Saturday, July 27, 2013

Plein Air Festival


The French phrase "en plein air" means "in the open air" At the end of the 19th century this type of
outdoor painting was practically unheard of. Then along came English painter, John Constable. He 
was kind of a rebel in the art world deciding to forget formulas, find truth in nature and trust your own vision. He began to create sketches outdoors and then finished them into full sized paintings in his studio.
Our cottage is near an art school and every year they host a Plein Air Painting Festival. It is fascinating to watch these artists create small masterpieces of everyday flowers, houses and scenes using their oil paints.
This particular piece (above and below) is one of my favorites. He is painting a couple of old summer cottages, but what this photograph does not capture is the thick texture the artist has built up on the canvas using the oil paints. I've never been a fan of working with oils because I like instant gratification and oil paint takes so long to dry.  But watching these artists work makes me want to give it a try. Perhaps someday.



I was amazed at how close to each other some of the artists placed their easels. That was because  sometimes there was a favored subject more than one person wanted to paint, like this pair of old bicycles in back of this house.






Old and young alike participated - age doesn't make a difference when it comes to creating art.
When I arrived I parked my car near this artist, at which time her canvas only had a background of purple paint. When I returned to my car, she was finished and rushing off to get her painting turned in to the judges. You see, the contest this day was to create a plein air painting in under two hours! Can you imagine? Sounds like a fun challenge, but much too much pressure for me....especially with people looking over your shoulder why you work!

Monday, July 22, 2013

Life is Good


It's a beautiful day here today. The heat wave is over and cooler, less humid temperature have moved in. The wild flowers in front of my house are in bloom. Life is good!
xo
jeanne

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Seattle: Final Pics


Space Needle
Argosy Scenic Boat Cruise
Cruise Ships Docked
Seattle Skyline
Chihuly Garden of Glass Museum

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

More Pattern Play


More patterns I created during Mary Ann's SEWN e-course.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Thought for Today


Happy Sunday!
(Created using Rhonna Designs App)

Saturday, July 13, 2013

It won't be long now . . .


Beautiful self-portrait my daughter took this week.
In approximately four weeks (give or take a week here or there) my baby will have a baby and I will become a grandma! We're so excited!
Stay tuned . . .

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Dieting


 Ain't that the truth!

Monday, July 08, 2013

Make it Happen


My head is always full of ideas. It seems as though I'm never at a loss for great ideas. Implementing those ideas is what I have a problem with. I don't know why. I suppose it's the procrastinator in me. I'm a great one for putting things off until tomorrow (or next week, next month, etc...) But great ideas are only good if you actually make them happen. Guess I need to work on that part.

Last week I started Mary Ann Moss's new e-course called SEWN (see previous post). 
We worked on creating patterns, which we will later turn into fabulous creations! It's rather fun - kind of like doodling. Here are a few I created using my ipad and the Procreate app:


Signature w/rose

Saturday, July 06, 2013

SEWN Fun


I just signed up to take the newest class from the one and only Mary Ann Moss called SEWN.
It looks so fabulous and colorful and just plan fun!

Here's a short video about the class:


SEWN from MAM on Vimeo.

Hope to see you in class!
Signature w/rose

Wednesday, July 03, 2013

Independence Day


God bless this great country of ours!
 ox
 jeanne