Sometimes a picture immediately inspires me to paint. This week’s painting, Fall Reds, 8” x 10” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, is inspired by a recent photo taken by North Shore photographer Jan Swart. I loved the dark forest shadows in the background balanced against the light of the birch trees and highlighted by the brilliant reds of the maple leaves. This painting was painted fast and loose, and it was such a treat to paint.
This week’s painting is another in the Litle Series – Gentle Sweep, 4” x 6” captures the relaxed energy of two paddlers enjoying a day out on the water.
It’s hard to believe that we are already moving full speed into November. And I know this because the Hallmark channel is full of new Christmas movies! Despite their simple triteness, they propel me nicely into this special time of the year. And honestly . . . with daylight ending at 4:59 today, it’s hard to figure out activities for 6 hours of dark before bed! So I’m busy painting with Hallmark movies in the background.
Paul is busy framing and getting ready for our trip to Plum Bottom Gallery later this month. It’s a process to prepare for the delivery of artwork – in addition to careful framing, each painting needs to have a photo taken (for the website) and then be individually wrapped and packed for the trip. This week’s painting, Lake Air, 8” x 9” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, captures a new day dawning on the big lake.
The decision to “paint small” has been such a good one for me. These 4” x 6” liltie series watercolors allow me to capture small scenes and Paul creates wonderful double-matted frames to display these in 8” x 10” frames. This week’s painting Remote Spaces, reflects an unfolding scene of morning light across a primitive campsite.
It’s been a busy summer season, and I’m so grateful for the many clients who purchased original artwork as well as for the welcoming staff at each of my representative galleries. Tonight is the annual meeting at Arts In Hand Gallery in Spooner, WI, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to hear updates and to visit with other members of the gallery. And later this month, we’ll take a few days and head to Door County to deliver new art and visit the three Plum Bottom Galleries on the peninsula (Egg Harbor Main Street, Egg Harbor Farm and Fish Creek) and the newest gallery in Sturgeon Bay! The owners of these galleries, Chad and Angela Luberger, are experiencing an amazing season of growth.
This week’s paintings include two favorite spots in Door County – both from the incredible Cave Point County Park: Point Cliffs, 4” x 6” features the resilient layered rocks along the park shoreline; and Landmark, 4” x 6” captures an iconic pine tree thriving in the Dolomite rock ridge along Lake Michigan.
I have always lived in an area with four seasons, and I love the rhythms of each season. However, when you realize that there is a beginning and end to each season, you also understand the reality of Ecclesiastes – there is a defined time to sow and a time to reap. And it also makes me so aware of the importance of greeting each day with a grateful heart. This week, the weather is changing and there are rumors floating in the air that snow is on its way soon. For us in northwestern Wisconsin, that creates an amazing sense of urgency to clean up yards, pile leaves on gardens, clear off patios and decks, and finish up any other outdoor projects. It doesn’t matter if the fall weather continues for a few more days, there is no time for lollygagging because we all know that winter is right around the corner.
This week’s painting calls me back to the special days of winter – the closing in of the sky in snowfall and the magical light of the reflected landscape. Cana Light, 8” x 10” on 300 lb watercolor paper, captures the beautiful, recently renovated lighthouse on Cana Island in Door County on a snowy day. The uniqueness of this site is that you need to cross a bit of Lake Michigan in a tractor-drawn haywagon to see this lighthouse up close.
With the cooler weather and the shutting down of garden projects for the year, it seems the perfect time to have a painting class! On Thursday, October 19, I'll be offering a watercolor class at my home studio. While this class is full, I’ll offer other classes throughout the Winter and into next Spring. For students who are new to watercolors, we’ll be painting a few of my favorite things – Big Lake waves, rocks and birch trees. This time, we’ll be painting Freshwater Coast, 8” x 10” on 300 lb. watercolor paper – and at the end of the class, you’ll take home a painting ready to frame! Contact me if you’re interested in playing with watercolor and would like to take a class in the future.
