A Toast to 2021!

After a year of intense change and almost daily news updates, it’s a relief to be celebrating New Year's Eve tonight. In spite of the turmoil of the ongoing pandemic, we have much to be thankful for – good health, meaningful work and dear family and friends. It’s a quiet night at our house – supper in front of the fireplace and a toast to the New Year with a bit of Glögg (thanks to Crabtrees of Copas, MN). As you can imagine, there’s no way we’re going to last to midnight.

This week’s painting continues on the theme of “Resilience,” – the title of the January 2021 exhibit at artZ Gallery.  From a photo we took last summer, Ascending the Crag, 6” x 12” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, reflects an experienced climber going up the rocky cliff face (crag). This was also such a fun opportunity for me to work to capture the wonderful light and shadows on some of my favorite rocks! See more art in the Gallery page of my website: www.wildriverarts.com 

Resilience

It’s been a year of dramatic changes – including learning:

·         the full meaning of the words social distancing, self-isolating and lockdown;

·         to wash hands, sterilize surfaces and wear a mask; and

·         to navigate at-home, hybrid or remote models of work and school.

The ongoing pandemic has created a radical shift for all of us – on personal levels as well on national and global fronts. Yet we are grateful to have survived – to still be healthy, to be able to have a joyful Christmas season, and to look with hope to the New Year. At this particular time, it seems fitting to have an upcoming art exhibit centered on the theme: “Resilience.” Reflecting the spirit of our current day, the exhibit will be held at artZ Gallery in Amery, WI, from January 2 through February 5, and feature artwork from artZ member and guest artists. 

This week’s painting is slated for this exhibit. Defiance is 8” x 10” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, and captures a pine tree thriving in spite of being forced to grow in a formidable rock. For me, this reflects the inner strength that God gives each of us to endure and perhaps even thrive despite our circumstances and adversities.

Galway Memories!

There’s something almost magical about sunsets in Galway, Ireland. There have been songs written about it and people travel for miles just to sit on the shore and watch the sun set. And for me, it’s a wonderful excuse to paint dramatic, color-filled skies.

This week’s painting, Galway Memories, 11”x 15” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, recalls special evenings on the Wild Atlantic Way of Ireland and watching the sun set into the sea.

 

   

Happy Dog!

My cousin, Allison (a granddaughter of my sweet Aunt Petie), reached out to me in mid-November to see if I would paint her dog, Jackson. I had to think about it for a long time – he’s an active border collie, and I wasn’t sure how to go about capturing all that energy! Plus Allison had some specifics about how she wanted Jackson portrayed – against a white background and with his mouth open in a doggy smile. After much thought and planning, this is how it came out! I used the portrait paper from my class with Alicia Farris in Springfield, MO (May 2019) – 300 lb. hot press watercolor paper – because I can get the clarity of the eyes so much better. The painting was shipped to her this morning, and I so hope she enjoys it in her home!

This week’s painting brought the most comments that I’ve ever received on Facebook! Jackson is a 9”x 12” watercolor on 300 lb. hot press watercolor paper, and seems to reflect the eager face of an happy, much-loved dog!