Another Polo Player

Polo player from the La Conner, Washington team, July 2010 ~ Acrylic mixed media

Here's another polo player from the Governor's Cup last year.  I just so enjoy the matches!  I crank off at least two hundred images a day during the festivities.  Aren't digital cameras great?   

Art By the Lake Ski to Sea Show

This past weekend was the Whatcom Art Guild's Art By the Lake Show.  A lot of energy and a number of events packed into the four days, starting with set-up on Friday.  Friday night was the Wearable Art Fashion Show and Reception.  It was a first time effort by club members yet talent and creativity in the pieces designed and worn by members were spectacular.  Two members created wearable art and jewelry for other members who purchased and painted the various pieces and wore them in the show.  Although I love hats and bags on other people, I use neither, so I chose to design and make my own "pop-top poncho," and painted poppies on it, front and back.  I was really pleased with the outcome.  The fabric an ecru cotton knit, was a remnant, only $3.75, and I used my acrylic paints, plus a couple of fabric acrylics, as well as some Golden GAC 900, to make a pretty smart-looking piece that I won't be embarrassed to wear.  I got more great positive comments on my top than on my paintings!

On Sunday, I had signed up to demo, and took my acrylics to the show [first time with this club].  I was doing a small painting of a polo pony ref, and it was going pretty well, and more WAG members than show patrons came up to watch.  As I was painting and explaining what I was doing [which was sort of a mixed media over a black-gessoed "bad" painting], two members were standing there, and one said to the other, "Is she doing that right?"  Her tone was not what I expected, and I was a bit uncomfortable.  I said that was not a kind thing to say, and she said she was kidding.  It didn't sound like kidding, so, already a bit nervous about being in a new environment, I was taken off guard.  I finished the painting and left.  It was weird. 

The official at the Governor's Cup Polo Matches July 2010 ~ Acrylic, gouache, charcoal, conte

Even still, I liked what I did, and I enjoyed the rest of the show and the people there.  I "worked" the desk, and, as it was for everyone else, we sold a LOT of cards, not too many paintings.

At "break-down," I could sense disappointment from the other artists, as it takes a lot of energy, time and money to put on a show like that.  I am grateful that I sold a small painting, as there were a number of artists that didn't.  Hope the economy turns around soon! 

My kitty cat with the coat of many colors

Have been so busy, I have been able to post for a while.  I have to make this quick, but wanted to share my kitty cat that I did for the Daily Paintworks Challenge this week.  Love doing the challenges, but have submitted only two.  I need to carve out more painting time for ME!  Am not complaining, really.  I am delighted that I am now teaching six classes a week.  Oh, the classes arent big, but I feel so committed to giving the artist the best that I've got, which takes some planning, and keeping at least one step ahead of them.  They are all such terrific artists, that I have to continually sharpen the "tools in my kit."  Doing the challenges are one way for me to do that.  Am so grateful for the site.  Check it out! Daily Paintworks Challenge

Busy, busy, busy, good stuff all!

Am just winding down from a really busy week, and, well, a busy month.  The past three and a half days [left early to teach a class], I spent in a Carla O'Connor workshop ... have been wanting to go to one of her workshops for several years, and found that she was doing one in La Conner at Dakota Arts this past week.  I couldn't pass it up!  Money was tough, but with gas costing so much, and not having money to fly or book rooms anywhere, it seemed like the right thing to do.  All my angst about money, etc., dissipated the very first morning of the workshop.  Carla is so lovely, funny and engaging, apart from her pure talent and generosity of sharing the work she does.  I intend to do more on the workshop in future blogs, but am so exhausted and want to "do" the workshop justice!

So, the other busy-ness had to do with our month long show ending, and finding out that I sold four paintings.  Am thrilled about that.  Three of the four paintings sold were done with the Dr Ph Martins Hydrus watercolors, which is sort of neat.  The fourth painting to sell was  the Tulip Picker, a palette knife acrylic from a photo I took several years ago, that was the image for the show's poster.  I was pleased to hear that the person who bought the painting is a local with a farm in the Valley.  Apropos, I thought.



Tulips of the Valley sold at ALN Tulip Festival Show



Limited Palette Study

I have been doing so much sketching with my Doc Martin Hydrus watercolors, I thought I might have forgotten how to paint.  I found a charming reference photo in Wet Canvas Reference Library, and did this while watching Upstairs Downstairs last night.

Girl in Gold Skirt on Purple Chair 6 x 8 on  gessoed "bad" painting

The colors didn't scan too well, and Photoshop didn't warm it up as it is in real life, but I still sort of like it.  In "real life," the skirt shimmers.  She reminds me of my daughter-in-law, which makes it even better for me.

Only One From Life Drawing Worth Posting

A model new to our group, and I really didn't get into a rhythym with her until this 20 minute pose. [if that's what does or doesn't happen with artists and models ... I don't know, but that's the only way I know to express myself in this instance ...].  I said to my friend who was sketching with me, that I guess the learning has to do as much with who is put in front of you as to do with how well you think you are doing with process and interpretation.  Whatever, I DO learn each time I am there, and  will continue to "punch through," until I get it!  

Something new for me

Well, I did something for the first time ... I entered  The DPW Painting Challenge! - The Chicken Challenges, and had fun sketching a chicken. Out of my comfort zone, and into the fray. Gulp! What the cluck!