Category: Working in the field

Next steps

August 23, 2014

This is an update to the saga of the painting we have been discussing earlier. Community of Women

In early August, I took the painting “on the road” so to speak to a reenactment in Kenosha, Wisconsin. I worked on it at  for a couple of days while in the public eye and gleaned additional criticisms that I could fix right on the spot.
I really enjoy working in public. It is why I set up my easel and paint at many of the reenactments and trade shows. Art is not best created in a vacuum. Art teachers assimilate visual and oratorical influences from their students and colleagues through classroom work and critique sessions. I miss being in that rich open environment of a classroom and find this method of taking work to the field or into the public eye, very helpful. The public becomes my ‘extra eyes’ and sparks dialogue, influences my perspectives, and helps me see my errors…or forces me to articulate a reason if I reject the suggestion.
I hope you have enjoyed seeing this painting develop. It is now a finished painting – ready to use on the cover of the magazine and make prints for those who wish them.
Happily, the original has already been spoken for.

Back at the easel.

March 1, 2014

Rebecca nearing completion

I had an absolutely wonderful weekend last weekend at the Echoes of the Past Historical Trade fair. I saw friends and patrons, some who I hadn’t seen since fall, and painted for the first time in far too long – between talking art and visiting with friends. It was such fun. I don’t think I am quite done with this piece but the home stretch is all about little glazes and small details so I thought I would let you all see a nearly done version. I will put the finished work in the gallery when I am truly done. Next show is Kalamazoo in mid March.

Quick capture reveals a relaxing core.

July 8, 2013
5" x 7" watercolor sketch of a young man who has just arrived to America in 1849.
5″ x 7″ watercolor sketch of a young man who has just arrived to America in 1849.

What a busy time it has been these last 5 weeks. I have been highly focused and hard at work in both of my loved professions, doing all that I can to avoid neglecting either one, and actually doing my very best to raise the bar instead. Balance is never easy but I am holding my own and managing to find some successes in each, bringing me a great deal of joy along the way. Continue reading “Quick capture reveals a relaxing core.”

Packing for another public event

March 14, 2013
Last year at Kalamazoo
Last year at Kalamazoo

Checklists in hand, I am gathering all of the things I need for another weekend working in the public eye. This event is a large, indoor, historical trade fair that has a tremendous following and a marvelous multifaceted model of events and displays and vendors selling wares. There are speakers and demonstrations and artisans like myself who are working on site doing any number of historical activities. I do not have a painting started and the time leading up to the event has not been conducive to preparing but the time is upon me and I head for Kalamazoo, Michigan in the morning. Here’s hoping this weekend is as fruitful as the last public ‘painting in the field’ event was. Stop in and say hello if you are in the neighborhood.

Productive weekend

February 26, 2013
New work: 20" x 16" oil on canvas
New work: 20″ x 16″ oil on canvas

The weekend in Oshkosh was just what the doctor ordered and got me painting again. I finished up the study of the man by firelight and began a new canvas Sunday morning. This new work was a landscape of a winter woodlot just at that moment of last light of day. What a great time I had talking to people and getting vital commentary and positive reinforcement. Emotionally the day was lovely.  I found that the environment was so conducive to working that the image flowed out, almost entirely in one day. Tonight I just put a few last touches on it and will probably call it done. Celebrate art not only for the images, but for the joy it brings to create it.

In the public eye.

February 22, 2013

Sometimes it is important to come out of the studio and have a showing of work that’s been done, and visit with the public. Art fairs and trade shows are great opportunities for feedback, socializing, and sales. I will be in my booth painting and talking all weekend so stop in and chat if you’re in the neighborhood. (see calendar for event)

Back to the field

September 5, 2012

This weekend I will be grabbing my oils and easel and heading for Platteville, Wisconsin, circa 1803. I haven’t really had much chance to paint these last couple months – life is sometimes like that. So I will be resuming work on Rebecca. Looking forward to it!