80% Pleinair / 20% Whimsy

Blue Bird and Blooms Pastel 5x7 available $25.00

The unthinkable happened when I arrived at our painting location for PAPCB (Plein Air Painters of the Chesapeake Bay)  on Tuesday morning.  I forgot my phone at home!  Why does that make a difference?  Well I couldn't take any pictures of the location - and pictures are a MUST just in case you don't finish in the allotted time frame, which is always the case with me.  I painted this one 80% pleinair and 20% whimsy.  After I was home, I added the background grasses and the blue bird, just because without it, the painting looked a little boring. I think this will make an adorable notecard. What do you think?

The location was in Trappe Maryland -beautiful property with beautiful views of the water.  This property had an English garden kind of feel to it and also had what I think the said was Scandinavian Mountain Sheep which, to me, look a lot like goats with lions tails! I've never seen anything like that - I'm used to our sheep and goats tailless.


Next Friday night is the opening reception for our groups art show at the Nature Conservatory in Easton, Md. It will run the whole month of July.  If you live close by, you should try to come out and see the art work and meet the wonderful artists.  There will be music, wine, and snacks.  The painting below is one of paintings I chose to put in the show.  This one I shared on Facebook last week that I painted from my front yard.  I added the butterflies later that night.  All paintings in the show are for sale by each individual artist.  I'm really excited about this show and I hope to see some of you there!

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Blue Birds in My Bird House Garden

Keeping Watch 9x12 Pastel available $95.00

I've set yet another goal for this summer...... to do a painting of all the songbirds found in and around the Chesapeake Bay ~ I have to admit that years ago, I didn't have much interest in birds, I guess you could say I took them for granted.  I didn't take the time to really look at them.  After moving to the Eastern Shore 20 years ago was when I really started to take notice of the beautiful markings and sounds of the birds that would show up in the yard.  I now how a "bird book" that I check off the species when I see them visiting the feeders.  If you take the time to really look at the birds that visit your own yard, I'm sure you will fall in love with them as I have.

This summer I had this idea to create a bird house garden in one of the corners of my yard.  I collected lots of bird houses and hand painted designs on just about all of them, and also put in a little picket fence which I chose to stain in a dark brown to blend in with the surrounding trees.  Already this season I've had 2 sets of blue bird eggs in 2 of the houses!  So I thought I'd share some photos of my bird house garden.

Full view - still needs mulch... maybe I'll get around to that before the summer ends

Here's Casper hanging out with me while I plant

Found this great bird house windchime at Tractor Supply

My white azalea in bloom

The second set of blue birds.  The first set chose a house to high for me to photograph

Right now, I'm working on a commission to paint a butterfly scene on a garden stone - I'm super excited to see how this turns out, and I will share the finished product when completed.  I'm also getting ready for an art show that will be held at the Nature Conservatory in Easton, Md. on June 6th - the opening reception is from 5-8 and is open to the public. I would love to have you stop by and visit.  All the information for this show can be found on my Facebook page.

What's Been Happening This Past Month

Two Roses in a Plastic Cup 8x8 palette knife painting in oil available $65.00

This past month has been a busy one in my little art world.  This past Saturday was a very successful day at this years Studio Sale at the Art Academy in Easton, Md. My wonderful pastel instructor Katie Cassidy puts in a lot of hard work to give the instructors at the Academy and the students a day to sell their works of art.  I had a goal to sell at least 1 more than I sold last year, which was 3.  This year I sold 11 and also had a commission request!  I couldn't be more thrilled. I'm already writing down plans and ideas for next years sale.  Here's some pics from the sale.

This was my table display

My son, Zach is my Sales Manager ~ He's a born salesman! He was working on his own artwork during the sale.

The street filled with shoppers

Last week I participated in a Plein Air Paint A Long class with Diane Dubois Mullaly and Sheryl Southwick, both instructors at the Academy.  What an enlightening experience.  The group visited 3 locations and painted outdoors with a critique at the end of class.  Lessons learned?  Check and double check supplies - one day I forgot to pack my paper towels and had oil paint medium everywhere! I also learned that I need a lot more outdoor painting experience - I will admit that I am not fast when it comes to producing a painting and really felt the anxiety having only 3 hours to complete something.  My work, I will say, looked like a 5 year old was painting, but I have listened to the wise words of the instructors and have worked on the pieces some more here at home and will post them when they are completed ( at least completed in my mind) It is my goal this summer to practice, practice, practice plein air painting and work on my speed.  Here's some pictures of the amazing places we were privileged to visit.

Day 1:

The Main House

1 of many beautiful horses

Our class during our lunch break in the "Man Cave"

Our host along with one of his pet "hunting" falcons 

 Day 2:

The Main House "Harleigh House" I spent 2 hours walking around taking pictures.

View from the back yard

A tree full of sculptures along one of the many woodland trails

Beautiful climbing rose covered buildings

 Day 3:

My "view" choice at Adkins Arboretum 

I have taken hundreds of photos this past month, and I can't wait to share them with you painted.  Work hard and never give up on achieving your dreams.