Catching Up

Back in North Carolina.  Since not having a computer for a month there's a lot of catching up to do, while trying to stay current.

Yesterday was the Burnsville Paint-Out, wickedly cold for the middle of May, 38 degrees when I started out.

The two pastels are hanging in the Burnsville TRAC gallery, didn't think to photo in the rush to get them framed and driven into town.

But in the spirit of catching up here's a photo from the new Gift Shop artist show in April.

More Beach Time

Heading out tomorrow for Charlotte.  Had a couple hours at the beach today to say goodbye.  Love the breezes and the salt smell.

A couple more pastels from this week:

Early Morning
Pastel 5 x 7

I've been getting up very early to get sunrise images, haven't managed to be set up before sunrise though.  It's also a challenge to see colors in the dim light.  I wanted to convey both the quiet of the morning and the blinding brilliance of the sun.  In the mountains where I live the sun doesn't get over the ridge until 10AM, so the sunrise is special.   The beach has an emptiness and simplicity not present in the tangle and folds of the mountain landscapes.

High Tide
Pastel 5 x 7

Can't set up in one spot for the day, I move up and down the beach with the tide.   Have to be aware of what's happening, not overly involved in painting, so I don't get witlessly .

Back at the Beach

It's been a long time.  My computer's hard drive failed, and there's a whole saga that goes along with it.

But this blog is about painting.   Or in the case plein air pastels.  The grittiness of the sand works better with them than oils.

Nestled Inn
Pastel 8 x 10

As a retired architect it's going to take some doing to get more painterly about buildings.

Windless Day
Patel 5 x 7

Jacksonville Beach has a vast beach at low tide which is filled with shallow pools.  They change size and position with each tide as the sandy bottom shifts.

I leave in a few days for home by way of Charlotte for yet another trip to the Apple Store.  

Next weekend is a Paint-Out in my home town, Burnsville NC.   If you can come join us on the 17th, see http://ncpap.org/events/toe-river-arts-council-8th-annual-paint-out-burnsville-nc

One of my painting groups, the Blue Ridge Fine Arts Guild will be having a show next summer, called 'New Pioneers of the Blue Ridge: the Renaissance of the Family Farm", we're all exciting and just beginning to think about some good plein air sites.

Gallery Exhibit

I am very happy to be selected as gift shop artist by the Toe River Arts Council.  There is an exhibit of the twelve newly selected artist which opened last Saturday and will run until May 10th.  Most of the work is from the Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days event of last January.   There will be a reception in the Burnsville NC gallery April 17th from 5 until 7:30 PM.  (Happy Dance!)

October Whitewater
Oil on Canvas Panel 5 x 7

Escape from Winter

A bit of escapism from the snow to Jacksonville Beach.  I prefer pastels on the beach, rather than oils.
After a day of being Spring Break entertainment I moved further away from the entry.

A New Morning
Pastel 6 x8

 

River Run
Pastel 9 x 12

Then a return to the mountains.  The beach was so much simpler, I chose a larger format for the woods, the painting needs much more work.  But I haven't done pastels for 1-1/2 years so it was good to get back to that medium.

Penland Community Day March 1

After Bead Week, the gang stayed to help out during Community Day in the Flameworking Studio.  This is an annual event at Penland, the public is invited to make small projects in most of the studios.
In the photo below everyone seated is making a bead with an experienced flameworker coaching behind.

Community Day in the Penland Flamework Studio

Hello from Penland School of Crafts February 24

Since last checking in I have been working on some of  the paintings from the thirty in thirty in order to submit them to the annual jury for the gift shop of the local arts council.  I've been doing this at the painting group I just joined, Wednesday Painters which takes place at the studio of Sandra Gates.

Here's another painting for the jury.

Highland Lodge
5 x 7 Oil on Gessoed Masonite

 

 

A related art group the Blue Ridge Fine Arts Guild is submitting a proposal for a show in 2015, a group of us are working on that too.  It's called "Sunlight, Solitude and Sanctuary : Celebrating our Highland Home"

Meanwhile at Penland it is time for Bead Week.  This is my fifth year.  It isn't a class, just a week long gathering of bead makers.   Here's the studio.

Photos of beads soon.

 

My daughter, Simone, ran this studio for about seven years, before becoming manager of all the studios.  Due to ill health she no longer holds that position.  It was bittersweet to be here at first, but the energy of the group is strong and I am now much more focused on the work.  Her name in glass near the entry.

It's late and the torch awaits in the morning.  Be back soon.