Grapevine Gallery Show at a Glance

If you haven't had the opportunity to visit the Grapevine Gallery in Oklahoma City and see work by the talented artists they represent,  I'm giving you a taste of some of my favorites on the walls right now.   Just look at what's waiting for you at the Grapevine....

Bruce Peil,  Hampton Creek

Phil Starke, Last Warmth of the Day

Dan Gerhartz, Tendrils and Lace

Jewelry by Dan Telleen

Kim Casebeer, Ranch House September

Tony Hochstetler,  Left, Emerald Lake Photograph and Right, Seahorse

Roger Williams, Sanctuary

Jimmy Dyer, Maine Coast

Laura Robb, Asian Doll and Orchids

Steve Kestrel, Circle of Cranes

Grant Redden, Sheep's in the Meadow

Lorenzo Chavez, Near Gateway

Kent Ullberg, Equipose

Matt Smith, Peaks Above Fish Creek

 

 

Dianne Massey Dunbar, Broadway Lights

 

Paying Attention to the Universe

I recently returned from a painting trip to a lovely area of central California, Paso Robles.  This community is about 45 min. inland, and full of rolling hills and vineyards.  This was an invitational exhibition with a wet painting sale and auction over Memorial weekend.  I don't participate in a lot of plein air events, but when I do, I ask myself a few questions.  Have I had the opportunity to paint this area before and do I feel inspired to paint there again?  Or if I haven't painted there am I interested in painting that area?  In this case, I painted the central coast near Carmel last year and loved it.  The painting event in Paso Robles gave me an opportunity to paint central California again, this time farther south and inland, although we could paint anywhere in San Luis Obispo County which includes some quaint coastal areas around Cambria and the Hearst Castle.  I personally found the combination of ranchland and coastline intriguing.  There was opportunity to paint the vineyards, old barns and farmsteads, back roads, the coast – all of which I took full advantage.  Almost every road off Hwy 46 between Paso and Cambria was good.   Most of these roads are dotted with farmsteads and old barns, wineries and beautiful golden grassy fields.  And it was quiet!  Another quality I personally look for in having a positive plein air experience.  There are many, many beautiful places to paint in the United States, but a lot of them are so busy and overcrowded with tourists that it's hard to have a good plein air experience.  For me, part of being inspired to paint outside comes from being able to hear the wind, water, birds chirping, etc.

A Drive Along Live Oak, oil, 8x10.  Painted in the Paso Robles area.

On Wednesday afternoon while finishing up a midday painting, I noticed the clouds were building.  This particular evening the artists were invited to a welcome party, hosted by a local owner of a winery.  I really didn't have time to properly finish another painting before getting back to the hotel to get ready and head back out.  However, my instincts for a good opportunity kicked in and I had to try.  In about 15 minutes I found a good spot to view the cloud show that was developing and set up.  I worked feverishly to get to a proper stopping point on a 12x12 sky piece overlooking some fields.  Luckily, painting fast often works when painting clouds as they move and you have to capture quickly.  I couldn't finish, but got it to a point that the sky was complete and the ground had enough information it could be finished later.  The next afternoon I went back to the same spot to finish the painting.

Evening Show, oil, 12x12.  Painted in the Paso Robles area.

The wet painting sale was on Saturday.  This 12x12 cloud piece was the first I sold that day.  The lady who purchased it said she was a Bierstadt fan and this piece reminded her of some of his work.  I think she was being kind, but thanked her.  We talked at some length about being inspired when painting outside and it became clear that we both were inspired by the sky and changing weather. 

I couldn't help but think that if I had squelched my desire to quickly get a painting in and instead listened to the voice of reason which was telling me I didn't have time, I wouldn't be connecting to this collector.  The universe, a higher power, whatever you want to call it – there was definitely some intervention going on.  I do know that whenever I disregard my instincts I usually regret it.  As artists, listening to our inner voice and paying attention to what the universe is telling us is as important as any art lessons.

