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.