BIG CEDAR PAINT OUT

By gail on October 28, 2011

I had an amazing time at Big Cedar Paint Out.  There were around 120 artists there from all over the country.  So there was plenty of competition.  We saw some beautiful work and some beautiful country.  Big Cedar has a new are called Dogwood Canyon.  It is absolutely gorgeous.  I produced three painting that I was very happy with.  And I have to say that our host, Big Cedar, did an over-the-top  job of entertaining us.  The whole event couldn’t have been better.  The food was really out of this world.  Matt Smith did a hour and a half demo that was very informative.  I was pleasantly surprised that he is not only a very good teacher but also entertaining.  Thanks to Matt and to Big Cedar.  I can’t wait until the third annual paint out.

MAINSPRING MOTORCYCLIST

By gail on October 28, 2011

This is a painting I was commissioned to do for a great guy.  His name is Paul Moore and he loves getting away on his bike.  The painting came from a trip he and his wife, Rebecca, made to Utah.  He has a very high pressure job and having this painting in his office reminds him of the feeling of peace and relaxation he has when he’s able to get away and ride.  I have to say he and Rebecca are very adventuresome in their choices of trips.  They have been all over the country and have also been on a ride in Europe.

The painting was quite a stretch for me.  If you know my work, you know I rarely, if ever have painted scenes of the dessert.  But it was a great learning process.  The painting is a whopping 3’x5′.  And I have since vowed to never paint paintings of cars, boats, or motorcycles.  After all, men are very particular about their toys. They’re not something you can fake it on.  The drawing must be correct.  I decided to make the top of the mountain the focal point.  I had a great time coming up with analogous colors.  I have a whole new appreciation for this part of the country.

GETTING READY FOR FALL

By gail on October 28, 2011

I am blessed with the most wonderful dirt in the world.  At one time our property was probably Arkansas river bottom.  So we have really rich, loamy soil.  We also have two very large water gardens.  None of this would be possible without my wonderful husband who is also the number one gardener.  At this time of year he has to put on waders and his funny hat and clear out the lilies and other plants to get ready to put nets over the water to keep the leaves out.  It’s probably the most amount of work he has to do with the ponds.  Our entire backyard is a garden.  I believe it’s the lowest amount of  maintenance you can have.  After all, a lawn has to be fertilized and mowed at least once a week.  You may be wondering what this has to do with painting.  To me they are very integrated.  One of the main aspects I love about gardening is design.  Check out the section on my website with photos of my garden.

LEONARD WREN WORKSHOP

By gail on October 4, 2011

I attended a workshop taught by Leonard Wren this week.  I have always admired his work and was excited to be able to experience painting with him.  We worked on his beautiful property right here in North East Oklahoma.  What a wonderful opportunity.  I have taken many workshops.  But I have to say I think this was the most profitable one I’ve taken.  Leonard is an outstanding teacher.  Maybe the best I’ve had.  He’s very willing to share information and moved constantly from student to student to critique.

His wife and daughter were the most amazing hostesses.  I’m sure I put on at least five pounds because they were such great cooks.  The whole experience was more like a spa than a workshop.  That is with one exception.  When we went in the screened in porch for lunch one day there was a copperhead waiting for us!  Mrs. Wren whipped out her trowel and proceeded to cut off his head.  Other than that everything was perfect.  Thanks Leonard.

Early Early Morning

By gail on January 16, 2011

Well, thanks to my very kind friend named Betty I am adding to my blog finally. It’s been over a year since I’ve been able to resume work on it. I found I really missed it and am so grateful to Betty for her help.

Because of an extremely difficult time in our family I was unable to paint last year from January to September. Finally, I was able to pick up a brush again. I was beginning to think it might never happen. What a relief when it did. I was sitting on my patio enjoying a cup of coffee and the peace and quiet and beauty of the morning. I walked out onto our rock patio just as the sun was peeking through the trees and was very inspired. I can’t tell you how good it felt to paint. It especially felt good to paint outside and be able to capture something from my garden. As a result I started a garden miniature series. I’ve been painting adding to it on a regular basis.