this morning - perfect light around 7 am!