reflections, insights, etc.

I'm not a person who makes New Year's resolutions, but I do take time to redefine myself and look through fresh eyes occasionally. Working outside my comfort zone and painting with more insight, I hope to become a better painter. I've been self-limiting this year, but reflections on the past only serve to cast more light upon the future.

The subject of this plein air painting is an old oak tree situated on a knoll which overlooks a nearby Civil War battlefield. The tree has become a fixture in many of my paintings. It seems I'm captivated by Nature's light and how it plays across the area. Studying the tree has helped me 'see' rather than just 'look'. I'm always amazed at God's palette and how we mortals struggle to capture His works on canvas.

taking time to smell the dandelions

I haven't quit painting...just taking a bit of time off. "Take time to smell the roses" is the accepted quote, I believe.

To my delight, I spotted a dandelion flower this morning (in the middle of December) and it reminded me that sometimes it's OK to pause and reflect upon my life. Spring will come once again and the seasons will repeat themselves. Things will be renewed. Rest knits up many things...

Please check back soon for new posts...and thanks always for your interest in my artwork.

Reflections Gallery show

I just came across this photo of some of my plein air paintings featured at Reflections Gallery in Chattanooga, TN. The photo isn't high resolution so clicking on the image will show the paintings 'grainy'. All are 8"x10" oil, painted en plein air, alla prima, in and near Tunnel Hill, GA. Contact me at beejw@charter.net for information or availability.

Fall at Fort Keys revisited

On this day, November 20th, last year I painted this 8"x10" oil, en plein air, alla prima. Several people asked if I had "tweeked" the foliage colors. I usually reply that I don't have to exaggerate Nature's coloring...I just have to see it with an artist's eye. The accompaning photograph shows an almost identical coloring in adjacent trees this year.
Contact me for purchase at beejw@charter.net. The price is $85 including shipping.

Life of a Tree

11"x14" oil on linen panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on November 6th (completed at 11:30) - $160 including shipping - contact me for purchase. Sandra and I painted at Mountain Cove Farm on this warm, breezy November day. The 1800+ acres were ablaze with the glory that is Autumn. Evergreens poked their heads through the warm red, orange and yellow hues and the mountains were shrouded early with a lavender mist.

Looking Again West

10" x 8" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima on November 5th (completed at 4:30)...$85 including shipping...contact me at beejw@charter.net for purchase.
Sandra and I set up our easels in her front yard on Wednesday afternoon. It was simply a gorgeous day with Autumn blazing all around us. Looking directly across the road, this small stand of trees caught my eye. I had seen them dozens of times before, but in looking again.....

Morning Side of the Mountain

9" x 12" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on Saturday November 1st (completed just before noon) - $110 including shipping - contact me at beejw@charter.net for purchase. Several plein air painters were fortunate enough to be invited to paint at Cloudland Station, just south of Flintstone, GA. The morning was perfect - clear blue sky, gorgeous blazing Fall foliage, and the wonder that is Cloudland Station. This small green building is the school house, which is also the office/information center. Be sure to visit their website at http://www.fireflycommunities.com/.

Happy Halloween!!

8"x10" oil - plein air color study done at the "Pumpkin Glow" festival near Flintstone, GA, on October 25th.

The Little Shed - SOLD!

10"x8" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on Saturday, October 25th around 11:00am. SOLD! "Pumpkin Glow" is a festival held at Cloudland Station near Flintstone, GA. It's family fun for two days amid a wonderful little planned community which includes a cider house, a mill, a lake and swimming hole, and several other quaint buildings. They've started building cabins there, too. Several of us artists will return soon to paint this wonderful site.

Scattering of Sunshine - SOLD

10"x8" oil on Raymar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on October 12th (completed at 11:15am) - SOLD - The sun didn't break through the scattered clouds until after 9:00 on that Sunday morning at Prater's Mill Country Fair. When I began laying in the basic shapes, my sight line into the woods was clear. As the morning progressed, dozens of people eating freshly baked goodies crowded around the picnic tables. I was popping my head up and down - like "Whack a Mole" - to see my subject as I worked to finish this painting.

Hidden Trail

6" x 8" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on Saturday, October 11th at Prater's Mill Country Fair (completed at 11am) - $50 including shipping - This was my first year as an artist exhibitor at the annual Prater's Mill Country Fair. I set up my easel early after opening my tent, hoping to catch the sunlight as it hit the trees. The morning was overcast and I was somewhat disappointed that no "Autumn blaze" was showing. I laid in the dark basics and shadows -- and waited. It wasn't until mid-morning that the sun broke through and showed the beginnings of what will be glorious Northwest Georgia foliage colors.

