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. 

We're headed up to the tulip farms soon to get booths ready. Looking forward to meeting lots of great people, and to seeing those tulips make their annual appearance. If you are in the Skagit Valley area, please be sure to stop by and say hi. I'll be at Tulip Town on 4/1,4/7,4/21 and 4/29 from 11a-3pm. Find me at Roozengaarde on 3/31, 4/8,4/22 and 4/28, 11a-3p. I'm happy to sign your purchased posters or other Tulip Festival merchandise. See you there! Visit www.tulipfestival.org for information on local places to eat and many activities happening this month!