Bright Meadow from Fort Keys

This image was dropped from the post on 8-23-07. Please click on the image for a high resolution view.

Conversations

8" x 10" oil on canvas covered hardboard, painted en plein air, alla prima - $85 including shipping -
Looking WSW from Fort Keys on the Clisby Austin property, these trees seemed to be conversing early on September 21st. The hay bales also seemed to be whispering to each other. I was listening to the buzz of insects and smelling the sweet hay drying in the sun as I painted the morning away.
Contact me at beejw@charter.net

Chetoogeta Hillside - SOLD

8" x 10" oil on canvas covered hardboard - painted en plein air - $85 including shipping - SOLD, thanks Dr. Tom !
This scene was painted in 3 stages. Beginning in April the general layout was done; then twice the site was revisited with additions and corrections made to include the seasonal changes. The final touches were done in studio on August 20th.

There are actually two tunnels through Chetoogeta Mountain. The one on the right is famous for being part of the Great Locomotive Chase during the Civil War, and is now part of the historical park in Tunnel Hill. The tunnel to the left was opened in 1928 to accommodate the larger locomotive engines of modern times.
Contact me at beejw@charter.net

Meadowlawn Hayfield

10" x 20" oil on stretched canvas, painted en plein air - $185 including shipping -
The August heat made the sweet smell of Summer hay fill the air. The meadow is quiet now but on September 8th and 9th, the annual Civil War reenactment will be held on these grounds in Tunnel Hill, GA.
Contact me at beejw@charter.net

Wisdom Oak

10" x 8" oil painted en plein air on canvas covered hardboard - $85 -
The old oak has seen possibly a century of modern development around town, but its feet are still firmly planted in the N Georgia clay. It has become a landmark for those who love the simple pleasures of the earth.
Contact me at beejw@charter.net

painting en plein air in the summer heat

Painting en plein air in August in 95+ degree heat is a challenge. I started out early on Monday, the 13th, and parked beside the covered bridge in Tunnel Hill. The little creek was murmuring its way south, and I was pleased that there were enough trees to give shade for a few hours. The painting of the old oak still needs a few tweeks here and there and will be posted soon. When I'm out painting, I'm thinking of those other plein air painters who love the challenge of capturing nature on canvas or paper.

To quote Tiny Tim, "God bless us, everyone!"

Plein Air Painter Dressed in Pink

10" x 8" oil painted en plein air on canvas covered hardboard - $85 including shipping -

Contact me at beejw@charter.net

Ode to a Plein Air Painter


Oh, plein air painter dressed in pink,
Are you as crazy as we think??

Outside painting in August heat…
Wouldn’t some iced tea be neat?

Or come inside instead
Of being outside…frying your head.

We know your hat keeps off the sun,
But isn’t your brain just about done?

So come inside and take a rest
Before someone must do compressions…
Upon your chest.

The plein air painter says with a smile,
“No thanks, I’ll stay outside for awhile.

“I’ll mix my paints…yellow, blue and red.
And, no, I’m not touched in the head.

“Nature’s palette sings to me –
To be outside is to be free…

“Free to paint to my heart’s content…
Not inside where I feel pent.

“I’ll come inside when I feel the pain…
Or if it should begin to rain.”

Now mark these words for they are true…
Only plein air painters understand you.


Written by BJ Wright on August 14, 2007
Inspired by my friend Sandra Babb

Chetoogeta Hillside in progress

8" x 10" oil on canvas covered hardboard - being painted en plein air - $85 including shipping when completed - SOLD

This painting was started on April 27th (see April 29th post) but has been sitting in my studio. Several days ago I returned to the hillside and worked some more. Keep in mind that April and August have widely differing weather, lighting, vegetation, etc. It still isn't completed so I will return to the site once more to complete this painting. It seems to be an imaginary landscape - but it's just a combination of different times. Contact me at beejw@charter.net.

As It Flows

10" x 8" oil on canvas covered hardboard - painted en plein air - $85 including shipping -
This painting was originally painted on 4-25-07 but I just wasn't quite satisfied with the results.
---please click on image for an enlarged view---

Painted on an overcast day, it just didn't have that contrast - that 'ump' that makes a statement. I revisited the scene in Tunnel Hill on Saturday, painting in hand, and captured the August sunlight filtering through the foliage and into the underbrush. There was an amazing amount of purple - so I included it, too. Contact me at beejw@charter.net

Which Way to Lookout Mountain?