The Yellow Bird - SOLD

10"x8" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima - SOLD -
On July 21st, both Sandra and I painted this charming little gift shop located in historic downtown Dalton, GA. There are so many quaint shops there that we've decided to return soon to capture them on canvas. Loganberry's is just a few doors down from The Yellow Bird. It's famous for its blue/purple facade.

Sutler Tents

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on September 7th, during the "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment - $85 including shipping -
Sunday morning sutlers were preparing their tents for customers - both reenactors and visitors. Fall colors were beginning to show in the trees as the morning sun streamed across the meadow. Eleven Southern plein air painters captured similar scenes during this weekend of the Worldwide Paintout.
For an explanation of the word "sutler", here's a link to Wikipedia.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutler

Across the Meadow

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima - $85 including shipping but not including frame - contact me for purchase -
The purples in shadow and the yellow-green grasses caught my attention when I visited Meadowlawn several weeks ago. I stood just behind the fence barricade at Fort Keys as I painted the shack. I even included a few fence boards in the foreground.

Meadowlawn Morning

11"x14" oil on stretched canvas, begun en plein air - still in process....
I've worked on this painting on three separate occasions, but it still isn't completed. It's been in my car more times than that....propped up in the back seat, taken out, viewed on this site, returned to its resting place to be reviewed again. I'm not sure what's going on, but I know the painting will tell me what it needs to be considered complete.
Once again the subject of a painting is Fort Keys, located at the Tunnel Hill battlefield. I've painted this clump of trees and rolling meadow numerous times, but it still holds endless possibilities.

Fort Keys Saturday

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on September 6th at the "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment - $85 including shipping - contact me at beejw@charter.net for purchase.
Early on Saturday morning reenactors began milling about making preparations for the upcoming battle. The smell of frying bacon still hung in the air. Behind me a small squad of young Confederates practiced their marching drills. Several folks stopped by to watch me paint. There were nods of approval - then they went on their way. It was a wonderful day spent at the battlefield with close artist friends as we captured scenes for remembrance.

Fort Keys Saturday
10" x 8" (25.4cm x 20.4cm)
Oil, en plein air, alla prima on RayMar panel
$80 plus $5 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Around the Corner

6"x8" oil on Raymar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima - $45 including shipping - contact me at beejw@charter.net for purchase.
The fog seemed to linger just a little longer than on previous mornings. It wasn't really overcast, but the air seemed heavier than usual. Atmospherics had the "very early Fall" feel and it was echoed in the distant foliage. Fall seems just around the corner.

Cabin in the Meadow - SOLD

4"x6" oil on Raymar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima - SOLD -
On September 20th and 21st, the Creative Arts Guild in Dalton, GA, held their annual Fine Arts Festival. I was honored to be juried into the main gallery exhibit. I was also set up in the artist outdoor market.
What a weekend! The weather was perfect. And the sponsors were the ideal of Southern hospitality.
Visitors to my tent seemed drawn to my small plein air studies. I had taken about 20 with me to show something of the painting process, but people started asking to buy them! Some were still in the "cartoony" stage, some still had bits of white canvas peeking through - but customers were eager to shove money into my hands.

Southern hospitality

We Southern ladies know how to throw a bash! This was the refreshment table at the Tunnel Hill Heritage Center's "Echoes of Our Past" artists' reception. There was cool white punch, almond cookies, banana nut loaves, white grapes, nacho chips, ginger snaps, sugar cookies - just to name a few goodies. And they were all hand-made by artist Sandra Babb, who also furnished the table decorations including flowers from her garden. Historical Foundation members, the featured artists and Civil War reenactors stopped in for a snack.

Fort Keys Waits

8" x 10" oil on Raymar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on September 3rd - completed at 10:30am - $85 including shipping - NOT including frame - contact me at beejw@charter.net for purchase
I painted this one on Wednesday before the "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment on September 6th and 7th. As I was packing up, one of the reenactors drove past Fort Keys on the little road in the painting. The next day canvas tents were springing up all around, ready for the battle.