Sharing a Wonderful Paint Trip to Carmel, California

Here I am painting along the beautiful coast.  Photo courtesy Debra Groesser.

I've recently returned from a wonderful paint trip to the Carmel, California area.  What a great experience!  We had beautiful weather for painting and I got a lot of work done.  I have included several photos of some of the plein air pieces I completed.  These, as well as some studio work, are available at Mountainsong Galleries in Carmel through May 19.  Our group show opened April 19 and the work looks great!  You can see the studio pieces in the show online at Mountainsong Galleries website.

 

Painting in progress at Carmelite Monastery.  This was the first painting of the trip.

Who knew that all my painting in the Kansas wind could prepare me for painting along the California coast!  It was windy and a lot cooler than we thought it would be.  However, we were determined to paint water and rocks so we braved it.

Deb Groesser and I celebrating after a great day of painting, even though it was a little cold!  Photo courtesy Gary Huber.

Garrapata Mood, oil, 8x6.  The day I painted at Garrapata State Park, the clouds were spectacular.  Both this piece and the one below were painted in this park.  Both available at Mountainsong Galleries.

Fair Weather Clouds, oil, 8x10. 

The day we painted at Garrapata was windy but what great atmosphere!  And a bonus - meeting some of the artists that stayed to paint after the PleinAir Convention.

Here I am with Michele de Braganca.  Got to know her and Gary Huber while we tried to keep warm in 15 layers of clothes painting at Garrapata!  Photo courtesy Gary Huber.

Sticking it out was worth it.  Mother Nature gave us a beautiful sunset!

Deb Groesser and I pausing to enjoy the sunset.  Photo courtesy Gary Huber.

WOW!!

Painting at Point Lobos State Reserve the next day was equally wonderful.  The weather and the atmosphere were both great!  Many of us painted the rock formations. 

Several from our group checking out Point Lobos before settling on something to paint.  Left to right:  Cindy Baron, Becky Joy, Christine Debrosky and Shanna Hernandez.

See those painters in the distance??

And I couldn't resist giving China Cove a try.  I went for the back lighting which made for great color and mood, however not so good on the eyes.  Even with my cap really, really low I still had to quit.

Painting in progress at China Cove.  This one will have to wait to be finished in my studio under more controlled lighting.

Sundown at Point Lobos, oil, 6x8.  Available at Mountainsong Galleries.  We spent a day painting in Point Lobos State Reserve. This was my last painting of the day.  I worked fast to catch the evening light.  Sometimes faster is good as there's no time to over think.

There were several times we simply did the beautiful drive along Highway 1 and found places to pull over to paint.  The Eucalyptus trees were fun to paint because they had such nice shapes!

Ocean Side Meadow, oil, 8x10.  Available at Mountainsong Galleries.  Just had to paint this beautiful, open meadow along the coast.

Another area along the Highway 1 drive with great views was close to the Big Sur area.  Cindy and I pulled over to paint the fog.

Cindy Baron and I at one of our group's favorite painting spots.

Painting in progress near the Big Sur area.  The fog continued to move making for great atmosphere.

Morning Impression, oil, 7x10.  Available at Mountainsong Galleries.

Our group met many other artists in town for the PleinAir Convention during a beach side bonfire - how fun!

As if painting in a beatiful location with great artists wasn't enough!  During the trip I found out that "Chasing Light," a 36x36 piece which won the January/February bi-monthly competition, took an honorable mention in the annual PleinAir Salon Competition.  The winners of the 2nd Annual PleinAir Salon Competition were announced during the PleinAir Convention in Monterey, CA organized by PleinAir magazine which was taking place while we were there.  Outdoorpainter.com has a nice online article about this piece:  http://www.outdoorpainter.com.

Opening Night at Mountainsong Galleries. Left to Right: Becky Joy, Deb Groesser, myself, Cindy Baron, Christine Debrosky, and Shanna Kunz Hernandez.