8" x 10" oil on canvas covered hardboard - painted en plein air -
Sandra and I set up our easels in a cow pasture - complete with cows - in the August morning heat. Trying to catch the shadows before they disappeared was quite a challenge. This will be a study used for a larger painting. I'm not really happy with the tree on the right. He'll probably be cut out - not cut down - for the final painting. Too many trees are being cut down in the name of progress. Nuff said.
Contact me at beejw@charter.net

A Sweet William Morning

8" x 10" oil painted en plein air, alla prima, on canvas covered hardboard - shown in a temporary frame - $85 including shipping (not including frame) -
This lovely patch of Sweet Williams grows beside Sandra's house. The tree trunks were still wet from an earlier rain so they were showing dark. An altogether lovely morning was spent with Sandra and her dog Ellie.
Contact me at beejw@charter.net

Doing the Morning Dance

8" x 10" oil on canvas covered hardboard, painted en plein air, alla prima - $85 including shipping -
This row of trees lines the end of our driveway. As the morning sun rises, the light strikes them in animation. This is my narrative of the dance.

The couple on the left - she's not sure of him, he's a little pushy, and besides his hair is too long.
He doesn't know it, but the chaperone is looking over his shoulder.

Meanwhile the couple in the middle - seem to be getting along just fine and making time.

The lone fellow on the right is the wallflower. He let too much grass grow under his feet. He won't have a date at this dance.

Contact me at beejw@charter.net

my plein air setup

At the plein air blog Southern Plein Air Painters, we're sharing our ideas concerning our painting set-up. The little folding stool was $5 at the Dollar Store. I am using a Winsor-Newton watercolor easel because that's the one I mistakenly picked up - but I like it because of the tilt factor. My husband, who can make anything out of metal, made the tray which holds my palette, used brushes and the clip on tuna can for turp. Office Depot was the source of the roll around studio which holds everything - cost was around $20. Various kids' pencil boxes hold brushes, paint, mediums, etc. I ordered some cardboard wet panel carriers from Dick Blick - couldn't afford the $80 for the nicer wooden one. They hold several wet panels or stretched canvas. I've also used pizza boxes; they protect the wet painting and can be stacked. A bungee cord strapped across the top holds everything securely and I'm off to paint again.

Click on the image for a close-up view.
Contact me at beejw@charter.net. I'd love to hear from other plein air painters. :o)

Thunder Moon July Full Moon

8" x 8" x 1/2" (requiring NO FRAME) original oil on gallery wrap canvas - $70 including shipping - UNAVAILABLE AT THIS TIME
July's weather has been rather strange here in North Georgia. Thunderstorms almost every evening have given the sky a purple cast both at sunset and sunrise. This painting is completely imagined. I don't know whether the small forms in the distance are trees or a town. You can decide.
Contact me at beejw@charter.net

Colors at the Crossing ---- SOLD

8" x 10" oil on stretched canvas - painted en plein air (with a few tweaks in the studio but within the definition of plein air) - $120 including shipping - SOLD, THANK YOU !

Painting structures in the studio with the help of a T-square, plotted vanishing points, etc usually doesn't pose a problem. However, I'm trying to stretch my painting abilities by painting these structures free hand and en plein air - winging it.

This painting features the historic buildings around the Tunnel Hill, GA, railroad crossing (hidden to the left). On the left in the forefront is the Tunnel Hill Historical Center. Then behind it (L to R) are the Tunnel Hill Church of Christ and the depot (made famous during the Great Locomotive Chase during the Civil War). The orange building was originally Griffin's Sundries - Toppie made the best hamburgers in the state and was always there with her Southern lady charm. The red building was the Tunnel Hill Baptist Mission, but in later years housed Playhouse 64 and featured well known country singers in concert. The two buildings to the right are small factories.

You might not have noticed, but I left out power lines which are such a distraction to the charm of this beautiful spot in NW Georgia. I love it here!
Contact me at beejw@charter.net

Queen Annes Lacey Meadow - SOLD

10" x 8" oil on canvas covered hardboard - painted en plein air, alla prima - $85 including shipping - SOLD, thanks LS Manis !!
Wednesday morning was hazy and overcast; the sun just wasn't showing through the clouds. I chose to paint this clump of trees at the meadow's edge. There just wasn't anything special about the scene and I was becoming disappointed at the outcome. But just as I was completing the foreground, the sun peeked through and the Queen Anne's lace seemed to spring up shouting "Look at us!". I smiled and instantly knew the title of this little painting.
Contact me at beejw@charter.net

