fun 'twofer'

The word 'twofer' is short for "two for the price of one", or "this one time is the first and last time". In this case it's the former meaning. Last evening between 7:15 and 8:30, I threw caution in the creek and did a side by side on this 8x10 RayMar panel. It's not meant to be anything other that catching some whimsical late afternoon light. I was seeing lots of alizarin crimson and cad oranges. When I picked up the wet panel to shoot it, it fell jelly side down on the studio carpet. I had to laugh out loud. It picked up grit, cat hair, and an interesting carpet design on the far left. Nothin' but fun.

Harry Griffin Park - Early

10"x8" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on Saturday May 30th - completed around 9:00am - $85 including shipping - I had driven to several favorite painting spots and couldn't decide where to set my easel. I almost took photos and returned home (shame on me). But then I heard me, telling me --- out loud --- "Good grief! Just get out and paint!" And so I did.

catching the light at Harry Griffin Park

Poor, pitiful plein air painter that I am...trying to catch the light and put it to canvas. Neither paintbrush nor camera can catch what the eye can see of God's wonderful creation. But I had a great time beside the creek in Harry Griffin Park this morning...painting away as the creek gurgled to the robins' tune. My, how the light can change in just an hours time!! I'll make a few quick adjustments and photograph the painting for posting soon.

North from Snodgrass Hill

May 22, '09, just before noon...it was overcast, then sunny, then drizzly...in short, painting en plein air was a bit of a challenge. The light was changing by the minute/second and capturing the correct colors was almost impossible. This is a slice of what I painted that day. Going too dark with my darks is something I need to work on, especially in such changeable light. This was a 6"x12" mini canvas, but I think a larger version would have better captured the meadow's expanse. Gonna work on that.

Confederate Memorial Wreath

9"x12" oil on Raymar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on Tuesday, April 28th '09, at Old Stone Church near Ringgold GA.
The wreath on the door commemorates Confederate Memorial Day which is a state holiday in some states in the US. In Georgia, it was April 27th. It gives people a chance to honor and remember the Confederate soldiers who died or were wounded during the Civil War in the 1860s. Old Stone Church was used as a hospital.

UPDATE: This painting has been donated to the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Catoosa Chapter 1987, who placed this wreath.

Rainbow Stream

This is another plein air oil painting completed on site at the Historic Buford (GA) Paint out on April 24th. The location is just downstream from the Buford dam. There were dozens of fishermen and kayakers enjoying the perfect morning. I popped the finished painting into a frame and delivered it (wet) to the Tannery Row Artist Colony for exhibit throughout the month of May.

Reaching for the Sky

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on 4/24 at the Buford Dam during the "Historic Buford (GA) Plein Air Festival"...currently on display at the Tannery Row Artist Colony. There is a bit of shadow from my easel showing at the upper edge of this photo.

"Without..."

The "Historic Buford (GA) Plein Air Festival" was this past weekend, hosting 43 artists. I did this quick color study on Saturday morning. I decided to leave it 'as is'...without doors, without windows, without cars, without people. The shapes were interesting enough.

painting alone or with someone??

While I love painting en plein air alone, with just the wind, birds and crickets - sometimes I meet a friend and we "parallel paint". We chose a location, chat briefly, then set up our easels. Sometimes we paint the same subject, but from different angles. Sometimes we face in opposite directions, but stay close enough to talk. Other times we aren't within eyesight of each other.

After painting for awhile, we take a short break and discuss any problems or "ah-ha!" moments. In packing up our equipment afterward, we view each others work. And we are always smiling - seeing the scene through someone elses eyes and through their brushwork and palette.

But again there are the times I paint alone, conversing with myself (aloud) asking "What color is that...and how do I mix it?" and "I wonder if there's a snake in those weeds?"

I love painting with friends - and I love painting alone.

This painting is still in the "laying in" stage - putting in the major, then secondary shapes and deciding on colors.

waiting for May

This 16x20 oil on stretched canvas was started en plein air in May '08. The main house is the pre-Civil War Clisby Austin house in Tunnel Hill, GA. Rather than finish the painting from memory or a photo, I plan to return to the same spot on the same day this May '09 -- maybe even at the same time of day. I usually don't work on larger canvases when painting on site, but this one was fun to do.

Pathway Puddles

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima on 3-24-09 (completed around 3:15) - $85 including shipping - This is the first time I've been out painting en plein air in a long, long time...well, since November anyway. I usually paint during morning hours, but conditions haven't been right for awhile...but this particular afternoon seemed perfect. The more I painted, the more the clouds rolled in. Puddles on the gravel walkway danced in the changing light, so Mr. Coker's chimney and the oak tree's old and new foliage had to relent.

good bookkeeping - a necessity

In getting ready for a February one woman show, I am horrified to find that in late 2008 I became a slacker with my bookkeeping!! I have not kept my inventory spreadsheet updated since mid-September.

I can make the excuse that I was out painting and just didn't have the time. Or maybe it was the mineral spirits fumes. I don't know what happened. But I do know I'll not let that happen again. I've been updating almost all day long...and am finally caught up.

If this happens again, will someone please poke me with a sharp stick and yell "Slacker!!"

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.