Hudson River Valley Art Workshop with Kim English

     On August 4, I drove to Greenville, NY for a week long oil painting adventure in the Catskill Mountain  region of New York.  The workshop was conducted by artist Kim English.  Kim's paintings are light filled and often figurative. He paints ala prima, all in one session, catching the immediacy and freshness of the subject. We had live models four of the five days with sessions both inside and outside the studio.  One day was spent at a local farm which had a wide variety of subject matter including cows, chickens, and great treasure filled barns. 

             

       

The workshop is housed in a glorious bed and breakfast and adjacent carriage house and cottages. My room in the carriage house was above the studio and had a shower, sink, and refrigerator. Excellent chef prepared meals were provided in the dining room of the bed and breakfast.  Meal times were also a treat because our lively class members shared painting stories and forged friendships. 

I truly can not say enough good things about my week at the Hudson Valley Art Workshop.   From the hand made chocolate to the friendly service and staff, I was treated like royalty.  To paint with this fine group of artists and learn from Kim English was life changing.  

Encaustic Day 2013

Last Thursday five art friends met at my garage to create encaustics together. Encaustic painting is an ancient medium in which pigment is mixed with bees wax and painted on wood or other porous surface. Here you see the bees wax and damar resin melting to create the encaustic medium.  This is used in between each layer of color and it is also used as a base for the paint. Encaustic paint is made by mixing some of the medium and oil paint. We keep the color in small tins on an electric griddle. 

One of the fun things about encaustic making is that you get to use an acetylene torch to melt the surface after each new layer.  Sometimes, if a piece isn't coming together, you can coat it with shellac and set it on fire. Beautiful unplanned patterns and colors can emerge. In this picture, I let my piece burn a little too long and now it's mostly charred. 

Ruth Ann blogged the blogger : )

Bike Ride-- Slate Run-- PA Grand Canyon

 

On Tuesday, my daughter and I rode our bikes 54 miles along the enchanting Pine Creek in Slate Run, PA.  We enjoyed the gorgeous scenery along the creek as we rode on the rail trail. Our accommodations at the Hotel Manor were much appreciated after our full day of riding. 

New in the Studio (Sarah's old room)

 

This is a painting I've been working on of a canoe on Lake Jean, Rickett's Glenn.  "Miracle Morning", oil, 24 x 18.  There is going to be more of a shadow on the left side and I have to try to show the lily pads on the lake.

The one on the left is an experimental mixed media.

I took paper covered in encaustic and burned 
the pieces with an acetylene torch. I'm going
to add sewn stitches in gold thread and try

to play up the 

 embossed texture of the background.            

The one on the right is an oil of the Grand Central Terminal in NYC.  "Children of the Light".

Garden Joy

 The garden is a peaceful and calming place.  Masses of yellow and orange lilies and  purple echinacea are about to be joined by floods of black-eyed Susans.  Somehow the aged brick walk still harbors soft green moss even with the staggering July heat.  Though I've yet to spot a monarch, I have seen many Viceroy and tiger swallowtail butterflies.  The milkweed has a sweet smell even to this human nose.  I can only imagine how the aroma must entice lepidoptera.  

A garden is a blessing from the Creator as pleasing to me as music.

Several weeks ago, I entered an online competition for the Creation Festival Art Gallery sponsored by White Stone Gallery, Philadelphia.  My painting, The Way, was accepted.  It symbolizes the many paths that life can take for each of us.  However, the way to eternal salvation is only through Jesus. I was so happy to meet Gallery owners, Susan and Darrel and to share this amazing experience with my dear sister.  Thank you so much to Creation Festival for having this show and to Susan and Darrel for their kindness and support!!

 

Fulton County girls do well!!  

Check this out:

Fulton County News Article 

At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. Ephesians 5: 20

Best of Show, Franklin County Art Alliance Show, June 16, 2013

The Glens Natural Area

 Even with the rain of the last week, Ricketts Glen was still awe inspiring.  Thank you to my dear daughter for helping me camp through the rain.  We had a memorable time.

Lake Jean

Waterfall Trail

Fellow Hiker

History of Ricketts Glen

Colonel Robert Bruce Ricketts enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army at the beginning of the Civil War.  He bravely led Battery F during the Battle of Gettysburg.  Young Ricketts moved up through the ranks and was discharged as a Colonel.  At one time Col. Ricketts owned over 80,000 acres of land.  Through the 20's, 30's, and 40's the family sold land to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a state park.  The 13,050 acre state park which is in Luzerne, Sullivan, and Columbia Counties first opened in 1944.  Today the Glens Natural Area encompasses two branches of Kitchen Creek where 22 majestic waterfalls flow among ancient trees, many over 300 years old. Fishing, boating, and swimming on Lake Jean provide tranquil rest after a full day of hiking the 7.2 mile Falls Trail.

 

 

   Flea Market Wednesday!!

When Lynda B. suggested taking her van to the Flea Market near Belleville on Wednesday little did I know that I'd be sitting among ball and claw foot tables, iron lamps, and weed eaters on the way home.  Needless to say I was in heaven nestled on my perch knitting away as we drove home through the bucolic valley.  Thank you to Lynda and Shirley for a great day!!

Pastel Portrait Done

Today is day 4 of Summer.  I completed this pastel portrait commission today.  Now on to some oil paintings that have been brewing for a long time....

Just Around the Bend

This little pastel was accepted into the Miniature Show at the Arts Council in Chambersburg this winter and it sold.  I should be happy to  have sold a painting, but I will miss this baby.

Recent Work:

This is a pastel called
"Old Apple Tree"  

The Way, oil on canvas

Walking in the Light, oil on canvas

The Prayer, pencil drawing on paper

Maine Scene, miniature
acrylic on board

Living Water, oil on canvas

Oxford Harbor, pastel on Wallis paper

Abstract Forms, encaustic on wood

Chesapeake Scene, oil on canvas

 My favorite part of IceFest is ArtFest which happens on Saturday of festival weekend in the old warehouse behind the Public Opinion Office building.  Artists fill the space and paint and create all morning long.  In the afternoon the art they have created is auctioned off for charity.

 These are pictures from last year to give you a feel for this amazing experience.  I have done it for about 5 years and I love the exhilaration of being around so many creative, wonderful artists.  This year 35 artists will take part.  Please come by to see us work and to take part in the art auction later in the day.

  

Food is available for sale and live musical entertainment.  The artists will be creating and you can ask them questions and watch them work.  This is a great family event that may inspire your budding artist.

  

Most of the artists are painters, but you will also see some block printing, glass art, and multi-media creations.

The warehouse is unheated-----------

so bundle up!!!! 

Hope to see you at ArtFest 
on Saturday, February 3!!!!