"Chair Affair" stool completed

The stool top is a 16" diameter, 1" thick heavy wood - possibly oak. It was sealed, then two coats of gesso were applied. Artist acrylic tube paints were used. After drying, the painting was sealed with several coats of spray acrylic sealer. Since I don't know if it will be used as a stool for sitting or a small table, I wanted to be sure it is durable.

contact me with any questions at beejw@charter.net

letting it cool

I'm almost finished painting the stool for the Why KNOw Abstinence Education program. It's resting upside down so that I can look for any problem areas. There are still the highlights on rocks, roof, etc to be added. There will probably be another 2 or 3 glazes added to the water. Maybe a tree in the foreground?? Haven't yet decided. I'll post the finished painting tomorrow. The stools, chairs and chests will be on display in Chattanooga area businesses until the auction. Any questions - contact me at beejw@charter.net

It's acrylic on sealed, gessoed wood.

Early Before the Rain

10" x 8" oil on canvas covered hardboard - painted en plein air, alla prima - $85 including shipping -
I parked at the little covered bridge in Tunnel Hill. I was unloading my painting equipment just before 7 am, searching for a colorful dawn sky. The clouds were moving fast and I saw the pinks appearing as I had hoped. Getting the sky onto canvas was my first thought. I could do the meadow and trees afterward. As the sun peeked from behind the clouds, I was seeing orange, violet, reds - wonderful colors in the trees and underbrush.

The sun suddenly spotlighted the tree on the left with all its crooked limbs and beautiful bark. Just as I finished painting and packing away, the first rain drops fell. It was truly a beautiful morning in Tunnel Hill, GA.
Contact me at beejw@charter.net

Red Clay Council House

11" x 14" oil on stretched canvas - painted en plein air -
This is a study of the Cherokee council house located at Red Clay Park in Cleveland, TN. The day was overcast with very brief moments of sun. The colors appeared to be muted and all the greens seemed to run together. I painted what I saw, but from the start I could see that the lighting left a lot to be desired. I do intent to return later, possibly taking this study. I was intrigued by the large tree on the left which appears to be pointing towards the council house. There is an annual powwow held at the park on the first weekend in August - this year being on the 4th and 5th. Everyone is welcome.
Contact me at beejw@charter.net

"A Chair Affair"

Several artists met Saturday at Sandra's studio to paint chairs and stools for "A Chair Affair" sponsored by the Why KNOw Abstinence Education Foundation.
On September 8th at Coolidge Park in Chattanooga, TN, "A Chair Affair" will feature a day of family fun, games and activities while promoting an open conversation with parents and teens about teen pregnancy. The event will include an auction which features one-of-a-kind painted chairs, children's chairs, benches, stools, chests and adirondacks in all shapes and sizes. All of the proceeds from this auction will benefit the Why KNow program provided to teens in Hamilton County, TN, and northwest GA.

This is a small photo of my stool - still in progress. I will hopefully post the finished product within a week or so.
Contact me at beejw@charter.net

Back at the Pond

8" x 10" oil on canvas covered hardboard - painted en plein air, alla prima - $85 including shipping -
Sandra drove her red Jeep down the old dirt road to the back pastures of her farm. The cows watched curiously as we set up our easels. It was early and we were trying to miss the July heat. Being overcast, the day blessed us with cool breezes and shade from the old trees. The little pond was covered with scum which was a wonderful shade of blue/breen - almost impossible to match with paint pigments.
Contact me at beejw@charter.net

Flavors of the South

12" x 9" oil on stretched canvas - painted en plein air, alla prima - $108 including shipping -

While mixing the paints for this one, I was musing about the delicious colors of this early morning scene. The sunlight hitting the second story porch was a wonderful orange sherbet or

peach iced tea. The deep red shadow side was raspberry jam or perhaps plum butter. The darkest shadows were licorice and the new grass was limeade. Mint julep anyone??

Contact me at beejw@charter.net

framing experiment

18" x 24" oil on canvas covered hardboard - soon to be a sunset painted from a photo -
After "killing the white" on this canvas, I was searching for a frame thinking maybe I had one in stock I could use instead of buying another one. After popping the toned canvas into the frame, the 'painting' developed an instant personality. When painting in the studio, I will often try the unfinished piece in several frames - looking for that personality spark. And sometimes I'm surprised at how just a toned canvas can take on a certain look just by being viewed in a frame.