Hidden in the Hills Open Studio Tour 2010

The first of the two weekends of this year's Hidden in the Hills is in the books. I am so very happy in my new location. Last year I was at a studio where my location was on the back patio of the host artist. My host was wonderful and I had a great time with my fellow artists.....but I was outdoors. I took my art down each night and worried about the weather each day of the event. Two of the days we had rain at the end of the day as I was taking down my work and trying to get it into my car unscathed. When my friend, Toni, called to invite me to exhibit at her home/studio with an indoor location this year I couldn't say no. I miss my former studio mates.....but I am so-o-o-o happy in my new location! I am once again working with a great group of artists (actually not sure I ever met an artist I didn't like :-)). However, the bonus is setting up my booth and being able to leave it fully set up for the full two weekends of the event. At the end of each day we shut the garage door and my art is safe and sound from weather and any other risks! This was really brought home to me yesterday as it rained most of the day with some wind to factor in as well. I would have been in deep trouble on the patio in my former location. In my new location I was safe and dry.....albeit a little chilly as the storm front brought colder temperatures. Here is a picture of my booth. We had great traffic this weekend despite the weather on Sunday and I am looking forward to next weekend!

Scottsdale Artist's School Best and Brightest Show

I received the exciting news today that both of my entries to the Scottsdale Artist's School Best and Brightest Show were juried into the show. The two pieces are "Market Colors" and "Ripe Strawberries". In addition to the show being on display at the School from January 8th through March 15th, it will also be on display at the ten-week Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale, Arizona. The artwork will be rotated on a regular basis from the School to Celebration and back. Definitely exciting news!

Breaking the Rule with "A Pair of Pears"

My last two paintings, "A Pear of Reds" and "A Pair of Pears" break one of the basic rules of composition. The rule is that there should an odd numbers of objects in a composition. In the first painting, "A Pear of Reds", I flat out forgot this rule as I played with my setup of the pears I was so enthralled with to get one I liked. In fact I did not even realize it until I was in the middle of this second painting, "A Pair of Pears". Oops!!! At least I caught my own mistake (I comforted myself with this thought). Then I decided I liked the two paintings for the color and the warmth.....so I am not going to try to change them......I am going to consciously break the rule. That's what rules are for.....right??? I plan to have them as part of my display of paintings for sale at the upcoming Hidden in the Hills Open Studio Tour. I wonder what visitors will think of them. It is going to be fun to see what the comments are......I will let you know! Here is "A Pair of Pears".

A Pear of Reds

I am continuing my current love affair with pears. I had fun with this title...."A Pear of Reds" for two pears that encompass a variety of shades of red. Pears are not my favorite fruit to eat....but they are definitely fun to paint. I love the warm and yet vibrant colors of the various pears and the nice round shapes. I have one more I am hoping to finish tomorrow.....and then it is time to move on to something different. Not sure yet what it will be....but right now warm reds, oranges and yellows are catching my eye (maybe the cooler temperatures are impacting my choices). Let's see......warm reds, oranges and yellows........hmmm.....that does not really narrow the field that much....I guess I will be as surprised as you!

Pear I and Pear II

I did something a little different with my latest painting....I mean, paintings. I wanted to create a painting to possibly enter (if it came out good) in the Sonoran Arts League Small Works show. Paintings for this show are limited to a maximum size of 35 sq. inches. I set up a still life using a pear with rich red and orange gold colors. Once I set it up and took some photos I decided I would really like to add it to my upcoming open studio tour. So I painted two paintings of the pear in two different sizes ( 7 x 5 and 12 x 9) at the same time. I did the two backgrounds at the same time and then moved to the pears. They came out pretty much the same except for the scalloped edges of the cloth they are setting on.....not sure how that happened....but I ran with it. What made it even more interesting was that I painted them on two different pastel papers. Pear II (the 7 x 5) is painted on UArt paper in 400 grit. Pear I (the 12 x 9) is painted on Wallis paper. I found myself becoming very aware of the difference in the two papers. The Wallis paper has a coarser texture with a touch of variety in the texture across the paper. The UArt was very consistent and felt finer even though it is the coarsest grit they offer. I found I leaned towards the UArt....although I certainly plan to continue using Wallis. Here are the two paintings on the easel, then Pear I (12 x 9) and last is Pear II (7 x 5)

Talk About Being Thrilled!!!!

I received a phone call today notifying me that my piece, "Artichokes", won the 5th place award in the Pastel Society of New Mexico's National Show! The award for 5th place is a gift certificate from Terry Ludwig for $500 in pastels! I have truly died and gone to heaven!!!! Ludwig pastels are one of my very favorite pastels and I use them extensively. Life is good!