Final Day of Our Pastel Workshop at Stone Ridge Farm

Susan Ogilvie and Myself

Our workshop came to an end today.  It was a very good week.  I feel happy to have worked for five days with such a wonderful group of artists.  I learned a great deal, made some new friends, and even finished a couple of paintings.  We made a pact that we will try to make art everyday and continue the growth that we began at Stone Ridge Farm and Bucks County Art Workshop with Susan Ogilvie. 

This is almost everyone from our group.  Donna had to leave early this morning and so was not in this picture.

This is Linda M. and Joyce G. having a tea party on Thursday.  We were all working so hard and we got a little silly.  It was fun.

 This is a view of the studio.  It was spacious and well equipped. 

I hope that I will be able to return for another workshop next summer.  Bucks County Art Workshops at Stone Ridge Farm has been an experience I will not forget.

Sunshine and Waterfalls

My lovely daughter and I hiked Rickett's Glen today.  This is my favorite spot on the face of the earth.  It is a spiritual experience, not just a hike.  Rickett's was especially lovely today with a good volume of water and lots of changing light effects.  I have painted at least 5 different paintings of Rickett's and will likely paint more in the coming days.

 I want to hike Rickett's every year with my daughter.  We think that we have been doing this for about 6 years.  Rickett's Glen is in north eastern Pennsylvania, about half an hour north of Bloomsburg.  The hike that we enjoy has 24 waterfalls.

It is a special place---- a place to pray and renew.  I thank God that I was able to come here again and experience this with my daughter.

Rickett's Glen Hike 2011

Oxford and painting all day today.

Oxford has a quiet elegance that is especially enchanting in the early morning.  I was up early and biked around the town looking once again at the well kept gardens, stately homes, and harbor environments.  My goal was to locate the perfect painting spot close to "home".  I located a quaint harbor near the Masthead Restaurant just a few blocks away.  I left the bike at home and packed the car with my pastel materials.  I drove to my painting destination.  

After getting set up, I found a subject that intrigued me--- the morning sun hitting a white boat with many shadows in the water and buildings surrounding it.  As I blocked in the main values with hard pastels, the heat became more and more oppressive.  I was becoming physically ill.  I must confess that I completed the block in from the air conditioned comfort of my kitchen table.  I started this picture by blocking in with hard pastel and then brushing solvent over the pigment.  This stains in the base values.  I also allowed it to drip and run to help paint the water.  This should be dry tomorrow and I'll build it up more.  Here is how it looks in this beginning stage: 

I'll show you the changes tomorrow.  I worked on another pastel of the Masthead Restaurant's outside sitting area.  Here is how it is coming along: 

Another thing that has interested me today is the knots that boat people use to keep their boat attached to the dock.  This artsy girl did macrame in the 70's.  Maybe that is why these knots are so interesting to me.  

Tilghman Island, St. Michaels, Easton, Oxford---- The Eastern Shore Day

This morning, I decided to pack up the car and take off for Tilghman Island, then backtrack to investigate St. Michaels and Easton.  I went to the very end of Tilghman Island-- Black Walnut Point.  The workmen were busy cleaning up trees from high winds last weekend. 

By this time I was ready for coffee and found a lovely spot at Island Treasures in Tilghman.  The proprietor was so helpful and kind.  I bought an amber pendant and enjoyed great coffee.   I stopped at the park just beyond the bridge and took some pictures ----then on to St. Michaels.

This town was fun to walk around in.  I investigated many shops and had a great experience at Frivolous Fibers, an extraordinary yarn shop in St. Michaels.  I am a lifelong, though intermediate level, knitter.  The proprietor has just the class for me to be held on Sunday.  Janet Szabo of Big Sky Knitting will be there to discuss making sweaters that fit-----yes!!!!  Finally!!!

On my way back I stopped in Easton.  I found a great T-shirt that was waiting for me---- a Starry Night design shirt--- God had it tucked away for me to discover---- Thanks!!  I wore it with my amber pendant for my final activity--- the Oxford / Bellevue Ferry.  Tomorrow I stay here and paint in the local area.  Today I was a tourist.  Tomorrow I am going to produce some art!!

Getting Ready for My Painting Adventure!!

I am getting my drawing and painting gear ready.  Tomorrow I take off for the Chesapeake Bay.  I've packed materials for oil painting, watercolor, pastel, oil pastel, and drawing.  I am not sure what I will want so, I'm bringing all of these materials.  I've also packed easel, clothes, laptop, paper products, food, knitting, Bible, other books, notebooks, magazines, camera, binoculars, etc.  I hope it all fits in the car!!  

On Thursday, I'm taking a class at the Easton Workshop Studio and School :  http://www.eastonstudioandschool.com/

Earlier today, I spotted some more monarchs in the milkweed patch.  This one was another female.

Making Encaustic Paintings in my Garage

This photo shows how I crushed the damar resin crystals with my new yardsale hammer. I put in one catfood tin of resin and 7 tins of chunked up beeswax.