It was great to see all of our hard work together on the walls of the gallery at the end of the trip.  We have a strong show hanging now until May 19 at Mountainsong Galleries.  Please visit the show online at Mountainsong Galleries website.  I hope you have enjoyed learning a little about our trip to Carmel!

A small sample of the work hanging on the walls - Shanna Hernandez, myself, and Becky Joy.  Plein air pieces in front.

New Work Available at Grapevine Gallery

I'm very excited to let you know that my work will now be available at Grapevine Gallery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma!  Opened in 1977, Grapevine has a long history of providing quality artwork to collectors and shows many artists who participate in the Prix de West show.  It is currently owned and operated by Clay Speer, grand-nephew of Walt who was one of the original owners, and his wife Julie. 

Grapevine Gallery is in a great new location at 1933 NW 39th Street in Oklahoma City.  In addition to the new space to showcase artwork, the building also has a large workshop space so Grapevine can continue the tradition of providing demonstrations and workshops from some of the greatest artists working today.

Grapevine Gallery is having an open house July 26-28 to feature the work of Dianne Massey Dunbar, Bruce Peil who will give a demonstration, and myself.  If you are in the area that weekend, please stop by and say hello!  For more information, visit their website at: www.grapevinegalleryokc.com or call 405-528-3739.

A Road Well Traveled, oil, 12x16

Arizona Evening, oil, 8x10

Desolate Road, oil, 24x30

America the Beautiful 4th of July Show

Hueys Fine Art will host the "America the Beautiful - 4th of July Show" this month.  This piece, Flint Road, an oil painting on linen measuring 24x36, is included in the show.  As artists it is sometimes difficult to detach and truly know if a piece is strong.  For me, this piece is successful on many levels.  First, it is inspired by a scene only 10 minutes from my studio and home.  A place I know well and paint a lot.  The atmosphere lent a tonal palette on this particular trip out.  It immediately reminded me of one of my favorite paintings by Isaak Levitan, Vladimirka.  While painting the larger piece in my studio, it was hard not to think of Levitan, so Flint Road is also a tribute of sorts to him.

To see this painting and the other beautiful pieces available during this show, visit www.hueysfineart.com.  The opening reception is this Friday, July 6 from 5-7pm.

Flint Road, oil on linen, 24x36

Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other Half of the West

I am participating in Cowgirl Up! this year which is held at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg, Arizona.  The opening weekend is March 23-25, 2012 and the Bash 'n Bid Sale night is Saturday, March 24, starting at 4:30pm.  This is the seventh year for the show, which has become the most important event for Western women artists in the country and is very well attended.  

I will have five pieces in this show, ranging in size from 18x24 to 24x30, plus two miniature pieces.  Included in the show is the piece above, "Arizona Sunset," 20x24.  You can see the rest of the pieces on the Exhibits page in my blog, or on my website.  The Desert Caballeros Western Museum is located at 21 North Frontier Street, Wickenburg, Arizona.  For more information on the show please call the museum at 928-684-2272 or visit: www.westernmuseum.org

The Russell: Sale to Benefit the C.M. Russell Museum

Very honored to be part of The Russell Show to benefit the C. M. Russell Museum, to be held March 15 through 17, 2012 at the museum in Great Falls, Montana.  For more information, please see their website: http://cmrussell.org/the-russell

K. Newby Gallery + Sculpture Garden Grand Opening

I'm very pleased to announce that I have started showing at K. Newby Gallery + Sculpture Garden in Tubac, Arizona.  K. Newby Gallery has opened a beautiful new space and is holding their grand opening February 10 and 11, from 1-4pm on both Friday and Saturday.  I will be attending the opening and am looking forward to seeing many of you if you are in the area.  K. Newby Gallery is located at 19 Tubac Road, in Tubac, phone number 888-398-9662.  Visit their website at: www.newbygallery.com