"Worldwide Paintout" in Tunnel Hill, GA

As part of the annual "Worldwide Paintout" publicized by International Plein Air Painters, we had a wonderful weekend at the "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment in Northwest Georgia.
pictured front row (l-r) are Gretchen Allen, Allison Doke, and BJ Wright
back row - Phyllis Franklin, Cathy Cooksey, Cecil Warfel, Patti Vrobel, Shane McDonald, John B. Guernsey and Sandra Babb. We couldn't find Tim West - he was somewhere painting on the 83 acre property.
Both days were in the 90+ degrees, but we found plenty of shade and lots of interesting subjects for plein air painting. Everyone had such a good time that there's already talk about next year.

yes, I have been painting

I have been painting. As proof I offer this photo of my drying racks. I've been working on the "Tunnel Hill Battle Paintout" as part of the International Plein Air Painters' annual "Worldwide Paintout". Placing ads on websites, in newspapers, handing out fliers - it takes a lot of preparation to sponsor a paintout. But I have some very good friends who are neck deep in there, too. Thanks to you, Cathy Cooksey and Sandra Babb! I'll post some photos of the event soon.

Early Summer Hay

8" x 10" oil on RayMar panel painted en plein air, alla prima, on June 25th (completed at 9:30am) - $85 including shipping - contact me at beejw@charter.net for purchase.
The hayfields in Tunnel Hill have offered an endless source of painting ideas this early Summer. Every time I visit the property, I'm struck with a sense of quiet and peaceful existence. The shadows are always deep with purples playing against the yellow/orange of the hay. It's a wonderful palette to behold.
Next weekend (September 6th and 7th) the property will be the site of the annual "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment. This year our location will also host the "Tunnel Hill Battle" paintout in conjunction with the International Plein Air Painters' "Worldwide Paintout".

directions to the "Battle of Tunnel Hill" reenactment

As promised, here are driving directions to the "Battle of Tunnel Hill" (GA) Civil War reenactment to be held on Saturday and Sunday, September 6th and 7th. Gates open at 9:00am. Admission is $5. Gates close at 4:00pm.

Coming south from Chattanooga, TN, on I-75, take exit #345 (Ringgold/Tunnel Hill). At the end of the ramp, turn right (south) onto Hwy 41. Drive 3.9 miles --- watch the speed limits, THEY MEAN IT. Turn left onto Oak Street. Stay straight for .3 mile. Event parking is on the right.

Coming north from Atlanta, GA, on I-75, take exit # 336 (Dalton/Rocky Face). At the bottom of the ramp, turn left (north) onto Hwy 41. Drive 5.0 miles. Turn right onto Oak Street. Stay straight for .3 mile. Event parking is on the right.

My art group, the Art Alliance of North Georgia, is sponsoring a paint-out during the event. It's in conjunction with the International Plein Air Painters "Worldwide Paintout". Hope you can drop in and visit.

Chickamauga Battlefield Trail

10" x 8" oil on linen panel, painted en plein air, alla prima on June 16th (completed around 9:30am) - $85 including shipping - contact me at beejw@charter.net for purchase. Sandra and I painted in Chickamauga Battlefield Park that cool morning, but the temperature was climbing fast. This trail is used by hikers, bikers and people on horseback as they explore the many acres of this beautiful Northwest Georgia park. The red Georgia clay appeared with lots of pink that morning - so that's how I painted it.

Tunnel Hill Battle paintout

"The Art Alliance of North Georgia" is inviting plein air painters to participate in the premier Tunnel Hill Battle Paintout to be held during the annual Battle of Tunnel Hill (GA) Civil War reenactment on September 6th (Saturday) and 7th (Sunday). This is in conjunction with the International Plein Air Painters' World Wide Paintout.

For more information, please contact BJ Wright at beejw@charter.net.

Cool Green

8" x 10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air on July 9th & 12th - $85 including shipping - contact me at beejw@charter.net for purchase -
It's always exciting to start a painting and return to the same site on another day to complete it. Even at the same time of day, there is always a difference in lighting and atmosphere. This was painted on a Wednesday and completed the following Saturday - just a few days apart, but it had rained on Thursday causing the water to take on an olive tone.

Fort Keys Hay

8" x 10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima on June 24th (completed around 9:45am)...$85 including shipping but NOT including frame...contact me at beejw@charter.net for purchase.
The sweet smell of newly cut hay drew me to this spot on the Tunnel Hill battlefield. Cool shadows played on the little gravel road and the mountain cast its shadow on the hayfield.

It won't be too long until the Civil War reenactors set up their tents under the big oak tree here at Fort Keys. Preparations are already being made for the Battle of Tunnel Hill.