Today was a great day for a lighthearted approach and just goofing around with color and composition. If you’re stuck in a rut or just want a quick jumpstart in your creativity, I recommend this online workshop by Laura Horn Art called “Minimal Magic” .

These little guys are 8x8 in. mixed media pieces on 300 lb. watercolor paper. I chose a limited palette of raw sienna, payne’s gray and white acrylic paint, inks, white paint pens and water soluble graphite. I added a few recurring elements inspired by my new island home: oval rock shapes, feather and shell imagery. Such fun and now I feel ready to take on the world!

It was so nice to get pack to painting. We’ve recently relocated to a sunnier spot with water, wildlife and beauty all around. The first annual Art By The Bay Plein Aire competition was held Friday and Saturday August 17 - 18 and ended with voting and awards on Saturday afternoon. The organizer of the event was Jed Dorsey who has a new studio upstairs at Camano Commons. Stop by his new gallery and studio space if you are around.

After our our own move it was difficult to get back into painting. So I signed up for this event awhile ago, thinking I’d be well into a new routine by now and this would be a great way to meet some local artists and to wake up my plein aire “brain.” It was really good for the social aspect, but really challenging breaking through the resistance to painting again. Seriously, why does it surprise me that this is a constant cycle? The discomfort and restlessness of not painting eventually conquers the resistance and it’s a great feeling to be creating again. And the more studies I finished these past few days, the more ideas I had, and the less precious each piece was. That’s when I’m on the way to doing better work. Less preciousness and just getting more panels covered is my best work mode. Even though the competition is over, I’m headed out again today. By the way, a cautionary note to female painters. Always paint with a buddy. Join local plein aire events to meet a new buddy! If you are alone, paint from your car or right beside it and be ready to hop in, leaving your gear outside if anyone suspicious shows up or if you are uncomfortable for any reason. Stay safe and have fun! God bless you and thanks for visiting!

It's so great to be back in the studio with sunny days. Long painting sessions in my "treehouse" studio with some lovely warm sunlight are broken up by quick trips to local places for outdoor sketching. While I'm home, I'm listening to Spotify Summer tunes and diffusing some essential oils: Lemongrass, Rosemary and Lavender. It reminds me of the herb garden just outside my back door. The woodland border has ceramic pots clustered here and there for herbs such as spearmint, lemon verbena, and parsley. The german chamomile didn't last through our winter, so I might try something new in that pot: maybe cilantro or basil.
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These days I'm getting ready for a show at Fairweather Gallery, framing, delivering and getting ready to share them with the world...or our little corner of the world, anyway. If you are in Seaside, Oregon in June, stop in and take a look at the show, "A Sense of Place." Denise, the gallery owner, creates a completely new environment using art and decor each month. It's a beautiful space to explore when you're on your way down Broadway to walk the Promenade.

After that, I'll be participating in a group show at Tsuga Fine Art, "Renewal." Two of my newest paintings will be there for part of June, all of July and part of August. More details on that soon. I'll also let you know about a Fourth of July art show "Art, Music & Wine at the Chateau" which happens every year at Chateau Ste. Michelle with art, food, wine, music, and fun family activities. My favorite outdoor art show around here.